I'm glad you are going to leave us alone now Andy, Hahahahaha! The first bike I progress to after 250cc was an xs750 (Virago) and I do remember that they did handle well for a cruiser/chopper style bike. RSM8
Wow , this is an old thread , but enjoyable for the view. As a Virago rider , I am Peeved that Yamaha actually bent to the < import restrictions > set on the CC's of bikes. that caused them to Nix the 535 and 750 Vragos. Andy , just wanted to say, that you have a real treasure there, keep her safe. Also the Viragos are bullet proof. What the Blokes, (virago enthusiasts M & F ), and I wish is that they'd " bring it back". Bring back the 535 and 750: But. with a 6 speed gearbox. and a full cradle motor mount ,like the xv250 and the xvs 950, and also belt or chain drive for these bikes, not the inefficient shaft drives commonly seen. Nuff said Stay safe Wes
All I can say is, that bike gave me my first experience of being on a cruiser. Alas, I sold it and bought a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster. Out of the two, I look back more fondly on the Virago RSMF
Where Suffolk Andy appears - they will come!! It's the cost of popularity mate, lol. Now I'm curious and want to ride a Virago - good one mate. Ride Safe!
Great Video Andy, I've been asked about riding a cruiser so many times in the comments, I hate to say I told ya so but, I told ya so, lol, Andy if when we meet buddy you'll have to have a blast on my beast and see what ya think about that, 80 cubic inches throbbing away between ya legs, lol, when people say to me, yeah there alright but they don't do corners very well, I always point em to my video, "Skeggy Cruiser Late For Dinner" and see what they think about that, I actually had someone ask me what the Virago was like to ride and I sent him to your channel to watch your first ride on the virago, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that because of your video he now rides a Virago, and it as a strange double brake lever that allows him to use his right hand for the front and back brakes, he's only about 5''4" and he has a false leg, so good on ya mate! RSM8.
We have a 750cc Honda Shadow shaft drive amongst our small collection of bikes, and the only thing it could really do with is the 6th gear that I keep trying for that it hasn't got! ;-)
Virago's are beautiful bikes mate. I've had 2 of them now and often think of my 250 as my first proper bike. I had a Suzuki TS50 and an Aprilia RS50, but both of these felt like toy bikes compared to the Virago. In later years I bought the XV535 which had the same sleak body design as the 250 but would cruise comfortable at about 75 mph. If I needed to open her up a bit more she was capable of doing the ton! The only thing I found you need to watch out for is the membranes in the carburetor.
I have the 250cc 1988 Yamaha route 66, Its so much like those bikes, Its a different name, but the same bike. I love mine, even though I joke to get rid of it. I didn't paint it all nice to get rid of it. The tiny engine uses so little gas. I don't know how far it can go. It just seems to go on forever on a tank of gas. And the tank is tiny. The 1300cc bike I have runs out much faster, but the 1300cc will leave most machines in the dust. both are cruising rides, Don't get tired riding them.
Have moved onto a Harley Sportster, but I still have fond memories of the old Virago as it got me into the cruiser scene for the first time. Still have a sports tourer ZZR 1200, so I'm one lucky man, I have the best of both worlds lol RSMF
That's pretty awesome Andy. I just bought a 535 1990 Virago basketcase build which I am in the process of putting together. It's my first bike and I haven't ever worked on a motorcycle before but I already learned so much thus far and I think by the end of oct I should have it running as I am just waiting on all my tools and parts to arrive in the mail.
Hi Andy. I was at a bike meeting the other night and a chap was there on a CX that a chap on the Isle of Wight modifies, may interest you to look up caferacerkits.co.uk the one at the meeting was not a cafe racer, more of a standard nice lightweight bike of the old school.
brilliant, lovely to hear the suffolk speak again after being away from there a while
I'm glad you are going to leave us alone now Andy, Hahahahaha! The first bike I progress to after 250cc was an xs750 (Virago) and I do remember that they did handle well for a cruiser/chopper style bike. RSM8
Surprise me how good they are at cornering and just a good little bike RSMF
Wow , this is an old thread , but enjoyable for the view. As a Virago rider , I am Peeved that Yamaha actually bent to the < import restrictions > set on the CC's of bikes. that caused them to Nix the 535 and 750 Vragos. Andy , just wanted to say, that you have a real treasure there, keep her safe. Also the Viragos are bullet proof. What the Blokes, (virago enthusiasts M & F ), and I wish is that they'd " bring it back". Bring back the 535 and 750: But. with a 6 speed gearbox. and a full cradle motor mount ,like the xv250 and the xvs 950, and also belt or chain drive for these bikes, not the inefficient shaft drives commonly seen.
