My Virago is a 1989 "youngster" with less tha 22K on the clock. Mostly rain free miles during my ownership from july 99. Black in colour with a few gizmo's inc an oil temperature gauge purchased from Germany. Easy to service and apart from checking that the battery is OK no problems. My other bikes are speedway Jawa's check them out at http://www.topcat-racing.blog.co.uk
looks
sore bums!
Reviewing a 1989 model.
XV535
Owned for more than 5 years.
Mostly on the advice and recommendations of this web site I have just bought a Yamaha XV535. It's a late 1997 version and has done 10,044 miles. Apart from that it's in mint condition. As stated elsewhere its a very easy bike to ride. I just hope it will be powerful enough... time will tell I guess.
I bought my XV535 8 months ago and for the first 2 months it went great but since then I have had nothing but heart ache and repair bills.. When it goes good it goes really good but I'm afraid it goes bad most days and even the Yamaha garage can't pin point the problem.. The bike splutters if the sun aint shinning and even stalls then refuses to start again on cold mornings.. But when its dry and sunny you wont get a better feeling than jumping on and riding off for the day.., Sorry to be negative, I've heard a lot of people saying that the XV535 will go forever and I probably got a pig-in-a-poke but I wont be buying anothert one.......... Sorry Guys n Gals
The first time i landed my hands on this 535, it's great and it's really great. I tested on my friend's bike before i got one since he bought it earlier than me, awesome man!By then, i knew i have to get this one...so i did.Great to be the proud owner of Virago 535
I've been biking for 22 years, owned all things from mopeds to superbikes, over the last few years been riding a Honda Rebel 125, even helped start a club for them. Six months ago saw this beautiful looking XV535DX in Dobles showroom, looked almost mint, test rode it, liked it, part exed the Rebel, and never looked back since. I've always liked the cruiser style, and as soon as I sat on the 535 I knew it was for me. the riding position suits me just fine, although the footpegs get a little uncomfortable after 50 miles or so, think I might just invest in some boards to eliviate foot ache. performance is good for the style of bike, cruises lovely at 70 - 75 mph on the motorways, on open country roads handles like a dream, twisties are not a problem, grounding the pegs can be a bit of a problem though if you get carried away. Read alot of reviews about the reserve solenoid packing up and leaving you either without a reserve or constantly on reserve. so it's permantly on reserve and I set the trip meter as a fuel guage. Filling up every 120 miles is a bit of a pain though, getting around 58 to the gallon on runs. So far done 3000 troble free miles, service it myself every 2000, find it a realy simple machine to service at home. hardest job I've come across so far was the valve clearances, hard in the respect in that you almost have to dismantle the bike to get at the rear cylinder exhaust valve. It's a bike thats looks good, handles well (upgraded suspension would probably improve handling even more)ecconomical and is fun to ride, performance could be a little better but what the hell it's as fast as I want to go these days. One major critisism is the brakes, they take a little longer to stop you than you'd imagine which can be a little hairy until you get used to their limitations. But if you like cruisers try one because it does what it's designed to and it does it well.
Yet another oldie coming back after 20 years without a bike, Virago 535 1997 JUST the TICKET got it last Friday 17.00;now following Weds. done 400 miles don't know where I've been but its all been FUN and great to be back on two Wheels. all the other comments echoed, minor niggles can easily be put up with (fuel tank, peg posn.) but all in all very well suited for cruising windy lanes potters all day NICELY at 55/65mph (15st/6ft) but still some left in the right hand. Main daunting prob is the chrome & paint is immac, any tips or pointers on what to use to keep in VGC, any info please email me Thanks I.A.
Bought my XV535S without a test ride (it looked that good) in Mar 2001 after 18 years without a bike. Brilliant from the word go. If you want a nimble and reasonably forgiving middle-weight that looks like a cruiser then this is it. Quick up to 85mph and keeps going to 105 (indicated and on private roads occifer). Small Spitfire windscreen keeps the worst of the weather off. Ran her right through the winter on daily commute (15 miles each way). Only had problems on 2 ocassions - 1st was when it went onto 1 cylinder in the worst rain storm I've ever ridden/driven in - but she got me home on 1 - 2nd was after a dealer service when they cocked everything up and I then had to do it all properly. Now do my own servcing. Keep spraying on WD40 to keep the rain out. Chrome is good with only minor pitting on rear rim. Rentec rack/cissy bar fitted to carry stuff - good quality and lasting well. Dunlop tyres only lasted 5500m so now on Continentals - excellent in dry but dubious grip in wet, however they are lasting well (took absolutely ages to scrub in, nearly 500m). Paint work is pretty, but, is looking a bit rough on edges of mudguards. Bolts fur/fuzz up no matter what I do and rear shocks now past their best (6 years and 14000 miles old). Great for short runs up to 60 miles, numb bum after that). Fuel consumption has worked out at 51mpg over last 5000m. Uses no oil between changes at every 2000m.
Having ridden a scooter for the past few years, I couldn't bear to see the back of the Virago when "himself" decided he wanted a Kasasaki ZR-7S - so I had it. I am short-ar*ed 44 year old mother and despite my kids telling me to grow up, I love it! The sound, the speed (after a scooter, anything is fast!)the vibrations (!) but despite loving all the chrome, the polishing means that the house is a mess!
