Virago owners clubs

Seem's we're deffo gonna get a virago, and almost certianly a 535..
restricted to 33bhp, i really need to find more out about restricting it..
figured i can't do it my self and get someone to check it over and fill in
the paperwork, suppose i 'could' buy a second hand restrictor kit, and get
it fitted.. cheaper than the £150 for it new.

But anyhoo, i'm trying to find out all i can about the virago 535 now,
hoping to do my test in a couple of weeks at the most, and will want to get
a real bike asap after that,

But the google results for the virago owners club in the uk is some crappy
search site that keeps trying to make it your home page when you leave,
there's an american virago owners club.. that's good.. but a bit too
american for me... (well duh

I basicaly want to ask other virago 535 owners about the bike, things that
go worng etc.. heard the startor clutch is an issue.. but there's a yamaha
recall for that, but not all bikes have had it done.. some people write
about cam chains snapping at 20k miles.. 1 week after buying the bike
usually.. so maybe the mileage wasn't true to start with, know about the
fuel reserve solenoid thing.. if i can i'll mount a couple of led's in the
speedo head.. or idealy in an accessory dial to show it's status.

Looking to buy about a 1995 to 1998 XV535, upto 20k miles i guess, seen a
few in autotrader going for £1200 to 2 grand, so 2 grand is my absolute max
price.. thats what the siamoto thing was going for.. but i'll need to budget
for the restrictor kit too.. unless someone has one for sale second hand??
i'm not a tight arse.. just skint.. medicaly retired with arthritis and
colitis, and i've read the virago is the best bike to ride for people with
arthritis due to it's riding position etc, just with me being over 6 feet
tall i'll need to put on either running boards or highway pegs.. no biggie,
just cost again.

So if anyone knows of a virago 535 for my money.. preferably in the cheaper
end of the scale.. so i can build me trailer, and add a few accesories..
saddle bags, sissy bar, running boards, spot lights etc with the left over
cash, let me know.

Gary AT kampenwagen DOT co DOT uk
is my e-mail addy if needed,

 

So what is wrong with this link: http://www.vsoc.org.uk/ ?
3rd hit with search for virago owners club.

 

Blimey, think I've found some one worse off than me, by this I mean; is more
indecisive, more disabled and knows less about bikes

D

 

I am a member, Sig modified for this post only.

Check for your local club and either contact them or nip in and see them,
they will be able to help you.

Fuel solonoid still *works* electrically, they just get gummed up and don't
open up far enough to allow passage of fuel.

Look around, you may find one with a restrictor kit fitted, Medically you
sound about right to become a VSOC member

Before you start thinking of modifying pegs etc it would be worth while
trying to ride one that has not been modified, I know a number of people
that use this style of bike without need for riding position mods that are
not medically suitable for other styles of bike.



--

Kevin - Basildon
XV535
GPZ305 (her's)
BOTAFOT#67 BOTAFOF#23
OSOS#29

http://www.vsoc.org.uk/ http://www.essex-crusaders.org.uk/

 

Cheers for all the info peeps... i had seen the vsoc before.. but being me,
i came to the conclusion it was just for the star owners.. and hence as i'm
after an xv.. not the one for me... typical me i guess,

The modifcations i mention are mainly me trying to cover all posibilities..
i always do that, think of the worst and hope it's not as bad
The pegs thing was from what i'd read from all other people over 6 foot tall
who complain about their legs hurting after 50 miles.. then a numb bum after
60 miles... that one i expect, can't be as bad as the whole lower body
numbness i get after 30 miles on the TS125 but a gell pad in the seat
should help.

We're off to look at a virago in the local shop now, might not even like it,
but somehow i dont think so.. always liked them since i first saw them over
here about 15 years ago,

Cheers for everyones input.

 

Me and SO (5'6) hired one on a holiday, my bike at the timme was a K100
BM, the Virago 535 was found to be unridable for more than an hour at a
time before extreme bum numbness set in...most dissapointing as the BM
could be ridden for 2.5 - 3 hrs

 

Been reading quite a lot about the bum numbness on the viragos... seems the
main problem appart from the riding position (which i actually find more
comfortable that upright.. and bent forwards is definately out of the
question.. fucked back and all that) but there's a piece of metal in the
seat of the virago.. that is right in the middle, and ends right where your
tail bone sits,

it's on the underside of the seat, but it can apparantly be felt through the
foam, people take that strip of metal out, and the seat is apparantly a lot
comfier,

i plan on taking the seat appart and adding a gell pad as soon as i get the
bike too, i added an extra inch of foam to my current bikes seat last week,
helped a bit.. but die to the narrow seat and totaly upright riding position
it means i can ride for 30 miles now instead of 25 before it hurts a lot.

 

Have had complaints from pillion about num bum after 100 miles or so but
using mine solo I have ridden on a number of occasions in excess of 500
miles per day without problems, I do have a screen fitted, a Kappa
universal type.


--

Kevin - Basildon
XV535
GPZ305 (her's)
BOTAFOT#67 BOTAFOF#23
OSOS#29

 

as long as my seat is comfy.. it'll do me.. good excuse to use the bike on
me own more me thinks gonna put off buying an intercom for a while tho
just in-case

Was thnking of dual queen seats tho.. at a later date of course.. i've
already spent all the money i havent got yet.. and it's all hinging on the
postman buying my current bike like he said he would.. gotta catch him
tommorow.. i'll be about in the afternoon, so should catch him on his rounds
(a few years ago the post was delivered before breakfast.. now if it's
before tea time your lucky

Most of the virago's i've seen have the screens fitted.. i always thought
they looked a bit gay my self.. but then again buming along at 40mph coz me
necks hurting from the wind buffeting is prolly even gayer.

Gonna see about maybe doing my das tommorow, was told it's £255 for a 2 day
course for the 125 test, 400 for a das course.. the restrictor kit is at
least £150 for the virago fitted, so i may as well do me das as it's the
same price in the end.. just the das will be harder i guess,

 

Tell her to get her own bike.

Short runs at slow speeds in good weather its not essential, Virago's are
capable of a lot more than that


--

Kevin - Basildon
XV535
GPZ305 (her's)
BOTAFOT#67 BOTAFOF#23
OSOS#29