2002 Yamaha Virago 250 Review

Years Available: 1981-2007

Pros: Great looks and a good kick out of her when above 250cc

Cons: Early models has starter problems. Cornering can be tricky if your taller than average

Note: The writer of this review earned $15, and so can you. Details about writing a review here.

Price Range: $700-$1,500 (Depends on year of bike)

In 1981, the Yamaha Virago was introduced to the world. It graced the headlines of biker magazines and newspapers when journalists grappled to see the first ever V-Twin motorcycle produced by a Japanese company. The bike is a cruiser style motorcycle, which were and still are extremely popular among bikers.

The bike has a slung back design with handlebars right up on the tank and the seat curving downwards right behind that grumbling engine. This gives the rider a laid back look with legs slightly bent, knees up by the gas tank. Viragos come in almost any colour depending on what production year you go for. Popular choices include black, red and turquoise. The Virago is deserving of strong, bold colors that make it stand out from the other cruisers of the era. Chrome only ads to the effect, with many featuring a double-barrel exhaust pipe and a shiny pair of headlights.

The engine too, is also a glistening dream to look at and hear. Initial models were only made with a 750cc engine. However when Harley Davidson pushed for tariffs on any imported bikes over 700cc, Yamaha dropped the engine capacity to 699cc. The fact that the Virago was making Harley-Davidson, the most famous motorcycle producer in the world, worry, is a testament to the Viragos appeal and success throughout the years. Nowadays, viragos can be found in almost any engine size from 125cc right up to 1100cc. However I’d suggest starting off with something on the bigger side of 250cc to really get that grumble from the V-Twin, not to mention the lack of power the 125cc has if your in anyway offensive to a set of weighing scales or in windy conditions.

The riding experience on a Virago is exceptional, especially one from the late 80s early 90s (anything before ’85 and you may have starter problems). It’s comfortable over long journeys especially for a pillion passenger with that great sissy bar to lean back on. Turning is good so long as your under 6’2”. One final thing that I’d like to add about the Virago is that she’s a great workhorse (the word Virago literally means warrior – they got that right!). I’ve put carrier bags loaded with tonnes of stuff and she just gobbled up the road in front like they weren’t even there.

All things considered this is a great bike especially for learners looking to take that first step into motorcycling. Parts are easy to find on the rare occasion anything goes wrong with her. Viragos are also easily customizable with dozens of websites and companies selling aftermarket lights, mirrors, seats and tanks. The final bike to roll of the production line carrying the Virago name was the 250cc 2007 model. However, fear not! The model was simply renamed V-Star for the 2008 onwards production.

The opinions and observations stated  are solely of the writer of this article. Seattle-Motorcycles.com makes no warranty as to its accuracy; if you’re interested in a Yamaha Virago you should do your own research before buying.

Rider Review: 2004 Honda Shadow 600

Pros – Looks great and has good power

Cons – Cornering at high speeds and too big to squeeze in and out of dense traffic

Note: The writer of this review earned $15, and so can you. Details about writing a review here.

The Honda Shadow was first introduced in 1983 and was available across the US and Canada from then on and continues in production today. The bike is a cruiser with a leaning seating position with your feet pushed out towards the front end.

From its entry to the market the signature colors have been black or a candy red with different variants creeping in every once and a while. The speedometer and indicator lights are located on top of the tank which means the rider is exposed to the wind more so than other bikes. However, this is an interesting feature and Honda has made it look good by putting stylish chrome strips under these lights and gauges. One problem with this has been scratching from the keys in the ignition but once you only keep a modest amount of keys on your set you should be okay.

All engines fitted to Shadows are V-Twins with sizes ranging from a lean 125cc up to a grumbling 1100cc. However, all of these engine sizes offer a fair amount of torque on the Shadow and you should have no problem pulling away from a set of lights even on the 125cc version. The engines come fully chromed on some models with a great big exhaust stretching right along the chassis to the back tire in a straight line parallel with the ground.

Riding the shadow is a good experience. Cornering at high speeds takes a bit of getting used to because of the stretched out position but other than that she rides like a dream. The engine gets you where you want to go every time without so much as a flinch and the seat and sissy bar for the passenger are really comfortable.

Overall, the Shadow is a good bike. I wouldn’t recommend it for daily commuting because of its size and indeed the noise over 700cc but as a motorcycle it’s a lot of fun and well worth the buy for weekends and evening cruises around the countryside.

The opinions and observations stated  are solely of the writer of this article. Seattle-Motorcycles.com makes no warranty as to its accuracy; if you’re interested in a Honda Shadow you should do your own research before buying.

I’m looking to create a decent review library of motorcycles written by their riders.

• Do you own or have you owned a motorcycle from the 1980s or 1990s?
• Can you write decently?
• Want an easy fifteen bucks?
• Have a PayPal account?
• Publish your article on this website!

I’m soliciting review articles and I will pay $15 (maximum of two articles per writer, more if I like your stuff). Original content only! I know how to cut and paste from other review sites, that’s called plagiarism, and I won’t pay for something that’s not of your own hand. You don’t have to be a motorcycle veteran; if you’re just starting out and can write about your riding experiences and review of your motorcycle, that’s just as good.

Your review should include the good and the bad of your motorcycle of choice. If it was ultra-reliable, did wheelies at a snap, all-day riding comfort; did it see the inside of a repair shop more often than it was worth, were you unhappy with the controls, did its performance wane as the years went by…?

Around 400 words (this posting you’re reading is close to 500 words) and a picture or two of your ride. Must be about a specific motorcycle model, and I am more interested in mainstream motorcycles – Yamaha FJs, STs, Concours, Nighthawks, Bandits, Interceptors, GPzs, ZRXs, KZs, Rebels, Eliminators, Viragos, Magnas, older GoldWings, Calvacades, Sabres… If your motorcycle costs as much as a brand new SUV, chances are neither I nor my reading audience won’t be interested in it. And, while our readers don’t come here to read about motocross or off road bikes, I do want some articles about dual purpose bikes – off road bikes that were designed and made to be street legal too, like Honda XL/XRLs, Kawasaki KLRs, Yamaha XTs, Suzuki DRZs, for example.

If I choose to use your article, your article becomes mine that I can publish in its entirety, or quote from, as I wish. I do reserve the right to make little modifications or edits to your article. If you have a blog or webpage, I can link to it. I will give you writer’s credit within the article, of course. Don’t want your name published? Then provide or allow me to come up with a pen name for you, say, Grumpus McPuppybottom.

You must have a PayPal account, because that’s how I’ll pay you. Email me and inform me of your motorcycle’s make and model – I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble to write about your $10,000 Ural sidecar, because frankly, that’s not what I nor my readers really interested in. Then, submit your written product and I’ll paypal you fifteen bucks. That is a couple free lunches, or a few tanks of gas, for writing about your love.