Yamaha V-star 650 vs Yamaha Bolt R-spec
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Yamaha V-star 650 vs Yamaha Bolt R-spec. Yamaha V-star 650: 40 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 228 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 160 km/h (estimated, note: governed by gearing and aerodynamics), Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Yamaha Bolt R-spec: 54 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 252 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Yamaha V-star 650
Yamaha Bolt R-spec
Horsepower (hp)
40 hp
54 hp
Torque (Nm)
50 Nm
80 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
160 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
228 kg
252 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
40 hp @ 7,500 rpm
54 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
50 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
80 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
Top Speed
160 km/h (estimated, note: governed by gearing and aerodynamics)
175 km/h (estimated)
Weight
228 kg (wet/curb weight)
252 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.8 L/100km (approx. 26 km/L typical real-world average)
4.5 L/100km (approx. 22 km/L, typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Yamaha V-star 650
7.5/10
"The most reliable cheap cruiser you can buy used today."
Pros
+Virtually unbreakable drivetrain
+Low accessible seat height
+Massive cheap aftermarket support
Cons
−Buzzy above 70mph
−Weak stock suspension
−Carb gums when neglected
Yamaha Bolt R-spec
7.8/10
"A genuinely rewarding urban cruiser that rewards patient, style-conscious riders."
Pros
+Bulletproof reliability record
+Strong resale value retention
+Gorgeous factory finish quality
Cons
−Seat punishes longer rides
−Suspension undersprung for heavier riders
−No wind protection whatsoever
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
