Yamaha Virago Problems: 4 Known Issues (Explained)

The Virago was among the first Japanese-made cruisers that gave Harley-Davidson a run for the money.

It proved attractive to riders as it was easy to ride and offered decent performance.

If you are looking for a trusty cruiser with laid-back behavior, the Virago is an attractive option. But you’re here because you’re wondering if these bikes have any common problems and, if so, how severe they are.

We’ve compiled a list of the widespread issues faced by other Virago owners, and we’ve dug up some of the troubleshooting they’ve done to solve them.

Let’s dive into it!

1. The Bike Isn’t Running Well

One of the chief complaints you hear about with the Yamaha Virago is bikes running rough— by sputtering, jerking, and lurching.

In worse cases, riders have experienced a stall when the bike cuts out completely.

Fuel System Problems:

The likeliest factor responsible for the running problems is an unkept fuel system.

Viragos bikes have been around for a long time. Many of them sat in garages, and while the mileage might be low, a sitting bike isn’t a happy bike.

There’s a good chance that if one or more of the previous owners had a bike sitting in a garage before it got to you, they weren’t starting it regularly to keep the juices flowing through the fuel lines.

As fuel evaporates, it can leave some sludge deposits behind on the bottom of the tank.

These deposits can also build up in various fuel system components like:

• Carbs 
• Fuel tank
• Fuel selector valves
• Fuel lines
• Breather check valves

Once the bike is back in use, the sludge-clogged components interfere with the fuel’s bath, and the bike is “starved” of fuel. This causes the motorcycle to sputter and jerk while riding.

If the fuel supply has been restricted severely, the bike may lose power completely.

Rust:

Another hidden culprit of poor performance on a Virago is rust.

We’re referring to rust that develops in a bike’s internal system, not on the outside.

This is yet another symptom of a bike that’s been stored without upkeep.

Many bikes are stored with partially empty tanks.

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If the bikes are not ridden regularly, there’s little motivation to keep the fuel tank filled or add a stabilizer. A partially empty tank allows condensation to form, and this could rust the tank.

This internal rust affects fuel flow similarly to the sludge.

If the bike rusts inside, the particles can clog those fuel system parts mentioned earlier over time.

If this happens, the engine’s fuel supply will be restricted, causing the bike to run poorly.

Here are a few solutions to consider:

Inspect Fuel System Components:

These include the fuel tank, breather check valve, fuel pump, fuel selector valves, carbs, and fuel pumps.

Any of these could get blocked with rust particles or residue left by evaporated gas.

Ensure you clean all the mentioned parts.

Inspect any Components that let Air into the Fuel System:

These parts (e.g., vacuum lines, air filters) can also get clogged with rust and sludge, which would cause restricted air-flow.

This will force the engine to run rich and lead to the same bike-jerking problems discussed above.

Just as you did with the fuel-system parts, clean these components thoroughly.

2. Multiple Electrical Issues

Every rider dreads the thought of electrical problems; they’re hard to diagnose.

It’s not uncommon for older bikes like the Yamaha Virago to have some wear and tear on the wiring harness, especially if they’ve been sitting.

Here are some common electrical parts on the Yamaha Tracer models that may be ready for an upgrade:

I. Faulty Regulator/Rectifier:

To explain why it’s important to put this part on Yamaha Virago owners’ radar, let’s first review what the Regulator/Rectifier is and why it’s vital.

While cars use a comprehensive alternator to keep their battery energized, a motorcycle uses a miniature charging system that starts with a stator component.

As engine speed accelerates, the stator outputs more and more power, and if left unregulated, it can overcharge the battery.

That’s where the rectifier/regulator comes in.

The rectifier/regulator is the part responsible for maintaining a suitable current. A bad rectifier can destroy the battery.

Signs of failed regulator/rectifier include engine sputtering, rough idling, or loss of acceleration power. The regulator controls the battery’s voltage and keeps its power output within limits.

A faulty regulator will lead to a poorly managed current, which will cause the battery to die abnormally.

II. Stator Failure:

As the regulator, the stator is a critical part, and since they’re an older bike, owners of a Yamaha Virago should be inspecting their stators constantly.

Some suggest years exposing the stator to pronounced heat and vibration may be the reason for the failure.

Regardless, stators wear out over time and go bad.

As explained earlier, the stator is the component responsible for charging the battery.

The stator is a coil of wire in the engine case with a spinning magnet to generate an alternate current (AC).  The AC flows through the rectifier/regulator, converting it to DC power at a consistent output.

