Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Company Compression ratio 8.3:1 | Class Cruiser Ignition type Digital | |
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Engine 1,063 cc (64.9 cu in), air cooled, 2 x SOHC, wet sump Bore / stroke 95 mm × 75 mm (3.7 in × 3.0 in) | ||
The Yamaha Virago XV1100 was a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It was one of several in the Virago line and was positioned as large-size cruiser with an engine displacement of 1,063 cc (64.9 cu in).
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It was one of the few cruiser-style motorcycles available with a shaft drive instead of a chain or belt final drive system, as well as a V-twin engine of that size. Its heavily chromed body styling was also distinctive.
History
The Virago line was born in 1981 with the XV750. In 1982 the larger 920 was introduced alongside the 750, with several more deluxe features. The 920 was redesigned in 1984 and engine size increased to 1,000 cc. In 1986 engine size was again increased to 1,063 cc, resulting in the renamed XV1100.
This model was discontinued in 2000 as the "Star" range of motorcycles took over as the cruiser line from Yamaha. The DragStar 1100 is often seen as the successor to the XV1100.
Starter problems
According to Motorcyclist magazine, the early Virago has a design flaw in the starter system. This magazine states that the starter's defect exists in early Viragos models (1982 and 1983). However, the same flawed starter system was installed in the XV700, which was produced until 1988, and the XV920. The XV1000 had an improved system since it began production in 1984, which doesn't present the flaws. Also the XV1100 and the XV750 (1989 and up) do not present the starter system flaws found in the earlier Viragos. Motorcyclist Magazine suggested welding the ring gear to its backing plate to solve the problem. Other solutions commonly used are the use of shims, which was Yamaha's proposed solution, then also the use of a newly designed idler gear. None of these solutions are considered or proved to be permanent, and applying only one of them will not address other existing flaws in the system; however, great improvements have been reported by Virago owners that have applied them.