Yamaha XV535 Vırago

Shhhh..dont tell Montie but I think I have found my next Motorbike, I know I’ve not had my Mondial for long, but for touring I really could do with abit more engine power, Dave suggested the Yamaha XV535 as its still quite a lightweight bike and easy to handle.

I’ m liking this bike very much, so here’s a bit of info just in case you didn’t know,

Top speed      100mph
1/4-mile acceleration     14.2 secs
Power     38bhp
Torque     32ftlb
Weight     182kg
Seat height     720mm
Fuel capacity     13.5 litres
Average fuel consumption     47mpg
Tank range     130 miles
Insurance group     8
Engine size     535cc
Engine specification     4v V-twin, 5 gears
Frame     Steel tubular spine
Front suspension adjustment     None
Rear suspension adjustment     Preload
Front brakes     298mm disc
Rear brake     Drum
Front tyre size     3.00 x 19
Rear tyre size     140/90 x 15

All looking good!! personally I think ıt was made for a 45 year old Cornish woman….

The XV535 Virago is where Yamaha started giving Harley-Davidson a run for their money: it was the first of their cruiser motorcycles and it certainly lasted well. The Yamaha XV535 is basic, trusted, easy to ride and with unchallenging but enjoyable performance.

Engine

Unchallenging, smooth, torque enough and reliable, the Yamaha XV535 engine’s been going since 1988 and there are plenty of XV535s still running today. In other words: it’s good. The Virago has enough pull low down and strong in the midrange but you’ve got to work it hard to reach top speeds (but that’s not what cruising’s about anyway).

Ride and Handling

The Yamaha XV535 Virago has good brakes, adequate suspension and a smooth gearbox (although it’s a bit clunky between first and second). Handling’s not sharp but it is stable and predictable, perfect for a motorcycle like this, although the front gets a bit frisky at the top of the rev range. The Yamaha XV535 Virago’s low centre of gravity makes for easy slow speed work. It also has pretty good ground clearance and narrow enough for easy manoeuvrability.

Equipment

The Yamaha XV535 Virago has a clear, analogue speedo but no fuel light or rev counter. However, the reserve switch is on the bars, which is a bonus. Good mirrors but they do vibrate at high revs. The XV535’s plush seat is comfy but the pillion perch is tiny. Riding position not as “cruisery” as you’d expect: the pegs aren’t miles forward and you ride upright. This is not an extreme motorcycle so it’s very easy to get along with.

Quality and Reliability

Both mechanically and cosmetically, the Yamaha XV535 Virago is a highly regarded motorcycle and has the longevity of successful sales figures to prove it. Gripes are rare but include carb icing and corroding regulator/rectifiers but, on the whole, the Yamaha XV535 Virago is a solid motorcycle to buy. But keep that exposed V-twin and all that chrome in good nick to maintain value.

Value

The Yamaha XV535 Virago is excellent value and there are plenty of good used ones around to choose from. The XV535 is a simple motorcycle to work on, it’ll save you money at the garage, and insurance is low too. On  the downside, fuel consumption’s patchy: thrash it and it won’t see 100 miles to a tankful. Shaft drives keeps maintenance to a minimum.

Model History

1988: Yamaha XV535 Virago was introduced with very similar spec to the later versions. The first model had a tiny, 8.6 litre, underseat fuel tank which was ditched later that year for a proper, 13.5 litre version.
1996: Minor update, including new mirrors, an improved gear box and extended mufflers.
2004: Yamaha XV535 Virago discontinued.

We are hoping to do quite a few more tours as there is still so many places we want to visit, Montie would get me there, but of course, us humans always want bigger and better especially where bikes are concerned!!

ANIMATION TAKE 2…

If only computers did as they were told… I’ve learnt now that to do an Animation that has constant movement throughout takes alot of time, Windows Movie Maker was fine for a while but then decided enough was enough and kept crashing on me, so the end bit of my animation is not how I wanted it, basically I ran out of patience lol…

If only I could draw Motorbıkes…belıeve me I have tried

Animation…

With all this work going on with photography and playing with numerous programmes I decided to try out animation, with a bit of research and a lot of patience it’s really not that difficult, I tried a couple of ways, first I tried drawing a basic stick woman, taking a photo and repeating this 6 or so times drawing the woman in different poses, for this experiment I just repeated the same 6 over and over again, I could of course of drawn 40 different poses but since this was just an experiment I didn’t bother, then loaded them onto my lappy and ı’m away. I used Windows Movie Maker keeping it as simple as possible, this is the first stick woman, very rudimentary but that was the idea.

