2023 Yamaha Bolt R

The R-Spec combines old-school simplicity in a modern avatar and represents the best of the Bolt line of American-style cruisers

Yamaha carries its Bolt R-Spec pocket cruiser into 2023 with all the American-style goodness that made it popular in the first place. A torquey V-twin plant powers it even while it adds to the overall aesthetic and agile nature. At less than nine grand, this bike makes for both a trainer for larger cruisers or even as a destination model for your urban jaunts/commute/whatever.

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The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec produces 65 horsepower and 59.3 pound-feet of torque. Perhaps best of all, the grunt maxes out at a low, 3,000 RPM mark, so you can count on plenty of tractable power low down to come out of the hole like a boss and with ample passing power on tap.

The layout is nearly square with an 85 mm bore and 83 mm stroke for a total displacement of 942 cc. It has a mild, 9-to-1 compression ratio that should be very forgiving of low-octane pump champagne.

Ceramic-composite cylinder plating eliminates the need for heavy cylinder inserts while providing a long service life and reduced oil consumption. There's a quartet of poppets in each of the two heads, and a single over-head cam in each to time the lot.

Power flows through a standard wet clutch and five-speed transmixxer before it heads to the rear wheel via a tough, carbon-reinforced, belt-and-pulley drive. Bolt R-Spec's top speed is 106 mph, which is plenty for civilized roads, even too much for a beginner, certainly too fast for me since I inevitably wind up going as fast as the machine will let me. I simply can't be alone in that.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine

Air-Cooled, SOHC V-Twin; 4 Valves

Displacement

942 cc (58 cu in)

Bore x Stroke

85 mm x 83 mm

Compression

9.0 :1

Power

65 HP

Torque

59.3 LB-FT

Fuel System

Fuel Injection

Final Drive

Belt

Gearbox

5-Speed, Multiplate Wet Clutch

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There's certainly a whole thing centered around the old-school American sport-cruiser look. The Harley-Davidson Sportster has it, the Bonneville Bobber has it, and the Bolt has it.

Generous blackout coverage makes an immediate and crucial connection to the custom culture of both old and new. A round cyclops headlight lights the way and ties into the historical look further yet.

The front blinkers mount to the actual top bracket of the tripletree, well out of harm's way if you drop it in the parking lot or at a light. Behind the light, a single, round LCD takes care of business with all the pertinent metrics in a one-stop shop. Even the 3.4-gallon fuel tank is retro with its teardrop profile.

The handlebar has just a few inches of rise, so it encourages a forward-leaning posture and supports a more upright position for long-distance comfort. Mid-mount foot controls and a low seat that rides at only 27.2 inches off the deck complete the rider's triangle. It's a solo seat, so you can forget about sharing the fun with a friend as it sets on the showroom floor, but it does make for a clean rear end.

An LED taillight ensures you are extra visible from the rear, and the tag hangs down from the edge of the fender to extend the coverage over the rear wheel. All-in-all, this is a nice-looking bike and kudos to the designers for all the Easter Eggs.

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Specs

Length

90.2 in

Width

37.2 in

Height

44.1 in

Seat Height

27.2 in

Wheelbase

61.8 in

Ground Clearance

5.1 in

Fuel Capacity

3.4 gal

Curb Weight

542 lbs

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The frame also has a role to play in the classic looks of the Bolt R-Spec. It runs in a dual-downtube/double-cradle arrangement that fully cups and supports the engine rather than using it as a stressed member to complete the structure.

The backbone also comes into play. It has a rather steep drop from the steering head toward the rear, so it sort of emulates the geometry of the old hard-tail frames without going overboard with a special swingarm or any such nonsense.

Rake and trail point to a stable ride with 29 degrees and 5.1 inches respectively, over a 61.8-inch wheelbase. The only thing missing is a little stretch in the downtubes and backbone to cross fully into chopper territory. Maybe next year...

