Back again...

I posted here a couple weeks ago about a puke-green XS650 I put a deposit on and was all excited about buying. Well... the deal fell through because the guy couldn't come up with a title so I just boutght an "84 XV700 Virago on ebay ($510). Just wanted to know if any of you had any opinions, suggestions or comments about the bike and do I have to turn in my membership card now?

 

Oh, it already has a new starter/shim kit installed.

 

Nice score! I'm sure you will enjoy the bike very much after giving it some TLC. Don't know much about this specific bike, but I have quickly, as you seem to know yourself, learned that the starters are the biggest issues on these bikes from here since joining. I love the looks of the Virago engine. I ended up purchasing a XJ550 SECA, but that was my second choice. What I really wanted was a XV920 TR1. Or actually a XV535 TR1 but not sure if it comes in that size. TR1's are basically it is the sport model of a Virago. Unfortunately, they were only produced in Europe or at least not sold in the U.S. I also considered an XZ550 which looks like a water cooled variant of the TR1. But those are scarce as well and not as nice looking IMHO. Good luck with your new ride!

 

Looks a nice bike for the money, think that's about £250-275 so bargain if it's a runner 8)

What's the betting these also suffer from the brake issues outlined in my sig?

 

I doubt you'll find any Virago haters here...you're still on a Yamaha after all. I may pick one up myself some day if I want a more laid back profile (and larger engine).

 

Congrats. I too rode a virago, as seen in my sig. I actually rode my dad's for a while when he quit riding his. I think that was an 81 or 82 as well.

Nice ride, and I spent many a mile on the first one. Unfortunately, the one in my sig was more worn out, suffering from many ailments, including the bogus starter fail issue. I traded it out for the XJ700.

Yours looks worlds better than mine did, with the starter already remedied, you should be getting dandy on it.

 

Iv worked on a couple of those, yes the starter is a big issue, the spring likes to pop off. simple fix though!!

 

Yamaha sold the TR1 in the US in '81 and '82 as the XV920R. They do show up for sale once in a while.