2009 Yamaha XVS950 Midnight Star- First pictures

Yamaha’s sub-1000cc cruiser, the XVS950 Midnight Star, gets boosted with a newly-designed 942cc air-cooled V-twin engine and a lengthened and lowered chassis for improved handling.

The new classic-style cruiser also becomes air-cooled for 2009 and many new engine components including cams, valves, crankshafts and exhaust system.

To make the Midnight Star feel more nimble on the move, Yamaha has introduced a new double cradle frame design.

The move to the double-cradle design adds rigidity around the head pipe area whist the torsional rigidity is set at a lower level for more feel and improved rider comfort.

The XVS950A Midnight Star has the longest wheelbase in its class, measuring in at 1,685mm.

That’s just 5mm less than the bigger brother 1300 Midnight Star, but the lower capacity 950 weighs a full 25kg less.

Yamaha has moved the engine further forward in the chassis to improve weight distribution over the front end to give the rider more feel, and a lowered seat height of 675mm should make this cruiser more manageable.

Handling ability is also improved with an 18-inch front wheel and a narrower 130-section front tyre than traditionally expected from the cruiser market.