My 2008 Honda Varadero XL1000VA

Varaman · 16th March 2010, 21:39

This is a picture of the previous Varadero I used to own - it is a 2000 model, carburetted, twin, 5 gears... (The black one that I presently own and ride is the 2008 model which has 6 gears and is fuel injected). This red bike was a sweetheart and it was a tough decision to give her away to a friend. She is still in great nick and absolutely trouble-free... you can see why I am such a Vara fan, right?

theexperthand · 17th March 2010, 15:07

wow! great choice

have heard lot of good things about vara from a friends friend who own one in US. 20-22 is superb mileage for a 1L tourer.

Keep riding and keep posting the pics.

the new vara looks really grown up when compared to the 2000 model - and looks better too, IMHO.

Varaman · 17th March 2010, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by theexperthand

wow! great choice

have heard lot of good things about vara from a friends friend who own one in US. 20-22 is superb mileage for a 1L tourer.

Keep riding and keep posting the pics.

the new vara looks really grown up when compared to the 2000 model - and looks better too, IMHO.

I agree with you - the new Vara is much better looking in every way.

navpreet318 · 17th March 2010, 21:55

But the new 2010 Vara is a let down.looks smaller and has a 700cc vtwin mill now instead of the inline 1000cc.Looks like all new hopes would be now pinned on the upcoming 1200 cc inline twin yamaha XT1200

Varaman · 17th March 2010, 22:22

Navpreet, it looks like the 1000cc Varadero will be a continuing model in 2010 as well... see this link:
2010 Honda Varadero Motorcycle - Technical Specifications - Buy, Lease, Price - Edmonton | Pointe West Honda Powerhouse

The 700cc model may be getting introduced to eyeball the BMW 800GS, more as a brand flanking strategy. It will not replace the 1000cc twin.

black12rr · 17th March 2010, 22:37

I guess you imported yourself ,could you disclose how much OTR it was then and now recently ? ..please

.

BTW how do you service it ? what are the common things you need to replace and how do you source the parts ?

Dippy · 17th March 2010, 23:25

Thats a sweet looking bike Vara and its nice to see that you are using it for the purpose its meant to be. Though I'm not much of a bike person, I always find myself in the midst of big bikes thanks to my brother who's a biker himself. We've had some nice machines in our garage over the past few years. I'm sure he'll give his comments when he sees this thread.

Looking forward to regular updates here. Ride safe and hope to see it in the flesh soon someday.

theragingbull · 18th March 2010, 00:07

hey Varaman! I had spotted a Varadero in Bandra on 25h Feb. Is this you?

Link:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post1751811

preetam_KORG · 18th March 2010, 01:59

I spoke about this to Varaman about this but he did not reply. Vara, are you listening bro?

NOTE : The bike you spotted surely has the aftermarket setup for the exhaust, maybe the akrapovic, I may be wrong here. But that bike looks a bit different, and the rider also seems to be wearing a different gear. Lets see what Varaman has to say.

Varaman · 18th March 2010, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by preetam_KORG

I spoke about this to Varaman about this but he did not reply. Vara, are you listening bro?

NOTE : The bike you spotted surely has the aftermarket setup for the exhaust, maybe the akrapovic, I may be wrong here. But that bike looks a bit different, and the rider also seems to be wearing a different gear. Lets see what Varaman has to say.

Yup, that's me alright - I was taking the Vara to Johny's to get the engine oil replaced and a few other tinkering jobs. I usually wear my AGV helmet when I go to Johny's because I do not have any qualms about tossing it around in the garage - I treat my Joe Rocket Carbon helmet with kid gloves and only use it for serious riding trips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navpreet318

But the new 2010 Vara is a let down.looks smaller and has a 700cc vtwin mill now instead of the inline 1000cc.Looks like all new hopes would be now pinned on the upcoming 1200 cc inline twin yamaha XT1200

Navpreet - I am relieved to find out that the 700cc bike you have referred is not the 2010 Varadero, but another model. See this link
2010 Honda NT700V: Deauville comes stateside - Hell For Leather
The 2010 Varadero will remain pretty much the same 1000cc tourer, probably with some cosmetic upgrades...

Quote:

Originally Posted by black12rr

I guess you imported yourself ,could you disclose how much OTR it was then and now recently ? ..please

.

BTW how do you service it ? what are the common things you need to replace and how do you source the parts ?

Hi, please read my earlier post in this thread - I have answered your questions in my reply to another BHP-ian

navpreet318 · 18th March 2010, 10:10

Well the thing was that i could not spot the 100cc bike on the official honda website.that was the reason for concern.

Sport Touring - Honda Powersports

Funny that even in the link that you have posted-

http://moto.pointewesthonda.com/en/n...rim=&year=2010

It shows the engine as a V2 and not an inline twin as you say.So is it a V-twin or a Inline twin?

Infact here is a review of the 2008 Varadero and it says a 996cc V-twin.

http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2008/06...ew-zen-tourer/

Varaman · 18th March 2010, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by navpreet318

Well the thing was that i could not spot the 100cc bike on the official honda website.that was the reason for concern.

Sport Touring - Honda Powersports

Funny that even in the link that you have posted-

2010 Honda Varadero Motorcycle - Technical Specifications - Buy, Lease, Price - Edmonton | Pointe West Honda Powerhouse

It shows the engine as a V2 and not an inline twin as you say.So is it a V-twin or a Inline twin?

