I'm a new rider, will a 1982 Yamaha Virago work for me?

Question

I found a local Yamaha Virago for sale. It's a 1982, with 14,000 miles on it. The same owner, and always been maintenanced. The owner told me I would need the valves adjusted, carbs cleaned, and an overall tune up. They want to let it go for $900. Does this sound like a safe bike to you? I don't want something that is going to quit on me while I'm driving, but I am very interested in buying a bike, and don't want to spend too much money!

Thank you!

Answer 1

If the bike was in top running condition that would be an excellent price. I think Kelley Blue Book retails it for a little over 1200 in good condition. However since it will need all the maintenance you mentioned done I don't think I'd pay that much for it unless you plan on doing the work yourself. Another thing to look at is tires, do they need to be replaced?

Answer 2

Yamaha's are great bikes I have a 1980 1100 with 28,000 miles on it. I paid $2,500 for it 5 years ago. Have you contacted a bike shop and asked them how much it would cost for the repairs ? how good are the tires and breaks ? has the bike been ridden in the past year ? what size is it, you don't want your first bike to be too big to handle and at the same time a 350 or 450 is small and light for highway riding, I have 2 bikes the yamaha 1100 - 1980 and a 1400 Suzuki Intrude 1996 with 10,000 miles on it , the yamaha is faster and lighter and rides well on both the highway and back roads.. the 1400 is likie driving a tank on back roads but great on the highway and looks ohhhh sooo good lol get some repair prices so you know what you up against

Answer 3

OK, remember it is an OLDER bike, things will go wrong with it just due to age, rubber doesn't last that long, especially if sitting, and with only 14,000 on a 27 year old bike, it has been sitting at one time or another, which is why the carbs need to be worked on. You also need to look at the forkseals, fuel tubes and anything else made of rubber. For the age you will also have to be prepared for things you can't see that will pop up that will need to be repaired.



Viragos are good bikes, balanced and easy to ride, nice looking too. But you will need to maintain it due to age.



I have a 1986 Yamaha and love the thing, so I don't care how much it takes to keep it going, but things do happen with these older bikes, mine sprang a leak from the fuel tank last year, a bulb went out for the low fuel light which caused a problem with the reserve/on fuel switch and I needed forkseals last year.



If you really want the bike, know what you are getting into, keep money saved for repairs, but if you really like it, you will love it when you ride it and so the extra costs will hurt, but the enjoyment will make up for it.

Answer 4

I'm not a fan of cruisers, but that Virago is a sound motorcycle, not as badly laid out as a lot of cruisers, and not all that bad to modify into a sensible riding position. There is a lot of on-line enthusiast support, as the bike has quite a few fans.



The PO may or may not be telling you the straight dope about the bike. Can you hear it run, confirm that the gears are all there, etc? Somewhere I have read about a common issue with the starters on these bikes, too. Do your research and be sure you can find out what you are getting into there.

Answer 5

The Virago was the first V twin Jap cruiser.

Solid , dependable ,lots of torque but Heavy and the early models had a defective starter that was replaced by recall, yours probably had it by now.

Working on Virago's is cramped but the shaft drive is bullet-proof.

Check under the exhaust for holes, I loved the sound, very non- Harley.

Take a safe riding course . If you can hold it and push it around I'd go for it.

Answer 6

Hey for 900 bucks why not? its a cruiser, so it will be a good learning bike. its gonna be a good bike to have for 6-months to a year before you will be able to decide what you really want. just make sure its in good condition which it sounds like it is. and its always a good thing to buy from the original owner. so good luck to you! have fun and keep it safe

Answer 7

that motor is done . the good news is that a 750 Virago is the same bottom end so you can either put a new 750 top on or a 920 no big deal and not that hard to do. if you have the euro speck virago thaen you have chain drive which is cool. did you try marvel mystery oil? Anyway just unbolt the btop end and pull it off qand get a new top.

Answer 8

i would never buy a bike that old unless your planning on only keeping it for like a week or two till you get the hang of driving a bike

Answer 9

check with local shops to estimate cost of those repairs. Off the top that sounds like a good deal, it may be a bit big for a beginner.