New Varadeo (aka Africa Twin)

[Simmo]

Hi All,

Go grab yourselves a copy of this weeks MCN and turn to page 5!! Claims to be the new Vara but I reckon there's a heap load of AT there. What do you all think? For me, roll on 2008 and bagsy first in the queue!!!

:D :D :D

[cabbage2404]

It's getting there, but beacoup plastic for my liking.

[Slimie]

This thread needs pictures, NOW!!

(But, obviously, only for those of us too mean to lash out twice on bog paper!!)

Cheers
-Simon

[MacP]

This thread needs pictures, NOW!!

(But, obviously, only for those of us too mean to lash out twice on bog paper!!)

Cheers
-Simon
Buy the paper? Just go into smiths and flick through it in your lunch break...

[Badger]

And it's gone up 10p !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Simmo]

I'd scan it for you all and post it up but don't have a scanner here at home - sorry all but worth havin a look when you can.

I'm lookin now and thankfully they've dropped the alloy wheels and gone back to spoke. Exhaust very AT as is front wheel, mud guard etc. Front plastic a whole lot nicer too - not the lump on the current Varo.

[Badger]

Works very well that lump all the same.

[Simmo]

One of those personal things I guess. I think this new one looks more sculptured rather than an abvious boilt on type appearance. Don't get me wrong, I think the Varo is a good bike but just doesn't quite have enough appeal for me - kinda falling between two posts if you know what I mean!

[Slimie]

This thread needs pictures, NOW!!

(But, obviously, only for those of us too mean to lash out twice on bog paper!!)

Cheers
-Simon
Buy the paper? Just go into smiths and flick through it in your lunch break...

I don't get a lunch break :cry: :cry:

-Simon

[robelst]

And it's gone up 10p !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's to finance the renewal of their Photo-shop software licence :lol:

[lootch67]

Not too sure about this one. But we've become used to big trail bikes not winning any beauty contests, so if it's more off-road orientated that's probably as much as we could hope for. I'll certainly be interested.

[doglegdon]

Over here, the question would be "what's a newsagent's or Smiths"? Any chance of a piccie?

[Jenna]

umm MCN the mag that seams to be more interested in takin' pics of womens arses and tits than bikes! :?

as lou brady said..' the Sun of the motorcycle mags', no mention of the Vara on the MCN website i just checked.

Is this the silver mock up thats been kicking arround? as that one is not my thing and it would be tradagy if it ended up with the 'fabeled' AT badge as it has no links to history what so ever, The AT is soft and squidgy with nice soft round curves and nose you want kiss, that Varadero thing looks like a street racer all pointy and 'butch'... na RD03 was the AT for me.and the further they stray the worse it gets.

[robelst]

that Varadero thing looks like a street racer
It looks more like a street racer's transporter van :lol:
Fully agree on the RD03 favourism. 8)

Can't be bothered to have a go at MCN, their announcements are as close to the truth as a 10 days weather forecast :?

[Dilbert]

Fully agree on the RD03 favourism. 8)


:thumbleft:

[cabbage2404]

Aye, RD03s rock :D :D

[Badger]

Here you go, get your laughin gear round this!!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=2749

[Jenna]

yuck .. plastic fantastic! looks as unuseable off road as BMW 1200gs :?

[robelst]

Indeed very "plasticky", esp in the lower sections. :?
Not to mention the military colour scheme, whose idea was that? :shock:

But I must say it's a definite improvement over the Varadero (assuming this bike doesn't only exist in MCN's Fantasy Land :roll: )

[fewtrees]

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=2749

No!!!

[matt]

Well I am all for progress, but not sure this is it. Great engine, better seat, but weight? Those sump guards will be smashed on the first green lane, and those expensive fog lights will get ripped off in no time.

But I haven't ridden it of course, so I shouldn't pass too much judgement. Why don't Honda move more towards KTM's single minded approach, as the 950 Adventure has? Phoar!

