Today I went to a Yamaha event in my town,tried the BOLT basic entry model (basic rear shocks, no ABS, basic seat). Ran straight to the closest HD dealership and tried the IRON 883 to compare: At the end of the day I bought the BOLT. My reasons: - Power delivery on the bolt is fantastic, that torque! - Sound: the BOLT sound sharper and louder in my ears. - the gear box is easy, light and precise. - Suspensions, I read many reviews of people complaining about the BOLT hard suspensions, I am about 190 pound and I did not experience any disconffort as opposed to the big guys in the other videos on KZfaq. - Heavy but actually light, super agile at low speed. (my previous bike was a Ducati 999) - Riding position just spot on ! - Price My reasons why I did not choose the HD: - The clutch would never let me find neutral (I spent the whole 30 minutes of the test drive without behing able to release the clutch). Explanation given by HD: it is easier put in neutral while stopping the bike and not after coming to a complete stop. Explanation 2: all HDs need 300kms to get used to... - the seat was terribly hard (harder than the bolt). - Braking is too mild, and lack response to my taste (maybe because the bike was new?) - Suspension much too soft at the front. If you combine the soft braking and the suspension you have to anticipate a lot on your braking when reaching more than 40mph. - Lack of power but it is unfair given that it is 80cc less than the BOLT. - No rear seat nor rear foot rest as standard ... - where I live they sell the HD 2500USD more than the bolt with rear seat incl. The subjective part: - The looks of the HD is of course better but high price + less comfort = less riding pleasure. - The BOLT looks OK, I found the Mat Grey not bad at all. You completely forget about the look when actually riding the bike. Oh I forgot to mention that initially I was on the market for a Honda CB 1300SF or a Monster 1000.

Bolt vs 883 comparison? Hardly! This was a Bolt commercial pure and simple. Don't call something a comparison when you are so obviously just trying to sell one of the products.

I've got a 883 and I must say that all the things they pointed out with the HD are true, it's pretty slow, it has shit suspension, ground clearance is rubbish, it vibrates when your get above...well I'd say 80km. All those things considered I'd NEVER swap it for a Bolt. I used to own a Yamaha, great bike, but it was in a category that Yamaha owned (or at least weren't just imitating), if you want a bobber there is only one brand, sorry Yamaha, riding a Harley is not about 0-100, or comfortable suspension, it's a life style.

"Harley is a lifestyle" - eating shit could be a lifestyle too.

The Bolt is a LookAlike... The Sportster is a timeless classic, the Bolt is just another good bike from Yamaha. Performance wise, with 52 Hp I wouldn't mention it that often. You people build the R1,that's a performance machine. The Bolt is just a good cruiser with a disastruos resale value, at leat here in Germany.

star bolt yamaha huh? I will stick with HD for the look feel and even just the american name. Classic is classic for a reason.

Yeah, it is a nice copy of the Sportster. Except the digital speedo that looks totally out of place, the goofy looking flange around the gas tank that looks unfinished, and the front of the frame looks like an afterthought to get around the front exhaust pipe. I do like the 2 into 1 exhaust. I would expect a bike with larger displacement to be quicker, especially with a little less weight. It is a decent looking copy, but I if had to choose, as an American, I would buy American instead of sending my money overseas... especially since the price of both bikes is equal. Why buy a copy when you can have the original? But to each their own, if you like the Bolt, buy a Bolt. It would be a boring world if we all had the same bike. So long as your riding, I say it doesn't matter what you ride.

After lots of search, I bought the new XV950R this Wednesday in Istanbul. So far great machine...

A harley is a harley, it's more than just a bike.

Not a comparison. An ad for Bolt :( Well... the Bolt is just a motorcycle. And the Harley.... well... it's a Harley.

I think the bolt looks interesting and appealing in the way that other metric bikes intrigue me, they just have so many bits and pieces that you don't find on HD's. That being said, it's kind of funny to me that the Bolt relies of the iconic design of the Sportster to prop itself up. If Yamaha is so forward thinking why emulate the core design of the sporty? Why do any other companies emulate the look? Because Harelys invoke emotion out of people whether they like it or not. Good or bad, people "feel" a certain way about Harleys, that I don't think they feel when looking at a Kawasaki Vulcan or a Vstar for example. I'm not saying the Bolt isn't a good bike by any means, they're more affordable, maintenance isn't ridiculous if you take it to a dealer, they've got progressive technology. I quite like it but I think Harleys will always means something different to the people that ride them. For better or for worse, there's nothing like an Harley.

