The Virago was Yamaha’s first attempt at a V-twin motorcycle, and also one of the first mass-produced bikes to use a monoshock for the rear suspension. Launched in 1981, the first model was the XV750—a cruiser that is popular with custom builders to this day.
Later variants included the XV920, and the range eventually spanned engine sizes from 125 to 1100cc. A redesign in 1984 saw the mono-shock ditched in favor of a conventional dual-shock design, and remodeled gas tanks and ergonomics to reflect contemporary chopper styling.
Today, the air-cooled Virago is the mainstay of European workshops such as Moto Adonis, and it helped launch the careers of American builders such as Classified Moto and Hageman MC. And although production of the Virago finished in 2007, the Japanese v-twin remains a popular choice on the secondhand markets—and inside custom workshops.
An old Yamaha Virago doesn’t quite have the same appeal as an old Harley, but there was a time when the Virago and its ilk had The Motor Co. worried. Back in the mid-80s, the influx of Japanese-made cruisers prompted Harley-Davidson to lobby the US government to impose tariffs on large-capacity imported motorcycles. It’s safe…
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Some bikes just build easier than others. Honda CBs, Yamaha XS650s and Harley Sportsters are a few that come to mind, and you’ll find tons of parts and inspiration for these platforms. But there are many reasons it can pay to start with a less known quantity, and give a little love to the weird…
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The Yamaha Virago is one of those bikes that just keep on giving. Yamaha’s V-twin cruiser first popped up in the early eighties, and by the time it disappeared from showrooms in 2007, multiple variants had been built—from a teeny 125 to a whopping 1100 cc. The shaft drive XV750 was one of the most…
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Like the Honda CX500, the Yamaha Virago is one of those “sow’s ear” bikes: it’s a challenge to make a silk purse out of it. Plenty of custom builders have taken the bait, and a few have succeeded. This Virago from Kerkus in Malaysia is an oddball example, but there’s a reason for it. “The…
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A Yamaha Virago with Ducati superbike suspension from the US, a stripped down Ducati 1198S Corse from France, a Norton Commando from…
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Despite having a population of almost ten million people—more that Denmark or Switzerland—Hungary has a pretty low profile on the European custom…
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Curating a publication like Bike EXIF is a daunting task. Selecting the right motorcycles to feature is more art than science: it’s…
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Think of a custom Yamaha Virago, and you’ll probably picture a sleek, waspish build from Greg Hageman or Moto Adonis. The seats…
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Five years ago, if we were asked to describe the stereotypical café racer it would probably be a Honda CB. Today, the…
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The Benelli Mojave is an endangered species. In the 1960s, it was virtually disposable, and sold by a chain of department stores.…
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When it comes to old motorcycles in need of resurrection, owners often face a dilemma: restore to original spec, or rebuild as…
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Not many custom builders have been invited to display their bikes in Harrods and the Saatchi Gallery. But then again, England’s magnificently…
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