Varadaro

[Baz]

So we in the frozen North are getting the Varadaro this year at a reported 13 to 14 large. (Price to be released shortly)

Anyone know anything about these?

I sat on one at our local bike show and I didn't think it could be possible, but if felt bigger than a GSA.  It is a monster.

[Bad Dad]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-XL1000-Varadero-2001--current/?&R=EPI-336

[omsbitaro]

There is an interesting post in the ADVrider. See #189 by 'africa twin', who states working for Honda Ca.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=264396&page=13

[Baz]

MSN didn't give it huge reviews.

I sat on it at the show, and while it sparked my interest slightly, I didn't fall in love with it. I would put it close to the Strom but I didn't think it was competition for a GS.

It said somewhere in those blurbs that Honda plans to price it slightly less than a GS, and our local paper estimated it would be priced 13-14 grand, which is getting pretty close to a stock GS at $16,700.00.


I would spend the extra cash for a GS I think.

[Rigger]

I really liked the feel of the bike when I sat on it.  LOTS of room for my loooong legs.
The CBF1000 felt pretty good too,  and seat was in the lowest setting.

[Rincewind]

Honda must like Canada better than the US.  

Varadaro gets pretty good reviews in the UK bike press.  As I recall it is usually noted as being 'softer' than the other bikes in the category, making it more favorable for distance riding over sport riding.  The motor was shared with the VTR1000 Superhawk, with different throttle bodies or something (hopefully with better fuel mileage).  I think saying that 'it feels bigger than a GS' is due mostly to the additional body work on the Honda.  I saw one of these Varadaro's in NY state, and it didn't strike me as any larger than, say, a V-strom.

[spinalator]

There were a ton of Varadaroes in Ireland/UK when I was there last summer. Lots of GS's too.

[AJP]

I sat on one at the Montreal bike show...this thing is HUGE.  Way, way too big for me.  

[Baz]

I sat on one at the Montreal bike show...this thing is HUGE.  Way, way too big for me.  

My buddies and I were joking that we never thought it was possible to make a bike with more bulk than a GS, but Honda accomplished it!

It really didn't float my boat either.

[homebrew]

I see that Honda Canada has updated their site with an Adventure section for these bikes.
Nice to see something more than bold new graphics, even they're bikes that the rest of the world have been getting for years.
http://www.Honda.ca/adventure/en/