Nuff said
Stay safe
Wes
All I can say is, that bike gave me my first experience of being on a cruiser. Alas, I sold it and bought a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster. Out of the two, I look back more fondly on the Virago RSMF
Where Suffolk Andy appears - they will come!! It's the cost of popularity mate, lol.
Now I'm curious and want to ride a Virago - good one mate. Ride Safe!
Give it a go if you get the chance, you'll probably enjoy it. But like me, I still like my sport tourers RSMF
Good review Andy ! I am a fan of the old bikes myself .
Something about old bikes, they have so much more character than modern bikes RSMF
Great Video Andy, I've been asked about riding a cruiser so many times in the comments, I hate to say I told ya so but, I told ya so, lol, Andy if when we meet buddy you'll have to have a blast on my beast and see what ya think about that, 80 cubic inches throbbing away between ya legs, lol, when people say to me, yeah there alright but they don't do corners very well, I always point em to my video, "Skeggy Cruiser Late For Dinner" and see what they think about that, I actually had someone ask me what the Virago was like to ride and I sent him to your channel to watch your first ride on the virago, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that because of your video he now rides a Virago, and it as a strange double brake lever that allows him to use his right hand for the front and back brakes, he's only about 5''4" and he has a false leg, so good on ya mate! RSM8.
Amazing story, things like that make it worthwhile this old vlogging malarkey as Jim would say RSMF
We have a 750cc Honda Shadow shaft drive amongst our small collection of bikes, and the only thing it could really do with is the 6th gear that I keep trying for that it hasn't got! ;-)
6th gear would be an advantage as I sometimes go for it when it's not there lol
Virago's are beautiful bikes mate. I've had 2 of them now and often think of my 250 as my first proper bike. I had a Suzuki TS50 and an Aprilia RS50, but both of these felt like toy bikes compared to the Virago. In later years I bought the XV535 which had the same sleak body design as the 250 but would cruise comfortable at about 75 mph. If I needed to open her up a bit more she was capable of doing the ton! The only thing I found you need to watch out for is the membranes in the carburetor.
Hi mate, nice to hear from you, try and get into Thursday night's hangout as it would be good to speak to you again RSMF
Suffolk Andy I tried last week mate but Google were determined to drive me mad. I think it should be sorted now so I'll be there Thursday night.
good one
I have the 250cc 1988 Yamaha route 66, Its so much like those bikes, Its a different name, but the same bike. I love mine, even though I joke to get rid of it. I didn't paint it all nice to get rid of it. The tiny engine uses so little gas. I don't know how far it can go. It just seems to go on forever on a tank of gas. And the tank is tiny. The 1300cc bike I have runs out much faster, but the 1300cc will leave most machines in the dust. both are cruising rides, Don't get tired riding them.
It's horses for courses when it comes to engine size, but I always say a big-un will always beat a little-un lol
keep them coming Andy
neil hunt Certainly try my best and as for the accent, I'd say it's boooootiful lol RSMF
Awesome video man, I am happy for you!
Have moved onto a Harley Sportster, but I still have fond memories of the old Virago as it got me into the cruiser scene for the first time. Still have a sports tourer ZZR 1200, so I'm one lucky man, I have the best of both worlds lol RSMF
That's pretty awesome Andy. I just bought a 535 1990 Virago basketcase build which I am in the process of putting together. It's my first bike and I haven't ever worked on a motorcycle before but I already learned so much thus far and I think by the end of oct I should have it running as I am just waiting on all my tools and parts to arrive in the mail.
There is a 1998 1100 virago I wouldn't mind test riding at the bike shop I frequent that looks the same as your 750.
If you get the chance, definitely have a go. You'll probably enjoy it but you will still love your Bandit
Suffolk Andy The virago has been sold!!!
I'm guessing you're please with it then :-)
Surprised that you liked it so much. Thought you were a power junkie :-D
Still have the need for speed, but they're not as bad as I thought RS
I think 750cc is perfect for any rider.
Does this bike have a rev limiter?
I have no idea mate but if i had to have a stab at it its no rsm
It is a nice looking bike :o)
Still got the old girl, won't part with it now
nice ride bro
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi Andy. I was at a bike meeting the other night and a chap was there on a CX that a chap on the Isle of Wight modifies, may interest you to look up caferacerkits.co.uk the one at the meeting was not a cafe racer, more of a standard nice lightweight bike of the old school.
I'll have a look mate, thanks for passing the info
Suffolk Andy only just had a look all I can say is wow mate
Thought you would like what he does.