1990 Yamaha XV1100 Virago review from New Zealand
"Half the price of a Harley - and twice as good!"
What things have gone wrong with the motorcycle?
Very little has gone wrong since buying this motorcycle.
The clutch started slipping soon after purchase - the dealer installed a new clutch free of charge.
A persistent back-fire (notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair) was also fixed by the dealer.
Speedo cable worked loose and it lost the inner cable.
General comments?
The Virago is a light-weight nimble cruiser, with classic "chopper" styling.
A shaft-driven V-twin with low seat height, it is easy to ride for the vertically-challenged (I'm 5'4").
It is equally at home on city streets, or cruising the highways.
It has plenty of low-down power, and seems to like the lower rev range best, developing an annoying "buzz" above 5000 rpm. But hey - this is a cruiser, not a racer!
The stock seat needs to be upgraded to give better comfort on longer trips, and the rear shocks run out of travel rather easily when riding two-up - a problem compounded by noticeable "shaft-effect".
A smallish fuel tank means regular stops, but that suits me fine. If I had a Harley I'd have to stop more often to pick up the bits that had fallen off...!
Recommended reviews
 | An enjoyable riding experience |
 | Beautifulllllll |
| Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Acceleration marks | 7/10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Handling marks | 8/10 |
| Braking marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 17000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 22000 miles |
| Previous motorcycle | Yamaha SR250 |
| Date of Entry | 24th March, 2005 |