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Concept comparison Enduro versus Tourer

Much thick

It has been on the market for almost ten years and is still setting the standard for tourers: Honda’s ST 1100. Now it is facing homemade competition with the most powerful series enduro to date, the Varadero.

The indignant screams of the die-hard motorcycle tourists were of no use. “Soulless plastic structure, looks like a car, weighs too much,” were the most gracious insults when Honda launched the ST 1100 in 1990. No matter how upset they might be. Honda has designed the ST 1100, nicknamed Pan European, precisely for them. So for people for whom 5000 kilometers do not mean the annual average, but just a vacation trip. For motorcyclists who don’t travel Hamburg-Palermo with their fingers on the map, but rather take this route under their wheels.
It is now clear: Honda has hit the mark with the Pan developed in Europe. But it took a while until the generally conservative touring riders really wanted to take the ST 1100 to their hearts. She had to prove herself first, to make a name for herself. With an unparalleled 100,000-kilometer long-distance test (MOTORRAD 19/1992), self-experience during a test drive or word-of-mouth propaganda, it is known to be the best advertising.
And that’s exactly how it will be with the Varadero, any bet. What parallels. Honestly, did you take this bulbous appearance into your heart straight away? Love at first sight? No? This is how it will be for most motorcyclists. With the Varadero, Honda is moving light years away from the original enduro idea. What a huge motorcycle, what an expansive fairing. And then cast rims instead of spoked wheels. Not the touch of the rally image of an Africa Twin. Muted colors instead of wild war paint are intended to document solidity, but reinforce the (first) impression: it looks a bit clumsy, this Varadero, almost a bit built-in.
Compared to the ST 1100, with its 256 kilograms it is almost a featherweight. The Pan European weighs in at an impressive 328 kilograms. At first glance, you don’t trust the ST with this weight, but ultimately it not only houses a very smooth-running and (almost) indestructible V4 engine under its fairing, but also a number of other components: ABS combined with an integral brake system (CBS) and a Traction Control (TCS). Without these little helpers, the 1100 costs 3160 Marks less, but you should definitely treat yourself to the noticeable increase in security. However, the basic version with 23,935 marks is by no means a special offer.
When it comes to price, the Varadero has a clear lead. Tea difference to the ABS-equipped ST 1100 is a whopping 8605 marks. That is more than just small change for the postage. A soft cushion for the travel budget, a plus in vacation kilometers, inspections and rear tires, whose early death must be taken into account because of the potent two-cylinder. In addition, after almost ten years of construction, the ST is getting a bit old that cannot and must not be discussed away. BMW, for example, has overtaken the Honda ST 1100 with the G-Kat-equipped K 1200 RS in terms of chassis and engine power.
And compared to the in-house competition? Well, the Pan European shines with an almost reactive cardan drive, integrated case system and a main stand. Things that the over-Enduro Varadero has to fit in with. There is no cardan, but case and center stand will soon be offered as optional accessories. Hello Honda, a main stand as a special accessory that smells like penny-pinching. Has the chief calculator slipped his red pencil? What chassis, brakes? the enduro also has the CBS ?? and drive, thank God no savings were made.
Not even with the ST. It is still amazing how nimble and agile the colossus can be, as soon as you have pushed it off the main stand. The driver feels the heavy weight only to some extent. Not even with the tightest turns. No folding away, no disgusting self-steering of the gentle giant, but pure driving culture. Thanks to the stable chassis, it even goes along at a brisk pace without complaint. Guaranteed also by a very powerful engine, which exudes sovereignty at all times, even in two-person operation. The fact that the windshield is still not adjustable in height annoys smaller people, because they have to constantly look through the tinted windshield. Not funny at all in the rain and at night.
The Varadero offers both small and large contemporaries a balanced, long-distance workplace. Your seating comfort and wind protection are among the best that is offered ex works for travel enduros. And at night, its low beam illuminates the road significantly better than that of the ST. An important criterion in view of the intended use. Sometimes you want to move quickly even in the dark. Both offer above-average comfort for two people, as well as an enormous range, whereby the ST 1100 with its 28 liter tank is almost unrivaled.
Of course, the ST-V4 does not have the unbridled thrust of the Varadero drive. Simply breathtaking, this only mildly throttled sports engine that was taken over from the VTR 1000. Brought her the nickname »Kampfsau«. Also because of the ability of its chassis to take on poor terrain, combined with its amazing handiness.
D.he Varadero is perhaps not a motorcycle for the eyes, but one for the stomach. It tricks high tourer qualities with a hearty dose of excitement? if you want to. This is exactly what it has ahead of the ST 1100.

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