GS-Riders International

Ride Report Honda Varadero

The model I rode is the 2. incarnation sold from 2002 -2006. I rented it back in 2004.

This is the most smooth and comfortable from all adventure tourers. The build quality is above the Strom's, and partially even the GS's (which I had in South Africa). The Vara's stock suspension worked impressive for me, it more on the firmer side but overall still comfortable - as it should be. The engine power is sufficient, but one step behind of what the Strom offers. The engine is smooth with some disturbing vibes at higher rpm, which is not the operating range that is used often. If you think the Strom's engine is very smooth, then this one may be boring smooth. The long distance comfort is even better than the Strom's. Gravel roads capabilities are not much better than those of a street bike, which means poorer than the Strom's gravel road skills. The dashboard is of car-like design and quality. The front blinkers are integrated, etc etc. - as everything else is not fancy but making sense.

This item is one of the kind that you love when you ride it and not when you look at it. Later you love it also when you look at it.


Bad: The radiator location - big crash bars are a must. The black tank gets hot in summer.



The hand guards are big and leave sufficient space for the hand levers. The switches and levers are big, they feel solid and all have clear pressure points.



Stainless steel exhaust, not exactly a design highlight IMO



I like the clear instruments and indicator lights



The front blinkers are integrated



The rear blinkers are big as parachutes and have rubber stems. The rear rack is made from plastic!



The exhaust pipe is surprisingly tiny. The belly pan feels solid for a plastic part, and offers coverage.



ABS brakes - a step ahead. This works well.





The adjustable screen - a bit lesser turbulence but more noise means only marginally better than the Strom screen



Butt view also not sexy



The complete package




This report is about the MK2 version of the Varadero. MK1 was build from 1999 - 2002. MK1 had a much softer suspension, carburetors instead of fuel injection, significant higher fuel consumption, 5 gears only. Build quaility was sometimes not up to standard for the time after Honda changed production over to Spain. What was already present from the beginning are the long distance comfort, and the reliability.

Instead you could be soon thinking of swapping a Honda Cub engine (130 mpg) into one , with the prices for fuel and that what still will be coming to us shortly. :burp:

Quoted from "johnofchar"

RC51

I checked, RC51 is known in Europe as VTR1000. Yes, the Varadero engine is derived from this Honda engine. Similar as the V-Strom engine ancestor is the TL engine.

You see what Suzuki did? They copied Honda in hindsight of technical. For the ergonomics they took an intensive look at the GS, plus some other bits and pieces were taken form the Cagiva Navigator. Cagiva is the company who originally saw the potential of the TL engine. Then the Navigator of course was sentenced to death by the moment Suzuki built the V-Strom DL1000, since they did not make the modernized engine accessible to them. I am not trying to say its bad doing all this. But that's far away from what many people in the US think the V-Strom is, a revolutionary new motorcycle idea stepping on new territory. Suzuki was actually slow. The Honda Varadero was launched in 1999.

In 2008 the Vara 1000 still exists. The V-Strom 1000 production has ended already.

More info at the Honda V2 history page.