XV 535 Virago

1988 Yamaha XV 535 Virago Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Yamaha for the touring motorcycle segment, the 1988 Yamaha XV 535 Virago pairs a 535 cc (32.7 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 50.5 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the XV 535 Virago measures 220 kg (485 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.12 HP/kg (8.15 kg per horsepower). The 13.5-liter (3.6 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 128 km/h (80 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 7 indexed model years from 1988 to 1997, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.