Yamaha Virago

This looks like Maxim Wheels and rear shaft drive. Its has dual front disc brakes which I would like to have.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/945773508.html

Anyone ridden one of these?

 

here are the differences between this and what you have

Make Model
Yamaha XV 920J Virago

Year
1982

Engine
Air cooled, four stroke, 75° V-twin cylinder, SOHC. 2 valve per cylinder,

Capacity
920
Bore x Stroke 92 Ñ… 69.2 mm
Compression Ratio 8.3:1

Induction
2x 40mm Hitachi carbs

Ignition / Starting
Transistorized / electric

Max Power
65 hp @ 6500 rpm

Max Torque
7.8 kg-m @ 5000 rpm

Transmission / Drive
5 Speed / shaft

Front Suspension
37mm Showa leading axle. adjustment for air pressure and rebound damping. 145mm wheel travel.

Rear Suspension
Monoshock single damper, adjustment for air pressure and rebound damping. 87mm wheel travel.

Front Brakes
2x 267mm disc 2 piston calipers

Rear Brakes
Drum

Front Tyre
3.50-19

Rear Tyre
130/90-16

Dry-Weight / Wet-Weight
225 kg / 242 kg

Fuel Capacity
14.5 Litres

Consumption average
44.3 mp/g

Standing ¼ Mile
13.3 sec / 97.2 mp/h 156.4 km/h

Top Speed
108 mph 174 km/h
_____________________________________________________________
Make Model
Yamaha XJ 650 Maxim

Year
1981

Engine
Air-cooled four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder,

Capacity
653
Bore x Stroke 63 Ñ… 52.4 mm
Compression Ratio 9.2:1

Induction
4x 32mm Hitachi carbs

Ignition / Starting
Transistorized

Max Power
71 hp 51.8 KW @ 9400 rpm

Max Torque
5.5 kg-m @ 7500 rpm

Transmission / Drive
5 Speed / Shaft drive

Front Suspension
26mm Air assisted telescopic forks, 147mm wheel travel

Rear Suspension
5-way adjustable spring preload, 97mm wheel travel

Front Brakes
Single 300mm disc

Rear Brakes
Drum

Front Tyre
3.25 H19

Rear Tyre
130/90 H16

Dry-Weight
203 kg

Fuel Capacity
13 Litres

Consumption average
47 mp/g

Standing ¼ Mile
12.6 sec / 107 mp/h

Top Speed
120 mp/h

 

Looks like the Virago has more torque but no more horsepower than the 650 Maxim.
Whats up with all the displacement and no more HP?

I was hoping for a sixth gear.

I do like the dual front disc brakes bit not enough to buy it.

Looks like a pass to me.

 

It's a V-twin. Big cylinders, low revving, SOHC with rocker-arms and screw type valve adjusters. It's basically two XT/TT/SR singles on a common crankcase. Gobs o' torque, but doesn't gain RPM quickly.

 

At this point I know the Maxim pretty well so the Virago holds no attraction.
At first glance I thought a 900 cc cruiser would have more of something than the 650 Maxim. It does not appear that the Virago has any advantage. I have read that the Virago starter can be problematic.

 

Problematic?
No. Way beyond Problematic.
Think of something you hate to do. Then, imagine having to do it on a regular basis.

Once the Starter goes-out on a Virago ... there's nothing you can do.
They have Kits and Parts and Chants from Witchdoctors.

None of it works.
You run alongside the bike. Hop-on and pop the clutch!

Virago is Italian for: "Push to Start"!

 

I have teenage sons. I can IMAGINE.

Thanks for the added motivation to not buy one.

 

I always liked the look of the XV920R, the "Japanese Vincent" with its fully enclosed chain and 11" headlight. But even back in the day, the starter issue was well known and they just didn't have much giddyup. These XJ DOHC fours are screamers. Not a lot of "cruisers" out there today that are faster, even bigger ones. And remember, a bigger motor does not necessarily make a better motorcycle. Balance, power-to-weight ratio, controllable acceleration and braking are all more important in the real world than big horsepower (especially in the rain.)

 

my friend Scott has a 84 xv750, its not bad but to small for a touring bike lots off the line even with the 750 vtwin but slow to climb after about 60km and the starter make ALOT of noise over all its a nice bike but i'll keep my XJ

 

lol :lol: :lol: :lol:

v twins are not real fun till you get way up in CCs but still they are turds unless its a vmax then it gets a 50% fun factor but the slants will always win in my heart

 

The V max is a V-4...

 

nah its a v twin..........x2....lol

 

I stand corrected!