Honda Varadero 1000 XLV motorcycle test

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Maxi-Trail with a road vocation

The Honda XL 1000 V Varadero, which appeared in 1998, is the heir to the famous Africa Twin … but the manufacturer has decided to give this machine a more road vocation than really any road. Since its creation and after improvements in both aesthetic and mechanical terms (especially an injection engine in 2006), the Varadero has carved out an excellent reputation for reliability and devouring kilometers..

At the same time, the competition has metamorphosed (BMW R 1200 GS, Ducati 1200 Multistrada and Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere) and currently offers machines that are increasingly powerful and sharper in the cycle part, although based on this same synonymous geometry. adventure… the maxi trail. The winged adventurer is still traveling?

Honda XL 1000 V Varadero on road

Discovery

The Varadero is impressive. Both its vocation and its important fairings contribute to its imposing appearance. It also conveys a strong feeling of quality and solidity. The design associated with the titanium brown engine color is particularly qualitative and the whole, with the new design of the optics, is dynamic. In short, it’s a real Honda !

Varadero logo

The saddle is particularly welcoming, both for the rider and the passenger and its coating limits any slipping.

The XL 1000 model was last reworked in 2007 in terms of the seat – redesigned saddle and reworked ergonomics – protection – new bubble limiting eddies and allowing to ride "open visor", adjustable in three positions (variation of 5 cm in height ) -, aluminum engine guard, storage compartment – a small compartment is on the right side of the fork crown and locks. and finally aesthetic with a host of details: optical assembly, rear plate and mudguard, integrated indicators, pot trim, rear shell…

Unfortunately, the road orientation of this model was not followed up to the luggage carrier. Also acting as a passenger handle, it is not perforated and can no longer be used as a tie-down point for straps. There are still 4 hooks for turnbuckles.

Tank and bag on Honda XL 1000 V Varadero

The metal tank allows you to take a magnetic bag … a good point for this traveler.

The shock absorber is easily adjustable, even when driving, accessible under the saddle, left side. The front fender rises high on the fork tubes, protecting the tubes and seals.

The trellis-type frame is made of rectangular section steel tubes.

Also note the cooling system with double side radiators from the sporty VTR 1000 as well as the famous 996 cm3 engine, with double ACT and 4 valves per cylinder, reworked to better satisfy the trail philosophy which requires torque and more sensitive acceleration at low and medium speeds.

In the saddle

The Varadero is high … 838 mm in the saddle. For those under 1.80m, it will be difficult to put your feet flat and therefore to maneuver. Because at a standstill, the full 276.7 kgs trail running is particularly sensitive. With experience, things improve greatly. In any case, this height has an advantage: a very good vision of the environment, very pleasant on a daily basis..

Forest roads and Honda XL 1000 V Varadero

The dashboard, although well finished, is rather sad with a very / too sober automotive type inspiration. Although complete and readable, it betrays the weight of years.

LCD screens overlook the two classic counters, tachometer and engine speed. We find the instantaneous consumption and a mileage count of the distance remaining to be covered when switching to reserve, two daily trips, an odometer, an engine thermometer. Note the HISS immobilizer. On the other hand, there is no fuel gauge. The contrast and size of these screens are a bit low and, as on many motorcycles, the speedometer blocks should be placed higher, especially when a tank bag is fitted. We would like to have the very good ergonomics of the Transalp.

Speedometer Honda XL 1000 V Varadero

The mirrors offer a wide field of vision. On the protection side, the screen is very high, the hand guards (a little plastic) are effective.

The controls are standard, but the flashing / light unit deserves to be redesigned and the controls re-sized because they are a bit small.

Contact ! After the hiss of the injection awakening, the twin snorts in a friendly growl and the exhausts distill a very nice music, not too present but well asserted…

In the city

From the first few meters, the charm acts: the elephant becomes a ballerina and places itself with precision and ease in traffic. The cars are dominated and the trail lights are all the more noticeable to other road users. First surprise: the Varadero dives very little under braking for a trail … and yet here, no Telever or even reverse suspension. On the contrary, it is a conventional 43 mm fork, without adjustment (!) Which equips this model. Really and positively surprising! Mass transfer remains contained.

The gearbox is precise and smooth, like the clutch, but the change from 1 ° to 2 ° must be affirmed, at the risk of sometimes causing a neutral point.

The engine is very flexible especially for a twin, but generates, in 2nd gear, injection jerks when moving at low speed. We prefer to stay in 3 or even 4, which allows to hold a 50 km / h at 2,000 rpm.

Honda XL 1000 V Varadero in town

Motorway and expressways

Particularly effective, fairing and bubble allow to cross with ease and (almost) happiness on the motorway. You will be bored there, of course, but in Pullman comfort, which is important to endure the parade of the kilometers.

