Put my nuts on a Bolt

Had a chance to try a Yamaha Bolt on an "unsupervised" road test the other night. Why would I bother? Why should anyone care? Well, with everyone all for or against the new Harley 750 I thought the competition for entry level V twin should get a try(plus I really think it looks neat). New bike, but the parts guy at the local dealer had been allowed to accessorize it a bit before I got it. He swapped the bars for some "Z" style ones. Didn't care for them as they brought my hands too close together for cornering comfortably at speed. But the pipe he put on it was one I may need to think on for my own Sporty. A V n' H Competition Spec two into one had me looking for red lights so I could hear it pull away under power over and over. Nice crackle on downshifts, nice thunder under twist, and a nice feeling of thrust made this bike really wake up. I don't think it had quite the thrust of my 1200, but it was darn close. Did not sound under 1000cc, that is for sure.
Fit and finish was good, paint was OK, not as good as H-D, and shifting was real crisp. Seat looked uncomfortable, but after sitting and riding awhile I was suprised to find it was actually smartly padded. Air cleaner box looks a bit ugly, does not fit the lines of the bike well, (maybe a smaller rounded version of one off an old Roadstar would look better).
At around 8900 new here, with another 600 for the pipe, it is still less than a new Sportster 883 here by almost $1000. I enjoyed my time on it as an around town kind of bike.

Yep. Layout is similar to a customized Sportster. Not quite a look alike, but maybe a think alike bike. The way the frame downtubes look behind front tire are actually a nicer styling idea than the current Sportster to my mind, but overall I'll take the Sportster styling.
I ride an American bike. I drive an American car.(minus the wife's Toyota!) It still seems a good idea to experience what you might see beside you at a red light once in awhile. Had a new Triumph Bonneville out the other day thanks to a friend. Loved the nimbleness, hated the lack of power. 865cc? Where! felt like a 500-600 cc twin. This Bolt is not much bigger (950cc), but felt like twice the bike of the Bonne to ride. He is trying to get me separated from my H-D. Not looking good for him. But the Bolt was closer. If I was new to riding and had no notions of loyalty to products produced on this side of the globe, I have to say this bike is a real contender for a new rider.

4 valves per cylinder will do that. Thanks for the great review.