Had my xv535 8 months now (doesnt time fly?) after not riding for about 20 years. Im 12 stone and only manage 40mpg. Mind you I can also manage 105mph+ - I suppose I could compromise one for the other!
Bit awkward round the bends (scrape footpegs on roundabouts if youre not careful). Suffer "numb bum" after about 70 miles of non stop riding. Small tank - I always reset the odometer and start looking for the next petrol station at 100 miles. So far I havent been caught out but felt close to it in North Wales when I had to switch to reserve at about 110 and no petrol station in sight!
Enough grumbles - Ive got used to them! I love the bike, glad I didnt go for any other. The looks are great, parts from the dealer are expensive but I imagine no different to most other bikes (£400 for a petrol tank!!!) - best to look around for secondhand ones and save a fortune. I changed the drag handlebars for aftermarket "normal" ones (£15 new) and improved the comfort a little.
Make sure you have the carbs balanced. Morgan do a carb balancer tool for about £40 and its money well spent. I noticed the difference straight away and its only a 15 minute job.
Had mine stolen but got it back the same day. I now have a car alarm under the seat. A Moss car alarm (about £30) can be made to fit in the toolbox.
If I ever had to change my bike it would be for another Virago 535.
I got rid of a brand new Ducati in favour of a 3 year old XV535, I've never looked back! For the money it's fantastic, lots of chrome work to polish, cool!! If you are looking for a cruiser that can be used every day and 2-up at the weekends, look no further.
Just brought my xv 535 Virago about two weeks ago. sold as seen no warentie from a deeler. Realy liked the looks and so did the wife. Seemed a bit gutless, didn't like doing 70 mph, might be a bit unwell. However it pulls well. poodle along at 25 mph in top, open the throtle....thump thump and away we go. Read some reviews and the bike may be resticted. Must get that sorted along with the faulty reserv solenoid. Any one know how I can get the bike de restricted or how to do it. e-mail [Log in to view email]
I've been riding my 1990 535 for a year, even through the winter. Had to have loads of electrical work done over the winter, as the salt corrodes straight through ignition coils and wiring. She's rusty, dirty and slightly dented in places but at 12 years old and with a restriction kit she still easily does 95mph and manages 250 miles a week on around £18 worth of petrol. And apart from on really sharp bends she's great round the twisties. I just wish the accessories were a bit cheaper...
Re-entry bike after 20 years out of the saddle. Absolutely brilliant. I weigh 10st 12lb (68.9 Kilo's?) so when I wind the throttle she realy responds (which is nice when your 54 yoa). Cornering took a while to get used to and gear changes are a bit clunky but that is probably my rusty technique. Mine is still in showroom condition despite being a preloved buy. The chrome and paint finish is excellent. The handle bar position (for me) is just right. A machine to be proud of - stop thinking about it - just buy one!
Its a good looking cruiser and easy to ride. Ideal for a newbie like me. 60mpg. insurance group 8. I use it to get to and from work mostly (1000 miles/month). Service regularly and it will not let you down. Cheap, cheerful and fun.
The xv535 is a great bike for the money.If high speed and tight cornering is what your looking for,dont buy it.Other than that the bike has enough power to pull me,a 175 pound 6 foot rider,along just great.Sometimes evon a smaller passenger is feesable for shorter rides.I own a 1996 model and for the money ,im totaly satisfied.
nofuel gauge and small tank, hidden underneath, top tank is a dummy, so hard to gauge how far you can go.if electric reserve switch goes, its about £60 tofix, because reserve tankplunger, is a pig to get to. handling on corners, feels like you have a bearing problem, because you fight with it to get it round, nice bike though, nice style and a good sound and good pose factor.
Owned for 3 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2004.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Bought a UK 1992 xv535 a few months ago and all was fine. Although the guy that had it before me hadn't had it serviced for 16,000 miles! Probably should have walked away but thought it ran ok and it looked the part. However...two oil gaskets have gone around the engine which basically need the engine stripped to replace. Have patched them up with some gasket sealant and they are not too bad. Yes, quite a lot needed done due to the lack of a service but it was only lots of little things that didn't really add up to too much. I recently went to Paris and apart from running out of petrol (my reserve solenoid is knackered even thought the previous owner had just had it replaced) everything was ok. Two weeks after coming back it wouldn't start. Flat battery, it was basically dry, hardly any water in it. Kind of my fault really, should have checked it. Well, I've tried refilling it and recharging but it would not take a charge. Time for a new battery. As I speak it is about 15 miles away batteryless. Need to buy a new one tomorrow and go and replace the old one. Here's a handy hint - take a spare battery with you when testing to see if your current battery works haha!! Someone should have told me that. But on the good side, when it was working it worked fine. I don't trust reserve fuel switches, I prefer the old fashioned way of manually changing to reserve. I unplugged the fuel sensor and have to watch the miles - it's not too bad because it forces you to watch the miles and take refill stops more often, which helps the legs. Yes, the pegs are a bit close for comfort over long distances and I'm not massively tall at 5'8". But they are ok if you have your heel on the peg as opposed to the arch. Overall I'd say worth the trouble just to see kids point and say 'look mum I want one'.
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