1985 Yamaha XV 750 Virago

The Virago started its model life back in the early eighties as one of the first 'non-Harley' cruisers available, with production eventually finishing in the late nineties. Looking back, Yamaha got it spot on first time round, creating a cruiser that is still extremely popular today. There are not too many other models that can boast the sort of success or devoted following that the Virago has achieved. Even today, Virago clubs can be found in most States of Australia. While a lot of bikes are very much a "bloke thing", the XV750 was also very popular with female riders, being so comfortable and easy to ride. Today, there are many of these modern classics with over 100,000kms on the clock, that are still serving their owners as well as the day they were purchased. Import Motorcycles (aka City Motorcycle Spares) of Slacks Creek, Queensland have a magnificent example of this evergreen cruiser for sale. Our feature bike is an '85 model. Its extremely good condition is a reflection of a lot of TLC from the previous owner.

So what's made the Virago one of the top sellers in Australia? First up is reliability. With regular servicing, the V-twin motor is virtually indestructible, easily doing the job required, be it long distance cruising or the daily commute. The only known problem was minor, with new buyers sometimes experiencing starter clutch difficulties. These were easily overcome when educated in the correct starting procedure. Average riding will return close to 20 kms per litre economy, which is very acceptable even today. The shaft drive of the Virago is also extremely reliable, and has the benefit of delivering a smooth ride with no messy chains to lubricate. Second plus with the Virago is ride position. You can have the best bike in the world, but if it's uncomfortable to ride, what's the point! It's here where the XV750 really shines. It has a fantastic low seat height, making mounting/dismounting a joy for shorter riders.

This perhaps accounts for some of its attraction to female riders, too. In true cruiser fashion, the footpegs are set slightly forward, but not too far. The advantages this delivers over true forward controls are that you still have support for your spine - as your legs are not fully extended. The XV750 has an approximate dry weight of 220kgs, with most of that weight being set low in the frame. This makes the Virago surprisingly light and easy to manoeuvre. The next positive tick for the Virago is power delivery. As with most V-twins, the Virago delivers its fair share of torque - the advantage of this being the throttle is happy being opened, even at highway speeds, often negating the need to change down gears. This plus is often overlooked, but makes a world of difference for hassle-free cruising. Finally, dual front discs mean stopping is as easy as going on a XV750. For an all round cruiser at an affordable price, the XV750 Virago is hard to beat.  

For more details on the one featured here, call Terry at Import Motorcycles on (07) 3808 9440.