Yamaha Virago 535. Charming in its own way.

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 Tom, Dick & Harry telling me to get something more 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...

Doc_Holliday 28.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535

A sexy, elegant cruising legend.

Advantages: Lightweight, elegant, turns heads, feels great.
Disadvantages: Small 2nd gear range, small petrol tank, fiddly to work on.

...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...

craiglannigan 14.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535

A Beautiful Ride

Advantages: lasts forever
Disadvantages: frustrating ignition, hard-to-reach spark plugs

...There are two, somewhat similar meanings for the word Virago: 1. A woman regarded as noisy, scolding, or domineering. 2. A large, strong, courageous woman. Although men certainly ride Viragos with no damage to their reputation, the Virago seat is low to the ground, so that short people (like me) can plant their feet firmly on the ground at stops, and it has thus earned its reputation in some circles as a "woman's bike." BASICS The 750 Virago is 2 cylinders, and 750 cc's of engine space. It's considered a mid-range bike for weight and power. It doesn't reach very high speeds (the fastest I've taken it was 180 km/h when I was really trying to stretch it). It is a touring bike, with an aesthetically pleasing line leaning toward the classic Harley Davidson curvature. It is not so terribly heavy that I can't lift it myself...

robinwhybrow 10.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 750

BLACK RIDER

Advantages: More or less everything
Disadvantages: almost nothing

...Hi@ all It is to be made happy sometimes again in the time to you with a little bit other report. Nevertheless, this time it is not about CD's or other things, but sometimes about my locomotion means. Now are to nearly 5 years I have had no more car{automobile}, but am on the move always only on my motorcycle{motorbike}. Motorcycles{motorbikes} are always such a thing, mostly they do{make} at normal company{operation} no more as 150,000 kms to the engine trouble allows to greet. Up to now, nevertheless, with mine that has not been yet the case and him will never also enter so fast. Oh yes, I drive Yamaha XV Virago SE 750, was built this in 1981 and one more a lot of quality has. I bought the motorbike used with approx. 20,000 kms on the speedometer, it has cost with 8,900 DM. Of course I was also afraid that it is a clutch...

BACK_IN_BLACK_DEVIL 14.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 750

For a little bike it sure can pack a punch

Advantages: Small, swish and sexy
Disadvantages: Can appear as a harley wannabe

...The Yamaha Virago 250 is a supreme little bike, well-matched for city life. Much as I adore superb sports bikes I have found that I am just too small to ride them, either having trouble reaching the floor when stationary or finding that my arms aren’t long enough to reach the clutch and brake levers ! Therefore, when I stumbled across this little beauty in my local bike shop showroom (Streetbike of Dudley) I discovered that it more than suited my needs as I finally didn’t look like a midget on a motorcycle ! A super lightweight frame not only enables me to keep the bike upright but ensures fantastic handling on even the tightest of corners (which is not normally easy on a low rider) and a tank of petrol seems to go on for ever. Even though it is only a small CC engine it still purrs like a dream and although it cannot...

Loolabell 10.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 250

From the first, it MOVED me

Advantages: Cheap to run and pretty bullet proof
Disadvantages: Expensive bits when it eventually does go wrong!

...I first came across the Virago when a local dealer was running an open day, a rare event where they let you test ride, unsupervised, any number of bikes. I'd booked 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. That was 6 years ago and we've lived fairly happily 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...

Niallo 07.11.2003 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535

Cruising along

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 riding and with a back rest your pillion is also 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...

janhsmn 07.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535

wicked cool bike!

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 definitely spend a lot less time changing fluids and doing 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...

rodgersmp 15.06.2000 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535

A good start?

Advantages: Looks, size, economy!
Disadvantages: Build quality, comfort, electrics!

...My first purchase (Love). A brand new XV 125 Virago. The reasons for buying - It is the same size as the 250, its big, its mean, its beautiful, its cheap. I have had the bike for nearly two years now and I have quite a number of things to say. The bike cost £3,100 from new. Servicing cost me between £70 - £95. (The same as my girlfriend's car, why so expensive?) Insurance for over 25, 3rd Party Fire & Theft - £255 year 1 and £150 year 2. Road tax - £15 Petrol - £5 does around 115 miles, that's two weeks for me. Comfort - good for people under 5'8", I have long legs and get a numb bum within a half hour of riding. No protection from the wind. Maintanance - Hard to keep all the crome clean, rust begins to set in within the first year. You need to try and seal the electrics yourself as wet weather will stop you in your tracks...

marco 11.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Yamaha UK - XV 125 Virago

A females rider Point of view

Advantages: Comfort, poseablity,
Disadvantages: Warm legs

......

tazhull 26.12.2002 (28.12.2002) · Read review
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Review of Yamaha Virago 535