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Yamaha XV 400 Virago

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Make Model

Yamaha XV 400 Virago

Year

1984 - 86

Engine

Four stroke, 70°V-Twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.

Capacity

399 cc / 24.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 68 х 55 mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 9.7:1

Induction

2 x 34 mm Mikuni carburettors

Ignition 

CDI
Starting Electric

Max Power

40 hp / 29.8 kW @ 8500 rpm

Max Torque

3.5 kgf-m / 25.3 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Clutch Wet multi-plate, cable operated

Transmission 

5 speed constant mesh

Final Drive shaft

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks

Rear Suspension

Dual shocks with preload adjustment

Front Brakes

Single disc with single-piston caliper

Rear Brakes

200 mm Drum

Front Tyre

3.00S19 4PR

Rear Tyre

140/90 15 M/C 70S
Rake 31.5°
Trail 125 mm / 4.9 in
Wheelbase  1511 mm / 59.4 in
Seat Height 700 mm / 27.5 in
Ground Clearance 145 mm / 5.7 in

Dry Weight

178 kg / 392 lbs
Wet Weight 185 kg / 407.8 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

8.6 Litres / 2.2 US gal

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 750 cc (46 cu in) engine in 1981, Yamaha soon added 500 cc (31 cu in) and 900 cc (55 cu in) versions.

The bike was redesigned in 1984, switching from a rear mono-shock to a dual-shock design, and adding a tear-drop shaped gas tank. That year, Harley-Davidson, fearful of the inroads in the US market made by the Virago and other new Japanese cruiser-style motorcycles, pushed for a tariff on imported bikes over 700 cc. Yamaha replaced the 750 cc engine with a 699 cc version to avoid the tariff, while the 920 cc engine grew to 1000 cc, and later 1100 cc. In the late 1980s a 250 cc Virago was added. A short production of 125 cc was also manufactured. Yamaha made a XV125, XV250, XV400, XV500, XV535, XV700, XV750, XV920R, XV1000/TR1, XV1100, the XV400SCLX being the rarest of the breed.

The larger-displacement Viragos were eventually phased out of production, replaced by the V-Star and Road Star series of motorbikes. The last motorcycle to bear the Virago name was the 2007 Virago 250. For 2008 it was renamed to the V-Star 250.

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, and will catch the rider on fire in rare cases, models made in year 1982 and 1983.

Source wikipedia