Honda XL1000 Varadero (2001-current)

Seriously need to update this review i've had other bikes from a 350lc rd to a xjr 1300 also had a triumph tiger 955i this bike puts a grin on my face i dont think its boring its fast enough to keep up with my mates on the muscle bikes and speed triples good in the twisties as long as you dont push to hard comfy mile muncher after along ride i dont feel tired out reasonable milage to a tank better then the xjr 1300 the wife loves the pillion seat high up commanding view over all the best bike i've owned for touring on and having an adventure mines an 08 picked it up for £4200 with less than 8500 miles on the clock with honda luggage heated grips and touring screen just going to add crash bars a real bargin compared toa GS 1150 or 1200

Having owned 4 Blackbirds I decided it was time for a change so I brought a Vara.Well going from a smooth 4 cylinder onto a twin was a big difference and a surprise.I then went over to the TT on it and by the time I got back home I decided it at to go and I traded it in for my 5th BB.It felt brilliant once again to have all that power and a silky smooth engine. Life felt great.Anyway 18months later I rode up to the HU meeting in Ripley at a very conservative speed making sure that I did not get nicked had a great week end. Listened to the tales of adventures carried out on all sorts of bikes many of them being small ones and then again rode home very steadly.Anyway after that every time I went out on the bike I rode it at a very steady speed and quite honestly felt a bit of an idiot in doing so,so I thought that it was time again for a change of bike.So guess what I brought yes another Vara.Why ! Because it was a lot of bike for the price.It has the reliability and quality of a Honda and in comparison to the market lead a GS1200 its great value.I love the riding position and comfort and even though some say its a bit wallowly on the bends I am no knee down merchant so its not a problem.Just recently I met up with 2 friends who ride 1400 Kwackers and the Vara parked next to them did look a bit of a wimp but do you know what when we rode off and they quickly disappeared into the horizon after initially wishing I was up there with them I suddenly realised that I was enjoying the ride at my speed so that must say something surely.Oh yes and I did not have that awful feeling of getting caught doing a ridiculous speed.If your thinking of getting an Adventure Bike with limited funds then give a Vara a try because you really will be surprised at how good it is.

I have ridden bikes over a 35 year period. Last machine owned was an 08 Hayabusa.The Varadero returns average 48 mpg if ridden normally.Comfort and reliability are not in question. I sometimes wonder why the MCN don't update their qouted figures.........

I owned a Varadero on a T plate for two and a half years. A very good bike but its top heavy. Once you put the three cases on it it becomes dangerously top heavy. On a recent tour to Devon I lost it twice at very very low speeds because it's centre of gravity wad far too high.

I bought my '99 Varadero about a year ago, after searching for something easy and comfortable to ride. After years on sports bikes and sports tourers, it was the last throw of the dice before I gave up riding on the road altogether. And thank God I bought it! Even for an 11 year old bike, it runs brilliantly, is extremely comfortable, and even for a shortie like me (5'8") is so easy to ride. OK, pushing the bike around isn't easy, and it is pretty top heavy, but once moving it's a doddle. As with most Honda's, build quality is excellent, and it certainly doesn't look 11 years old. I've since fitted a top box and panniers, and Arrow cans (I couldn't help myself!). The only faults with the bike are it needs a 6th gear (which the bike got in 03) and the back shock is very soggy, but thats probably old age! Next on the list is a Hagon. All in all, can't fault the old girl, and when she goes a newer Varadero will probably be sitting in the garage.

well 7 years on ive bought another varadero in between ive run 1150 gs 1200 gs vee strom 1k and 650 ... this is a long legged tourer sure it heavy to push around but over walking pace its a doddle to ride a few simple extras if not already fitted ..make this bike a zen tourer the engine is a peach it can feel lazy when cruising along but open the taps and it will shove the beast along at a pleasing velosity it suspension is pretty soft but i reacon theve got it right ..to the point where you look to put it over potholes to check how good it is bumpy b and d roads are a pleasure me old carbie one was a bit on the thisty side but on normal mixed riding this bike will easily achive 270 to a refill 50mpg is achievable without riding like a nun the big vara handles really well and will stick on its chosen line with no drama and can be hussled pretty hard it will cover big ground at a deceptivly fast pace .. quick changes left rifgt need a little getting used to it shows its weight here particularly .. but overall its nutral and predictable and there is pleanty of warning for you .which when heeded will never get out of shape ..it runs well in the hillbilly grand prix the brakes are good the linked system is not my first choice as it takes rear trail braking away from me ..but it is a tourer after all out of all the big trailies its the best touring engine ...never ever feels stressed a steady 90mph you have to check its running i realise the mcn have to run it against the new breed .. but i feel they are unfair on the bike ive tried the strada tenere .. they were 10 thousand pound more than this imaculate 4k up vara when i got off them ..the strada was clattery and lumpy to 60mph transmission it light years away from the hondas ...a real hard charger the faster it went the more sense it made ...ive done that in a former life .. so one trick pony ?? the tenere i liked a lot better but i didnt come back going wow far from it question can they match the honda on comfort .two up capability tank range quality of ride no .. worth a extra 10 thousand pound s ..you must be joking .. if all you want to do is ride tarmack and the odd gravel road the varadero is a very capable machine for next to no money

As some say, they are not the best toy in the box on most counts. But I can't find any faults with mine,gives me what I need and is one of the most comfortable bikes I've had.

Overall. Works perfectly every time. More than adequate for my needs. R&H. Ok it's a bit like a pogo stick if you get enthusiastic. But a very useful engine and it almost even sounds ok. Handling maybe not GS levels but ride is certainly better. But 200 miles to a tank - easy. Long distance 2 up, easy. Equip. ABs - check. Cubby hole box on fairing - cheack. Easy to use top box - check. Fuel consumption meter - check. Fuel gauge. Errrrrr. Needs one. Adjustable screen - check. Spave under seat -check. Q&R. Honda quality and reliability at its best. Washed it for the first time in a year(full winter use) and it looks straight out of the showroom. Absolutely miles beyond any of the 3 BMW's I've owned. No faults or anything needed beyond servicing & tyres in 2 years of ownership. (interesting comparison to my GS problems - gearboxes, clutches, engines, batteries, electrics, luggage, cold starts, ignition etc) Value. Picked mine up zero miles but dealer registered for about 6.5k I think. Can;t think of anything better. Engine. Perfect for my commuting. Tried a GTR1400 last week but for my use the Vara is better. Lots of low down 2nd & 3rd stomp compared to the GTR, which seemed strangled at low revs. Not happy with the OE tyres though. Easy for somebody 5ft8 too.

Ive had a few bikes over the years, a couple of VFR's and a CBR600. Im a short fella, 5'9'' and like the look of the Varadero, HELP. Am I too short ? Ive tried it and its a bit big for me but I could have the seat cut. I do relaise this is a review site but other people may find the answers helpful too. Thanks

Well the Bike is beginning to impress a lot more. Handles far better without the luggage, I am going to refit the standard screen for better visibility. The fuel consumption hasnt dropped below 45mpg. The Metzeler Tourance tyres really impress !!