1982 Yamaha XV920J Virago

Summary:

An excellent bike for daily driving

Faults:

Starter motor gave out completely.

Crankcase seal started leaking.

General Comments:

I bought this bike last spring, after having not ridden in 20 years. I love it, the power is good, comfort is great, and having a 920 instead of something too small is nice.

I love the looks, and the comments. It is especially nice because it seems like I keep running into other bike people that have either had one previously, or still do.

While I have had the "standard" Virago problems, such as the starter motor, or the kickstand sensor, I was actually able to find another '82 920 that hadn't been ridden in 6 years, that the guy was selling for $400. I bought it, and that is my spare parts machine.

That's the other thing I like, overall, the bike is pretty easy to work on in the garage, and I haven't found a repair yet that I can't handle.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2007

1982 Yamaha XV920J Virago

Summary:

This will always be my favorite bike

Faults:

I have the starter sounds too, like everyone else. I had to put a new seat and needle in the carbs. when I first acquired the bike. (It was previously my brother's and then sat in a shed for 3 years.)

General Comments:

I have the European style of the bike. I found this out when trying to get a tach and speedometer for it. The Canadian/Euro model has a round headlight and a tach and speedometer instead of the digital "fish-finder" type gauges. I prefer both the round headlight and the more common style of guages.

I recently replaced the huge headlight that was on it (the size of the bat signal) with a smaller one. I also purchased the only exhaust system I could find in Dennis Kirk, Jardine slip-on mufflers, and took out the baffles. This eliminated the 2 trumpet style mufflers and put more sleek pipes on one side.

I repainted all myself and have put countless hours in to making it an awesome machine. It's a comfortable ride, but I'm thinking of finding a way to put a smaller seat on it, more of a gunfighter or solo seat.

It's very quick, and I can take all my Harley buds off the start and in the quarter mile, and even after that they can't pull away from me.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2006

21st Jun 2007, 13:31

I myself have been planning to replace the exhaust system on my bike, but was unsure as to what will fit perfectly without much modifications. Do you have an actual part number that I could use as reference when doing my research? Thanks for any info given. Aloha!

1982 Yamaha XV920J Virago

Summary:

This motorcycle is just awesome

Faults:

The only problems I have had from my Virago is the starter and a very frustrating oil leak.

The starter makes a very awful sounding grinding noise and sometimes won't turn over at all.

The oil leak is on the rear cylinder and makes everything hard to clean. I have re-tightened the head bolts and that worked for a little while, but the vibration loosens them back after about 500 or 600 miles.

General Comments:

This motorcycle is a blast to ride. The handling is awesome and it is very quick.

The only time it is remotely uncomfortable is when I have my wife on the back. Then the seat is not big enough.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2005

2nd Nov 2008, 21:10

The rear cylinder oil leak is actually a blown head gasket - these early model XV twins had no gasket between barrel and head, only a metal ring that sat on top of the cylinder liner. Tightening the bolts won't fix it - you need to replace the metal ring and pack up to O-ring that seals the timing chain tunnel with cardboard or similar to provide a better seal. This will give you about 15000 miles of breathing space before you have to do the job again.