Howdy. First time posting and only second time visiting here.

I haven't been on a street bike for around 25 years. Looking to get back into casual riding - close rides around the are we live in, short trips maybe. Lotsa good reading on here. I like spec's and tech stuff - not a mechanic or anything, just a gear head.

Got some info on a 1995 Virago 750 for sale locally. Its a 1995 with 15,000 miles on it. Tires look decent, has a windshield and some saddle bags.
The guy wants $2000 for it - sound like a decent deal if it runs good? Anyone with any info on the Viragos please feel free to chime in.

I don't want to put a lot into it until i'm sure the wife still wants to ride some.

 

welcome
my friend has one of those its 1100 I think though
the 750 sounds like a good beginer bike
you might be trading up in a few months, years?
heck my sleds only 14 months old and I have over 15K miles on it
sounds like it wasn't rode all that much.
I strongly suggest a motorcycle safety course
lots of things have changed out there since 1980
I know I have been riding those 25 years you haven't.
and learned a few the hard way
welcome to the wind
and what ever you think that cager is gonna do...HE WILL!

 

i would like to take the MSF course - the community college offers it close by. sounds like a good start.

til then, i'll just read a lot and post little. speaking of cagers, i already have identified routes i will not take. around here, the state tree and flower have been changed to orange barrels and cones - there is so much construction. it makes traveling thru all the work zones very unsafe for bikes because its so tight and no one pays attention to the lower posted speeds.
its tight for regular vehicles not to mention the road workers.

i appreciate the response.

 

I was in your position a few years ago. Started out with a Sportster for short jaunts. Couldn't keep the wife off the back so now have Road King and put as many miles on as we can. Good luck and a safe riding course would be an excellent starting point.

 

i had considered a sportster as our first ride but don't know if i am ready for it on the road yet. weight is not the issue - i can pick it up no prob - its more of the 'i don't want to take off, give it the gas and wind up on my butt or out in the field before i can stop' kind of thought.

i like bikes of all styles - maybe the EX500 ninja or a 'zuki GSX500 would be more appropriate. but the sportster delivers its torque at much lower rpm's - so, better for riding around in the country and some 30-40 mile runs instead of the 500? i figure riding two up a 500 sportbike or 883 harley, either one, will be alright for that kind of putting around.

 

Your more likely to wind up on your butt with a sport bike than with a sporster. Sure it has more torque but it is also heavier. If your worried about loosing control of any bike then you should take the rider course first. I don't worry so much about what size the bike is but how comfortably I feel when i'm sitting on it.

 

i plan on taking the MSF course. it will do me some good.

i've ridden some fairly hot bikes and while the bike is under the control and direction (or lack there of) of the rider, i definitely want something forgiving. thanks for the post!