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Yamaha XV 250S Virago

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Make Model

Yamaha XV 250 Virago

Year

1997 - 99

Engine

Four stroke, V-Twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valve per cylinder

Capacity

249 cc / 15.2 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 49 x 66 mm 
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 10.0:1 

Induction

BDS26  Mikuni carburetor

Ignition 

CDI
Starting Electric

Max Power

23 hp / 17.1 Kw @ 8000 rpm 

Max Power  Rear Tyre

20.8 hp @ 8000 rpm

Max Torque

2.2 kgf-m / 15.9 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm

Transmission 

5 Speed
Final Drive Chain

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks
Front Wheel Travel 140 mm / 5.5 in
Frame Camshaft Valvetrain Configuration

Rear Suspension

Dual shocks 
Rear Wheel Travel 100 mm / 3.9 in

Front Brakes

Single 282mm disc

Rear Brakes

130mm drum

Front Tyre

3.00-19 

Rear Tyre

130/90-15 
Wheelbase 1495 mm / 58.9 in
Seat Height 685 mm / 27.0 in
Ground Clearance 145 mm / 4.7 in

Dry Weight

137 kg / 302 lbs
Wet Weight 145 kg / 319.6 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

9.5 Liters / 2.5 US gal

Consumption Average

23 km/lit

Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0

14.9 m / 42.6 m

Standing ¼ Mile  

17.0 sec / 120.8 km/h

Top Speed

136.2 km/h

The Yamaha XV250S Virago is a trusty, reliable and easy to ride option on which to hone your biking skills. If you fancy a big cruiser later on, the Yamaha XV250S Virago is a great place to start: it’s got the looks and appears bigger than a 250, so you won’t feel left out down at the Ace. The Yamaha XV250S Virago's engine’s peachy and it doesn’t suffer the wallow and bad handling many associate with cruisers.

The Yamaha XV250S Virago's riding position is traditionally cruiser: (very) low seat, high bars and forward pegs. Suspension’s quite hard at the rear, softer up front and, overall, handling’s great. The Yamaha XV250S Virago’s light weight makes for easy steering but get carried away and the pegs touch down early. Brakes are good and the ride is smooth.

The surprisingly torquey engine has been running these little Yamaha XV250S Viragos far longer than the bikes have been available in the UK. Great for cruising in the midrange, it has to be revved harder to stay at the top end. Gentler riding on A and B roads is where the Yamaha XV250S Virago is most at home and there’s more go in it than you’d think. Long treks on motorways are probably best avoided.

Mechanically sound, the Yamaha XV250S Virago’s got that proven engine. As for the finish, it’s universally regarded as top notch: well put together, plenty of shiny chrome and excellent paintwork. Many Yamaha XV250S Viragos are used as commuters and they still seem to survive pretty well, despite harsh winters. They certainly need polishing, though.