... The Virago has since made way for a newer breed of Yamaha cruiser such as the Dragstar and the Wildstar, however, these new cruisers have sacrificed a certain element of functionality to look good and sound gravely.
The XV535 is 535cc as the name suggests. Models of the Virago include a ... Read review
Advantages: Lightweight, elegant, turns heads, feels great. Disadvantages: Small 2nd gear range, small petrol tank, fiddly to work on.
...for a newer breed of Yamaha cruiser such as the Dragstar and the Wildstar, however, these new cruisers have sacrificed a certain element of functionality to look good and sound gravely.
The XV535 is 535cc as the name suggests. Models of the Virago include a 125cc, 250cc, 535cc and 750cc version. The XV535 however, definitely boasts the best power to weight ratio compared to its siblings. A very low centre of gravity and its relative ... ...in 1st gear, a quality Yamaha gearbox means that selecting 2nd and the three remaining gears after that very smooth indeed. However, I have found that the range of speed in 2nd gear is very limited; I often max out the revs before feeling comfortable to change into third gear. The range in the rest of the gears is adequate if driving in an urban environment where the need to accelerate to top speed is not necessary.
I have owned this bike since 1999 and it still makes me feel exhilarated every time I ride it. The Virago has since made way for a newer breed of Yamaha cruiser such as the Dragstar and the Wildstar, however, these new cruisers have sacrificed a certain element of functionality to look good and sound gravely.
The XV535 is 535cc as the name suggests. Models of the Virago include a 125cc, 250cc, 535cc and 750cc version. The XV535 however, definitely boasts the best power to weight ratio compared to its siblings. A very low centre of gravity and its relative lightweight construction despite packing a modest 535cc's makes this bike very popular with women riders. Indeed, I have seen many an XV535 sprayed pink at biker shows.
This shouldn't put off the beardy male biker though. The angled handlebars, leathered upholstered seats and brake pedal / gear lever positions invite a classic Harley Davidson riding position which always makes me smile when catching a glimpse of my reflection in a shop window on the high street.
The 535 Virago has excellent acceleration in 1st gear, a quality Yamaha gearbox means that selecting 2nd and the three remaining gears after that very smooth indeed. However, I have found that the range of speed in 2nd gear is very limited; I often max out the revs before feeling comfortable to change into third gear. The range in the rest of the gears is adequate if driving in an urban environment where the need to accelerate to top speed is not necessary.
The 535 is shaft driven as opposed to belt or chain driven. This makes it safer as there is no likelihood of a chain or belt breaking or snapping and entangling the wheel. The shaft is shrouded which also extends the life of the component as it is not exposed to the elements.
The petrol tank on the Virago is small. Too small! I have found that if considering a long journey, I must ensure I'm never far away from a petrol station. There is no petrol tank indicator so you MUST zero your mileage every time you fill up. I have found that in normal use which is a 50/50 use between town riding and rural riding, the tank is good for about 240 kilometres. Whilst on the subject of distance, I have also found that the riding position after a while (2 to 3 hours) begins to make my back ache, but that could just be me!
As with all bikes, wet weather commands extreme caution. The Virago will slip and slide like every other bike if you break too hard and I have had my fair share of those certain parts of the body twitching when the bike has slid a little. The low centre of gravity and relative lightweight however, has meant that I have never come off. I would like to say that it was because of my skill as a rider but honesty states that the bike's design is probably the real reason.
I tend to do most of the routine maintenance myself and have found that some of the simpler tasks such as changing the battery are fiddly and annoying, but once the bike is in order and you push the reliable electronic ignition button, most of these niggles disappear very quickly.
I'm now looking for a new bike as my confidence has grown thanks to the robust yet gentle Virago and will very reluctantly give my Virago to my girlfriend, who will probably spray it pink. I will however, remain with Yamaha and stay in the cruising market as my experience to date has been very positive.
Advantages: Easy to ride, comfy, turns heads, sounds great and has loads of bolt on extras available. Disadvantages: A tank of petrol lasts about five minutes, slightly cramped for the bigger rider, a bit too revvy.
I'm new to riding if you look at the really big picture, but I've been on a bike every day for about a year now, so I've seen more loose gravel, side winds, diesel spills, black ice, freezing fog, wazzocks in BMWs and small trees falling off flatbeds than I care to mention.