If you have a broken stator and the battery isn’t fully charged, your igniter will produce weak sparks, and the engine will run poorly.

III. Bad Electrical Connections:

Battery terminals are the first thing to check if having power issues.

Electrical connectors often wear with time and may loosen or break.

Should this be the case, the battery may not be getting the charge it needs.

Other symptoms of bad electrical connectors include dimmed headlights and issues starting the bike.

If you detect loose/broken electrical connections, clean the connections with contact cleaners and re-fasten them. Ensure they are properly tightened.

3. Malfunctioning Electrical Starter

The starter gets your bike to run. Problems with this component can prevent the bike from starting.

It can also lead to noises when you engage the starter. Many owners of Yamaha Virago bikes, especially older models, have encountered this problem.

Symptoms of a faulty electrical starter on the Yamaha Virago motorcycle include:

I. Starter Turns Slowly:

Typically, the engine should come to life immediately on pressing the starter.

However, if the starter turns slowly and the bike cannot start promptly, something is wrong with the starter.

II. Starter Makes a Clicking Noise:

Some users report that Virago’s starter will emit a clicking sound but won’t turn over.

Other weird noises that show starter problems include a grinding, whirring, or buzzing noise.

III. Starter Slips and Doesn’t Turn the Engine:

In this case, the bike won’t come on at all, even if you activate the starter.

This is because the starter is “slipping” and cannot engage the engine. You may crank the starter multiple times, but the engine won’t run.

IV. Starter Doesn’t Run:h

Sometimes, the starter motor doesn’t run at all, meaning you can’t start the bike.

Possible Causes:

1. Bad Battery
2. Defective Relay
3. Worn Wires
4. Faulty Starter Clutch
5. Worn-out Starter Motor
6. Defective Solenoid
7. Poor Connections

4. Low Fuel Tank Capacity

The Yamaha Virago’s reputation as a trusty cruiser is sometimes hampered by its dismal fuel holding capacity, particularly for the Virago 535, a small 12-liter tank.

Virago owners are often reluctant to take long-distance moto-trips on their Virago; the tank only lasts only about 100 miles.

This makes long-distance riding difficult as riders may have to stop frequently to refuel.

That said, Yamaha intended for the Vorago to be a town bike, not a tourer. 100 miles is plenty for a city ripper, and this bike’s capacity isn’t much different than the capacity of several other models in the small cruiser class.

General Pros and Cons of Yamaha Virago:

Here are the main selling points and shortcomings of the Yamaha Virago:

Pros of the Yamaha Virago:

Here are some of the qualities of the Yamaha Virago:

Reliability:

Asides from the problems we discussed earlier in the article, most of which are attributed to a lack of upkeep on an old bike, the Virago models rarely had issues.

Besides, the model has a low-maintenance shaft drive, saving you the stress of continued lubing and maintaining a bike chain.

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Comfortable to Ride:

Thanks to its super-low seat, the Virago is suitable for vertically challenged riders.

This doesn’t mean taller riders will find the Virago cramped, as it is also comfortable for them. Moreover, the Virago’s V-Twin engine doesn’t vibrate as much as other V-Twins (such as those on Harleys).

Because of this, you can go on long rides without suffering from the numb fingers that cruiser riders experience.

Beginner Friendly:

Part of the Virago’s appeal lies in its ease of use.

Its low power output, coupled with its stable handling, makes the motorcycle easy for any novice rider to ride.

It has a reduced dry weight, so beginner riders need not worry about dropping the bike.

Offers Plenty of Value:

If you’re looking to invest in a new bike, the Virago is a pleasant option.

Thanks to its simple design and engineering, it is straightforward to maintain, meaning more money is saved in servicing costs.

To top it all off, it is cheap to buy and insure.

Cons of Yamaha Virago:

Here are some drawbacks of the Yamaha Virago:

1. Bike Doesn’t Run Well.
2. Multiple Electrical Issues
3. Malfunctioning Electrical Starter
4. Low Fuel Tank Capacity

What Do the Reviews Say?

“The Yamaha XV535 Virago is excellent value, and there are plenty of good used ones around to choose from. The Virago is a simple motorcycle to work on, it’ll save you money at the garage, and the insurance is low too.”

[Source: Motorcyclenews.com]

What’s The Resale Value On the Yamaha Virago?

References:

MotorcycleNews.com

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.