New to cruisers - Virago XV400 or XV535

[diablo]

I'm looking at getting a cruiser.
Been looking/learning for a while now. Not much around at the moment 250-wise, so I'm in the process of getting my licence sorted.. didn't realise over-25 I get a fast ride thru the system.
And hence looking at something bigger.

Any thoughts on the following two bikes? Viragos, and shaft-driven...
Have had no experience with shaft-drive. Any advice would be great.
Anyone had one of these models before?
Also I am bang on 6 foot, but Im a skinny guy at 75kg.. if that affects anything..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-365216020.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-363813088.htm

[aedavo]

I've got one of these and it cruises along as good as a 750.Im 90kg ,pulls my arse around no probs.They look good to.

[Griffin]

Those are both pretty old bikes (1987 & 1988) Im assuming that price is a consideration but buying a cheap old bike comes with expenses down the line.

The Yamahas are great bikes... I started on a XVS250 and loved it, tho it was a chain drive which was a bit messy.

As for shaft drives... they are great, my second bike was a Boulevard C50T and was shaft driven... the key is to make sure that they are serviced and lubricated correctly... can be an expensive fix if allowed to run dry.

Other things to ponder...


Chain Drive is light, highly efficient, inexpensive, and allows you to relatively easily change your motorcycle's final drive ratio. However, it requires regular lubrication, cleaning, and tension adjustment.

Shaft Drive is heavier, almost but not quite as efficient, somewhat expensive, and makes it impractical to change the final drive ratio. However, the maintenance intervals are much farther apart.

Hope this helps.

[diablo]

Those are both pretty old bikes (1987 & 1988) Im assuming that price is a consideration but buying a cheap old bike comes with expenses down the line.

what kind of expenses/possible problems could i expect from either of these models?

[Griffin]

Im not saying you "will" have problems and I know of nothing specific to either of these models... my advice is based on the fact that as things get older they require more maintenance and parts that have been faithfully doing their job can finally give up the ghost and cost large amounts of money to fix... alas, things mechanical do not have infinite life spans... so it would be fair to say that bearings, valves, seals, gaskets, piston rings etc ad finitum can cause you to be out of pocket if they turn toes up during your tenure of the bike in question.

Of course... newer stuff can also break down but the odds are higher on older machines. Personally I would rather pay $5k for something less than 10 years old than $2k for a 20 year old model (+ $1500 for bearings & seals + $1000 for new pistons + $1200 for cracked head etc etc) you get the picture. (prices are just figures pulled from my arse to help illustrate the ongoing adding up of costs over time as opposed to being quotes from any actual mechanic advice).

For model specific problems seek the advice of a qualified motorcycle mechanic who knows the make well.

[diablo]

thanking you.
i understand where ur coming from..

ahhh one day

[The Lone Rider]

I've had a 250 Virago, years back.

It was a 1994 XV special edition.

It was a great bike.

For commuting it will be fine. At one inch shorter than me, not including boots, you might have trouble sitting on it for some time however.

Very bullet proof bike.

[skinman]

yea I had a 250 Virago as well. It was fine as a commuter but not enough HP for open highway, could keep up in the twisty stuff though.