Virago's

Thinking, just thinking of buying a Virago 535, anyone got any thoughts on
these fine looking machines?

Yeah I know they are considered a girlie bike and all that but anyone know
if they are good mechanically and if they handle ok...ish.

Maybe thinking of getting one as a second bike, the missus might consider
going on the back of this one, she won't consider going on the back of the
Bandit, says it's to high <sigh>

Anyway, any thoughts would be great, David

 

You're a hairdresser by trade then?
--
Tim two#21, YGL#3 & BOTAFOT#84

Due to the limitations of current email, the lip movements may be
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tim dot ukrm2 at dsl dot pipex dot com

 

Nah, hairdressers are all riding vespa copies round here.

D

 

I can only dream of a Vesper. Did you know I had one.

 

What is a girlie bike?

To be fair they are not bad bikes, the collector boxes tend to rot
away and watch out for bad starting which is normally due to the CDI
unit. Apart from that they are not bad. K Olley was our demon 535
pilot and seeing him go around bends is a sight to behold.

 

you can take things too far, you know.

 

There's an owners club at http://www.vsoc.org.uk but I don't think you can
get them in pink though. I would imagine it would be pretty easy to find a
virago owner who would want to swap for a real motorbike like a bandit.

 

Having had a number of Virago's myself, including a couple of 535's, I'd say
that they are a damned good bike.
Since they ceased production of the bigger one's they seem to be going up in
value at the moment. They're almost being classed a "classic" it seems.
The 535 is no racing machine, but can comfortably carry a pillion with no
disgrace. Happy cruising up to about 65mph after that things start to
vibrate a bit.
Bullet-proof engine, for the size. Handling pretty good for the style.
Bad note, zorst's are pricey and seem to be getting rare.

You might find the Dragstar 650 an option.

HTH

 

I would imagine it would be pretty easy to find a

No I need to keep my Bandit or similar for a commute that I don't fancy
doing on a Virago.

I was thinking of a Virago as a second bike only... you know summer evening
along the seafront type thing, seemed like a nice idea and I thought it
would be nice if my wife would go on it... so busy with cars round here we
can't get anywhere.

And I don't want PINK!

David

 

Collector boxes? I thought they were 2 single pipes straight out?

Mind you I wouldn't put money on me having it right and you having it wrong,
sure I saw one with no collector box... oh well.

David

 

<google> *snort*

 

IRTA "Vosper":
http://foxxaero.homestead.com/indrad_059.html

 

Molly wrote

A Virago 535


Look at the bigger ones.

Early ones also had some starter dog problems but more recent ones are
fine. A lot of chrome to keep clean. Nearly always overpriced second
hand.

For a girlie bike.

Even more so when he is on his bike

 

David Thomas says...

I know where there is 2 year old Virago 535 with 67 miles recorded. It
is up for sale at the moment with a few worthwhile extras thrown in.

Email me on at the address in my headers and I'll pass the details on to
you.

 

With that lower milerage it will prolly be way out of my price range.

D

 

David Thomas says...

You can only ask and see what the man says.

 

Apart from the ancient wiring and screwed carb diaphragms on my old one it
was very solid. Cornering is surprisingly good because you can get so low on
them. Fuel range is very small though.

 

Why are they a girlie bike?

No he went around the bend without the bike. Silly man.

 

Molly wrote

I don't do fucking art lessons

But..

They are just a wee bit too small to carry all the chrome and still look
balanced. They look "sweet and girlie". Stand one next to an 1100 and
the difference is all too obvious.

 

They can take a fair bit of punishment, used to use mine daily and had
very few problems with it.

I am still around, and still wearing footpegs away