opinions in viragos

[pompousporcup...]

Other than what mcn has to tell me, I'm looking for info on the xv535/750

Might be a bit ghey but I've been considering one as a spare bike/project due to getting rid of my car project.

What goes wrong with them? What sort of price would you pay for a mid 90s 535 or 750...which is "betterer"?

Once upon a time I wanted something that was epicly fast and shiney but as time goes on I realise that I dgaf about speed as much as just riding.

[P.addy]

The epitome of homosexuality. The fact it comes with a dildo seat attachment and additional lube and tassels doesn't worry you?

If you buy it, you admit to taking it up the chuff.

HTH

[Shreeve]

Well they take about 4 hours to wear off after you pop one but... wait...
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Current: Suzuki GSX650F (2010), Suzuki GSXR1000 K7, Suzuki GS250T (1980) currently restoring: Clicky.
Previous: Honda CBF 125 (2011), Suzuki GSXR750 K4

[hellkat]

They can look alright if you do them right.
https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/doc-s-chops-yamaha-virago-is-simply-stunning-photo-gallery_2.jpg
Not AT ALL sure about the back of that seat, mind ...
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[hellkat]

Better (dirrrtty)
https://pipeburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/13_05_2012_yamaha_virago_071.jpg
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Timfy]

They're apparently not as bad as many believe, but for some reason I don't think they look quite "right", I can't really pick out exactly why though.


So I bought an Anal Intruder instead.

[RhynoCZ]

I do like the SRV, but there's only the 250cc version, if they (you) could put a bigger virago engine in it, you'd get a quite nice pseudo british 50's cafe racer. I nearly bought a SRV 250, but the price was ridiculous, plus I saw the Superbike I own now, the same day I saw the SRV. Using the motorcycle logic, I went for the superbike of course, which costed me the same the SRV would.

The SRV250 has got the Virago 250 engine in it, by the way.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Polarbear]

Nice enough bike if you like old style (read Japanese idea of American choppers) cruisers.

Can hustle reasonably well, the 750 version anyway.

Shed loads of shitty chrome to go rusty.

I broke one for spares once and made a fortune on the chrome horn, something in the region of £80 on ebay auction.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Rogerborg]

[hellkat]

[pompousporcup...]

[pompousporcup...]

https://kickstart.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/yamaha-virago-xv750-1-625x416.jpg

Would want to do something like this funds permitting, but would ride it stock for a while

Yes I know it's a bit ghey. I would definitely get tassles..

[deadwolf]

I did my Malaysian motorcycle test on a 535 that had shagged front suspension, still managed it. Gets hot and the stock exhaust sounds phenomenally shite. Liked the light weight, low seat and subsequent ease of handling. Low speed maneuverability is superb. It's definitely well-proportioned and one of the few bikes that get a double-take from me whenever I see one on the street. The 250 version is handsome as well.

Sadly too many of the ones here have been choppered and ape-hangered to hell and back, you can't really improve on the stock looks IMO.
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Motorsapien Art

[MCN.]

[doggone]

It's not real chrome on them, most of the 'chrome' bits are actually painted plastic and does not require polishing. The engine is rather nice for pootling about, and like all V twins can sound gorgeously charactersome.

I never had a Virago but did try Kawasaki's similar VN.
The problem is on longer trips you are locked in one position which is not comfortable after an hour or two.
It's also pretty horrid when it rains, you are right out in it like a parachute, no tucking in to avoid the worst of it.

The handling is not that bad once you get used to the different geometry. lt will actually be kind of fun swinging your pants on an unhurried bimble about.
I wouldn't want a bike in this style as my only bike, but wouldn't rule one out as a second one if cheap enough.
You'd really want the 750 or 1100 for any credibility

[mailee]

Great bike for just cruising around on comfortably. I had the 750 version and loved it. One month after buying it i did a trip from Humberside down to Essex on it and back in one day and didn't have any aches or pain. It is no power machine but for laid back riding it is brilliant. I sold it not long ago to upgrade to something faster for the adrenaline thrill but would have kept it if I could have afforded to run two bikes.

[Northern Monkey]

[Michelle L]

Sorry I can not give you any info on the Virgos as I have never had one myself but I think there great looking bikes ,, I like chops and bobbers ,, muscle bikes...
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Ride safe , if you can not ride safe , ride free....

[pompousporcup...]

What are the alternatives to the virago? Needs to be a v twin...

They seem to hold their value fairly well so it'd probably be a dog for the price I'm thinking of

[P.addy]

TL1000.

[Pete.]

[weasley]

Trouble is the Virago has attracted the custom scene as a project base, so prices are firming up. Same goes for stuff like the Honda Dominator, Yamaha XS etc.

If you want a V-twin beater, what about a Honda Bros? Or for a bit of Japanese Ducatiness, there's the Yamaha TRX (not really a V-twin, but the 270° crank makes it sound like one).
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[stevo as b4]

What about the BT1100 bulldog?

I think they look better than an 1100 Virago, and they are another deeply unpopular bike in the uk, that did not sell in any numbers, so maybe they are worth seeking out for a project?

tl:dr how crap are BT1100's?

[doggone]

[stevo as b4]

I see one around here fairly regularly with loud pipes. It sounds ok, and as you say with sensible street bike geometry and R1 brakes, it must be fairly useful too.

I would say possibly a better or more interesting bike than a Bandit 600, XJ600N, or maybe even Fazer mk1?

It's just I did not know why no one loves them, and or why they didn't sell?

I imagine they are a similar bike to ride to that Suzuki VX800 if not a bit more sporty?