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Nimble commuter! Great bike: Yamaha Virago XV535 1996 low seat comfort - $1,550 (albany / el cerrito)
Acton near Hopkins
1996
Yamaha Virago XV535
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Ask what’s my favorite color in your text or email so I know you're real.
Exceptionally reliable, nimble, fun, and easy to own.
Disappointed to let it go, but losing garage space. It’s a great commuter, intermediate-beginner bike, smooth and fun without being too heavy or bulky.
Recently tuned up, with a new battery, plenty of tire life left, this bike is ready to go.
Can include 2 helmets, 2 motorcycle jackets (winter and summer) (size L), motorcycle pants, bags, and locks for small extra amount.
A couple of cosmetic flaws make me like it more, it’s not trying to be showroom perfect, so you don’t have to constantly worry about every little thing. A wash, wax, and buff would make her shine.
Comes with:
- Virago back rest / sissy bar
- Rack, properly bolted to frame, perfect for commuting
- Spare set of handlebars for more cruiser-style ride
- Locks
- Original toolkit
- Manual (digital)
- New battery
- Luggage lock
- Helmet lock
- Spare key
The bad:
- The little arms that hold the rear turn signals are broken from someone bumping into them hard. They work fine, but are zip-tied on. I’ve ordered new ones, and they’ll come with the bike if they arrive in time or I’ll mail them to the new owner (I’ll put them on if I have time)
- there are some minor cosmetic issues. But mostly a good buff and shine would make a big difference. (But it is not a perfect showroom bike, it’s a perfect bike for riding around town and commuting not winking looking contests! I get lots of compliments on it!)
Huge spare parts and upgrades market. Easy to convert to be a bobber, cafe racer, long-distance cruiser, or whatever you want, while still being rock solid reliable and fun.
Want to sell, but not extremely urgent, no lowball offers. Cash only. Clean title in hand.
Test rides: come take a look, but test rides are a maybe as a final step, with an a motorcycle license, after some paperwork to protect us both, etc.
Mileage is approximate, still ridden. Email or text with questions.
Seat height: Low (28.3 in / 720 mm) (great for commuting, learning, having a second rider, and riding around town!)
Excellent commuter bike, so nimble and comfortable at slow and fast speeds!
Background info:
The Yamaha Virago 535 (code name XV535) was originally introduced in 1988 as an all-new, cruiser little brother to Yamaha’s XV750 (introduced 1981) and XV1100 (introduced 1986). The 535, however, perhaps surprisingly, was the most successful and thus long-lived of the bunch, staying in production the longest, until 2004. This 1996 is a tested and proven design with Yamaha including an updated gearbox from the original 1988 design.
With pleasant, timeless styling, light, unintimidating proportions (it’s ultra low seat height was particularly appealing to women and shorter riders), surprisingly able handling and an absolute gem of an engine – and all for an affordable price – the 535 became the ‘go to’ first big bike for a generation of riders who wanted the easy manners of a cruiser.
Better still, with rock solid reliability, timeless styling and few credible rivals, the little Yamaha remained the best of this type of bike for the best part of 20 years before it finally went off sale in 2004.
Yamaha Virago 535 - a great used buy
Today for an unintimidating big bike.
Impeccable reliability and understressed performance means it wears well; its timeless style has still barely dated and, as it’s a round-town cruiser rather than a tourer or adventure bike, mileages on even older bikes remain generally low.
Overview:
1996 XV535 is a Yamaha Virago 535, a popular retro-style cruiser known for its light weight, V-twin engine, 5-speed transmission, and shaft drive, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced riders.
While not an ultra high-performance sport bike, it offers a fun, reliable ride with enough power for around-town use and commutes. Key features include an air-cooled engine, dual exhaust, twin rear shocks, and a comfortable, sporty feel.
Ride quality & brakes
Ride and handling are, far better than you might expect and are perfect for a novice bike.
The riding position is on the upright side of laid back, so it delivers maximum comfort and control; the Virago 535 is slim, thanks to its longitudinally-mounted V-twin engine and has an ultra-low 720mm seat height, both of which significantly aid manoeuvrability.
The Virago’s light, too, while its steering is light and precise and it has a decently plush ride. It’s also reassuringly stable and predictable, although the front end can get a bit frisky at the very top of the engine’s rev range.
It’s also well-balanced with a low centre of gravity which makes for easy slow speed work such as in town or when wiggling through traffic. Impressively for a custom-style machine, the Virago 535 also has pretty good ground clearance.
When it comes to brakes, it’s a similar story. Although nothing special on paper, the single disc at the front and drum rear are more than up to the job, mostly due to the style of the bike and its comparatively light weight.
The front stopper gives enough power while the rear drum has bags of reassuring feel when you need to use it, something that’s particularly welcome in the wet.
The XV535’s sheer willingness, flexibility and ease of use for novices makes its engine and power delivery the star of the show.
It’s a purpose-built, air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve, 70-degree V-twin which stands out both for not just looking the correct cruiser part, but also for being an enthusiastic all-round performer and having a useful, maintenance-free shaft drive.
There’s enough pull low down and strength in the midrange to make day to day riding effective and engaging.
The willing accomplice in this is its five-speed gearbox which is generally smooth and easy to use. While the shaft final drive, is another boon in being maintenance free yet also not heavy enough to affect the Virago’s overall lightweight feel.
As a genuine V-twin the 535’s engine even sounds authentically ‘cruiser’, too – although with the standard, ‘shotgun-style’ silencers retained, it is a little muted, so many fit aftermarket systems.
Reliability & build quality
Both mechanically and cosmetically, the Yamaha XV535 Virago is a highly regarded motorcycle and has the longevity and successful sales figures to prove it. Gripes are few and far between.
Yamaha Virago 535 owners' reviews show mainly happy owners. The bike appears to have been built to last. There aren't any prevailing problems that wouldn't be solved by fastidious maintenance.
Value vs rivals
The Yamaha XV535 Virago was not only excellent value when new, which was a major part of its original appeal, it remains something of a bargain as a used buy today – and there are plenty of good used ones around to choose from as well.
On top of that, as a fairly small capacity, low performance cruiser, insurance premiums are low as well.
Then you can add on top low running costs due to a combination of factors including its style, fairly meagre performance (and thus a low appetite for consumable items such as tyres and brake pads) plus the fact that it has shaft drive, so there’s no messy chain that over time would otherwise need adjustment and eventual replacement. Being fairly simple and accessible helps keep annual servicing costs down at the garage, too.
Rivals, incidentally, are few, with Honda’s VT600 Shadow GS, which is faster, but less engaging and novice-friendly, and Moto Guzzi’s Nevada 750, which is heavier and less-refined, being the closest.
The Virago 535 is today also popular with customizers.
Affordable and hugely popular also means that the Virago 535 also attracts aftermarket accessories more than most bikes. Touring screens, ‘sissy’ bar backrests, engine bars, exhausts etc are all popular extras.
Specs
Engine size 535cc
Engine type 4v V-twin, 5 gears
Frame type Steel tubular spine
Fuel capacity 13.5 litres
Seat height 28.5 in / 720mm
Bike weight 402lbs
Average fuel consumption 47 mpg
Review: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/xv535-virago/1988/