I mean the KTM 950 Adventure is only about £400 more than the Varadero - or for equivalent power to the AT, the KTM 640 Adventure is £1,000 cheaper than the 950. I think Honda could really screw this up :(

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7061/carbonforkguards8yp.jpg

http://www.ktmusa.com/frameset.asp

http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/KTM_950_Adventure_Accessories.htm

[dirtyden]

:cry: Don't like it !! Lots of grey plastic (ford fiesta dash board) gonna crack, melt ,fade in the sun ..even plastic sump guard !! whats that gonna guard against ??
The green is a bit pants aswell !!
Seat looks good.

[Ourico_Voador]

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=2749

No!!! :shock: OMG!!!! What have they done???
At least when (if) it comes out, people will not be disappointed. Couldn't be much worst. :D

Are those GS1200 crash bars?! :D

[captaincaveman]

if thats what it'll stay like it wont last more than a couple years before its changed, i dont reckon, why don't honda make a proper replacement for the AT. something that looks like it belongs off road like the 1200gs or ktm etc. even if they never leave the suburbs they give the impression of "if i want to i could take it up the side of a mountain", tap into the adventure side of people :D

just my opinion, thats one of the reasons i went for AT, it looks like a big trailie, not a tall road bike(not putting varedero's down guys :wink: )

[Jenna]

for me the new AT must slot in between the KTM 950 and BMW 1200gs, i want the rugged and practical design that KTM are masters of but not the terrible engine (industry voted the most unreliable and expensive engine made),, and then i want i want the ultra reliability of the beamer and not its tweeky tweeky 'buck rodgers' design loved but the two wheeled chelsea tractor mafia.... :x

geeeesus is good design and reliability not what Honda invented!... please no recycled fiesta bumpers, crashbars that look like they were bent up out of B&Q plastic waist pipe and go faster 'ray dot' boy racer spot lights. All the design is missing is the exhaust flamer and free mp3 player with Cyprus Hill's 'insane in the brain' playing at warp 9 and the ultermate 'bling' boy racer bike is born... yuck with a captial yu.

[captaincaveman]

for me the new AT must slot in between the KTM 950 and BMW 1200gs, i want the rugged and practical design that KTM are masters of but not the terrible engine (industry voted the most unreliable and expensive engine made),, and then i want i want the ultra reliability of the beamer and not its tweeky tweeky 'buck rodgers' design loved but the two wheeled chelsea tractor mafia.... :x

geeeesus is good design and reliability not what Honda invented!... please no recycled fiesta bumpers, crashbars that look like they were bent up out of B&Q plastic waist pipe and go faster 'ray dot' boy racer spot lights. All the design is missing is the exhaust flamer and free mp3 player with Cyprus Hill's 'insane in the brain' playing at warp 9 and the ultermate 'bling' boy racer bike is born... yuck with a captial yu.

well said, maybe honda should be looking into winning dakar again and following it up with a "race rep" of what there competing with. or even just sell the AT again with 6 speed varedero engine in it(and no linked brakes)that'd be an excellent start :D

[robelst]

for me the new AT must slot in between the KTM 950 and BMW 1200gs, i want the rugged and practical design that KTM are masters of but not the terrible engine (industry voted the most unreliable and expensive engine made),, and then i want i want the ultra reliability of the beamer and not its tweeky tweeky 'buck rodgers' design loved but the two wheeled chelsea tractor mafia.... :x

geeeesus is good design and reliability not what Honda invented!... please no recycled fiesta bumpers, crashbars that look like they were bent up out of B&Q plastic waist pipe and go faster 'ray dot' boy racer spot lights. All the design is missing is the exhaust flamer and free mp3 player with Cyprus Hill's 'insane in the brain' playing at warp 9 and the ultermate 'bling' boy racer bike is born... yuck with a captial yu.

