Ive got an '81 RH vertually identical to this, except mine has 9,000 miles and is in #1 showroom condition (mine has stock pipes and an after-marke oil cooler). I was going to sell it for $1,500 when I bought my new Bonnevile T120 this summer, but after cleaning up 10 years of garage dust and putting on new tires, folks at the Triumph shop and the Yamaha shop both told me it was worth $8-$9 grand (and rising). Then I got my son-in-law to join me in a 500 mile rip through the Chugach and Kenai mountains from Anchorage to Homer, AK and we both thought the 39 year old HR was every bit as fast and sure footed as the new Bonneville! I love the new Bonnie, but Ive also fallen in love all over again with the RH; guess I'll have to keep them both.
I have a Silver /black edition 1982 with only 10.300km on it. Hasnt been on the road since 2002. Unfortunately because the previous (2nd) owner had a shortage of space after moving one time and it left the garage and ended up spending around 1 year outdoors. Did have a cover over it but not the one you should use for motorcycles so it got damp and oxidised the metal a bit. If it werent for that it would probably be nearly like new. Got it in 2017 to make a scrambler out of it but had a change of mind when I Saw how nice it was preserved. Not sure What to do with it yet.
I bought this bike new also. They had the 82's as well but it was black and white and didn't want to have a cop bike look. If I could have it new today or my new 72 Norton 750 Commando, it would be a toss up. I sold it when the whimpy starter was failing and I had my first child on the way. But it was great to see this video and bring back fond memories.
Now this bike is called the Yamaha TR1 in Europe and was in fact the predecessor of the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog which was the predecessor of my Yamaha MT-01; Every time they did the same: Take a cruiser engine and put that cruiser engine in to a street bike, you know a more straight up naked bike. In fact the Yamaha MT-01 is fully based up on a Yamaha R1; framework and suspension wise spoken. They basically took a 2005 Yamaha R1, they took off all fairings and took out the water cooled high performance 4 cylinder engine and they put in the frame a Yamaha Warrior 1700 air cooled engine. All suspension remained R1 spec: so the front fork is R1, the brakes are R1 the rear fork is R1 and so the ride feels like a R1, but with a thumping 1700 Cc Air cooled V-twin.
I just copped an 81 on Father's day. It's in original condition. Seen a ton of Cafe racer conversions that I like. I will ride it stock for a while though.
Awesome. VX en drag star even the old XJ motors REALLY BLING like some kinna' jewlery when they are polished Up EXCELLENT MOTORS I had a black/red gold plated accents on the engine side covers 80's VX 1200 like a piece art REAL eye catcher 👍😆
And it ain't a Virago! I owned one of these, a 1981, picked it up at a Yamaha dealer, used with under 3k miles on it. Fun riding bike, chain driven final, NO drive line, and it ain't a Virago! It's longer, has a huge headlight, and plenty of power. These were designed for sport touring and targeted for the European market. They didn't sell well so Yamaha took the excess bikes and brought them to the US. The only one I ever saw was the one I bought. It had everything, great handling, plenty of power, and rode very nice, a well mannered bike.
People keep calling these 'Virago's ', they are technically 'Roadsters'. Sit-on, not down-in, and steeper fork-rake than the Cruiser-Virago's. I'm lucky to have two; a first-year 1981,(non-runner) same as this bike, and later 83, face-lift with plastic tail-piece that continues along/under the seat. Both are 1000cc, called XV1000's over here, 'down-under' (Aussie & NZ) and TR1 in Europe. They are great bikes .
I bought one of these and the dealer practically paid me to take it away. The dealers hated these Yamaha Eurosport bikes. Nobody wanted them. I LOVED mine!
Back in the day, the Yamaha dealer down the street from my Honda store kitted out several of these with drag bars, slip-ons and upgraded tires. He sold EVERY one for premium prices, and the owneres loved them. I haven't seen one in years. I dunno if it'd be an easy sell at $5000, but I'm long-retired so my market knowledge is not up to date.
I had an xv 920 R and it was the most fun of any bike I've ever hsd. I've had 23.. Am now 78 and done riding.
My first bike! Rode from 1985 til 1988.
Just came across this vid after searching for months. Got my hands on an 82 XV920RH and couldn't be more happy.
Ive got an '81 RH vertually identical to this, except mine has 9,000 miles and is in #1 showroom condition (mine has stock pipes and an after-marke oil cooler). I was going to sell it for $1,500 when I bought my new Bonnevile T120 this summer, but after cleaning up 10 years of garage dust and putting on new tires, folks at the Triumph shop and the Yamaha shop both told me it was worth $8-$9 grand (and rising). Then I got my son-in-law to join me in a 500 mile rip through the Chugach and Kenai mountains from Anchorage to Homer, AK and we both thought the 39 year old HR was every bit as fast and sure footed as the new Bonneville! I love the new Bonnie, but Ive also fallen in love all over again with the RH; guess I'll have to keep them both.