I was on a CG125 throughout the winter of 2008, which was. . . Interesting. After that in January I passed my restricted access and bought myself a 2000 Virago 535.
I had every ... ...sensible; a CB500, a GS500 etc. . . All the ten-a-penny generic blobs. But I come across the Virago and just loved it.
The first thing you notice, besides all the chrome, is it sounds lovely. Mine had aftermarket Remus exhausts on it when I got it and they definitely let you appreciate the V twin thud a bit more.
When riding it, it strikes you as a cruiser; plenty of get up and go in the low revs and a gorgeous exhaust note. You're sat there, nice ...
Doc_Holliday 28.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Yamaha Virago 535
Advantages: Comfort, poseablity, Disadvantages: Warm legs
I am writing this as a female ride of my husbands bike.
This bike is ideal if you are a smaller women, I am just 5 foot 2 but I can sit comfortable on the bike with both feet on the floor. Being over weight I find the seat is wide enough for my larger than normal behind.
The bike is very nice to look at with plenty of crome. It looks like a Harley with its v twin engine and if you have slash cut exhaunts on it as we have it sounds like a Harley ... ...plenty of power and sometimes even feels like it wants to give more. The tank is only small so hold only about £7 worth of petrol but this is plenty as the machine doesn't use that much. For an older rider it is also quite cheap to insure.
The riding postion of this bike is very comfortable, the only downside to this is having the engine and exhausts next to your knees and calves which if you are a fashionable lady like myself can result in slightly ...
tazhull 26.12.2002 (28.12.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha Virago 535
Advantages: price, looks, easy to ride and easy to maintain Disadvantages: not the most powerful bike in the world
The Yamaha Virago 535 is an all-around great bike to buy for in the city. It's pretty light and handles well; not too much motorcycle for trips around town. While it does not have the high-end power of some larger cruisers, you can take it up to good speeds for the highway with no problem. I personally don't think you need to go 900 miles an hour anyway.
Yamahas have a long history of being easy to maintain bikes that last a long time. You will ... ...routine maintenance on a Yamaha than just about any other breed of bike.
The Virago I have comes pretty much all the way apart in about an hour; most of the screws and nuts are easy to reach and use basic mechanic tools, so you don't have to buy an expensive toolkit to work on it. If you are the type who likes to do their own maintenance, you will most likely have all the required tools already.
The virago is also avery stylish bike, and from a ...
rodgersmp 15.06.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha Virago 535
Advantages: Nice low seat, easy to restrict engine for new rider. Comfortable lots of chrome Disadvantages: Needs a lot of cleaning, doesnt like winter weather
The Yamaha Virago 535 is a lovely motorcycle. I got one when I first passed my test and had it restricted to 33bhp. These bikes are as individual as you like and you will rarely find two the same. You can add as much chrome accessories as you fancy. I had leather panniers on mine, ideal for carrying all your bits and pieces.
If you are undertall as I am then this is a great bike as it has a nice low seat height. It is also very comfortable when ... ...comfortable. I also found that the insurance was reasonable even though I was a new rider at 40. I was paying £110 fully comp.
Mine would happily cruise along at 70mph all day long. I could usually get 110 miles out of one tank of fuel so the range per tannk is not all that brilliant. I used to average about 45 to the gallon. I found it to be very reliable and never had any problems with mine. If you want to be a bit different and like the cruiser ...
janhsmn 07.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha Virago 535
Advantages: Cheap to run and pretty bullet proof Disadvantages: Expensive bits when it eventually does go wrong!
...tests on a BMWF650, a Yamaha Diversion 600N and a Virago 535. Well, the BMW was fun and fast, the Diversion was Booooring, and the Virago had soul. That V twin rumble that you feel through the seat and the bars is magic. It feels alive beneath you, it made me laugh out loud! From that moment on I had to have one. Some months later I came across a 2nd hand one in another local dealer. They gave me a good deal on my old Honda CG125 and away i went. ... ...with one another for all that time, including two accidents where car drivers tried to do for us both! I use the bike daily for my 20+ mile commute come rain or shine and it is truely the only way to travel. Lately there has been some expense, new disc £130, new caliper £130 and now new starter clutch about the same. Over the years some new tyres etc as one would expect and three batteries. They're tiny and do have to work hard! My other half loves ...
Niallo 07.11.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yamaha Virago 535
