Cruisers
1989Yamaha XV 400 Virago
28 fields on record
Built around a 399cc air-cooled four-stroke V-twin making 40 hp, the 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago is a Japanese cruiser. It weighs 178 kg dry and has an 8.6-litre tank and a 700 mm seat.
- Capacity
- 399.0 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Dry weight
- 178.0 kg
- Seat height
- 700 mm
- Power
- 40.0 HP (29.8 kW) @ 8500 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Cruiser built for its class - everyday, practical use.
- Built for
- A cruiser from Yamaha, built around a 399cc engine - a real production model, but this profile is formula-generated from its class and spec sheet rather than individually reviewed.
- Not ideal for
- Not for serious performance or off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →40
out of 100Average
The Yamaha XV 400 Virago passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 80.2% of the time, 2.0 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 40% of models.
This covers every year of the model.
80.2%Passed first time
13.7%Failed outright
6.1%Fixed during test
20,000Typical miles
424Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Against its rivals · ranks 2 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda CMX 450 Rebel | 40 Average | 403 |
| 2 | Yamaha XV 400 Virago | 40 Average | 424 |
| 3 | Kawasaki EN 500 | 35 Below average | 6,754 |
| 4 | Suzuki GS 450 L | 33 Below average | 563 |
| 5 | Suzuki GN 250 E | 31 Below average | 1,673 |
| 6 | Yamaha XV250 Virago | 25 Below average | 123 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 399.0 ccm
- Power
- 40.0 HP (29.8 kW) @ 8500 RPM
- Torque
- 34.3 Nm (3.5 kgf-m)
- Engine type
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2247 HP/kg (dry)
- Compression
- 9.7:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
- Ignition
- CDI
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Clutch
- Wet multi-plate, cable operated
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1511 mm
- Seat height
- 700 mm
- Dry weight
- 178.0 kg
- Wet weight
- 185.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 8.60 litres
- Ground clearance
- 145 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Front suspension
- Telescopic forks
- Rear suspension
- Dual shocks with preload adjustment
- Rake (fork angle)
- 31.5°
- Trail
- 125 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc with single-piston caliper
- Rear brakes
- 200 mm Drum
- Rear brakes diameter
- 200 mm
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1984 | 1986 | 1989 | 1991 | 1993 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 399 cc | 399 cc | 399 cc | 399 cc | 399 cc |
| Dry weight | 178 kg | 178 kg | 178 kg | 178 kg | 178 kg |
| Seat height | 700 mm | 700 mm | 700 mm | 700 mm | 700 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 8.6 L | 8.6 L | 8.6 L | 8.6 L | 8.6 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Yamaha XV 400 Virago?
The 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago has a Capacity of 399.0 ccm (24.35 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Yamaha XV 400 Virago have?
The 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago has a Power of 40.0 HP (29.8 kW) @ 8500 RPM.
How many gears does the Yamaha XV 400 Virago have?
The 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
What is the torque of the Yamaha XV 400 Virago?
The 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago has a Torque of 34.3 Nm (3.5 kgf-m or 25.3 ft.lbs).
How much does the Yamaha XV 400 Virago weigh?
The 1989 Yamaha XV 400 Virago has a Dry weight of 178.0 kg (392.4 pounds).
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