The Beloved Yamaha Raven - History and Overview of This Iconic Beginner Motorcycle

The History of Yamaha Raven Motorcycles

The Yamaha Raven line of motorcycles has quite a storied history. First introduced in 1985 as an entry-level cruiser model, the Yamaha Raven bikes were designed to capture younger riders looking for an affordable, yet stylish machine to cruise city streets.

The Origins of Yamaha Raven

The first Yamaha Raven hit the North American market in 1985 as the Yamaha Virago 250. It was a nimble, retro-styled cruiser that featured a powerful 60-degree V-twin engine housed within a double cradle steel tube frame.

Compared to bulky American cruisers of the time, the Virago 250 was quite lithe and maneuverable. Yet it still had the throwback styling that many riders sought, with its chrome staggered mufflers, large front fender, pullback handlebars, and peanut style gas tank.

Early Success, A Growing Following

The Yamaha Virago 250 proved to be instantly popular with new and smaller riders looking for a cool, heritage-inspired cruiser. Throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s, the Virago 250 maintained strong sales thanks to its reputation for being well-built, reliable, and incredibly fuel efficient.

Over time, the bike gained an ardent cult following. Owners formed active internet forums and enthusiast groups dedicated to customization ideas and maintenance tips for the Virago 250. Thanks to this grassroots support and loyalty, the bike's success continued even amid shifting markets.

A New Name & Continued Evolution

In 1998 Yamaha changed the name of the Virago 250 to the Yamaha Raven. This aligned the model with Yamaha's larger line of "Star" branded cruisers. But the name change did little to dampen enthusiasm for this spunky beginner bike.

Yamaha continued updating the Raven in the early 2000s to meet tightening emissions standards. Fuel injection replaced the bike's carburetors in some markets. But despite the updates, Yamaha managed to retain the Raven's retro styling and versatility.

Owning and Riding a Yamaha Raven

Over nearly 40 years and countless iterations, the essence of what makes the Yamaha Raven so beloved has remained remarkably unchanged. It continues to be a nimble and efficient cruiser perfect for around-town riding and weekend adventures.

Affordability and Ease of Ownership

A huge part of the Raven's appeal centers on affordability and operating costs. With an MSRP usually around $4,000 USD, these bikes represent one of the most cost-effective ways into motorcycle ownership.

Additionally, the Raven's smaller 250cc engine means stellar gas mileage - 70+ mpg is not uncommon. Maintenance costs are reasonable with a simple air-cooled engine and basic components. And finding spare parts is easy given the bike's long production history.

Perfect for New Riders

Many motorcyclists got started on a Yamaha Raven, and for good reason. The bike's low seat height, narrow chassis, and light overall weight (under 350 pounds wet) make it exceptionally approachable for novice riders.

The torquey V-twin engine provides smooth, predictable power delivery without being overwhelming. And the relaxed, feet-forward riding ergonomics provide a feeling of security when learning to control the bike.

Customization Potential

The Yamaha Raven also appeals to more seasoned riders who appreciate the bike's potential for customization and modification. With an aftermarket focused on these bikes spanning nearly 40 years, the variety of bolt-on parts is vast.

From cosmetic upgrades like new paint jobs and leather saddlebags to more performance-oriented mods like high-flow exhaust and revised carb jetting, the Raven lends itself extremely well to personalization.

The Current State of Yamaha Ravens

As emission regulations tightened further in the late 2010s, Yamaha was once again forced to update its trusty Raven line. In 2018 the last carbureted models were phased out in favor of fuel injected 250cc and 350cc variants.

Disappointing Developments

Unfortunately for longtime Raven fans, Yamaha also chose to move production of the new fuel injected models overseas. The bike lost its "Made in Japan" status, along with some of its bulletproof reputation for quality.

These changes sparked mixed responses from owners, many who felt that the Raven lost some of its character and charm. Aftermarket parts and support slowed as well, dampening the enthusiasm around custom builds.

The Future Remains Uncertain

Despite the recent setbacks, Yamaha continues building and selling Ravens in overseas markets like Australia and Thailand. For other regions though, the Raven's fate remains murkier.

With Yamaha focusing attention on expanding other beginner-friendly models like the Bolt cruiser, and with stricter emissions regulations looming in markets like North America and Europe, the once mighty Raven faces real uncertainty moving forward.

But no matter what the future holds, the plucky Yamaha Raven has already cemented its status as one of the most approachable and customizable cruisers of the past 40 years for countless riders the world over.

FAQs

When was the Yamaha Raven first introduced?

The original Raven, known then as the Virago 250, was first sold by Yamaha in 1985 as an affordable and stylish cruiser option targeting newer riders.

What engine size is in most Yamaha Ravens?

From the 1980s until the late 2010s, Ravens were powered by proven air-cooled 250cc 60-degree V-twin engines. In recent years fuel-injected 250cc and 350cc variants have been offered outside North America.

Why has the Raven been popular with custom motorcycle builders?

With almost 40 years on the market, a wealth of affordable aftermarket parts exist for the Raven. Everything from cosmetic upgrades to performance modifications are widely available.

Is the Yamaha Raven still being manufactured as of 2023?

While production continues overseas, Yamaha no longer builds Ravens for sale in several key markets due to tightening emissions regulations. The Raven's future in North America and Europe remains uncertain presently.

Why has the Raven proven so popular with new riders over the years?

A combination of the bike's low seat height, relaxed ergonomics, smooth power delivery from its V-twin engine, and lightweight maneuverable handling has made the Raven an ideal starter bike for decades.