I’m looking to get my first bike and one that has caught my eye is a 1987 Yamaha Virago 750. I’m not looking for a crotch-rocket, but I don’t know if I would like the cruiser feel. Looks are not really important for me, and I don’t plan on cross-country trips. I’m mainly planning on puttering around town and the occasional 2 hour trip.
The bike has 8000 original miles on it and is well kept. It comes with upgraded highway pegs, roll bars and a “nice set of street pipes”. I assume this is an upgraded louder exhaust?
I don’t know how to use a bike or have my bike license yet, so I will have to get a friend who knows about bikes to test drive it for me.
From what I read, these bikes do make good starters but may not be comfortable for large people (I’m 6’1 and 230 lbs) but again I won’t know until I learn to drive. I do plan on attending a good driving school and learning how to ride without killing myself or others.
A 750 for a first bike for a person that has no experience riding a bike whatsoever is on the big-ish side. Normally, I wouldn’t recomend anything more than a 500 or so for a first, and even that can be pushing it.
However, that being said a Virago is quite low and hence has a low center of gravity so it’s quite forgiving and relatively easy to handle. You’re also a fairly large person so it shouldn’t be much of a problem.
My advice: Take a bike riders safety course. The people that run the courses usually use 250cc for these. Good to learn on and you can learn to ride properly the first time. Whike you can still get into trouble with a 250, you’re not going to have your hands full like how a 750 could.
bernse - who’s first bike was a 1200cc Goldwing Interstate when he was 15.
How much are those, anyway? Personally I wouldn’t mind a Royal Enfield, which are still being made in India. (Wanna guess which state they’re not legal to buy new in?)
I began with 125 & 175 trail bikes, moved up to a street 450 and 750. I always thought I had an advantage over some other riders just from experience and learning to get out of bad situations without panic. Sounds like you are going about things the smart way.
One thing to pay attention to is slowing down and stopping at various speeds, particularly in traffic. The scariest thing I have seen is a rider lock his brakes, loose control and wind up on his back in the middle of the highway (not good for the bike, either).
The 750 is a bit powerful for a starter, but then again, your size will cut down your 0-60 times a bit. And the cruisers, IMO, are much more comfy than the rockets.
The most important thing to remember, is that the bike has no conscience. As you get more and more comfortable with the power and handling, keep in mind that you’re only a throttle turn away from becoming a thread on Ogrish.
An '87 Virago with only 8K? Wow. First thing that comes to mind is the tires. I’m betting the front is original, and if so, will probably suffer some degree of dry rot. The rear probably is the second, but still, it’s worth looking at. Nothing worse than losing your rubber on the road. I would inquire if the bike has been sitting up for a few years, or did the person only ride it an average of 500 miles a year. From your description, it sounds like he took care of it, but ask a few questions about the maintenance history. Can’t hurt.
I wouldn’t say that a Virago 750 is going to be too much, it is a cruiser and not any kind of rocket. I would say go for it, if you can convince the wife.
These pipes can completely screw up the jetting, but one test ride will tell you whether this is the case. Virago carburetors are extremely sensitive to changes in jetting, float level, etc. and more open pipes can really make the bike stumble at partial throttle.
Beyond that, Virago ignitions are weak, and the plugs will foul on old gas. The bikes are also cold natured due to the big cylinders and the type of choke used on the carbs. It takes about five minutes for the bike to accelerate smoothly without a little spitting and backfiring.
All the same, they’re nice bikes. They’re a little too plush for my tastes, but the engines are fairly solid and and they are comfortable.
My experience with Viragos is the complete opposite. Compared to other bikes in the same size range, Viragos are HIGH and have a HIGH center of gravity.
I took a motorcycle rider’s course in 1997 or so, and my husband at the time had a mid-80s Virago. After graduating from the course, he and I took his Virago out for some practice in a parking lot. I immediately dumped the thing - the center of gravity was just way too high for me to handle as a first bike.
I ended up buying a Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Same size engine, but much easier to handle in the turns.
I heard the same thing everyone else says - a 750 is too big, don’t get it as your first bike, etc. etc. I never had any problems with my Vulcan. Never thought it was too big. In fact, a year later I traded it in on a Road King, an ever BIGGER bike. I say go for a big bike, if that’s what you want.
Yes. I think that Yamaha had to lean the idle circuits out on 1980s bikes to pass EPA emissions requirements. Also, it took longer to warm up the big cylinder bikes (i.e., the 600s and big twins.)
Personally I think that a 750 Virago is a nice gentle bike afor a beginner.
Sure the weight whilst low speed riding, paddling with your feet while trying to manoeuver, could be a bit of a nuisance, but such a bike is going to be very forgiving about being in the wrong gear and the wrong revs.
Small bikes take a lot of awareness, you get knocked around by the wind, by bumps in the road, you have to get in the right gear or you make very poor progress, and the brakes are very often pretty poor.
I don’t think I’d like to ride anything much smaller than a 500, unless it was a 2-stroke lonny bike.
Talk to any biker and you’ll find they tend to have more accidents on small bikes than big ones.
87 Virago? Better be free or damn cheap even with low miles. I always thought the Virago handled poorly, primarily due to seating position, but you can learn to deal with it. I would say it is a good first bike, very reliable and low maintentaince, not worth much, but kinda ugly!
Ride safe and have fun.
Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore.
