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The Yamaha XV950 is one of a new generation of custom bikes. It’s a relatively simple bike that is designed to be easily customised, it’s sporty and inexpensive. In the USA, Yamaha already run a custom build-off, and now it’s the turn of the Italian distributor. Six Yamaha dealerships are participating, and the results are stunning. Click through the six custom bikes and vote on the Garage Challenge Website to help choose the winner.

The retro-styled Yamaha XV950, which is known in the U.S. as the Star Bolt, is the new star on the sky of the middleweight V-Twin cruisers. The king of the category for the last decade was the Harley Sportster but now, it’s facing serious challenges. First, there’s the magnificent Indian Scout: a bike with lots of style and a pretty pricetag. Second, there’s the Yamaha XV950.

Custom motorcycles aren’t what they used to be. Ten years ago, a custom bike was a heavily modified bike with a lashings of chrome and a hefty price tag. The global recession ended that era and the XV950 is one of the new generation of custom bikes. These bikes are relatively simple, sporty and inexpensive. No wonder that small and large builders and even dealerships are making their own versions of the XV950.

The Italian Yamaha distributor started a custom build-off centered the XV950. It’s called the Garage Challenge. We have six custom bikes, all of them pretty special with its own styling. You can vote on the Garage Challenge website to help choose the winner. It’ll be announced at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona on 22 January.

For more Pictures, check out the Garage Challenge Website.

Special C by Motosalone Crea

A bobber style bike with a sporty spirit and the traditional red-white colors.

TB114 by Twinsbike

This is the most sporting of the six custom bikes with some gorgeous details like the air intake, the uplift at the tail and the flared muffler.

If you are looking for a vintage style seat for your XV950, see this Mustang Vintage Style Two-Piece Wide Touring Seat for Yamaha 2009-2013 XV950 V-Star Models

Scratch by Tacconi Moto

The guys at Tacconi Moto have chosen a more traditional approach with lots of chrome.

Mid Night Club by New Venizia Moto

This one has a real dark soul. Literally everything is black – the only touches of color are the yellow of the headlight lens and the shocks. The highlight of the bike is the new tail unit and subframe which gives the bike a more cafe racier-style.

Racer TT 1954 by Fani Motors

The TT Racer 1954 Fani Motors is a dip in the 1950s, a unique piece. Nothing was left to chance, all the trimmings represent perfectly the spirit of racing in those years.

Bombhard BH1 by Moto Shop

Moto Shop is the oldest Yamaha dealership on the old continent. The guys at the Parma-based showroom created a special XV950 with a vintage look with an Art Deco touch straight from the 1930s. The most interesting detail is the motocross-styled seat.

Looking for fork gaiter for your Bolt? See this 2014 14 Yamaha Bolt Cruiser Fork Gaiters Fits 14′ Inch Bolts Black