Road-testing the Honda XL1000 Varadero: If you were looking for an appropriate name for a motorcycle, would you call it "Shipyard"? That's what Varadero means in Spanish. Cubans would associate the name with a beach resort. What factors influence the marketing men who decide such things is always a mystery. Engineers stick to the model designation XL 1000.
In reality the Varadero XL 1000 is another of Mr Honda's offerings, and as we all know, he makes some exceedingly nice machines .
You can think of the Varadero as being son of the Africa Twin which was in production 1989-2003. Production started in 1999. Early models had a 5-speed gearbox, current models have 6 gears but, such is the high-torque of the Varadero that only fashion demands six gears. The top gear is unusable much below 100 km/h. Fuel-injection became standard in 2003.
It is a big, some would say monster, trail-type machine, with a de-tuned Firestorm V-twin engine. It's high, in terms of seat height, wide for the handlebars and rather handsome in its own way.
The seat height would be a problem for any who are not tall. For those who can manage the 838mm seat height, the reward is an excellent view! We felt, as soon as we sat on the bike: "Yes, they were thinking of me when they designed it," so comfortable did it feel. That feeling of rightness, of fitness for the purpose, increased by each succeeding mile.
We have wanted to sample the Varadero for a long while. It is the chosen mount for three riders whom I would regard as being at the upper end of the First XV in Ireland. One is an examiner for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, another an Advanced Instructor and the third romped home with effortless ease in first place in the 2001 Iron Butt Rally. A machine that holds their interest has to be rather special. It took a year to get our hands on one.
This big, bold machine just wafts along in, seemingly, the most relaxed of manners whilst showing a very clean pair of heels to almost everything else. At under 50 per cent of maximum revs it is already well over the legal maximum.
Thanks in part to the low-revving, high-torque, extremely well-balanced engine and the thoroughly effective fairing and windshield it never really seems to be going fast.
The linked brakes work well, the hand lever operates both front and rear brakes, the foot lever just works the back brake. The back brake seemed a little lacking in power. The mirrors are extremely well placed. The seat is comfortable, and our fastidious pillion tester's verdict was "very comfortable".
Our test bike had hand-guards but lacked heated grips which would have made the ride more pleasant on a chill winter's day. Really, for these northern latitudes and on a bike in this price range, heated grips should not be considered a luxury extra.
The other deficiency being the lack of a centre-stand, a serious defect for a chain-drive machine meant for long distance touring. Adjusting a chain on one's own without a centre stand is trying and tedious.
Owners we know have mentioned fuel consumption, averaging anything from 300 to 400 km to the 25 litre tank (6.25 to 8.33 litres/100 km). Earlier, carburettor versions are reportedly less economical than the current programmable fuel-injected ones. We have heard of tyres lasting up to 18,000 miles, which is exceptionally good for such a powerful machine. The only significant criticism we have heard is that most owners would prefer shaft-drive to chain drive.
The Varadero is in the same class as a number of other big trailies, the most likely comparison perhaps being BMW's R1200GS. The Varadero is a significant 36kg heavier. It produced 85bhp versus BMW's 87bhp. Torque at 69 lb ft is the same for both machines. Both 25 litre tanks give much the same range. Top speed is 131mph for the Varadero and 135 for the BMW. The 0-60mph time is 4.0 secs for the Vadero, and 3.7secs for the BMW. Seat heights are: Varadero 838mm and BMW 840-860mm.
Price is the notable difference - €13,068 including "setting-up charge" and delivery in the Dublin area for the Varadero, and €14,780 for the BMW. €1,712 is a significant difference of close on 14 per cent. For the kind of rider likely to appreciate the Varadero, this could represent three or four years insurance premiums, or over 100,000 kms worth of tyres.
Compared with the BMW the Varadero, is "older" in technology terms, as indeed might be expected of a machine introduced five years beforehand. It is demonstrably rugged and well-proven and typical of the best of Honda's quality. It very much has the feel of a machine that would last and last.
Tech Spec
ENGINE: 996cc fuel-injected DOHC V-twin. 94bho @ 8,000rpm and 72lb.ft @ 6,000rpm. Six speed gearbox, chain drive.
CHASSIS: Tubular steel spine frame. Telescopic front forks.. Rear: Pro-link with adjustable pre-load. Wheels: 19" front and 17" rear. Brakes: front, dual 296mm discs, rear single 256mm disc.
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 1,560mm. Seat height 838mm. Dry weight: 235kg. Fuel 25 litres.
PRICE: €12,999 + €39 setting up charge, and €30 delivery in Dublin area, or €75 elsewhere.