Cast blackout rims mount Bridgestone Exedra hoops in a 100/90-19 ahead of a 150/80-16. This is a nice little bit of asymmetry that further reinforces the Bolt's classic-custom chops.

The front forks run a 41 mm inner tube diameter for the strength and rigidity it adds to the equation. Out back, a set of piggyback, coil-over shocks support and tame the rear end. Suspension travel is acceptable up front with a 4.7-inch stroke, but the rear end is a little stodgy at only 2.8 inches of travel. Probably enough for the urban jungle, but it makes it a bit firm on the roughest patches.

Each end mounts a 298 mm, petal-cut disc that dissipates more heat than a standard round disc. The dearth of electronics extends to ABS, so you'll have to rely on skill instead.

Chassis & Suspension

Front Suspension/ Travel

Telescopic fork/ 4.7 in

Rear Suspension/ Travel

Dual piggyback shocks/ 2.8 in

Rake

29°

Trail

5.1 in

Front Tire

100/90-19 Bridgestone® EXEDRA G721 F

Rear Tire

150/80-16 Bridgestone® EXEDRA G722 R

Front Brake

298 mm disc

Rear Brake

298 mm disc

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The 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec costs $8,899. Yamaha only offers a Storm Gray colorway again this year. The 2023 model was available from November 2022.

Pricing & Features

Warranty

One-Year, Limited Warranty

Colors

Storm Gray

Price

$8,899.00

It's impossible to cover this bike and not think of the Harley-Davidson Sportster lineup. With that in mind, and knowing they'll come toe-to-toe in the U.S. market, I feel pretty good about grabbing the new Sportster S in spite of some significant differences betwixt the two.

Looks-wise, the Sporty is fat in all the right places and skinny everywhere else. Between the postage-stamp front fender, pared-down rear fender, and beefy front end, it's all supported by rather chunky tires indeed.

Admittedly, H-D puts together a more modern machine, having just axed all the old Evolution-based Sportster models. It boasts a 1,251.9 cc engine that puts out 121 ponies with 94 pounds o' grunt to significantly overpower the Bolt.

Adjustable suspension makes the Sporty more tunable for your preferences, and the Infotainment system makes it more fun, but the battery of ride-safety electronic enhancements just puts it over the top. You'll pay for all that extra delightfulness, to the tune of $16,849, so it's almost twice the price of the Bolt.

"The choice, I suppose, comes down to whether it's a transitional bike or not since the Sportster S makes a capable destination model, but if you plan on upgrading one day in the foreseeable future, the price and capabilities attached to the Bolt are certainly more beginner-friendly."

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, "I do miss the C-Spec with its café look. In the Desert Bronze colorway, it was an awesome little bike. The R-Spec continues the Bolt legacy, however, in much the same manner."

"It's unintimidating with enough power to be a fun ride without getting you into too much trouble. I called them 'scrappy' in the past and I stand by it now. With no higher electronics on board, you'll learn to ride a motorcycle in its basic form."

A 942 cc air-cooled V-Twin engine powers the Yamaha Bolt. It produces 65 horsepower and 59.3 pound-feet of torque, which, for a lightweight bike, promises a fun ride.

The basic Bolt is a more vintage-styled bike whereas the Bolt R-Spec has upgraded components. Blackout treatment, an upgraded saddle, higher-performance piggyback gas shocks, and cast wheels set the R-Spec apart from its plain-Jane sibling. With the price difference close enough to make little difference between the two, the R-Spec carries forward as the more popular choice.

The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec carries a 942 cc air-cooled V-Twin engine. The engine is similar to ones in the Yamaha V-Star 950 and XSV 950.

The Yamaha Bolt's top speed is 106 mph. While not blistering fast, the Bolt's agile nature and torque low in the rev range promises a fun ride.

TJ got an early start from his father and other family members who owned and rode motorcycles, and by helping with various mechanical repairs throughout childhood. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn't discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. He currently holds an Associate's degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.