Yamaha Virago

I have a 91 Virago, don't ride much but up til now it has always been ready even if it sat for 4 or 5 months. Things are different this year, most of the lights don't work all of the time, I think it is bad connection. I was told the starter needs a shim to make the gear move out just a little more, does anyone know if that is correct. A guy that rebuilds starters told me that, not sure.

My '81 Virago 750 was only hampered by the crappy starter and the location thereof. Heat from the engine would kill it periodically and I had it rebuilt several times, new ones installed, nothing lasted for more than two years...but other than that, the bike was AWESOME You could drop it to 5th gear when climbing a hill at low speeds & vibrate yer female passenger silly :D It could have used a taller final gear, as I remember that highway speed was kinda lousy...and you can't just change a sprocket for that as it was a driveshaft bike...on the upside you never had to change out a sprocket & chain...next to no maintenance...

This is my first Virago, a '87 1100, my previous bikes have been yamaha Maxims, While this bike is no match to the maxims as far as quickness and smoothness, it does have a unique power band. Cruising at 60-70 mph is fantastic on this bike, vibration is pretty bad at cruising speeds, so bad that the mirrors are useless to see what is coming up behind you. As far as changing the style of this bike in '84, well I would not have even considered this bike if it still looked like the older viragos, in my mind this has got to be the prettiest bike produced...

A pecular story surrounds the Virago's development. Yamaha felt for some reason that this bike would take the flat track races by storm. I believe they were drunk with their success with the 650 twin and felt that a backwards-running v-twin would be the next step. Well, in this roll it really didn't measure up. But Yamaha had to do something with their motor and put out the Virago. part of the racing dreams went into the early Virago, most notably the mono air shock. What Yamaha didn't grasp, was that they had an excellent street bike and awesome rat bike platform. Sadly, Yamaha decided to re-vamp the Virago as a Harley knock-off, eliminating the outstanding suspension in favor of chromey-twin shocks and needles chrome accessories. I had an 81 Virago 750 that I ratted out and had some good times till I got hit by a car, mangling my leg. I first parted out my 750 and a 920 and hogged them togeather. Most parts were interchangable. Dropping a 920 motor into the 750 thus elimin... Read more

I have a 1984 Virago 700cc black with much chrome, low miles and looks as good as the day it was new. It's been a good trouble-free bike. I call it my town-scooter as I have a Venture Royale for the road.

Rest in peace, Virago. In Nomine Patri et Fili et spiritu sancti!

This is a good bike to ride in the dirt. It is also easy to handle and is good on corners.