yamaha viragos and passengers

[fr gr]

I've made up my mind to get a Virago. The 535 seems to have had the most consistent rave reviews over the years, but I'm worried about whether or not there's enough room to fit my size 12/14 wife on the pillion for trips of, say 50 miles at a time. My plan B is to get a 750 simply because it looks to have more room. Anyone got experience of these bikes with passengers?

[Carl_G]

As the proud owner of an 18 year old 535 I can tell you that you can carry a pillion, me and my wife are six footers and we can squeeze on (though undoubtedly looking like some post-modern circus act as we do it!) but we've never gone for more than a few miles. Frankly five miles is enough, never mind fifty!

Unless you are both hobbits you would definitely be better off with something somewhat bigger. And with something with brakes that can stop two people's weight as well...

HTH.
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CBT 11/09/10! Theory Passed 12/10/10! Mod 1 Passed 08/03/11! Mod 2 passed 13/04/11!
1993 Yamaha XV 535 (SMIDSYed) 2008 Suzuki GSF 650 (Hire Bike) 1993 Yamaha XV 535 (Resurrected!) 2004 Triumph Speedmaster 790cc (Payout from SMIDSY!)

[fr gr]

Many thanks Carl_G; just as I suspected. Amongst 6-footers I could be seen as a hobbit, but my wife isn't. So I'll go for the 750 and hope she'll be sufficiently bitten presently to want a 535 herself. (good point about the braking power, too.)

[Teflon-Mike]

Choose the bike YOU are more comfy on.
The difference in weight and braking and saddle size between the 535 and the 750, is NOT so significant as to be worth it being the deciding factor on buying the bike.
535 is a bit diddy, but, mainly on rider accomodation. I doubt it will really be a huge difference for the pillion either way.
AND get a 535..... and want to encourage her to have a go, she'll probably be less intimidated by it.
Two up?
JUST for the 'it doesn't matter'....
I was carrying Snowie about on the back of her AJS 125 cruiser....
https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae49/bikerbird/The%20Pup%20Project/100_0067.jpg
All sha had to moan about was the footpegs on teh swing arm, meaning that her feet cot a bit shaken about!
Since that went, been hauling her size 12 bum about on the 125 Super Dream... no complaints!
https://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/teflons-torque/Little%20Dreams/Bike325.jpg
And we did 50 miles on that the other sunday.... even reached a GPS indicated 70mph on it! not bad for a quarter century old Learner Legal four stroke, hugh?

As its the more popular, and more saleable, I'd go with my gut and get the 535, and 'give it a shot'.... IF it proves not so wonderful, easier to chop in a 535 on a 750 than the other way around, but I suspect it will be the better starting point, and not be so uncomfortable as to be two miles and 'I want to get off'....
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[fr gr]

Thanks to you, too, Teflon-Mike. They're more good points - meaning that I'll have to think for myself now, instead of getting you lot to do it for me...