rocketman2263 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Hello! Last weekend, during a visit home to see family, I bought my dad's bike. A 1983 Virago XV500. About a year ago he bought the bike from a family friend with the intent of using it as a commuter bike. He did what was needed to get it running, and then just let it sit, running it occasionally just to make sure it still ran. Since he wasn't using it, I decided it would be better off being my commuter bike. I know I need to replace the front tire and should probably replace the rear one, too even though the tread looks fine. Any thoughts? I'd like to find an owner's/repair manual. My google searching abilities don't appear to be up to snuff. This is the first bike I've owned and, once I get it registered, will be the first one I've ridden. Any help or tips is much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slice Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Hi and Welcome to the YOC, if this is your fiirst bike and you have never riden before then this thing will kill you in a heart beat, it's a 500cc missile and unless you have some serious training before you ride it then you are going to become a stastistic. Go to your local rider training course and learn to ride a small bike before you even contemplate getting on this thing, it looks easy from a distance but I have been riding for over 45 years and can say that you have no idea how bad this machine can hurt you. Sorry if I sound like your Dad or I'm telling you what to do but this is a BAD decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 aboard rocketman! Not sure which state you're in, but in Idaho we have a STAR (skills training advantage for riders) program. I would highly recommend it or something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman2263 Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 Thanks for the welcome! Sacha, I'm living in Florida right now. I'm signed up for a basic rider course run by the MSF, mostly because I need to learn the basics, but I also need it to be able to ride on base. I'll be using one of their bikes for the course. They have either Rebel 125's or 250's. The MSF also has an advanced rider course I plan on taking in a couple weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1949 Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Hi Rocketman, welcome to the forum. But please listen to what Slice and Sacha has said. I don't know what the requirements in the states are but over here they are very stringent. I can only presume your avitar is of you and your very pretty wife/girlfriend. So don't be another statistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Thanks for the welcome! Sacha, I'm living in Florida right now. I'm signed up for a basic rider course run by the MSF, mostly because I need to learn the basics, but I also need it to be able to ride on base. I'll be using one of their bikes for the course. They have either Rebel 125's or 250's. The MSF also has an advanced rider course I plan on taking in a couple weeks. Sounds like a good deal (the MSF course). You'll be glad you did. Florida, eh? Nice year round weather there ya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman2263 Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 I'm enjoying the weather so far. I lived in Seattle before I moved here. Except for the afternoon thunderstorms in the summer, there really isn't a bad time to rider here. The "winters" are pretty mild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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