2014-2020....any real difference besides paint options??

[taoster]

So I’ve been browsing through new and used bikes, and I came across a 2020 Yamaha bolt. I can’t help but to notice they are exactly the same as every single year except the paint options.. is there nothing they can improve? Or are these bikes just so perfect they don’t need any improvements? Just curious

[Crilly Wizard]

There are differences, but I don’t know if they are well documented.
I can only comment on my 2017 and 2019 bikes, which had differences in wiring routing, and air intake aperture shape and size. I think it the newer model was meant to kick out a few extra horsepower. These are UK bikes.

[DrM]

So I’ve been browsing through new and used bikes, and I came across a 2020 Yamaha bolt. I can’t help but to notice they are exactly the same as every single year except the paint options.. is there nothing they can improve? Or are these bikes just so perfect they don’t need any improvements? Just curious

Yamaha intentionally made these Bolts for users to modify their little hearts out.  So why improve something that the user is likely to modify anyway. 

[bedheadjulian]

They changed the gas tank in 2017 or so (can't remember exactly when ) ... the earlier models have a flange. They also switched to spoked wheels on the base models in the last couple of years (they used to all come with mag wheels).  There are also differences in bikes having ABS and/or Immobilizer on different models and from different countries. But I'm not sure if that's based on the years... I think it's more about the R-spec vs base model in America... (I know both come standard on all European bikes) You'll also run into complications with getting your ECU reflashed with the later models (from 2018 onwards I think...) where they changed the programming and you get error codes coming up with the standard flash that was available from Ivan. He may have resolved this by now though, I'm sure you can get the details if you use the search function here...

[lunkhead]

In 2015, only the C-Spec got updated throttle bodies. Other Bolts weren't updated until the following year. No clue what was changed.

[E]

2016 Bolt R-Spec , 2nd owner here
they have kept the NEW Selling price the same - not sure on 2020 models ?

the Only Part they changed, improved on is the visibility of the Meter (speedometer) the 2013-14 ?
had darker tinted lens so it was hard to read sometimes

Bedheadjulian mentioned the other changes i am aware of

First owner changed to K&N cold air intake and added small cowl fairing
I, 2nd owner changed out to KOSO Meter (tach-speedometer with Gear display) - i painted silver exhaust shields RED too

[Yamahaboltraven]

If you are not in a rush, be patient, buy off season, N.O.S. (stock). Jan. best time to buy.  I bought my 2018 Bolt in 2020, 1 Mile, full warranty, Yamalube Advantage, 20 Years or 100,000 mile engine warranty. MSRP was just under 8k, got it for under 6k, probably at cost and 2.9 % financing.

[nicholasalipaz]

https://yamahabolt.fandom.com/wiki/Different_Models

[lunkhead]

If you are not in a rush, be patient, buy off season, N.O.S. (stock). Jan. best time to buy.  I bought my 2018 Bolt in 2020, 1 Mile, full warranty, Yamalube Advantage, 20 Years or 100,000 mile engine warranty. MSRP was just under 8k, got it for under 6k, probably at cost and 2.9 % financing.

May be hard to find anything leftover in the off-season. Business is booming at our shop. Our warehouse is almost empty and it's barely summer. We don't sell many Bolts so there might be one left. My buddy wants an XR650L but will have to wait for the '21 models to be released.

[lunkhead]

2021 R-Spec?

[asarms87]

Cool wheels, don't think it would match my bike but looks good.

[lunkhead]

2021 graphics

[wdb2021]

The wheel is the part that you look at and know if it is different from others. The rear body is also