‘the wild queen of war’ –Deirdre
– Jonnie Comet, for SCS
The narrator forms a special bond with the motorbike she acquires, serendipitously, in Deirdre, the Enigma. As commuter transportation, facilitator of freedom, social status symbol, mechanical mentor, soul-soothing sister, and an enduring sentimental reminder of the first motorbike she had in Australia, the modest, well-cared-for dark-blue 1986 Yamaha Virago proves as faithful as it is fun and contributes greatly to her maturity and to the development of her image as an approachable girl-next-door and an irresistible siren.
Yamaha XV500 Virago, 1986
Having a shaft drive is new to her; going across the Nullarbor, in Deirdre, the Renegade, she had to maintain the lubricant of the littler Honda’s chain. With a single centreline rear suspension damper and a rear drum brake, urgent, co-ordinated stops require some acclimation and practice, which she gains in part through Vic’s handling course at Wonder Wheels. Though a V engine configuration is not given to stratospheric revs, Deirdre observes that she touches 6000 RPM regularly without risking reliability. Against a factory claim of 13.7 seconds to 154 KPH, she attains 110 KPH in what she calls eight seconds– which may or may not be accurate.
The saddle is appreciably low, making it easier and more comfortable for one with a 68.5-CM (27-IN) inseam to land at least one foot flatly upon the tarmac. Notoriously, this model’s handlebars are turned inwards more than most, somewhat awkward for larger riders. Deirdre does not mention this probably because she does not know enough comparable motorbikes for comparison but also because, being small of stature for a motorcyclist, as well as young and limber, she has no trouble twisting the throttle round with wrist at the required angle.
Yamaha XV500 Virago, 1986
One consideration for Deirdre is fuel consumption. The makers attest to 20-23 kilometres per litre; so with the 13.5-litre tank, and having no fuel gauge, she sets her practical range without touching the selectable 1.5-litre reserve at about 250 kilometres. Typically cruising at 100-110 KPH on the open road she easily returns 22-24 KM/L for her pocketbook.
In mid-2001 the average petrol prices were about NZD 1.71-1.74.
Deirdre’s example comes with an aftermarket mid-height ‘sissy’ bar at the back of the bi-level saddle which is perfect for attaching her blue rucksack on the rear seat for commutes to and from work or modelling assignments and even on errands to the market and elsewhere. Only once does she carry her Land’s End duffel bag, atop the rear seat as she did with the Honda, the rucksack standing above, all secured with bungee cords and the bags’ straps. When carrying a passenger (in Epitome and beyond) she can hang two similarly-sized rucksacks off the back, carefully seated atop the taillight enclosure, one bag atop the other.
The XV500 proves very docile for a 49-KG (108-LB) teenager eager to establish and explore her independence in the moderately-urbanised Wellington metro region; and Deirdre Fox the well-liked up-and-coming commercial model learns to accept with characteristic aplomb and grace the admiration, attraction and envy of all.
Technical information: Motor Cycle Specs (MCS); www.motorcyclespecs.co.za
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