AI DamageYamaha XVS950: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha XVS950 across 5 model years: 19 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 21% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 16% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 16% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (21% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (21% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (16% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 17,000.
Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed.
While driving 40-45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission was destroyed due to a design flaw. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired.
My concern is the death wobble the bike has when at speeds around 45 mph.
The handlebars almost shake out of my hands and I have to speed up or slow down to stop the wobble. I have done some research and it seems it is a common problem with bolt owners and has been well documented. The bearings in the triple tree are sub standard and that is where the wobble comes from.
Severe "death wobble" at 45 mph. Very dangerous and after doing some research, nearly every bolt owner is reporting same problem. The problem stems from the sub-standard bearing used in the triple tree, remedy is installing new higher quality tapered bearings.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.