Did You Know...

That a Virago 1100 engine was used on a WW-I replica airplane?
That there really is such a thing as A Million Mile Man?

A Virago broke a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats?

A Virago Powered Airplane?
     It's true! In April of 1991, Richard Giles started building his replica Nieuport 12, WW-I plane, serial number 00020. It was fitted with a 1986 XV-1100 Virago engine. His decisiion to use a motorcycle engine was based several factors. To begin with, Rich had 25 years of motorcyle maintenace and dealership experince under his belt. Some of the more important cosiderations were power, weight, sound, cost, adaptability, and most importantly...reliability.

     There were several features of the Virago engine which made it ideal for aircraft use.

Lightweight aluminum construction.
A choice of five reduction ratios via the transmission.
A means to disengage the propeller by use of the clutch.
A complete electrical system.
A pressurized oil lubrication system.
An electric starter.
A torsional vibration dampening system built into the transmission.
Availablity of replacement parts.
The power range was between 3000 -7500 rpm. (ideal for this type of aircraft)
     It turns out that the only engine problem encountered was what type of carburation to use. They couldn't use the standard constant-velocity type which operates the throttle through a butterfly openning, allowing vacuum of the intake system to pull the throttle. Instead, they used a set of carbs, properly jetted, 40mm carbs which were mechanically operated.

     In October of 1993, the aircraft was inspected by the FAA and approved for flight.

Another Fying Virago!

Butch Witlock's - Nieuport 12 is powered by a Virago engine

The Million Mile Man
Dave Hingson, a Florida resident and a retired quality control expert, has owned 29 motorcycles. He started riding before World War-II on a Wizzer motorbike. Back in 1939 Dave, at age 12, his friend let him take a 1936 Harley for a spin. Dave's been burning-up the roads ever since. Besides ridng in the Continental US, he has had the fortunate opportunity to ride in Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Guam, Europe, and Saipan.

Hingson has 100,00 miles on Harley-Davidsons and 300,000 miles on BMW's. The bulk of his million miles some 403,789; according to his detailed records. Currently, his mileage-maker of choice is a 1994 XV-1100 Virago. This is his third Yamaha cruiser - a 1986 Virago lasted 119,000 miles, his 1990 went 124,000 miles, and he plans on racking up 200,000 miles on the '94 Virago before his four year extended warranty runs out. Finding cheap car insurance that will also cover this level of motorcycling is important for bikers such as Dave.

XV-920 Sets Speed Record
The Nick Larson team, managed to set a new class 1000 APSF speed record of 201.655 mph during Speedweek '97 (49th running of the event). It was done using a nitrous injected XV-920 Yamaha Virago!

So, the next time someone has something to say about your Virago being too slow, remind them of the record set by Nick and his brother.

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