I have a Silver /black edition 1982 with only 10.300km on it. Hasnt been on the road since 2002. Unfortunately because the previous (2nd) owner had a shortage of space after moving one time and it left the garage and ended up spending around 1 year outdoors. Did have a cover over it but not the one you should use for motorcycles so it got damp and oxidised the metal a bit. If it werent for that it would probably be nearly like new. Got it in 2017 to make a scrambler out of it but had a change of mind when I Saw how nice it was preserved. Not sure What to do with it yet.
I’ve had mine since new. Still going strong and it will bury the speedo…it’s been all over North America.
I bought this bike new also. They had the 82's as well but it was black and white and didn't want to have a cop bike look. If I could have it new today or my new 72 Norton 750 Commando, it would be a toss up. I sold it when the whimpy starter was failing and I had my first child on the way. But it was great to see this video and bring back fond memories.
Love this bike, even with the 85 mph speedo. Reminds me of my '93 XJ900 Seca.
In Europe they were 1000cc XV 1000 TR1 ( i have one ) 1981 - 86 . great bike .
Now this bike is called the Yamaha TR1 in Europe and was in fact the predecessor of the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog which was the predecessor of my Yamaha MT-01; Every time they did the same: Take a cruiser engine and put that cruiser engine in to a street bike, you know a more straight up naked bike. In fact the Yamaha MT-01 is fully based up on a Yamaha R1; framework and suspension wise spoken. They basically took a 2005 Yamaha R1, they took off all fairings and took out the water cooled high performance 4 cylinder engine and they put in the frame a Yamaha Warrior 1700 air cooled engine. All suspension remained R1 spec: so the front fork is R1, the brakes are R1 the rear fork is R1 and so the ride feels like a R1, but with a thumping 1700 Cc Air cooled V-twin.
that bike is a dream 😍
I just bought a 1983 Yamaha XV920 MK Virago Midnight Special… whew buddy I’m excited!
I just copped an 81 on Father's day. It's in original condition. Seen a ton of Cafe racer conversions that I like. I will ride it stock for a while though.
Awesome. VX en drag star even the old XJ motors REALLY BLING like some kinna' jewlery when they are polished Up EXCELLENT MOTORS I had a black/red gold plated accents on the engine side covers 80's VX 1200 like a piece art REAL eye catcher 👍😆
Really nice bike! I ride a 82xv920 this is the first video I've seen you do on 920. kudos!
That's my bike!! Ride it everyday an it's sweet, I can smoke my buddy's 1200 Sportster and my next door neighbor gave me it because I help him a lot .
And it ain't a Virago! I owned one of these, a 1981, picked it up at a Yamaha dealer, used with under 3k miles on it. Fun riding bike, chain driven final, NO drive line, and it ain't a Virago! It's longer, has a huge headlight, and plenty of power. These were designed for sport touring and targeted for the European market. They didn't sell well so Yamaha took the excess bikes and brought them to the US. The only one I ever saw was the one I bought. It had everything, great handling, plenty of power, and rode very nice, a well mannered bike.
Owned one of these and loved it.
People keep calling these 'Virago's ', they are technically 'Roadsters'. Sit-on, not down-in, and steeper fork-rake than the Cruiser-Virago's. I'm lucky to have two; a first-year 1981,(non-runner) same as this bike, and later 83, face-lift with plastic tail-piece that continues along/under the seat. Both are 1000cc, called XV1000's over here, 'down-under' (Aussie & NZ) and TR1 in Europe. They are great bikes .
I bought one of these and the dealer practically paid me to take it away. The dealers hated these Yamaha Eurosport bikes. Nobody wanted them. I LOVED mine!
fantastic 👌👌👌👌
I just bought one of these identical to the one in the video #1 bike but front brakes are locking where can I find brake parts
Same colour as a Canadian Seca 650. Always wondered what these were like.
Same oversize headlight too. I had one of those ultra-rare XJ650RJC.
@@CaptHollister Amazing how cheap a Seca is now when you consider it is at the top of the heap (IMHO) of UJMs.
Back in the day, the Yamaha dealer down the street from my Honda store kitted out several of these with drag bars, slip-ons and upgraded tires. He sold EVERY one for premium prices, and the owneres loved them. I haven't seen one in years. I dunno if it'd be an easy sell at $5000, but I'm long-retired so my market knowledge is not up to date.
funny what exhaust does to your right wrist
I guess I missed it.
Someone has one of these for sale locally for like 500 bucks.