As a long long time metric rider, kawasaki's and honda's I've really wanted to get back to a small fun bike like my old vulcan 800a, on a VTX1800c these days, Have been between the harley forty eight and someone brought up the bolt I figured I'd give it a look, after seeing this Video posted by yamaha I can tell you I'm sold.... sold on getting the forty eight nothing like making a video saying your bike is the bomb.

There's a lot I like about the bolt. However I still don't understand why they're still using that glossy digital readout 3 years after its initial release when so many people have complained about it being unreadable. I think the Iron's design is more polished and my guess is there's more options for modification. But I could definitely see why so many people would choose the Bolt over it.

still love my iron 883 but star has seriously stepped up their game

I have an iron. Do I regret it? No. But every one has one. I feel like just another guy who bought a Harley. I love the look of the bolt. Also love the look of the Yamaha r3. Should've done more research

Harley's on the clock an I think they know it. I have nothing against Harley, but they bend to come out with innovative technology if they want to stay competitive. My generation isn't as star struck as the old guard. Once they're gone, Harley will lose market supremacy if they don't get their act together now.

Honestly the 883 should be cheaper simple

Just got done looking at a few Bolts at the Austin MotoGP race, all I can say after finally getting to see/touch/sit on a Bolt in person is I'm so glad I held off buying a 883 Iron last year... The Bolt wins hands down, I will be getting one in the next few months... Star/Yamaha killed it on the Bolt!!! Awesome machine. Double thumbs up.

I've put 33,000 miles on my Sportster. I ride alone every mile. What some people call shortcomings mean nothing to me.

i like the jax teller wana be they got for this video

Tell me, please, if the people at Yamaha had time to study the Iron, then why is it so horribly designed where looks are concerned? If the Bolt had a goodlooking exhaust, a goodlooking airfilter, no engine sticking out from underneath the tank, no unsightly gap between the tank and the seat and a meter i can read, then i'd surely choose the Bolt over the Iron. The relatively small difference in engine performance doesn't compensate for those terribly looking parts imo. Really, how hard can it be to have a decent stock exhaust and airfilter?

I don't care what you guys say. That bolt is a really nice bike.

883 all the way I love my 2014

Well I put it like this. I've owned the bolt for about 6 months, got rid of it for a 2020 Harley Davidson Roadster 1200, and I absolutetly love it. Haven't thought about the bolt since.

"In pure terms of workmanship, personally I don't like Harleys. I ride them because I'm in the club, and that's the image, but if I could I would seriously consider riding a Honda ST1100 or a BMW. We really missed the boat not switching over to the Japanese models when they began building bigger bikes." -Sonny Barger, pg. 53 of "Hell's Angel, The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club"

Does this guy really ride or does he just made to look cool as he talks far too intelligently for a biker....and I know, I am a biker and shit I don't look this cool in my leathers.

I ride a sportster, been riding metrics for 30 years, not a metric hater, the Bolt is a fine bike but fit and finish goes to the Sportster, He forgot to mention that tank seam around the bolt tank that was borrowed from the old yamaha radian, for better or worse, there is no plastic on the sportster, yes it adds weight but bikes covered with plastichrome or plastiblack parts will not become classics, my 2 cents.

i love my 2015 yamaha bolt!! vance and hines twin slash exhaust, vance and hines air cleaner and I have a fuel management system as well. sounds beast, runs great. harley is fine, but i chose a bolt.

Techno Viking is that really you ??

Harley 4EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harley is Harley

Cool motorcycle, cool dude.

Only because this guy works for Star Motorcycle

i have ridden my brothers iron 883 and I just bought a bolt. the only thing i liked about the HD was the sound. his HD did not break well at all and leaning in corners was a challenge. The bolt much better bike. I bought Vance and Hines slip on exhaust and changed the air intake and sounds way better then my brothers bike. in fact asks to ride my bike all the time. HD is losing its hold on the market I mean look what HD came out with. Street 500 and street 750 why to compete with asain markets because there losing money in north America.. Both crappy bikes may I add.

I love my bolt...the bike is not for long road trips unless u want it to be...very good in the city..smooth ride...mirrors sux but who cares...the bike is f- ing awesome... my husband has the vulcan s and it's a great bike too

Is this channel a little biased? Slap a 1200 kit on the iron

Nice jacket, who is it made by?

keanu reeves really needs to do a sequal with this guy "dude wheres my bike" 😄😄😄

Looks like an enduro sportster, but hate to break it to ya Yamaha, there's only one Harley!

