Used Review: Honda Varadero

Pity the poor Varadero. Criticised for being ugly, ridiculed for having no fuel gauge and also poo-pooed as being less characterful and capable than its older brother the Africa Twin. But all is not lost. Many owners love the punchy FireStorm motor, the comfort the bike provides, the quality of the finish, its general largesse and the sheer unburstable nature that the 'flying wing' logo provides.

Launched in 1999, the Varadero was named after a beach resort in Cuba and utilised the VTR1000F FireStorm motor. It used smaller carbs and a larger flywheel to lower the out-right power and boost the already impressive grunt levels. The bike stayed the same until the introduction of a smoother-styled replacement in early 2003, which also featured fuel-injection for the first time and a sixth gear. Whichever model you choose, you're buying a typically solid Honda which should last forever - if you keep it as clean as a Chuckle Brothers joke.

BRAKES:

On the big XL1000V, CBS gives a reassuring feeling. This was due to the system being tweaked and having a delay valve for smoother front brake operation. Do check the bike you want to buy has had the recall done.

FORKS:

A weak point. The forks are traditionally a little soft. The best bet is to get the wonderful people at Hagon to supply some progressive springs and 10wt fork oil. The feel of the bike is transformed and all for well under £100. See also Shock (6) and Handling (10).

ENGINE:
The motor is derived from the Honda FireStorm sports bike. In this guise it's under-stressed and absolutely bullet proof. Considering the uses that most owners put the XL1000V to, such as haulin' ass on motorways, the motor is plenty flexible, pulling strongly even from low revs in a high gear. Max power is circa 85bhp at around 7700rpm.

STALLING:
The pre-injected models suffer a little between services, according to some owners. Have the carbs balanced again, or raise the tickover by just 100rpm.

CLUNKY/STIFF GEARCHANGE:

A number of people report that the 'box can be a little stiff, but aside from that there are no major problems. Check on the test ride.

REAR SHOCK:
Many XLV1000s do a lot of hard work, especially if you regularly tour two-up, so it's important you sort the suspension out for a few hundred quid. It's better value than buying a set of loud pipes. Trust us.

FINISH:
While we're on the subject of rear shocks, one thing that has been apparent with the models we've looked at is that the finish on the shocks could be better. Many we've seen have been a little tarnished.

TOO SHORT FOR THE VARADERO?
Owners on the large side love the fact that it's so big and imposing, while those short in stature say it's difficult to get on and ride. If you are short then don't fear, as you can get a lowering kit for it. Try www.performancemotorcycleparts.co.uk then look under the menu A-Z for lowering kits.

COMFORT:
It has to be said, the Varadero is more comfortable than a mug of tea and a good book on a cold, rainy night.

HANDLING:
The slightly vague feeling from the front end is kinda normal. But, if you're test-riding a private bike, do check with the owner if the suspension is standard and what settings it's on. A better handling bike can be only a turn or two of preload away.

USED VALUES:
Used values have remained strong up to now. There are plenty of deals to be had on pre-registered bikes, but Honda has just announced a list price drop down to £6999, which may afffect used sales.

AFTERMARKET PARTS:
There's a plethora of kit available for the 'Dero, most of it aimed at making the bike even more useful than standard. You've got bigger screens, knuckle guards, heated grips, bash-plates and the like.

FUEL ECONOMY:
The first version with five-speeds, big carbs and a smaller tank has trouble doing the sort of miles to match the considerable levels of comfort. The 2003-on machine is better. Look at anything between 190-230 miles on a single tank.

RECALLS:
We've found two recalls affecting the Varadero. One from 2003-on is to do with a seal problem in a control valve in the CBS linked brake system, which could lead to a fluid leak. The other is an incorrectly welded pivot piece on the side-stand which can prevent the side-stand cut-out switch from working. Owners report that in both circumstances paperwork proving the recall checks were made sometimes wasn't issued. Check with Honda UK that the work has been done.

TYRES:
Old favourites such as Bridgestone Trail Wings, Michelin Anakee and Metzeler Tourances are the main choice for owners, but newer offerings such as the ContiEscape are also proving to be popular replacements. Bridgestone's new Battle Wing has also just become available and it provides a cross-over between the firm's road rubber and trailie-based knobblies, even though they're actually much more of a road tyre.

