Yamaha Xv250 Virago

I put about 8,000 km on a first-year XV250 and it genuinely surprised me — that little V-twin pulls with a satisfying thump from around 3,000 rpm, and the 690mm seat height means even shorter riders can flat-foot it with confidence. The belt drive is whisper-quiet and essentially maintenance-free, which I appreciated more every time I watched chain-drive riders get greasy in car parks. Top speed is an honest 110 km/h before it starts buzzing your hands off, so highway merging requires planning rather than throttle confidence, and the dual rear shocks soak up bumps adequately but won't let you forget you're on a budget bike. What kills it for experienced riders is the anemic 21 hp ceiling — you'll outgrow this engine within a season if you ride anything beyond suburban commuting.

I've put close to 8,000 km on a '98 Virago and it's the most forgiving machine I've ever thrown a leg over — that 690mm seat height means even shorter riders touch down confidently, and the V-twin burbles with genuine character well above what the displacement suggests. Around town it's genuinely fun: light steering, a torque curve that doesn't spike or scare, and a riding position that won't destroy your wrists on a 90-minute commute. But take it onto a freeway and the limitations stack up fast — sitting at 110 km/h has it screaming near its ceiling, wind blast becomes exhausting after 30 minutes, and the front drum brake on earlier examples is embarrassingly inadequate in an emergency stop. The Gen 2 styling refresh looks cleaner than the original, but don't mistake fresh graphics for mechanical updates; it's the same bike underneath, which means it's brilliant for a learner and borderline frustrating for anyone who's grown past their licence.