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Yamaha Virago

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.

Yamaha XV920 Virago by Bueno Co.

Muy Bueno: A Yamaha XV920 Virago street tracker from Virginia

4 MONTHS AGO / NO COMMENTS / CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES

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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Best Weird Motorcycles for Custom Builds

Outside the Box: 5 Offbeat Motorcycles for Custom Builds

6 MONTHS AGO / NO COMMENTS / SPECIAL FEATURES

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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1983 Yamaha Virago 750 cafe racer by Kevin McAllister

Salvage Star: A Yamaha Virago 750 reborn as a cafe racer

2 YEARS AGO / NO COMMENTS / CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES

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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Yamaha Virago cafe racer by Kerkus

Table for two: A Virago for a chef and his wife

3 YEARS AGO / NO COMMENTS / CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES

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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The best cafe racers from around the web

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 26 April, 2020

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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A custom Yamaha TR1 from Neuga of Budapest, Hungary.

981: A dark and luxurious Yamaha TR1 from Budapest

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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Yamaha Virago XV920R tracker by Moto Adonis

Run What Ya Brung: Moto Adonis’ Yamaha XV920R Tracker

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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Low Tracker: A custom Yamaha Virago from Ad Hoc Cafe Racers of Spain

Low Tracker: Ad Hoc’s Yamaha Virago bucks the trend

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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A sleek custom Yamaha XV750 by Moto Adonis of Holland.

Moto Adonis XV750: The Definition Of A Modern Custom

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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Ultra-clean custom Yamaha XV 750 by Christian Moretti of Plan B Motorcycles.

Orange Crush: Plan B’s Yamaha XV 750

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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1995 Yamaha Virago XV750 customized by Greg Hageman.

Yamaha Virago XV750 by Greg Hageman

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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Yamaha Virago 535

Yamaha Virago 535 by Old Empire Motorcycles

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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