Yamaha XV 535 Virago - a rare cruiser, an average representative of the class

Cruiser model Yamaha Virago 535

was first introduced in 1987 and is aimed at the markets of North America and Europe (mainly the UK).
The full name of the model is Yamaha XV535 Virago
. Based on this model, a domestic Japanese version of the Yamaha Virago 400 was also produced, which differed only in engine size.

The Yamaha XV535 Virago is a mid-size cruiser with a classic layout - spoked wheels, a 2-cylinder V-twin air-cooled engine and a cardan drive. At that time, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers did not have much experience in building cruisers, and therefore the models of those years were quite boosted and showed solid dynamic characteristics. For example, the Yamaha XV 535 Virago produced up to 46 hp. power, while the Yamaha Drag Star 650 that replaced it, which had a larger engine, produced only 40 hp. It is this main feature, coupled with a relatively low curb weight, that is characteristic of all Japanese short-wheelbase cruisers of that time.

Other features of the Yamaha Virago 535 include a steel frame with an engine as a supporting element, a 5-speed gearbox, 19′ and 15′ wheels, simple suspension in the form of a conventional telescopic fork in the front and a double shock absorber in the rear, a 13.5 liter fuel tank (before 1989 - 8.6 l) and 195 kg curb weight.

The Yamaha XV 535 Virago model was sold on the market until 2003, even though in 1997 the successor Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star (V-Star 650 in the American market) appeared, which was supposed to replace the old Virago. Currently, the Yamaha Virago 535 model is not very popular in the Russian Federation due to the fact that official sales did not extend to Japan and nearby countries. Instead, the domestic Japanese model Virago 400 is present on the Russian market, which is popular at Japanese auctions and is one of the most affordable cruiser models in the Russian Federation.

The main competitors of the Yamaha Virago 535 in the class:

• Honda Steed 600
• Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
• Suzuki VS600 Intruder

Brief history of the model

• 1987 - start of production and sales of the Yamaha XV535 Virago model.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (USA).
Factory designation
: XV535T, XV535TC.

• 1988 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 2JV0, 2YL, 3BM1, 3BR1, 3BT1, XV535U.

• 1989 - the model receives an additional fuel tank (the main tank is under the seat), the total capacity increases to 13.5 liters. The seat is divided into 2 parts and provides for the removal of the passenger part with access to a small glove compartment.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).
Factory designation
: 3BM2, 3BM3, 3BR2, 3BR3, 3BT3, 3BT5, 3BT6, 3JC3.

• 1990 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BM4, 3BT8, 3BT9, 3BTA, 3BTB, 3BTC, 3JC4, XV535A, XV535AC.

• 1991 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).
Factory designation
: 3BM5, 3BR5, 3BTD, 3BTF, 3BTG, 3BTH.

• 1992 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).
Factory designation
: 3BM6, 3BR6, 3BTJ, 3BTK, 3BTL, 3BTM, 3BTN.

• 1993 - aluminum decorative parts are replaced with chrome plated ones - this applies, first of all, to the steering column, as well as engine covers and carburetors.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BM7, 3BR7, 3BTP, 3BTR, 3BTS, 3BTT, 3BTU, 3JC6, XV535E, XV535EC.

• 1994 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).
Factory designation
: 3BM9, 3BTV, 3BTW, 3BTY, 3JCC, 3JCF, 4BTV, 4KU1, 4KU2, 4KU3, 4KU4, 4MC1, 4MC2, 4UK5.

• 1995 - The model receives a 2-piston front caliper.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BMA, 3BMB, 3JCJ, 3JCM, 4KU8, 4KU9, 4KUA, 4KUB, 4KUC, 4KUD, 4KUE, 4KUF, 4KUG, 4MC3, 4MC4, XV535G, XV535GC, XV535SG, XV535SGC.

• 1996 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BMC, 3BMD, 3JCR, 3JCU, 4KUH, 4KUJ, 4KUK, 4KUL, 4KUM, 4KUN, 4KUP, 4KUR, 4KUS, 4MC5, 4MC6, XV535H, XV535HC, XV535SH, XV535SHC.

