Yamaha Virago 1100
Encyclopedia
The Yamaha Virago XV1100 was a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It was one of several in the Virago
line and was positioned as large-size cruiser with an engine displacement
of 1063 cc.
It was unique in being one of the few cruiser-style motorcycles available with a shaft drive instead of a chain or belt final drive system, as well as a V-twin
engine of that size. Its heavily chromed body styling was also distinctive.
This model was discontinued in 2000 as the "Star" range of motorcycles took over as the cruiser line from Yamaha. The DragStar 1100
is often seen as the successor to the XV1100.
Motorcyclist Magazine suggested to weld the ring gear to its backing plate to solve the problem. Other solutions commonly used are the use of shims, which was Yamaha's proposed solution, then also the use of a new designed idler gear. None of this solutions are considered or proved to be permanent, and applying only one of them will not address other existing flaws in the system; however, great improvements have been reported by Virago owners that have applied them.
Yamaha Virago
The Virago was Yamaha's first V-twin cruiser motorcycle, and one of the earliest mass-produced motorcycles with a mono-shock rear suspension. Originally sold with a engine in 1981, Yamaha soon added and versions....
line and was positioned as large-size cruiser with an engine displacement
Engine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
of 1063 cc.
It was unique in being one of the few cruiser-style motorcycles available with a shaft drive instead of a chain or belt final drive system, as well as a V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
engine of that size. Its heavily chromed body styling was also distinctive.
History
The Virago line was born in 1981 with the XV750. In 1982 the larger 920 was introduced alongside the 750, with several more deluxe features. The 920 was redesigned in 1984 and engine size increased to 1,000 cc. In 1986 engine size was again increased to 1,063 cc, resulting in the renamed XV1100.This model was discontinued in 2000 as the "Star" range of motorcycles took over as the cruiser line from Yamaha. The DragStar 1100
Yamaha DragStar 1100
The Yamaha XVS 1100 DragStar, sold as the V-Star 1100 in North America, is a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It comes in two versions, the XVS1100 Custom and the XVS1100A Classic, the former a more modern style, and the latter a more classic style, with rounder edges and is ...
is often seen as the successor to the XV1100.
Starter problems
According to Motorcyclist magazine, the early Virago has a design flaw in the starter system. This magazine states that the starter's defect exists in early Viragos models (1982 and 1983). However, the same flawed starter system was installed in the XV700, which was produced until 1988, and the XV920. The XV1000 had an improved system since it began production in 1984, which doesn't present the flaws. Also the XV1100 and the XV750 (1989 and up) do not present the starter system flaws found in the earlier Viragos.Motorcyclist Magazine suggested to weld the ring gear to its backing plate to solve the problem. Other solutions commonly used are the use of shims, which was Yamaha's proposed solution, then also the use of a new designed idler gear. None of this solutions are considered or proved to be permanent, and applying only one of them will not address other existing flaws in the system; however, great improvements have been reported by Virago owners that have applied them.
See also
- Yamaha ViragoYamaha ViragoThe Virago was Yamaha's first V-twin cruiser motorcycle, and one of the earliest mass-produced motorcycles with a mono-shock rear suspension. Originally sold with a engine in 1981, Yamaha soon added and versions....
- Yamaha Virago 535Yamaha Virago 535The Yamaha Virago 535 is a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It is one of several in the Virago line and is positioned as mid-size metric cruiser with an engine displacement of ....
- Yamaha Virago 750Yamaha Virago 750The Yamaha Virago 750 was the first V-twin engine produced by a Japanese company. Manufactured from 1981 to 1996, it was part of Yamaha's Virago line of cruisers. The maximum speed of the Virago 750 was approximately 180 km/h. It was Yamaha's first foray into the V-twin cruiser market....
- Yamaha DragStar 1100Yamaha DragStar 1100The Yamaha XVS 1100 DragStar, sold as the V-Star 1100 in North America, is a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It comes in two versions, the XVS1100 Custom and the XVS1100A Classic, the former a more modern style, and the latter a more classic style, with rounder edges and is ...