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Yamaha XV 1100 Virago
Few motorcycles can boast the
heritage of Yamaha's Virago: The first version of this machine was introduced in
1981, four years before Harley-Davidson's Evolution engine hit the scene. The
Virago even had a Softail-style suspension back then, though it was actually
just Yamaha's clunky mono-cross single-shock tail, which later bowed out for a
more fashionable twin-shock setup. Could all this have been the seminal
influence for the Harley designers of the Reagan era?
And when it comes time to stop or turn, you can almost hear those same wonderful
folk saying "see, we can even make it handle, too." The front discs are a pair
of purposeful-looking (if small) drilled rotors that haul the Virago down from
speed only at the expense of a somewhat wooden feel and high lever effort. With
a firm four-finger squeeze there is good retardation available, but it is almost
immediately sabotaged by the stock Bridgestone Exedras, which will squeal and
lock up well before maximum braking effort is found. At least when the front
does lock up, it does so undramatically; ease off the brake and you're ready to
grab some more. Out back the rear tire locks even more easily than the front,
shortchanging the rear drum's excellent stopping power. Overall, we found the
big Virago to have good brakes with useful feel; it's the OEM Bridgestones that
disappoint.
The windshield was excellent, raising the freeway comfort level to a license
busting 85 mph, at which point handlebar vibration and not the wind ended the
fun. The fork-mounted tool pouch also cleaned up the front end, and even freed
up a small amount of space in the rear tool box under the sissy bar. About
enough to stow half a sandwich as emergency rations. We needed more, so on the
back of the sissy bar we mounted Yamaha's sturdy parcel rack which was
cosmetically inobtrusive and looked as if it belonged. The leather lever covers
were less successful: after only a few days, the clutch-side cover rotated and
slipped loose, thus looking more street punk than street cruiser. The cover ties
were not leather, but rather some sort of nylon strands encased in rubber. They
soon frayed. Source Motorcycle.com
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Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated. |