Ask an orthopedic surgeon what he thinks of skiing and you are likely to hear about torn ligaments and broken bones, but little about the countless accident-free hours happily spent on the slopes. When you are in the business of helping Virago owners, you deal mostly with problems, and slowly a warped perspective about the bike can to take over. At the mention of "Virago", I catch myself thinking, "Well, what's the problem this time.?"
But that's not reality. The term "Virago" should bring to mind a bike that, with good maintenance and care, will go somewhere between a long time and forever. Viragos are very trouble free and the bigger versions are "do it all" motorcycyles--they'll take take you to the corner store or Alaska, your option.
If you own a good running Virago that you enjoy, you might consider leaving this website about now and go riding. Because you aren't going to need a whole lot of what's on here. That is, if you do your maintenance!
The information presented here is my best shot, but I can't know everything, or have it right 100% of the time. You need to evaluate what you read here and decide that it makes sense to you before taking any action based on it. Corrections and comments are welcome. We are after the truth here, not personal glory.
Note also, that what you do, or have others do to your bike is your responsibility alone, and you need to be ready to take that responsibility fully. If in doubt about anything you read here, e-mail me, and/or do some independent research before picking up a tool, buying a part, or telling the shop to go ahead.
I believe that sources for parts or service mentioned in my articles are solid and current, but you need to contact them personally and check them out for yourself.
Finally, please understand that my assets include a couple of old bikes, a set of metric tools, a guitar, a camera, and a half empty bottle of dark rum. Not much to come after here, I'm afraid. Several attorneys have already walked away in disgust, and yours won't be any different.
Ride Safe,
Mac
