Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Yet another new addition.....

I always liked the Virago, to look at. But it didn't really fit with my touring use - R65, R100RT, GL1200 Aspencade (I won't count the FLSTC in that group).
I could still be tempted by another bike at the right price - probably more to clutter up the garage than any serious riding (might be a good excuse to shrink back into my leathers though! ).

TBM, entirely with you on the Harley lifestyle accoutrements, but it was the overspill of the desire to extract as much cash out of their "followers" that got to me a tad more. The protection of the brand in terms of HOG was perhaps the first thing that caused me to sit up, I had been reading of Harley marketing by way of supplying machines with very basic, if not underperforming brakes, possible less than ideal carburation and offering better brakes and carburettor performant parts, under the Screaming Eagle branding....Well that is how it appeared to me and truth be told the twin disc set up on the bike in the pic had less stopping power than the little front drum brake on the B40 that I bought at the time as a born again biker..... As a yoof I ever preferred Nortons both vintage and right up to the 850 Commando, which I did more than a few laps round the IOM on, though later in my 50`s the little B40 was a fun tester to help me decide whether or not I wanted to get back into biking, and ended my biking riding my BMW R80R, which was found to be a very capable machine and in all weathers, even snow.. Once a biker, always a biker at heart..? (-:

I have posted this pic before, it was taken back in the days of film cameras with a mechanical time delay, an early selfie if you will, camera balanced on a rock...No one else was mad enough to be there with me on a m/cycle...(-:

Typing of mad on a m/cycle, have you watched Itchy Boots on YT, she is currently riding across Mongolia.... Amazing young lady..!

I certainly don't ride enough at the moment, but the plan is to get everything prepped and ready for retirement - I won't have enough money to buy anything new on my pension , but hopefully enough cash to go out for trips and runs mid week with my mates. There's five or six of us who meet up on a Saturday morning for breakfast, and from next week I'll be the only one not retired!

Two and a bit years to go......

Great picture!

No, not watched Itchy Boots - I try and avoid reality/lifestyle/influencer stuff as much as possible.

Graham .... There's those out there doing some radical custom jobs on the Virago ... often well away from the 'factory chopper' ethos.



Not sure I'd ride it far but I do like the look .... what's even more impressive is how they make the pig-like CX 500 look enticing ... lots love the CX500, but it was never a heart-breaker in the looks dept.

Another plus for the Ironhead is that, compared to anything modern, it's clap simple and owner fixable/maintainable ... good thing for a fixed income.

Loving the pics George ... it's odd to look back and see our younger selves and what we got up to.

K

TBM, I suspect you may be doing Itchy Boots a slight disservice by thinking of her as a possible influencer, as such, she seems to be a very courageous adventure motorcycling junkie, with a great deal of courage and riding skills than I might ever have thought I had...For sure I spend way too much time watching YT vids, though have followed her for a few years now as she road from South America up to Alaska, Through the mud of Africa on to India and the Stans through China and currently Mongolia, ever seeking to ride off road wherever possible , and all entirely solo, making great content using drone footage and capturing wonderful scenery along the way. For this trip she backdated to old tec in the form of a 87 Yamaha Tenere, and had it modified to be extra reliable given all she expected to face on her adventures, she has had me holding my breath more than once..!

Try watching a few mins out of this vid, you too might be amazed...? (-:

Hello TBM,

Your Ironhead is really nice. It's a very rugged bike.

A few days ago, a good friend of mine bought this subtly modified Evo Sporty:

I tried a few mins, but not for me.

Like it. Mine will probably end up a bit like that.

At least you gave it a go..(-: As always, each to their own...