Will you use it on the highway, or mainly for local/city driving? Any idea on how many miles per year you will ride it? Do you like to drive fast? … The Virago 250 is a great motorcycle and would be a good choice if you are not a fast driver and will not ride it much. It has a “better” exhaust sound than the Rebel 500, but the Rebel excels in about everything else.
(Q) I’m in MA. So I can’t use bike year round. Office is ~20 miles 95+93 highways or 13 miles bgot the know if I like(have guts) to drive really fast or not.
Thanks for you reply.
(A) A “fast driver” drives maybe 10 mph over the limit and occasionally outruns other drivers leaving traffic lights – and should get the Rebel. Otherwise get the V-Star 250; maybe offer a lower price.
V-Star 250 vs Rebel 500
0-60 10.8 sec vs 5.9
Top speed 80-85 mph vs 105-110.
Virago more interesting exhaust note.
Virago needs a sprocket change for correct gearing.
Rebel has tubeless tires.
Rebel has more accurate speedometer.
(A) fyi – I live in CT. I am a “fast driver” and commuted to NY on a Virago 250 for several years. I like the underdog and intentionally bought a $1,200 Virago 250 for the 70 mph commute as an experiment. I went 14,000 miles, modified the bike, and reported it all on virago250street.wordpress.com (I have a Rebel 500 & Kawasaki 650 twin now.)
Rebel500 