So now I have my Woman swinging her stuff I decided to get abit more adventurous, this time I used free hand drawing on Windows Paint, this is not easy, however because I dont have a proper while board its easier to rub out and add on. I took my images and edited them on Movie Maker, finding sound effects was not as easy as I thought, sure they have loads of farting and burping sounds to download, but to get free sounds that I was after took a while and its still not what I had in mind. When I tried to load the finished video on Vimeo it wouldn’t take ,I ‘m trying again, it has however loaded on Youtube.

So heres my 2nd attempt, yeh I know its short and not the best animated vid in the world haha, but I rather enjoyed it and shall have a go at abit more an advanced one next  

Skys of Turkey

I can never resist not grabbing for my camera when I see the skys so beautiful as this, I have so many photos of the sunset, but tonight at 5.10pm whilst on my balcony this sunset I am sure you will agree is especially beautiful.

The fire breathing dragon is dancing in the sky,
With flames so bright and breath so hot ı saw him flying by,

With puffs of smoke and blazing rods that shone across the Mountains,
And trails of blue and orange were spraying out like fountains,

I shouted from my balcony, please come and let me fly,
I want to dance among the clouds and touch the blazing sky,

But as I watched he flew away and the flames were turning black,
Tomorrow night I hope to find that my dragon has come back.

By Me

Natural Beauty at its best

The Woman Song…

I gave you the Man Song, so just to show you how fair I am….. I give you… THE WOMAN SONG!!!

A Message from us to you… xx

PRINCESS LINDA

Thought with all this video making I would put together a few of my best times of 2009, I tried this new programme David and Bob were using…..hours later!!!!! stress level risen to well above average I came up with this…….

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE and safe Rıdıng xxxx

FOR BOBSCOOT :)

Here you are Bob you kinda suit a dress!!!!

TWAS THE RIDE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

TWAS THE RIDE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the ride before Christmas, And not until Spring, Would an engine be running, not even a Wing. The bikes are all sleeping, They’re covered and warm , nylon covers their magnificent form. My Bros were all nestled snug in their beds, While visions of new chrome danced in their heads. And I in my bike jacket,and the boots I adore ,was out shoveling snow and dreaming a Tour, Then from the horizon there came such a clatter, My shovel I dropped, what could be the matter? Away up the hill, I slogged through the snow, Looked up at the sky; where’d all that noise go? A throb from the heavens like straight pipes so hearty, Gave Summers’ good thoughts, a loud bikers’ party. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a neat ‘02 Retro, Red trailer in rear. With a little old rider, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than Crotchies his Retro came on, And he whistled, and shouted, and sang out this song; Now, Harley! Now, Big Dog! On Honda and Beamer! Now Vulcan! Now Injun! On Vict’ry and Trumpet! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now RIDE away! RIDE away! RIDE away all!” As  bikes that from the semis do fly, When they meet with the air blast, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top that Ol’ X it flew, With a trailer of goodies, and ole’ St. Nick too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, The rumble and thunder of pipes that gave proof. I ran to the house, boots thumping around, And in came St. Nick all bearded and round. Dressed all in black leather, from jacket to boot, His chaps were all tarnished with road grime and soot. A T-bag of goodies he’d flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His shades — how they twinkled! his do-rag how scary! With chains intertwined, through skulls that were cherry! His droll little mouth had done many a row, So the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, The smoke had a strange smell; it gave him relief! He had a broad face and a large fat beer belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was tattooed and plump, a right jolly old rider, So I offered a cold Bud, thought what could be righter? A wink of his eye as he downed that cold beer, Gave me to know I had nothing to fear. He spoke not a word, but went straight to my ride, And fixed it with Chrome, Horsepower and Pride! And giving the peace sign with bikers’ good cheer, Took off for his Retro which was rumbling quite near. He sprang on the saddle, his gloves on the bars, A wheeley he threw then off towards the stars! I heard him exclaim, as my chest swelled with pride… “Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Ride!”

HE’S THE MAN! Linda’s back …and to celebrate my return here’s a little song dave often sings to me!!!