• 1997 - The Yamaha XV535 Virago is replaced by a new model - the Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star. In the American market, this model is called the Yamaha V-Star 650. Both models are sold in parallel.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3JCX, 4KUV, 4KUW, 4KUX, 4KUY, 4MC7, 4MC8, 4YH2, 4YH3, 4YH4, 4YN2, XV535J, XV535JC, XV535SJ, XV535SJC.

• 1998 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BMG, 4MC9, 4YH7, 4YH8, 4YN5, 4YN8, XV535K, XV535KC.

• 1999 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BMH, 4YH9, 4YHA, XV535L, XV535LC.

• 2000 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 3BMJ, 4YHB, 4YHC, XV535M, XV535MC.

• 2001 is the last year of production for the US market and most European countries.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe, USA).
Factory designation
: 4YHD, 4YHE.

• 2002 - the model is produced primarily for the UK market.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).

• 2003 is the last year of production.

Model

: Yamaha Virago 535 (Europe).

History of changes

There have been few changes in the history of the motorcycle. But they are all important. Perhaps, if there were none, then, like some other models from this line, the XV 535 Virago would not have lasted on the assembly line for more than five years.

The following changes were made:

1. In 1989 the car received an additional fuel tank.
2. In 1993, the steering column and engine covers were changed to chrome (before that they were aluminum).
3. In 1995, the front caliper was changed to a 2-piston one.

These are not too drastic changes, but still the motorcycle began to look more modern, so this work was not done in vain. Regardless of the version of the bike, it is now inexpensive. About 90 thousand Russian rubles – that’s how much the XV 535 Virago costs.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Yamaha Virago 535:

Comfort

The motorcycle is convenient for traveling alone, but it is not very suitable for two. Mediocre technical characteristics do not prevent this model from delighting cruiser connoisseurs with dynamics typical for this class.

And all because, unlike a motocross motorcycle, a sportbike or even a road motorcycle, a cruiser is not at all so important to the engine performance. The main thing here is the balance of dimensions and parameters.

The car moves smoothly down the road, although it doesn't feel as heavy as larger cruisers. Smooth running, however, is achieved only on the highway. This bike is not intended for off-road use.

Off-road also means a rural road without asphalt, full of potholes and potholes. For such purposes, a touring enduro is suitable, but not a cruiser, primarily because of the ground clearance and length. These bikes were originally intended as recreational bikes, and not as conquerors of rough terrain.

Reviews

Reviews about Yamaha Virago 535:

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for whom:

The bike is more suitable for beginners, girls or smaller riders. short wheelbase and low weight = super taxiing! in this class the competitor is probably the current Steed 600cc

city/highway:

mostly for driving around the city! really narrow. two are lucky without straining. On the highway it accelerates to 140-150 without problems, there is enough power reserve for overtaking trucks (90-110 km/h), but the comfortable speed is still 90-110 and it’s a bit cramped for the second number!

reliability/service:

it all depends on the fatigue of a particular device. If you drive on a half-dead battery, you can ruin the relay and starter. With human respect, even time cannot kill this spendthrift! It is serviced on the knee, access to the nodes is convenient. Changing spark plugs is simple, use a Zhiguli wrench to work the engine oil and filter for 10 minutes (2.8 liters of Motul 8100 = 2 thousand + 200 rubles filter), oil in the cardan for 5 minutes (190 g/600 rubles = 1 liter)

I bought my Witch in 2006 and switched to it from a Honda VT600. BEFORE she had to ride both the Intruder (400cm) and the Vulcan (400). I have no major complaints about all these devices, but I liked the witch more, although I was forced to come across it and my VT600 almost tore off the body of a KAMAZ. And I bought it because of one phrase in the catalog - acceleration to 400 meters is 14 seconds. The same as the large XVS1100 and faster than the VL1500 VN1500 (MOTO magazine catalog 2000-2001). The catalog did not deceive. At 400 meters it can easily compete with large chapers and especially with cruisers, provided that the biker on the witch does not weigh more than 90 kg. This allows it, firstly, a high-speed engine with maximum power at 7500 rpm, and secondly, a very specific selection of gear ratios , on Japanese chapers, seems to be no longer found, 2-3-4 gears are very close together (like on sports) - blown away from the 883 Harley. Thirdly, the witch is lighter than her classmates, especially if you replace the terrible and heavy release with direct flow (it starts screaming like a female pregnant hippopotamus), then the dry weight is 170 kg. True, the heavy weight on the highway becomes a disadvantage - it blows away when overtaking trucks and when going out into the open. And the biggest compliment to the witch was given by the owner of the 600 cc Nizak (we were driving together on the E95), he said that for a normal chaper she grabbed his ass very well. At the bottom, the witch really pulls like all her peers, so-so, but at the top she becomes extremely cheerful.

