Verago 1100???

Hey guys it's been awhile . I hope all is well. I got married in January so I haven't been on much. My grandpa called me. He is looking at this virago.

http://www.citruscyclecenter.com/pre_ow ... eh=3579888


I'm in Missouri so I can't go with him to look at it.

What do these bikes go for? It's at a dealer so obviously a decent mark up. What are problem areas he should look for? Looks like original brake lines to me...

Supposedly was a trade in from an older couple. He had one back in 87 and after seeing my bikes he wants one again. Thoughts?

He will work on it himself. Will probably join up here actually.

 

We have them in Wisconsin for the same price but 8 years newer with less miles.

 

The price is quite steep. I would have thought half of it.

Viragos often have starter problems.

 

The Viragos from '84 and on have no starter issues. The problem children are the U.S. 750 and 920 models.

 

Sorry, i was a bit confused with models and years. I think i'll stick to XJs

 

Excellent keep the thoughts coming. I was thinking that the guy would be luck if he got 2k. You know he took the old folks who traded it in to the cleaners on it.

 

That's right down the road from me, maybe 8 mi or so. Man that bike looks pretty clean from the pictures. Almost new looking. Still think price is a bit steep, especially when you throw in the taxes and everything else to get it out on the road? After all, $2,999.00 is only the dealer's starting point for negotiations. Should be had for $2,000 to $2,500. But would definitely make a list of what to check. Tire date codes, brake's age (ask dealer when last replaced and to have a replacement as possibly part of the deal), any warranty? I would even want my own mechanic (me) to check compression before laying out that kind of cash.

 

I wish i was closer so i could check it out for him. So we think offering 2k is fair?

 

Fair and about as high as I'd advise going. It is after all, an '89 with 16K on it.

 

I agree... Once bikes hit 25 to 30 years old I would try to stay to the "how ever many cc's is the engine is it's dollar value" rule. Now I think 1100 would be a little low but I wouldn't pay anything more than 2k for a 25 year old bike like that unless it was more rare, but virago's are anything but rare.

 

Hey guys, I'm going to go look at the Virogo for ryancdossey(for his grandfather) Monday. Will take pictures of the tire date codes and anything I find that I don't like. Will ask the dealer for the compression numbers (have to trust what they say for good or bad). Will have to do the same for rear brake. What is the standard compression numbers on these bikes? Will check seat, brake fluid condition, brake lines, tire thread depth, starter sound. If they let me take it for a spin I will do so. My logic is that they my have the bike cleaned of any evidence of leaks. Taking a ride should/may confirm of any possible leaks. Will confirm if there is any warranty. Any other suggestions on what to check?

Now, I just need to write these things down in a check list. Please let me know about the compression numbers for anybody that knows.

 

I found on Google that compression should be between 128 and 156 PSI.

 

Ya it looks nice but it is pretty old so I would offer $2600. It looks like original brake lines also so look it over well.

 

Made my way to look at the Virago 1100 today. Nice sunny day, albeit a little windy.
Dealer could not tell me what the compression is on it. But he did say he would be willing to take the readings on them if asked. Bike looks pretty good cosmetically. Took it for a short 2 - 3 mile ride. Clutch feels good, ride is nice and smooth, brakes seem to hold well. I can lock the rear wheel with the rear break easily when ever I wanted to. I was not able to inspect the front brake fluid. Rear brakes is drum. Instruments look good and function well. But the neutral light was not very bright and I was not able to tell when in neutral when I first went out for a ride. I don't know anything about V-twins and what power to expect. Compared to my 900 which I rode out there with, the motor felt like a truck. With the expected twin vibration, but mild and nothing irritating. I assume it is a normal V-twin thing. Gets up to 65 pretty fast. I will leave my opinion about performance out of this since I don't have a reference on how V-twins should feel like. All I can say that the bike felt comfortable to ride. At the end of the ride after the bike was warmed up, I did notice that the engine started dropping a cylinder ever so slightly. At 60 mph it felt like a very, very small pulse. I would definitely take it out for at least a 10 mi ride to make sure I wasn't imagining things. Small dent at the top of the tank (see photo). Couple of defects on the seat (with old attempted repairs, see photo). I noticed that the left front fork inner tube had a slight oil film near the dust boot. Right side forks was clean and dry. Slight oil film (old) on the left side rear head/jugs. Above the head/jug mating surface. So I don't think it is the head gasket. But should be inspected properly. Tires must be old. Back one is shot as far as I'm concerned. Back tire looks to be from 17 week 2003. Even if it was less than 5 years old, look at those cracks (see photo). I took a picture of the wrong numbers on the front tire, so not sure how old it is. I will post the picture of the numbers anyway, but the tire itself looked good.

Here is a link to the set on my flicker account. You will be able to enlarge the pictures to see better detail of the photos you see below.
Virogo Pictures - Click Here




Below: Small ding on the Tank

Below: Two problem areas on the seat with attempted repairs.

Below: Slight surface rust on the headlight stays. No biggie.

Below: Paint is cracked, but I don't think to the surface, but below the clear. I should have ran my had across it to feel the surface. I just assumed it was smooth. Buyer will have to try that himself. But paint still looked good, even with these defects.

Below: Rear right side head oil film (towards the back). Maybe came from behind that round cover?

Below: Not sure why that would discolor.

Below: Must be road goop or something on the lower pipes. Studs on saddle backs need rust to be cleaned off.

Below: Looks I snapped a photo of the wrong numbers for a date code of the front tire. Front tire did look good.

Below: Tire code on rear tire seems to indicate 17 week 2003. Tire side walls are very cracked as you can see from the second picture.


I am not an expert on twins, so I will leave the opinions to everybody else that would like to contribute. The only thing I would recommend is to get those compression numbers. Better if you are there watching. But even then they could have squirted some oil in the cylinders before you show up to watch the test, LOL. But I'm just a paranoid individual Good luck to your grandfather regarding the bike Ryan. Hope this helps his cause and it all works out for him. He did say there is some of warranty. Didn't get the details.

 

Joe thank you very very much. I cant express my gratitude enough at you taking the time to do that for me. I will pass along your info and let him decide. If anyone has anything they notice fee free to speak up.

 

I enjoyed doing so Ryan. I have always liked the Viragos even though are not my thing. I always loved those Virago engines. But in the VX920R, LOL. Best of luck to to your grandfather.

 

Joe, what you did was a true "solid". Roc