WHAT WE SAID AT THE TIME:

"Flexible and smooth, and pulls on a whiff of throttle from just 2000rpm in sixth. This is a very capable big trailie, but it's a little bland compared to the competition." Niall Mackenzie, updated Varadero launch, February 2003

"Does everything well, but it lacks a little character and is too smooth and refined to be fun. Build quality is superb, but the CBS feels wooden and there's no fuel gauge!" Alex Hearn, Valley of the Giants test, February 2004

"The Varadero is a touring bike with long legs and a healthy range. It gobbled up the miles, handled well and is comfortable. But it is extremely ugly and more than a bit boring" Colin Goodwin, Not the Arctic Monkeys test, April 2006

HOW MUCH MISTER?

All our prices are sourced from trade and private ads in a variety of publications. Read it, believe it.

BIKE: Honda Varadero (1999-'02)

COLOURS: orange/silver, gold/silver, red/silver, black/silver, blue/silver

PRICE NEW: £7299

PRICE NOW: £2500-£4200

COMMENTS: all-new machine in the big-trailie mould. Inside the VTR1000 FireStorm-donated motor the Varadero used a larger flywheel and smaller 42mm carbs, as opposed to the 48mm ones used on the 'Storm, to boost low-down delivery at the expense of a less necessary top end. Looks are those only a mother could love. Only the foolhardy should take the machine off-road, but the 'Dero has serious long distance credentials

BIKE: Honda Varadero (2003-on)

COLOURS: blue/silver, silver, blue/black, silver/black, blue, tricolour (red, white, blue), black

PRICE NEW: £ 7399 (2005 non-ABS) £6999 (2006 - ABS equipped)

PRICE NOW: £3800-£6999. A limited number of non-ABS tri-colour versions are available at £6500

COMMENTS: major update comes with improved bodywork and aesthetics, a bigger fuel tank, a sixth-gear and more optional accessories than you can throw your cheque-book at. Most of that lot conspires to make the Varadero an even more adept long distance tool, with increased fuel range thanks to the larger tank, while the taller sixth gear means longer-legged, lower-revving cruising and less of a thirst for unleaded. Hardly a looker though, despite supposed cosmetic enhancements

Pity the poor Varadero. Criticised for being ugly, ridiculed for having no fuel gauge and also poo-pooed as being less characterful and capable than its older brother the Africa Twin. But all is not lost. Many owners love the punchy FireStorm motor, the comfort the bike provides, the quality of the finish, its general largesse and the sheer unburstable nature that the 'flying wing' logo provides.

Launched in 1999, the Honda Varadero was named after a beach resort in Cuba and utilised the VTR1000F FireStorm motor. It used smaller carbs and a larger flywheel to lower the out-right power and boost the already impressive grunt levels.

The Varadero stayed the same until the introduction of a smoother-styled replacement in early 2003, which also featured fuel-injection for the first time and a sixth gear.

Whichever model you choose, you're buying a typically solid Honda which should last forever - if you keep it as clean as a Chuckle Brothers joke.

BRAKES:
On the big XL1000V, CBS gives a reassuring feeling. This was due to the system being tweaked and having a delay valve for smoother front brake operation. Do check the bike you want to buy has had the recall done.

FORKS:
A weak point. The forks are traditionally a little soft. The best bet is to get the wonderful people at Hagon to supply some progressive springs and 10wt fork oil. The feel of the bike is transformed and all for well under £100. See also Shock (6) and Handling (10).

ENGINE:
The Varadero motor is derived from the Honda FireStorm sports bike. In this guise it's under-stressed and absolutely bullet proof. Considering the uses that most owners put the XL1000V to, such as haulin' ass on motorways, the motor is plenty flexible, pulling strongly even from low revs in a high gear. Max power is circa 85bhp at around 7700rpm.

STALLING:
The pre-injected models suffer a little between services, according to some owners. Have the carbs balanced again, or raise the tickover by just 100rpm.

CLUNKY/STIFF GEARCHANGE:
A number of people report that the 'box can be a little stiff, but aside from that there are no major problems. Check on the test ride.