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All-new Yamaha XVS950A Midnight Star


Full-size cruiser performance with a lightweight feel
Powered by a newly-designed 942cc high-torque air-cooled V-twin SOHC engine housed in an easy-handling long-and-low chassis, the all-new Yamaha XVS950A Midnight Star brings an exciting and refreshing ‘new style classic’ look to the sub 1,000cc cruiser category.

This unique and original new machine is aimed at the customer who wants genuine ‘heavyweight’ cruiser style and gutsy V-twin torque combined with punchy performance, light feeling handling and a rider-friendly character. Until now, the choice for new riders looking for a ‘real’ full-sized cruiser has been limited to larger-capacity 1,000cc+ V-twin models whose higher weight and bulkier bodywork can sometimes be intimidating for less experienced bikers.

With its compact new high-torque air-cooled V-twin engine, as well as a long and low chassis, a low seat height, and class-leading modern styling, the easy-to-handle Midnight Star 950 opens up a new chapter in cruiser design. For 2009 those wild-at-heart riders of all ages will have the chance to own a genuine V-twin cruiser whose looks, image, character and performance ensure that it delivers real street credibility.

Although the machine benefits from the use of advanced Yamaha technology, great care has been taken to ensure that this new bike retains the essential simplicity of design that characterizes every classic cruiser.

For example, our engineers spent a great deal of time tuning the new exhaust system in order to accentuate the soulful low-frequency sounds and eliminate high frequency noise. Likewise, much effort was put into creating an efficient intake system which not only enhances performance, but also emits a good intake sound boost pulse feeling from low speeds right through to the high speed range.

The new Midnight Star 950 runs with a large-diameter 18-inch front wheel in order to lighten the handling feel and emphasize the bike’s image of lightness – and for ease of use and enhanced controllability, the fuel tank narrows considerably at the rear.

This extreme attention to every detail – however small – is evident throughout the machine, and the end result is a high quality machine which adds a new dimension to the cruiser world. With its high-torque V-twin air-cooled engine, steel fenders, belt drive and long and low style – as well as new-style classic cruiser looks and a simple, clean-cut design, the all-new Midnight Star 950 delivers full-sized performance with a lightweight feel and easy handling.

Engine

All-new high-torque 942cc air-cooled V-twin 4-valve SOHC design
In order to achieve the design team’s goals of creating a new generation cruiser with a lightweight feel and gutsy performance, the Midnight Star 950 is driven by a newly-designed high-torque 942cc air-cooled V-twin 4-valve SOHC engine with fuel injection.

For optimum low to mid-range performance, the 942cc engine runs with almost ‘square’ bore x stroke dimensions of 85.0 mm x 83.0 mm, and the highly efficient pent-roof combustion chamber delivers a compression ratio of 9.0:1. (For comparison, the Midnight Star 1300 features a bore x stroke of 100.0 mm x 83.0 mm, and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.) The combination of a 4-valve head with a pent-roof combustion chamber and a ‘square’ configuration gives the engine a punchy torque output for strong acceleration and rapid overtaking potential.

This compact new V-twin engine utilizes the same three axes (crankshaft/front cylinder cam/rear cylinder cam) as the larger-capacity Midnight Star 1300 to give a compact V-bank, but it has a very different power delivery character as a result of the elimination of the balancer mechanism. By not equipping this new V-twin with a balancer mechanism, our engineers have been able to enhance the pulse feeling and also minimize the new engine’s crankcase dimensions and weight.

In addition, the decision to adopt air cooling has given our designers more freedom in creating a clean and simple profile which further emphasizes the light feel and image of this new-generation cruiser.

This gutsy new 942cc 60 V-twin also features state-of-the-art internals, including lightweight forged pistons, a ceramic plated cylinder and highly efficient 4-valve cylinder head, as well as many newly-designed components including cams, valves, throttle body, oil pump, crankshaft, connecting rods, clutch, transmission gears, crankcase cover and exhaust system.

Engine - Technical Highlights
• All-new 942cc air-cooled V-twin 4-valve SOHC engine
• Bore x stroke 85 mm x 83 mm
• 9.0:1 compression ratio
• Compact 60º V-twin design
• Uneven firing interval at 300º and 420º
• Characterful pulse feeling
• Pent roof combustion chambers
• Strong low to mid-range torque
• Elimination of balancer shaft for reduced weight and stronger engine pulse feeling
• Specially-shaped tapered cylinder fin layout for classic V-twin style
• Right side-mounted air intake with tuned induction noise
• Large-capacity 3-litre air cleaner box
• Efficient fuel injection for instant response and reduced emissions
• Optimized squish area design for efficient combustion
• Forged aluminium pistons and ceramic composite plated cylinders
• Roller rocker arms for smoother engine performance
• Right-side 2-1 muffler and 3-way catalytic converter
• Smooth-shifting 5-speed transmission with straight-cut gear dogs

Chassis

New-design double-cradle steel frame
The Midnight Star 950’s new double cradle frame has been designed to deliver a lightweight handling feeling, and this has been achieved by designing a structure which offers varying degrees of rigidity in different areas in order to achieve an idealized rigidity balance. The new frame is especially rigid around the head pipe area, whilst the torsional rigidity is set at a relatively lower level in order to introduce a degree of forgiveness into the handling characteristics, which makes for high levels of surface feedback and increased rider comfort.

The relationship between the frame’s torsional, lateral and longitudinal rigidity levels has been carefully selected by our engineers following extensive testing, and the result is a chassis whose roadholding and handling characteristics complement the performance of the high-torque engine.

From an aesthetic point of view, the design of the new double cradle frame projects an image of simplicity and functionality, which perfectly matches the classic lines of the new air-cooled V-twin powerplant. The engine is mounted to the frame with rigid mounts, with one at the cylinder head and three on the crankcase, and by using the engine as a stressed member the overall chassis weight can be minimized. The four rigid engine mounts also help to accentuate the uneven firing pulse feeling, to give a characterful and enjoyable riding experience.

Chassis - Technical Highlights
• New-design double-cradle tubular steel frame
• 1,685 mm long-wheelbase, easy-handling chassis
• Low seat height of 675 mm
• 18-inch front wheel for light feeling steering
• 130/70-18 front tyre
• Newly designed lightweight 8-spoke aluminum wheels front and rear
• Front wheel: 18 x MT3.50; rear wheel: 16 x MT4.50.
• Classic front and rear steel fenders
• Slim 17 litre tapered teardrop fuel tank with wide and flat upper surface
• A long and low body with a “New-Style Classic” image
• Front forks with 41 mm inner tubes giving mm135 mm wheel travel
• Bottom link type Monocross rear suspension giving 110 mm wheel travel
• Front and rear suspension systems with optimized settings
• Large-diameter 320 mm front disc brake, 298 mm diameter rear disc brake
• Cast aluminium upper triple clamp
• New-design large-diameter multi-function instrument panel
• Belt drive system

COLOURS
Ocean Depth
Dark Red
Midnight Black