Yamaha XV535 Virago (1988-2004)

As a first bike it's great, not enough power to scare you but it'll get you about. It's easy to get used to the handling of the machine but also easy to outgrow. Great as the base for your first chopper conversion though, easy to work on and a good winter hack. The ride is soft though the riding position is more upright than cruiser. It's a doddle to ride and for something to get you around the traffic it's low centre of gravity allows you to filter with confidence. On twisty country roads it make an easy Sunday ride but try and give it some welly and things become scary. Soft and easy is the way to go. Equipment is basic but it all works fine, a rev counter would be wasted on this motorcycle. Quality wise it's all well built but on account of mine being stood outside for two years by the previous owner mine is somewhat neglected and I am having reliability issues - which is something you don't want from a winter hack. Though I have a mate who has one and he's never had a problem with it. It's probably a good idea to give it a quick rinse after every commute to get rid of the road salt. Virago's are expensive for what they are but then they also hold their value when you re-sell them, so in the value stakes that's a big plus. Engine is the only thing that really lets it down, you'd be lucky to get 100mph from it and struggles at motorway speeds (70-80mph). Ok for town riding but if you need to ride fast two or three lane carriageway every day get something with more oomph.

I've owned an XV535 now for just under a year and love the little blighter, even though it struggles to keep up with the bigger boys. Engine: The engine has enough grunt at low revs to make town riding a breeze, but lacks top end. It's solid and reliable enough, although you have to keep it running for a while on cold damp mornings to stop it stalling on tick over. The clutch also has a habit of slipping in the damp, but it's easily fixed by adjusting the tension. Ride and Handling: It's very comfy on short trips or long tours thanks to it's soft seat and upright riding position. The low centre of gravity makes for rewardable in-town and traffic riding but it struggles two up. Equipment: What's there works well but it could do with a fuel warning light. A rev counter wouldn't really be needed because you get good feedback from the engine. As long as it still burbles along the road you know you don't need to change up. The sissy-bar is stylish and handy for shopping. Quality and Reliabilty: Touch wood it's not left me in any dark spots yet, and I hope it never will. Like I mentioned before the only issue is the slipping clutch and cold morning starts. Value: This is a great bike for new riders with £1500 or under to spend. Overall: I love my little Viagra, although I'm now looking to upgrade to something with a little more grunt, while still sticking to the cruiser style. I'm planning on holding on to it for use as a 2nd bike if I can afford to.

After passing my Direct Access I bought a 1985 Honda VT500 Shadow. 25 miles from picking it up the engine cut out and I had to wait to be recovered. Anyway to cut a long story short the dealer eventually relented and gave me my money back. So with £1000 in my pocket I started looking for something else, now I like the cruiser style and wanted to stick with that. Eventually I found an 'N' reg XV535 in Gold, it had been stood for 12 months without cover so was a little tatty and the front disc was jammed but the engine ticked over fine. For £300 I took a gamble and got a local bike shop to pick it up and bring it up to speed. It needed a new exaust, front calipers and battery but £700 later it was a road worthy bike. Once I got it on the road I found it very easy to get to grips with. It's well balanced around town and it's biggest downfall is also it's biggest blessing - it's lack of grunt. For a big bike newbie it manages to pull through traffic and do chavs in Corsa's at lights but doesn't go nearly quick enough to leave a brown stain in your pants. It's smooth power delivery in low revs make if feel like a bigger cruiser around town, especially if you stick it in 5th at 30mph. It's low gurgle makes non-bikers turn their heads and many think it's a Harley (oh yes indeed they do!) and it can pull away nicely from 30mph to 70mph in 5th without changing gear. There isn't much equipment to talk about but what is there works fine. You don't really need a rev counter because you can hear and feel what the engine is doing, but a fuel gauge (or even warning light) would have been a welcome addition. Comfort wise I'm 5' 8" and find it perfectly suited to my stature, the riding position is really comfy on short or long rides and the seat isn't too hard or soft (I've just got back from covering 200 miles and I have no aches or pains). I do have a little reliabilty issue, don't get me wrong it starts fine in all weather, but you have to get the engine warmed up in the cold or damp to keep it going on tick-over. Also the clutch tends to slip a bit in the wet weather, but that's easily fixed with a little adjustment. Over all it's a great 1st big bike - especially if you like cruisers. I'm already saving for my next bike (thinking brand new Kawasaki VN90 or 2nd hand V-Max, Triumph Speedster or Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 - any thoughts?) but I really want to keep this one as my run-around or winter bike if I can afford to. After a shakey start (with all the work I needed done) I'm really starting to fall in love with it, but with moving further from my job I could do with something a little newer and a little more grunty for motorway riding now.

grate bike comfey smooth and reliable.its my first bike after 40 years off,and my first jap;so reliability is a bonus fuel consumpcion if you take it easey is not bad i recently did a 200ml trip mostley m/way and returnd 57mpg.ihave ownd this bike 11months and so far have coverd 6000mls comuting/touring all trouble free. the bike is a 2000 model thats coverd 19000mls total so far i totaly recomend this bike to any one

I had one of the second generation models of XV535 Virago with the larger, real fuel tank. Before this I had a Kawasaki ZX10, then a Yamaha TDR 250, then this... so a slightly varied collection of bikes, but I really am pretty open minded and happy to get into the riding style of different bikes. On the XV, you need to chill out, kick back and let the gentle wave of torque carry you along. Although I didn't get a chance to do so, replacing the exhaust can be very rewarding. For such a small bike, I have heard them producing a very satisfying burble. The shocking thing about the XV is just how useable it is, with its shaft drive, relaxed riding, acceptable handling (for a cruiser) and decent brakes it really does make a satisfying bike to own. I didn't get the chance to clock up amazing miles on it, probably only 10k in 18 months, but I remember enjoying the experience.