125cc: Dragstar or Shadow?

[lockheed]

Guys, I overlooked one bike: how would you compare EN 500 with Virago 535? I thought Viragos are quite small dimension-wise. Is that right?

[Leatherat]

No, it's not right.

The XV535 Virago is a comparable size to the EN500

take a look.......

XV535 Virago

Wheelbase = 1520mm

Seat height = 700mm

Weight = 188kg

En500 Vulcan

Wheelbase = 1595mm

Seat height = 690mm

Weight = 198kg

The 535 Virago is short and tall whereas the Dragstar is low and long, the XV535 is not as good looking as the XV1100 in my humble opinion, but it's seems to be a good all round bike of which there are many and it's very good value for money.

These look like beautys...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Yamaha-XV535-Virago-/110686652540?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item19c570487c

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-VIRAGO-XV-535-RED-/190533706882?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c5cb1a482

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/yamaha-XV535-Virago-/120725133386?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c1bc7584a

[neversaydie]

The Virago 535 has a reputation for being robust, reliable, and easy to ride, and should return 50+mpg

As Leatherat says, there are plenty of good ones for sale at good value, the 535 was Europes top selling cruiser in the 90s

[lockheed]

I like the looks of Virago but quick search on google of virago 535 vs EN 500 I found that:

- EN is better suited far tall riders (I am 6'5")

- EN does more mpg

- EN is much faster

- if EN is with belt drive, there is no difference in reliability between this and cardan

Many of these were opinions of people who owned both bikes, others from impartial (?) Suzuki owners so it appears as EN 500 comes on top.

[Leatherat]

You pays your money, you takes your choice then. Personally, I'd have the shaft drive everytime, and (I'm guessing here) I would imagine that there are many more 535's to choose from as aposed to the VN.

[neversaydie]

You pays your money, you takes your choice then. Personally, I'd have the shaft drive everytime, and (I'm guessing here) I would imagine that there are many more 535's to choose from as aposed to the VN.

Agreed.

How many EN 500s will be on the road in 15 years time?

How many 535s will STILL be on the road in 15 years time

Belt drive as long lasting and cost effective as drive shaft? Pull the other one

Faster? How fast do you wanna go on your first big bike? 535 is capable of 95mph, will cruise all day at 80.

I'm detecting danger signals here

Good luck with the EN 500

and good luck with the test, let us know how you get on

[lockheed]

Agreed.

How many EN 500s will be on the road in 15 years time?

How many 535s will STILL be on the road in 15 years time

Belt drive as long lasting and cost effective as drive shaft? Pull the other one

Faster? How fast do you wanna go on your first big bike? 535 is capable of 95mph, will cruise all day at 80.

I'm detecting danger signals here

Good luck with the EN 500

and good luck with the test, let us know how you get on

I don't know how many in units, but in % I expect to be at least on pair.

By 'faster' I meant acceleration and comfort at high speeds (motorways). Looks like EN 500 would cruise at 100 with enough backup power for overtaking. It is also a bigger bike and with this it is hard to discuss - at the end of the day I am 6'5".

I am not a Kawasaki fanboy, I just take into account this is Yamaha forum and want to push the alternative to the limit to make things more even

[Leatherat]

Cruise at 100mph and have more poke for overtaking.......on a 500cc cruiser? I'd like to see the evidence you're basing those assumptions on as I think you're being more than a little optomistic. Most reviews I have read on this bike offer tops speeds of around 90mph and a cruise all day speed of about 80mph, about what I'd expect from 44bhp.

The EN500 Vulcan has 46bhp and is estimated to have around the same abilities (speed wise) as the 535.

Want to cruise at 100mph, you got to go larger cubic capacity, as they say, there ain't no replacement for displacement.

[lockheed]

Cruise at 100mph and have more poke for overtaking.......on a 500cc cruiser? I'd like to see the evidence you're basing those assumptions on as I think you're being more than a little optomistic. Most reviews I have read on this bike offer tops speeds of around 90mph and a cruise all day speed of about 80mph, about what I'd expect from 44bhp.

The EN500 Vulcan has 46bhp and is estimated to have around the same abilities (speed wise) as the 535.

Want to cruise at 100mph, you got to go larger cubic capacity, as they say, there ain't no replacement for displacement.

Perhaps I overshoot with 100mph long-distance cruising but according to my Google findings on various forums, EN 500 is faster than most 750s and many 800s. All the speed references in the reviews I found talked about relatively easily reachable 100mph and this not being the top speed. EN 500s from '91-'96 have ~50bhp.

Here are just few examples of my findings

I'd both Viagra 535 and the EN400 Vulcan( not the VN which is a V twin)

And I found the Vulcan much more substantial in every respect, bigger, smoother faster and generally a better bike IMO, no experience with the Shadow tho so I can't compare

EN 500 with windscreen:

I put the bike to 100 mph the day it was broke in still had some throttle left

Only 35 hp? I have a "little" Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It will go over 100

mph, has more than enough acceleration at 85 mph to pass. I can't believe

that a V-Star 650, or a HD 883 can't do better than my Kaw 500.

Also, something about 535's size

Have Viagra 535 not a bad bike to get ur feet wet on but to be honest Iam fed up of it allready and want a sv650. Iam only 5"6 and I find it a little hard on the legs after a while could prob use forward controlls but plenty of pick up in her and compact.

[Ttaskmaster]

Lot of use of the word 'speed'.

If speed is your thing, there are plenty of faster bikes than these. Once you have your full licence, you can get a horrendously fast 1300 Hayabusa or a Fireblade.

Also, what do you need power to overtake for?

Again, I re-iterate - A 125 will teach you proper observation and to time your manoeuvres so you don't have to rely on power when you finally move up.

But as Leatherat says, learner legal bikes are for girls and fags, which is why he only has a pissy 650cc Cruiser rather than a more manly 1900 or even a 2300.

Your bike, your life, your choice. Ride for yourself.

[Leatherat]

But as Leatherat says, learner legal bikes are for girls and fags, which is why he only has a pissy 650cc Cruiser rather than a more manly 1900 or even a 2300.

The reason I have the 650 is purely financial. I sold my 900 diversion and added just under a grand to it and still could only afford a 650. What I really want is a Harley Heritage Softail, either the slightly limp wristed 1450cc or preferably the Irn Brew swigging 1586cc but the 7 - 10K price tag has thus far kept me out of the game. The 650 is, I'll quite freely admit, a bit of a girls bike, and had I ridden it before I bought it I would have thought twice due to it's lack of get up and go, but it looks great.

As I said in an earlier post, you pay's yur money and takes yur choice, but the 125 route??? Thar be monsters! Arrgh Capt'n.

[lockheed]

I don't want to speed but my commute is 40 miles daily and I would also like to do occasional '270 mile there/270 mile back' ride down the spine of the UK and so I need something that can cope on motorway. For this and financial reason, I am not so keen on 125s.