1984 Yamaha Virago 1000 for Canada Tour?

**Maddix** · #1 3 Mar 2007

Hello,

This summer I am upgrating my transportation measures from my tumb to a motorbike. I am completly new to the motorcycle world and this wonderful site.
I am planning a trans-canada tour starting in May with a friend. I found a 1984 yamaha virago 1000 in great shape (a knowledgeble mechanic friend confirmed me this.), for 1500$ (canadian) only I am wondering if it would still be good after 10 or 15 thousand kilometers. The only problem with it is that the blinker system has to be changed. Is that a sign that everything else will fall appart. What are the up's and down's of this bike? Thank you very much for the help,

Cheers!

stéphane maddix albert

**Riq** · #2 4 Mar 2007

You already gave the answer to your question wqhen you say your proffessional mechanic buddy said it was in great shape.

I am more concerned with the mileage than the year as out here a lot of bikes only get ridden for a couple of months a year and have very low Km's when sold off to buy something prettier. These are great deals and easy to come by.

Buy the bike, ride it until it tanks and then pick up an equally cheap replacement.

Just for interest my buddies 920 virago lasted 87k Km with only minor maintenance and could have gone farther if he hadn't seen something prettier with a "for sale" sign on it.

Having said all of this if you are just starting off in motorcycleing the 1000cc can be a lot to handle and I might suggest something a little smaller.

What ever you ride have a great trip and let me know when your in the Edmonton area.

Rick

**Maddix** · #3 5 Mar 2007

Rick,

Thank you for the advice. Same thing if you past by Moncton, NB. The bike has 49 Km's on it so far. Do you think it would be too crasy for two motorcycle newbies to ride on this through Canada? Cheers!

stéphane

**brclarke** · #4 5 Mar 2007

If you won't want to use that Virago, I'll be happy to come up there and take it off your hands to ride back to Mexico... for a small fee, of course...

Seriously, yeah, that'd be a fine bike to do a road trip on.

**goosesport** · #5 10 Mar 2007

I travel from Oregon to Nicaragua on a 1983 Virago 500. Mind you that was in 1989. The Virago series are simple and easy to maintain. I seem to recall there might be some weaknesses related to the starter or alternator. Check the owner forums about that.

**B-rad** · #6 10 Mar 2007

I don't konw anything good or bad about the yamaha virago but any bike that has been well maintained should not have any major problems.As for two newbies doing this trip I dont think it will be a problem either long as you have a good head on your shoulders and get use to the bike before starting. My brother and i just did this trip from saint john N.B. to victoria and back to were we now live St johns Newfoundland (17,000km total) on a 1979 kz650 all original with 50,000km and a 1980 kz650 broed out to 700cc with 60,000km with no problems at all. before this trip we had been only driving our bikes in town and never had a trip longer than 60km at a time.
wish you guys all the best of luck,drive safe and have a good time

Brad

**trail rider jr** · #7 18 Jun 2008

Just a note on the earlier versions of the virago...they had starter problems, and although you can shim till there is no more to shim, you might make sure to check the issue out, also double check some issues with the carbs...
I am looking for a virago 1100 as i rode all last summer on one and loved it, but it makes its starter issue known as well, not that i would care if all your paying in 1500.00.....I'd ride till i couldn't then try to replace my ride

ride safe

trail rider jr