Even with passengers and luggage, the particularly successful gearbox arrangement is enchanting with each rotation of the right handle. At 130 km / h, the engine purrs at 4,500 RPM on 6th gear … precisely the pace which gives it frank reminders. At 5500 rpm you will then appreciate at 160 km / h all the effectiveness of the protective elements. You hardly feel anything. Only a few vibrations appear, a little numbing after … 300 km! But we are still 3,500 laps from the red zone … another 1,000 laps (6,500) and you’re flirting with 190 km / h, 1,000 more and it’s the 205 km / h mark. .and there are some left! But there, loaded and with a last over-drive report, it will take time to go up further … So try solo…

Honda Varadero 1000 on a small winding road

Departmental

Let’s quickly quit these awful soothing ribbons to take advantage of Miss Varadero’s full potential. This is where this machine deploys all its seduction.

The V-Twin of fire the VTR tows without downtime from 4 to 8,500 revs in a titillating hum. As a seasoned music lover, you will be keen to explore the wide variety of ranges offered by this torquey and powerful engine, offering it voluptuous road ranges.

It will be advisable, on the most tortured portions, to choose the 3rd and 4th gear (sometimes even the 2nd hairpin) and thus keep the needle of the tachometer above 3500 revolutions. You will then leap from bends in curves, taking advantage of the large handlebars to swing the machine and further polishing the lugs of the toe clips..

Honda 1000 Varadero in a corner

As soon as the horizon clears up, we can pass 5th but no more, because the overdrive effect of 6th gear penalizes raises too much. You will go through a long curve at full speed, enjoying a very healthy part of the cycle. But not perfect…

Really cut out for the road, the Varadero will just admit its limits in off-road. Do you doubt it? 277 kg in running order is not bad. High perched and with a passenger and a few pieces of luggage, it is necessary to manage more than 400 kg on improbable terrain … Exits off asphalt will therefore be limited to easy terrain without obstacles.

Part-cycle

A more common look, the Varadero turns out to be a bitumen eraser, erasing the imperfections of the road. Comfort is still and always present by increasing the pace … but we are approaching the limits of the XL. Because when it comes to the fork, in sport driving, it’s more L or even M-oyen … with a lack of rigor and cohesion between front and rear. It is therefore difficult to enter full pot in a bend. There follows, even solo, some darting when the big attack is released and the rear tire kicks in. The trajectory also tends to widen slightly. This lack of rigor is mainly due to the standard non-adjustable fork. And yet, with such an engine, it is easy to forget that it is not the VTR with real inclinations to open…

Brakes Honda XL 1000 V Varadero

Braking

This machine is equipped with the ABS and Dual CBS system, of which we can only say the greatest good in terms of efficiency, comfort and safety. The actuation of the pedal causes a distribution of the braking on the rear but also on the front and vice versa, with these advantages: reduction of the phenomenon of diving when braking from the front and possible braking power increased thanks to to decrease in diving.

The feeling is a bit soft, but effective. Efficient but lacking in bite, associated with a fork which, in “sporty” driving becomes too flexible, we would like sharper brakes. Coupled braking and ABS certainly make it possible to demand more from the rest of the chassis and thus benefit from a more marked slowing down when the brakes are applied.

Comfort / Duo

An indisputable point of the Varadero: comfort in any situation. The passenger benefits from good handles integrated into the luggage carrier. Its saddle is contoured for better comfort and limits slipping. The legs are slightly bent and the bubble protects well.

The excellent health of the V-Twin makes it possible to play with unexpected hills and overtaking, as its availability and torque are present..

Honda XL 1000 Varadero in the countryside

Consumption

When traveling at a good pace, in duo and loaded, the average consumption is only 6.4 l / 100 km … a very good performance, associated with a tank of 25 liters including 4 of reserve. The autonomy is therefore rather pleasant: more than 300 kilometers off reserve and nearly 400 km with…

Roads and Honda XL 1000 V Varadero

Conclusion

XL … this name is really the right one for this endearing and powerful bike. Once again, the Honda consensus is working to its fullest and calls for little criticism by being consistent and perfect in daily evolution. The Varadero only shows its limits when the pace picks up, with a cycle part that no longer follows, especially compared to the competition. But is this its niche? We would rather see the Varadero with a gimbal to go very far and long without maintenance. We would appreciate just a little more torque and power – while retaining proven technologies and therefore less expensive – to keep its current low price..

Now, at 11,290 € in promotion with the Dual-CBS, the Varadero is quite simply the cheapest maxi-trail on the market, with the quality and assurance of a homogeneous machine that has proven itself. Because for once, the little news pushes the plug quite far (more than 14,100 € for a BMW 1200 GS, more than 15,000 € for a standard Multistrada, more than 15,000 for a Super Tenere …! And with the " options »ABS, heated grips and others, we easily reach € 18,000…

A tiny flick of the magic wand could erase its few shortcomings and transform this faithful companion into an unforgettable mistress … the wings of happiness…?

Strong points

  • Homogeneity
  • Comfort / Duo
  • Protection
  • Price

Weak points

  • The template: weight + saddle height
  • Front fork

Competitors: BMW R1200GS, Ducati Mutlistrada 1200, Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200, KTM 990 Adventure, Suzuki VStrom 1000, Yamaha TDM 900, Yamaha Super Tenere 1200

The Varadero technical sheet

Honda Varadero 1000 owner reviews

Your reactions on the test forum

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