I won’t sell it, although I already took a 2002 Kawasaki ZX-9R for myself (I can’t give it to a FRIEND, you know, I like to ride the WITCH on a warm summer evening with my girlfriend, who said that she won’t ride the Kava even after a court verdict).

Appearance

The Yamaha XV 535 Virago looks exquisite. The car is in many ways similar to the 400th model of the series. The wheels are also spoked, and the exhaust pipe is almost identical in shape. The color scheme was also chosen.

The mirrors here are medium in size and round. They look elegant. Of course, the bike can be found in different colors, but Yamaha were right when they felt that either black or red suited the frame and fenders of this model better. Both shades go well with chrome elements.

Yamaha Virago xv535 - ideal for a beginner motorcyclist

Ask a hundred people who don't yet own a two-wheeler to name the most famous brand of motorcycle. The most popular answer would be “Harley-Davidson”, and not even Honda. And these same future “Easy Riders”, oddly enough, choose a Yamaha Virago as their first motorcycle. Why, you ask?

Because Yamaha has created a ticket to cruising heaven. This practical little lowrider, gleaming with lots of chrome and being cheap as hell, is a must-have for newbies.

Since the 1980s, the Virago 535 has remained one of the best-selling cruiser motorcycles in Europe.

All Viragos, young and old, attract not only their charming appearance, but also their excellent performance. All of them have V-shaped engines that rumble like thunder, with a volume of 125, 250, 400, 535 or 1100 cc. cm.

There are many reasons why it is better to purchase the xv535 model. One of them is that the motorcycle is in great demand in Europe and is sold at low prices, especially if it comes to a used bike.

Production of the 535 began in 1987, and the first models could be recognized by their burgundy coloring, 80s style and the presence of a false tank. A year later, the bike took on a more modern appearance: the small tank began to honestly fulfill its function and new colors appeared in the line: green and grayish blue. By the way, don’t worry about the capacity of the fuel tank: the developers placed the main fuel tank under the seat, which killed two birds with one stone: they shifted the center of gravity down (thereby ensuring easy handling) and created an additional fuel tank.

A squat bike with low engine power smoothly transitioned into the 90s and became the ideal first-born for novice motorcyclists. The cardan transmission is an advantage of the 535 Witch, which, unfortunately, was not available to its youngest sisters on the chain: 250ke and 125ke. Overall the motorcycle is reliable, although early versions had a rather weak starter. The bug was corrected in 1993, and the following year the model received changes such as higher handlebars, a low-set soft saddle for rider comfort and two-tone paint.

The 535 is a great little bike for riding all day, traveling or delivering pizza around town. 110-130 kilometers per hour is quite a comfortable speed for such a baby (try riding a Harley 883 at that speed and you’ll be missing teeth by lunchtime). Predictable and easy handling, excellent front disc brake (and a good rear drum brake) are significant advantages for which it is worth considering buying this motorcycle.

By the way, Virago xv535 is ideal for girls: maneuverable and very light, and also so cute - well, who would refuse such a handsome man in favor of a nondescript sportbike?

Timoshenko Andrey

What do the owners say?

According to the description of those who have been using the bike for a long time, this machine will not be cheap to maintain. After all, production ended more than ten years ago, which is why some spare parts are not easy to get.

However, if you really want to, this won’t be a problem. And it’s unlikely that anyone will buy such a bike, as well as a cruiser in general, if they don’t have money for its further maintenance.

Many videos and photos feature a driver and a passenger. However, the owners note that this model is far from the most convenient option for traveling together. First of all, passengers complain about discomfort. Judging by their reviews, there is a strong sense of danger when accelerating, as well as at medium speeds. However, they note that driving at low speeds is comfortable and pleasant. One review noted that the bike is still competitive today, although this is doubtful.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Yamaha XV 535 Virago is a good bike for its time. Now it will only be of interest to connoisseurs of outdated cruisers. If a person does not understand the class, it is better for him to choose a model that will be easier to use.