Virago 750 Question

I'm new to riding just this year but have already become utterly obsessed by
all things on two wheels with a cruiser rumble. The 1980 Honda CM400 I
bought to learn on has been a great experience for a beginner, and I look
forward to really putting some miles on it for the rest of this season. But
I know when I see the snow melting next spring, I'm going to be chomping at
the bit for a V-Twin and more comfortable ride. I have INHALED every bit of
reading I could on my possibilities, and they aren't much. For cost
reasons, I need a 700-800cc of 1985-1989 vintage. That leaves me looking
mostly at the 750 Virago. I read it has a very comfy ride, and plenty of
guts, and the engine is very accessible. But I wanted to know from riders
about the bikes intangible characteristics. How does the stock exhaust
sound? There's nothing I love more than the rumble of a V-Twin going by.
Does this bike sound more like a sewing machine or a baby Harley? And
what's maintenance like? I don't anticipate EVER having valves adjusted, I
don't have that kind of cash, so I need it to go a few thousand miles for me
without touching stuff like that. Is it fairly bulletproof? I plan to buy
one with less than 30,000 miles on it. And finally, what do you
particularly love and hate about the bike? This will help me tremendously
with making up my mind. Thanks for your input.



....Chuck

Chuck,

I have no personal experience with a v twin but question why you are stuck
on a v twin? If it is the cruiser style you want, I would recommend a Maxim
650 or 750. These are bullet-proof reliable inline 4, same as on the Seca's,
has piles more power and exceleration than a Virago (or Harley for that
matter), easy to maintain, and has a shaft drive. PS I doubt a Virago 750
has any more acceleration than your 400! If you are stuck on a Yamaha v
twin, then go with the Virago 920. V twins are the rave now so you will pay
top dollar for one. On the other hand, any of the mid-80's multi cylinder
bikes in the 650 range will cost under $2,000 and give you as much or more
power than a $15,000 Harley. Sure it won't look or sound the same but it
will give you the biggest bang for your dollar.

That's my 2 cents worth.

Hank

"Newsgroups" <jenissi RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:w7adnfbLsdGiqIvcRVn-rA@wideopenwest.com...
 > I'm new to riding just this year but have already become utterly obsessed
by
 > all things on two wheels with a cruiser rumble. The 1980 Honda CM400 I
 > bought to learn on has been a great experience for a beginner, and I look
 > forward to really putting some miles on it for the rest of this season.
But
 > I know when I see the snow melting next spring, I'm going to be chomping
at
 > the bit for a V-Twin and more comfortable ride. I have INHALED every bit
of
 > reading I could on my possibilities, and they aren't much. For cost
 > reasons, I need a 700-800cc of 1985-1989 vintage. That leaves me looking
 > mostly at the 750 Virago. I read it has a very comfy ride, and plenty of
 > guts, and the engine is very accessible. But I wanted to know from riders
 > about the bikes intangible characteristics. How does the stock exhaust
 > sound? There's nothing I love more than the rumble of a V-Twin going by.
 > Does this bike sound more like a sewing machine or a baby Harley? And
 > what's maintenance like? I don't anticipate EVER having valves adjusted,
I
 > don't have that kind of cash, so I need it to go a few thousand miles for
me
 > without touching stuff like that. Is it fairly bulletproof? I plan to
buy
 > one with less than 30,000 miles on it. And finally, what do you
 > particularly love and hate about the bike? This will help me tremendously
 > with making up my mind. Thanks for your input.
 >
 >
 >
 > ...Chuck
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->