First bike: Virago 535 vs CB500

[Musok]

Hey guys!

I'm new around here and new around bikes.
Still taking my license.

If I had the money, I would buy the new Yamaha XV950. Simply marvellous but as I don't have that kind of money and I'm a newbie, I'm thinking of alternatives.

Virago 535 and CB500 are kind of easy to find used around Portugal and for great prices. Both go around the same prices. At the school, I use a CB500. Never thought of it as a possible choice but it kind of surprised me.

From what I gather there are some stuff that I would change in both. Maybe I could custom them?

Virago:
- Fuel tank. I would prefer one more "squarish" and big.
- Riding position. Maybe a little more lean to the handlebars wouldn't be that awful. Maybe if the pegs were a little more vertical to the body and a different handlebars?
- Seat. Could be a little more classic or something like that.

CB500:
- Riding position. Contrary to the Virago, it could be a little more vertical.
- Seat. Too much street fighter for my taste.
- Size of the wheels. I prefer bigger wheels like the Virago and XV950.

How could one change one of these to get more in the direction of the XV950?
Of course this comparison is all regarding aesthetics.

What is your opinion about all this? Which would you choose?

[Rogerborg]

As a first bike? The CB500.

Rag the nuts off of it. If you like that, get something sportier. If you don't, get the Virago.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Musok]

I'm not really into "sportier" though I kind of like the looks of some cafe racers.

[davebike]

I own a CB500 it is my second one but I ridden several customers XV535

Cb500 has very good handling XV is OK for a cruiser but is nothing like the CB that was designed for a race series

The cb500 is more powerful and feels it

The tank range on the cb is good 200+ Miles
The tank range on the XV is poor on the later bikes 130/150 and crap on the early ones (70/90mls!)

Riding position on the CB as standard is cramped but a higher wider bars and a small screen fixed that
On the xv I am too upright and hurt my lower back on bumps and it lacks ground clearance I grounded them out several times

Both are reliable I not give the XV as long a life as the cb but I not do 500 miles in a day on one either as I have on numerous occasions on CB500's to clock up the miles

I am a rider and not into posing so for me the CB wins hands down
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Got to go with Mr. Wilkins on this. As a way in the cb5 is as good as it gets - at least, it is if your youth is more of a memory than something you grapple with in the present tense. It's got an almost maniacal work ethic, and will forgive all manner of bullshit - whether riding-related or maintenance connected. Yeah yeah yeah il4 600 or die. Spare me.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Carvel]

The question is are you fucking gay?

Yes: Virago

No: Fireblade
____________________
2002 Aprilia RSV1000R, Cbr600Fs, Mk1 B12, Vfr400 NC30...

Matt B: I can deal with crushed nuts to beat Ollie.

[Val]

you cannot seriously compare CB500 with Virago?

CB500 is a proper bike, Virago is a fat gay penis extension with no bike qualities whatsoever

https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6171620229_d4dd2aac3c_m.jpg
____________________
Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[Musok]

[davebike]

For me it very easy this is almost the current set up photo is a few weeks old

https://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/davebike500/Bikes/2014-08-051106E19.jpg

different front and rear suspension tyres lower profile than standard

Higher wider handle bars with screen hand guards and heated grips

lights both front and rear all non standard

The chasis done 51k engine low mileage bargain bike lasted 2k after having been standing then dropped a big end replacement lump is up to 131 k now and uses a little oil when thrashed !

Been out playing today with a group from LAM pace was rather quick but the old girl keep up although the smallest bike there next smallest is a Streettripple 675 Ok I am a ex observer but the group were all full IAM trained or observers and pace was progressive :=)
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

That light cluster is an eyesore.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[HotdogMcDraw]

____________________
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=284963 - What to expect on a MOD 1 (contains video footage) - Posted by BG5067

Honda Rebel 125 (L Plate Warrior) - Nov 2013 to Aug 2014, BMW G650 GS ABS - Aug 2014 to Current

[Northern Monkey]

[Fisty]

[davebike]

I so glad it offends the fashion police !
Me I build things to work for me and for how when and where I ride !

As you probably guessed I don't give a flying F what others think !
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

It's not about fashion Dave.

A good solution to any problem takes both function AND form into consideration. That just looks bodged and broken.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[davebike]

Good then the scrotes will leave it alown
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Not sure they'd be *that* interested in a cb500 no matter what it looked like, tbh. They tend to want something they can rag across fields, or a bike that can be broken for parts that fetch a decent price.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[stinkwheel]

CB500 all day every day.

If only because it is so universal, neutral handling and devoid of any serious vices in regard to the way it rides that it makes the perfect tool to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Musketeer]

[FlightRisk]

[Rogerborg]

[bikertomm]

[Musok]

I see... So everyone here goes with the CB500. By the way, some 750 are approaching at the market for like... more 200e than the CB500.

I guess that the CB well painted and such could be of my liking... Virago is a little bit more my style (you can see that by knowing that I love the XV950) but CB seems something more comfortable and such to ride. Oh the pain of decisions...

Do you know if it is possible to get bigger wheels in the CB?
Now a long shot, any easy way to get it to be a little more cruiser like?

[Musketeer]

[Rogerborg]