Better is better.. Harley's are nice but I follow quality that's why I bought the Bolt.

speed is for dead people.. i want my bike to look cool and drive it slowly

I've had a Sportster for the last 6 years and just for grins I took a demo ride on a new Star Bolt. As a result, all I've got to say is that Harley had better get back to the drawing board and start improving the Sportster. I found the Bolt to be smoother and quicker and had a more "solid" feel than the Sporty. If I were in the market for a small V-Twin cruiser, the Bolt would be my first pick.

Sound brother....Sound.....

Watch Shawn Smoak's moto vlogs. He's got a bunch of high quality and really enjoyable vlogs on the 883 Iron. His videos really sell me on the Iron!

ive had the same experience at team powersports. try joe snow and twin specialties; he's a good guy with a good staff.

Looking forward to seeing one for real. Liking the Bolt very much!

A Harley motorcycle clone pitched by a Charlie Hunnan clone. Of course!

harleys are nice bikes, i might get one someday, when im old and wanna be an asshole and disrespectful towards other riders if they own something different than a harley

Everything about the bolt is better than the 883. I like Harley's don't get me wrong, but all these people that have their fingers wrapped around Harley because of the name are just rediculous. Can't be open minded enough to give other products a shot. They don't know if they would like it or not. I think most would be surprised how smooth the Bolt really is and how comfortable. Not to mention the engine will run for a very long time.

I'M IN LOVE WITH THE BOLT

Bump it up to 1200cc or more and I'm listening. 59 more cc of displacement isn't a big enough bump to outclass Harley, but the price tag does make it tempting. I suspect this will be the go-to starter bike once a few model years end up on the used market.

would have been a better comparison against the sporster 1200 beings more people buy the 1200 over the 883, power output and 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times would be great also

lol I love these comparison video's from Yamaha. First the MT-09 vs the Street Triple, now this. It's basically saying here is the market leader... and here's why it's shit compared to this all new Yamaha motorcycle. Best marketing department ever lol

Only three thing to say. IT IS NOT A HARLEY, CAN NOT MACH THE SOUND AND THE WEIGHT CENTER GRAVITY.

My bolt rspect is so cool . I love my bike , of course I would love to have a Harley in the future as we'll ,

It has to be between the Kawaski Vulcan and the Yamaha Bolt.

I love how Yamaha openly admits to ripping off Harley, why can't they put an original looking cruiser of their own out?

stop talking about the better performance of the bolt. you are insulting us and your R1s also.

Even though I prefer the Bolt, I think this video is wayyy biased towards the Bolt. Might have something to do with the fact that this is the Yamaha Channel...

They did. They're called the Sryker and the Raider. Nothing Harley makes looks anything like either of those bikes. If you see them in person you'll see what I mean.

all a bolt is a updated xv920 virago with a bigger bore and fuel injection and belt drive vs shaft drive

Why not just by the bike Star spent a very long time coping?

Once used models start popping up you will see more people interested. No one going to choose this bike over HD if they are the same price. Also, the HD will hold it's resale value better. I would get one but only if it was cheaper. Yamaha going up against a company with 110 years of history.

car = italian motorbike = japan

thanks for your PM. I did have a HD before. I know what I'm taking about in regards to owning both HD and Japanese engineering. if you're gonna bust my balls for having my own opinion, I dont care. Love your HD. I dont care. Convince me that you know more than me, or that what I know is wrong? I dont care.I had an opinion and you felt in necessary to "grace" me with your knowledge. Guess what I dont care! I respect your loyalty but don't push it on me, or feel telling us non-HD ppl we're wrong

why all the moaning about which is better? buy the one you like because you like it, not because some one says theirs is better. cheers.

official response is that they needed fuel tank capacity. Rolled seam would widen the tunnel

I like the Bolt. I'm sure its a fine bike. I actually considered buying one last summer. I just couldn't get past the fact that this is a 950cc motor that only makes 51hp. I don't get it.

both are nice, dont really see the point in owning an 883 sportster unless your a bird who cant carry a 1200. have seen the bolt on road in all black with forward controlls which improved the look for me. but like i said, with the weight of these bikes i wouldnt bother with anything smaller than the 1200s, personally.

