For 2015, the Yamaha Sport Heritage range is further strengthened with the launch of the new XV950 Racer. Aimed at free thinking riders looking for a unique, characterful and sporty motorcycle that refuses to follow convention, this new bike mixes V-twin low rider style with timeless café racer attitude.

Yamaha are working closely with some of Europe’s most innovative and exciting custom builders in order to develop a range of unique and evocative Yard Built specials. The XV950’s versatility and customizing potential is clearly demonstrated by the ‘Boltage’, a stripped back street racer built by Christian and Raphael Bender – while the inspiration for the new XV950 Racer has come from the ‘El Ratón Asesino’ – a stunning café racer produced by German custom builder Marcus Walz.

With its muscular air-cooled V-twin engine, as well as a compact and agile handling chassis equipped with clip-on handlebars and rear set footrests, the Yamaha XV950 Racer adds another dimension to the Sport Heritage line up. Featuring raw, minimalist and original styling that draws on low rider and café racer influences, this new model represents a new concept in sport V-twin design, and underlines Yamaha’s on-going commitment to the development of exciting motorcycles in the Sport Heritage range.

Producing maximum torque of 8.1kg-m at 3,000 rpm, and maximum power of 52.1PS at 5,500 rpm, the 942cc air-cooled 60-degree V-twin engine is built to deliver strong acceleration from low engine speeds. The bike’s short and low chassis ensures agile handling performance both in the city and on twisty back roads, and this combination of a gutsy engine and agile chassis – as well as the special mix of low rider style with café racer ergonomics – makes the new XV950 Racer a unique motorcycle.

What distinguishes the new XV950 Racer from other models is its forward-leaning riding position that gives the rider a great sense of unity with the motorcycle for a sporty riding experience. This has been achieved by the use of forged aluminium 22.2mm diameter clip-on handlebars that are positioned 156mm further forward and 78mm lower than on the XV950/R models. The clip-on handlebars are equipped with compact new switchgear and clutch/front brake levers that reinforce the sport-oriented feel, and the front brake’s master cylinder has also been reduced in size. The fitment of a black coloured aluminium plate on the handlebar crown highlights the bike’s racer-looks – and the classic-looking single instrument pod is centrally positioned above the headlamp. As well as the use of exclusive new clip-on handlebars, the XV950 Racer also features newly developed rear-set footrests that are 150mm further to the rear and 29mm higher than those fitted to the XV950/R. The Racer’s slim new single seat is 75mm higher than the XV950/R models too. The XV950 Racer comes equipped with a mini café racer cowling that, together with the single round headlight and clip-on handlebars, perfectly captures the spirit of the original café racer movement.

The front and rear suspension systems on the XV950 Racer have been developed to match the sporty character of the machine, and the 41mm forks offer 144mm travel, 9mm more than on the XV950/R models. Classically styled fork boots are fitted to the new black-coloured forks, reinforcing the bike’s timeless good looks that are designed to appeal to riders who appreciate attention to detail. The twin rear piggyback gas shocks have also been developed to suit the new Racer model, and give 116mm of rear wheel travel, 6mm greater than the XV950/R.