Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Honda XL 1000 Varadero? Honda XL 1000 Varadero?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wallingford, Oxon, UK
Posts: 8
Honda XL 1000 Varadero?
Hi all, my first post...

I'm planning an overland run from the UK to Australia starting next Easter. We'll br going two up and I would prefer a newer bike that hopefully I don't have to play with too much!!! - I'm currently trying to decide on the bike. So far I have tested a KTM 950 Adventure which was great but I'm not sure about running two up on it. I've also tried the 1150 Adventure which was great but huge and pretty expensive. One option I have considered is the Honda XL 1000 Varadero. Anyone got any experience? All the reviews etc I can find a are pretty positive and I'll go and have a test but does anyone tried an extended run on one?

Cheers!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
you may also want to consider an Africa Twin (for two up travel). It's got a proven reliability record, and overlanding capability. Ideal for two people. Cheaper and less 'plastic' than the XL1000. I don't think the extra 250cc make the 1000 any better.

Probably around £3,500-£4,000 for a low mileage AT. Leaving you some money to spend on useful stuff for your journey.

Looking at the Honda 'adventure tourer' range and they are all firmly road biased. Even the TransAlp has been road-ified. TransAlp might also be worth a look.

BMW still seem to be making their GS's with a road/off-road mix. But cost and parts availability are their weakest points.

Stuff that you might want to think about?

If you push the bike over what's going to break?
How far can you go on a tank of fuel?
Can the bike cope with poor fuel?
Has it got a centre stand, and can you get the bike on it?
Do the pillion pegs vibrate too much (GS's!)?
How much are crash bars?

[This message has been edited by DougieB (edited 14 October 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wallingford, Oxon, UK
Posts: 8
Cheers for that! The Africa Twin is on my list as well, I just need to go and find one! I also tested the 650 Dakar which I thought was quite a nice bike but I would be concerned that two up it would get a wee bit wheezy!

I'm going to go dig for an Africa Twin. All your considerations are relevant. Initally we were going to do this twip in a Land Rover and we have got the whole thing kitted and then changed our minds and decided to go ona bike!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
try Chiswick Honda (not that far from you), they normally have a few and they have a website. If you see one and want a fair appraisal before making the trip to chiswick let me know. I live up the road from there.

also, xrv.org.uk, there are a couple in London for sale (some prep'd).

I wouldn't be too concerned with engine size (the difference between a 650 and 1000 isn't really worth £2000+). My AT (750cc) pulled 100mph, loaded with metal panniers, a rucksack, a girlfriend and me. You'll travel slower than you think you will though. 50-60mph is our normal cruising speed while away, things move too fast as it is...

Also, BMW Guildford let you take the demo bikes for a couple of hours. So take you pillion with you and see how wheezy it is. Varied roads round there to test it on.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Wales
Posts: 13
By coincidence, I was talking to a Honda Dealer last week about the relative merits of various bikes' build quality and durability. He was of the opinion that Africa Twins were much better made than Varaderos and were excellent bikes. He thought that the Transalp was OK.
So, someone who knows the inside story says: Africa Twin".
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
You tried the 1150GS Adventure & found it huge - did you also try the normal 1150GS?

20mm lower suspension makes a huge difference. My 5'6" tall girlfriend rides my 1150GS with ease. She finds the seat height no problem as it's slightly narrower at the front, so it does not push your legs apart like some other BMW seats do. Only other major difference is a 22ltr tank tank compared to the 30ltr of the GSA.

Since the intro of the 1200GS, 1150 prices have come down considerably. You can buy 5-speed 1100's for £4k & non ABS 1150's from £4.5k onwards. - bit of a buyers market at the moment., there's 19 1150's in this weeks MCN, inc. a few Adventures

I've just paid £1,100 for a very slightly crash damaged 1100 with a plastic tank, so deals are out there if you look.
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wallingford, Oxon, UK
Posts: 8
Cheers for the advice! I'll certainly be trying the Africa Twin. The BMW's size was not so much of a problem, I'm 6ft and getting my feet on the floor etc was fine. It just seems big. At the moment it is still the best of the bikes I've tried but I'm keen to try as many as possible to get the rigt one!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top