HD don't sell performance bikes.They sell an image of , look at me - just got out of jail .😉 don't kill me. But at the end of the day the yamaha will be easier to live with & a huge dealer network with after sales service , I think this will be its biggest advantage! Would love see a year cost comparison test including parts for service & repairs? 😮 theres the cliff hanger....

Does this guy even ride?

for me Harley only...

whats the name of first and 0:40 song? ty in advance

they might bring back the styling of the XS650 with a tripple engine. who knows what they plan to do with the new waves of tripples they're developing

But it isn't a Harley - when will they realise that us riders want something that costs more, shakes out any dentistry fillings and have to spend another £5K on to get a ride-able bike that we don't ride but fire 'her' up when our mates come around so we can compare Vance and Hines exhaust sounds? Come on Yamaha, get with the program!

These videos are put out by Yamaha .Of course this guy is going to say the the bolts are better .Lets see an unbiased review

Here's what Yamaha needs to understand: Motorcycles are primarily purchased for recreation, not transportation. If you want transportation then you would be concerned with performance, cornering clearance, suspension travel, etc....But as far as pure recreation goes, all you care about is fun, image, the feeling you get when you ride it, feel it, hear it, look at it. I feel icky when I look at the Bolt. It looks cheap and thrown together, the lines are all wonky, it sounds tinny and wimpy. The Iron looks like sex, it follows a consistent theme, the lines are flowing, it doesn't look cheap, it sounds deep and throaty, I feel excited when I look at it. But hey, the Bolt is "better", there's no arguing that.

yeah, I just commented all in favor of the bolt over the sahdow. But this comparison... I'm not feeling it. I'd probably take the Harley - and I ride a Vstar 950. Two reasons I got the Yammy over the Harley : dollars and size. I couldnt even come close to affording the Harley I would have wanted. And the sportster is girl-size small. But even the tall guys who I have met who have the 883 say they love it. Its hard not to prefer a Harley.

The Truth is the 883 is much worse than the Bolt, overall. That said it doesn't mean the Bolt is Top Notch. Compare to the Vulcan S, the Kawi 650 dusts the Bolt. As for the 883, if I were Harley I would compare that to the Honda Shadow; mentioning Honda's rear wheel "Drum Brake"...

But will it blend?

no way is this video biased *looks at user who uploads video*

then find a 2011 vstar 950 for $3000. The bolt and 950 vstar share the same engine. I like the 883, and Harley is just cool, but the Japanese market is offering some really good, reliable bikes.

And the winner is.................The Indian Scout :)

Comparing metric bikes to HD is a bit hard since every metric is better built like the honda shaddow , kawasaki vulcan & the biggest selling cruiser in USA - suzuki Boulevard. ..

What about engine character and sound, customization ability, aftermarket parts.? I know the sportster its not the best motorcycle out there but for me you compare 40 year old vs new copy...Harleys have the best sound because are real classics

It might have all those things over the Harley, and it does look nice, but HD has it's name imprinted all over American Heritage. Besides, when I think of iconic bobber, I think of a stripped down WWII Harley - not a modern day 883. Silly Yamaha.

If you're thinking about one of these better let me know, they're not going to last!

nothing like a harley....

HD outsells all the metrics put together 10 to 1.

How many of your Bolt owners have the front wheel wobble?

Really Yamaha, these commercials make me dislike your brand in general and this bike in particular. Way to lose customer interest.

I luv my 883 but I bought it for the look & ride/feel not because it was a Harley. So yeah I'd give the bolt a try. Sorry but true bikers know there is nothing more reliable than a import bike.

This is not a comparison, it's an advertisement! Hahaha I was finding it weird, then I looked at who uploaded the video. No doubt: YamahaMotorUSA. I just watched a REAL comparison by BikeMEtv, and he had plenty to complain too. Too stiff suspension, not enough clearance, for example.

If I get one can I join the sons of anarchy?

I like Yamaha bikes, but I'd never buy a bike posing as a Harley. I'd get the real thing.

All joking aside, I think the Bolt's weakest point is the company itself...they probably won't make this bike for more than 4-5 years, while Harley has been making the Sportster for decades, making parts and accesories a lot easier to find.

Those comparising-videos are just ridiculous, Yamaha. You can't be serious about doing stuff like that. Let the bike speek for itself. AND if you HAVE to do comparison-videos, at least try to make them appear like a objective comparison...

"Vibrations at highway speed," eh? Any Harley guys care to comment on that?

Harley 883 FTW!

The bolts alright I'm not crazy bout that big muffler on the side. I think I'd still take the sportster though just in a 1200..