Not only that, but it also does it at a lower price. Harley-Davidson purists might even prefer this Japanese cruiser to the American one. Here then is this strange cruiser from a Japanese manufacturer that seems to play the American cruiser game better than the definitive American cruiser manufacturer.
The Bolt R-Spec competes with the Harley-Davidson Sportster at a lower price
The Bolt was a cruiser launched in 2013, and the R-Spec was the more aggressive version that debuted in mid-2014. It was very clearly a tribute to the Sportster of that time, the one with the Evolution engine. The Yamaha took the same formula and made it better in a very Japanese way: better quality, better reliability and lower cost of ownership. Today, the Sportster series has moved on and turned into a completely different animal, but the Bolt R-Spec continues, offering a throwback cruiser with modern quality and reliability at an economical price.
Yamaha Bolt R-Spec price: $8,999
The Bolt R-Spec is priced $1,000 cheaper than the Nightster. The gap widens with other models in the range, especially the Sportster S, which costs $15,999. For the price, the Yamaha’s feature set is good, especially if you view it as a blank canvas for customization. With the kind of use it has had, it will also be reliable and the cost of ownership will be very low.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec has Throwback V-Twin Power
The Bolt R-Spec uses an engine that bridges the gap between old-world soul and modern technology. This 60° V-twin is air-cooled and has a SOHC head, but has four valves per cylinder and fuel injection. It has a displacement of 942 cc and the bore and stroke are 85 and 83 mm respectively. It has a relaxed compression ratio of 9.0:1, so output is a modest 65 horsepower and 59 pound-feet.
Yamaha does not reveal where the power peak occurs, but we know the torque peaks at a low 3,000 rpm. A five-speed gearbox with a wide ratio was the most normal thing in the world at the time, so that’s what you get here. The final drive is via a belt, making it a true tribute to an American cruiser.
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A simple chassis underlies the Bolt R-Spec
The Bolt R-Spec uses a traditional downtube frame to cradle the motor. This may make it a little heavier than today’s sporty cruisers, but it also makes it very easy to customize. Up front, telescopic forks with 4.7 inches of travel are featured, and dual piggyback rear shocks with 2.8 inches of travel round out the suspension. The brakes are also old-fashioned: a single 298 mm disc does its job at both ends. These are housed on a 19-inch front rim and a 16-inch rear rim.
Yamaha bolt dimensions R-Spec
The Bolt R-Spec is 90 centimeters long, with a wheelbase of just under 62 centimeters. Ground clearance is 5.1 inches, which is okay considering the dual rear shocks allow for a low seat height of 27.2 inches. Wet weight is 542 pounds, and the fuel tank is relatively small at 3.4 gallons.
Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Features
To be honest, the Bolt R-Spec doesn’t have many features. The standard instrument cluster is a round unit with a rectangular LCD screen in it. The digital part displays the speed and mileage. It’s not a deal breaker, however, as there is such a wide choice of all kinds of instrument panels on the aftermarket to better suit your style. Think of the Bolt R-Spec as a blank canvas, and you’ll understand where Yamaha is coming from.
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Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Competition
The Bolt R-Spec was designed as a competitor to the Sportster range and the current range consists of three models. The Nightster, Nightster Special and the Sportster S. The Nightster is a bare version, with an analogue instrument panel and no pillion seat, but retains basic safety features such as ABS, traction control and drag-torque slip control. It’s now a very different kind of cruiser, and the engine itself is a high-revving, fully liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine.
The mill is coupled to a six-speed gearbox with assist and slip clutch. Thanks to the modern chassis, it is considerably lighter than the Bolt R-Spec. The same goes for the Nightster Special: it offers a TFT screen, cruise control, Bluetooth and navigation in addition to what the base Nightster offers.
The Sportster S is the crown jewel of the Sportster range and gets the Revolution Max engine with variable valve timing on all its valves. It also has almost twice the power of the Bolt R-Spec, and it looks a lot more modern thanks to Harley’s choice to style it after the flat-track racers in its history. A color TFT screen, Bluetooth, navigation and a six-axis IMU (which unlocks traction control, drag-torque slip control and ABS) sweetens the pot.
When it comes to customization, however, the Yamaha will be infinitely easier – it’s not just due to the lack of electronics either. The kind of suspension and brakes it has will make it much easier to find compatible aftermarket parts, not to mention the fact that it has been around for a decade. It’s also not a bad idea to leave it stock as we have yet to ride a Yamaha that handles poorly!
Yamaha Bolt R-Spec vs. Harley-Davidson Sportster
Model | Yamaha Bolt R-Spec | Harley Davidson Sportster S |
Price | $8,999 | $15,999 |
Engine | 60° V-twin | 60° V-twin |
Displacement | 942 cc | 1252 cc |
Current | 65 hp | 121 hp at 7,500 rpm |
Couple | 59.3 LB-FT @ 3,000 rpm | 93 LB-FT @ 6,000 rpm |
Control weight | 542 lbs (wet) | 502 pounds (wet) |
Source: Yamaha Power Sports
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