Twenty years ago I did lots of dirt bike riding and a very small amount of street riding.  The kids are now grown and the bike itch is stronger than ever.  I just finished the motorcycle safety class which is mandatory in my state to get your license.  It really felt great being on a bike again.   I am looking to get a cruiser style bike.  At this time, money is an issue (kids in college, etc.)  There seems to be a very good deal on a 1997 Yamaha Virago 750, I’m checking it out this weekend.   What is the general feelings about this bike?  Would I be better off waiting for a good deal on a Honda Shadow, Vulcan, or?  All comments and suggestions are welcome.  Thanks.  

Hello Filamy:
I see that no one has replied to your question.
I am new to this forum too as of today (Jan. 2, 08).

I used to own a Yamaha Virago 750 myself.  I see that your not exactly "NEW" to riding so I'll skip that intro.  The 750 Virago was a good bike to me with the exception that I'm 6'2" tall and at the time I had my Virago I weighed in at about 250 lbs.  That made me a very large person for that particular bike.  But, at that time, it was my first bike.  It was a good first bike too.  I loved the bike.  It had plenty of power and the weight was a good match for my skill level.  I quickly out grew it though (because of my size).

I now own a Honda Shadow A.C.E. VT1100c2.  My second bike... and I just bought it in Sept. 07.  I'm still 6'2" (obviously huh!) but weigh more like 290 now (and dropping).  I'm still a bit large for this bike but, I helped out a friend of a friend when I bought it from him... and he helped me too... getting back into riding again.  

I'd say that your choice of bike should start with your height & weight.  Secondly, your skill level.
The Virago is a good bike though.  I put 10,000 miles on mine the first year I owned mine and loved every mile too.

Hope that this helps...  

I too owned a 750 Virago, though mine was a 1983 Midnight, so the comparison may be less applicable - there are bound to be some changes in 14 yrs. I did love that bike, mostly. It fit my 5'-8"/32" inseam quite well, handled decently (never scraped any hard parts in corners, but the forks were a little flexy), had plenty of power to escape trouble in town or hold its own on the freeway, and had a very endearing v-twin throb (the 700 Super-Magna I demo'd at the same time had all the character of an electric blender by comparison - but it was a very fast electric blender!). I rode it all over Arizona, hung off on mountain roads, got speeding tickets in town, crashed it more than once, and kept riding it (did I mention this was before I quit drinking?).

The starter clutch gave me fits on many occasions; you had to hold your breath and squint just so when hitting the button, or it would lose engagement with a loud whiiiiir-clunk! Hopefully they fixed that bad design by 1997. Eventually I was push-starting it every time, then ignition to the rear cylinder went south & it would only do 40 on one lung, so I sold it for parts. I wasn't legal to ride at that point anyway (did I mention that it was my last bike owned while I was drinking?).

But I digress. The 750 Virago would've made a horrible first bike for me, far too heavy for my 125 lb frame! The center of gravity is lower on the model you're looking at, so even if it's as heavy as the early-80's iteration it will seem lighter. And if you outweigh and out-benchpress me significantly, you'll probably be fine. If the starter slips at all though, I'd walk away...  

I just purchased a 1982 Yamaha Virago 750. Bike is in really good shape and it's my first street bike since my dirt bike days of 30 years ago. Did I make a good decision? I plan on upgrading eventually; but I was also considering used Suzuki Intruder or the Suzuki Savage? Anybody have a general opinion on the older Viragos? What is the general opinion of a Honda vs. Suzuki vs. Yamaha vs. Kawasaki? Just asking and don't mean to start any arguements. New to street biking and just want to see what everyone else thinks.

Thanks!  

I just baught a 1992 750 Vulcan.  I like Flanny, have ridden quite a few dirt bikes as a kid, but after moving out on my own my money needed to go to bills and needs rather than a bike.  Now 10 years later my budget can include a bike.  I chose the Vulcan for several reasons.  First the looks.  I just love the looks of a cruiser.  Second, I don't need a huge bike, I am kind of small (6' tall and I weigh 130 lbs soaking wet in the middle of a rain storm wearing lead underwear).  And third, the price.  I picked up the bike for only 1500 bucks and the bike had a little over 30,000 original miles on it.

When i went to pick up the bike, the headlight didn't work and the number 2 cyl. wasn't firing, so the owner knocked off 500 bucks bringing the price down to a grand.  I took the bike home, re-connected the main positive wire on the headlight wiring harness and presto that prob was fixed.  I took the bike for a cruise arround the block and the number 2 cyl. started to fire (never did figure out why).

So far my thaughts on this bike is great... I do have big plans for this bike in a year or two as my skill level increase, but i do not plan on upgrading from this bike for many many more years.  

i have a 1996 virago. its a great bike, its fun and nimble to drive. my wife likes to ride with me, so im selling mine. i just bought a 2005 boulevard C90.
the virago has been nothing but pleasure to me. i am short with a 30inch inseam. no problem standing on the bike. even with the wife on, it was never a problem. just a fun all around bike. you'll probably love it. get crash bars from jc whitney and leather like bags and a windshield and you're all set. just my 2 cents