Infact here is a review of the 2008 Varadero and it says a 996cc V-twin.

OneWheelDrive.Net 2008 Honda Varadero Review – Zen-Tourer

It is a V-Twin...

The reason for not spotting the 1000cc Vara on the first website in your post is quite simple - the Varadero is primarily popular in Europe; it has not been introduced into the US as yet for reasons I cannot fathom! The Vara is manufactured in Honda's Spain factory only. If I am correct, the Vara has been introduced into Canada only recently and is on its way to becoming accepted as a fine tourer there. Hope this answers.

navpreet318 · 18th March 2010, 21:58

Yep thanks for the answer.Great motorcycle this is.I wish a reliable Jap bike like this is in production by the time i'm able to add this as my second Big CC bike.

windiesel · 21st March 2010, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varaman

This is a picture of the previous Varadero I used to own - it is a 2000 model, carburetted, twin, 5 gears... (The black one that I presently own and ride is the 2008 model which has 6 gears and is fuel injected). This red bike was a sweetheart and it was a tough decision to give her away to a friend. She is still in great nick and absolutely trouble-free... you can see why I am such a Vara fan, right?

Thought you'll be a just out of the Teens kinda guy, nice to find that you're no spring chicken!! Keep riding, the real fun is on two wheels......

Varaman · 21st March 2010, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by windiesel

Thought you'll be a just out of the Teens kinda guy, nice to find that you're no spring chicken!! Keep riding, the real fun is on two wheels......

Oddly, I feel as young as a spring chicken even at 53 ... I think age is mostly in the mind... I will have my riding gear for many more years to come... insha-Varadero

16th March 2010, 21:39	#31
Varaman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pune, India Posts: 86 Thanked: 30 Times	This is a picture of the previous Varadero I used to own - it is a 2000 model, carburetted, twin, 5 gears... (The black one that I presently own and ride is the 2008 model which has 6 gears and is fuel injected). This red bike was a sweetheart and it was a tough decision to give her away to a friend. She is still in great nick and absolutely trouble-free... you can see why I am such a Vara fan, right? Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 15:07	#32
theexperthand Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,633 Thanked: 2,448 Times View My Garage	wow! great choice have heard lot of good things about vara from a friends friend who own one in US. 20-22 is superb mileage for a 1L tourer. Keep riding and keep posting the pics. the new vara looks really grown up when compared to the 2000 model - and looks better too, IMHO. Last edited by theexperthand : 17th March 2010 at 15:09.
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 21:55	#34
navpreet318 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dehradun Posts: 2,264 Thanked: 2,983 Times	But the new 2010 Vara is a let down.looks smaller and has a 700cc vtwin mill now instead of the inline 1000cc.Looks like all new hopes would be now pinned on the upcoming 1200 cc inline twin yamaha XT1200
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 22:22	#35
Varaman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pune, India Posts: 86 Thanked: 30 Times	Navpreet, it looks like the 1000cc Varadero will be a continuing model in 2010 as well... see this link: 2010 Honda Varadero Motorcycle - Technical Specifications - Buy, Lease, Price - Edmonton \| Pointe West Honda Powerhouse The 700cc model may be getting introduced to eyeball the BMW 800GS, more as a brand flanking strategy. It will not replace the 1000cc twin.
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 22:37	#36
black12rr Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ridin earth now Posts: 1,278 Thanked: 339 Times	I guess you imported yourself ,could you disclose how much OTR it was then and now recently ? ..please . BTW how do you service it ? what are the common things you need to replace and how do you source the parts ?
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 23:25	#37
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,558 Thanked: 2,462 Times	Thats a sweet looking bike Vara and its nice to see that you are using it for the purpose its meant to be. Though I'm not much of a bike person, I always find myself in the midst of big bikes thanks to my brother who's a biker himself. We've had some nice machines in our garage over the past few years. I'm sure he'll give his comments when he sees this thread. Looking forward to regular updates here. Ride safe and hope to see it in the flesh soon someday.
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 00:07	#38
theragingbull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,601 Thanked: 646 Times View My Garage	hey Varaman! I had spotted a Varadero in Bandra on 25h Feb. Is this you? Link: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post1751811
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 01:59	#39
preetam_KORG BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kolkata Posts: 700 Thanked: 385 Times View My Garage	I spoke about this to Varaman about this but he did not reply. Vara, are you listening bro? NOTE : The bike you spotted surely has the aftermarket setup for the exhaust, maybe the akrapovic, I may be wrong here. But that bike looks a bit different, and the rider also seems to be wearing a different gear. Lets see what Varaman has to say.
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 10:10	#41
navpreet318 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dehradun Posts: 2,264 Thanked: 2,983 Times	Well the thing was that i could not spot the 100cc bike on the official honda website.that was the reason for concern. Sport Touring - Honda Powersports Funny that even in the link that you have posted- http://moto.pointewesthonda.com/en/n...rim=&year=2010 It shows the engine as a V2 and not an inline twin as you say.So is it a V-twin or a Inline twin? Infact here is a review of the 2008 Varadero and it says a 996cc V-twin. http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2008/06...ew-zen-tourer/ Last edited by navpreet318 : 18th March 2010 at 10:16.
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 21:58	#43
navpreet318 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dehradun Posts: 2,264 Thanked: 2,983 Times	Yep thanks for the answer.Great motorcycle this is.I wish a reliable Jap bike like this is in production by the time i'm able to add this as my second Big CC bike.
	() Thanks