well said, maybe honda should be looking into winning dakar again and following it up with a "race rep" of what there competing with. or even just sell the AT again with 6 speed varedero engine in it(and no linked brakes)that'd be an excellent start :D
Unless rules have changed again, only singles and twins up to 450cc are allowed in Paris-Dakar which is not the sort of bike most AT enthousiasts are waiting for. I am not sure Honda has much interest in rallies anyway, these events have lost mass-media focus and image has suffered from the accidents among both participants and locals. People queue for GP-replicas but only few people will buy desert queens. And Honda doesn't seem to serve the "few people" anymore. :roll:

"ultra reliability of the beamer"? :shock: I can think of many reasons for buying a BMW again, but reliability concerns after owning an R1100RS and -RT are still stopping me from doing so. The F800 (Rotax-like engine) could be an interesting base for a traillie though.

[captaincaveman]

for me the new AT must slot in between the KTM 950 and BMW 1200gs, i want the rugged and practical design that KTM are masters of but not the terrible engine (industry voted the most unreliable and expensive engine made),, and then i want i want the ultra reliability of the beamer and not its tweeky tweeky 'buck rodgers' design loved but the two wheeled chelsea tractor mafia.... :x

geeeesus is good design and reliability not what Honda invented!... please no recycled fiesta bumpers, crashbars that look like they were bent up out of B&Q plastic waist pipe and go faster 'ray dot' boy racer spot lights. All the design is missing is the exhaust flamer and free mp3 player with Cyprus Hill's 'insane in the brain' playing at warp 9 and the ultermate 'bling' boy racer bike is born... yuck with a captial yu.

well said, maybe honda should be looking into winning dakar again and following it up with a "race rep" of what there competing with. or even just sell the AT again with 6 speed varedero engine in it(and no linked brakes)that'd be an excellent start :D
Unless rules have changed again, only singles and twins up to 450cc are allowed in Paris-Dakar which is not the sort of bike most AT enthousiasts are waiting for. I am not sure Honda has much interest in rallies anyway, these events have lost mass-media focus and image has suffered from the accidents among both participants and locals. People queue for GP-replicas but only few people will buy desert queens. And Honda doesn't seem to serve the "few people" anymore. :roll:

"ultra reliability of the beamer"? :shock: I can think of many reasons for buying a BMW again, but reliability concerns after owning an R1100RS and -RT are still stopping me from doing so. The F800 (Rotax-like engine) could be an interesting base for a traillie though.


think iv'e shown my lack of knowledge of recent dakar's :oops:

[Jenna]

HRC have no intention of building a Dakar bike because Honda are at present not that interested in pushing their mx range in Europe.

As Robelst says there is no way an AT could run 'competitively' in the Dakar under its current rules as is its way over capacity, this was in fact the very reason that the NXR-1 was built but it never received sufficient backing to come into production, this means the only 'marathon' spec bike in the range left is the baby Vara which to be honest is as much use as a wet paper bag on a barb wire fence in a hurricane!

The Africa storm has always been a bit of joke being no use for nothing!

As for media and the Dakar.. lol this is my business so I may have a bit of an idea on this one!.....
Media coverage has in fact globally increased for the event on average 8% per year in the last 4 years, the new changes to the format also seam to be widely welcome from both manufactures and entrants, hopefully with the 2007 event changes to reduced fuel capacity on bikes and top speed restrictions issues of both rider and spectator safety should be less of a headline grabber.

The problem with the Dakar seams to be solely with the British press and public, last years broadcasting figures were...

France: 21 hours 29 minutes to Average audience: 1 509 000
Italy: 20 hours 45 minutes to Average audience: 1 250 000
Spain :11 hours 31 minutes to Average audience: 578 000

however in the UK we received 50 minutes footage which equates to less than 1/10th of Spain yet with a population of Average audience: 996 000 which is twice that of Spain!

Over the last 2 years my company has spent literally 1000's of hours working with both British competitors and manufactures ( I personally represent the UK’s leading driver and manufacture and assist most the bike privateers) to try and bring the event wider recognition in the UK, from research we had conducted it looks like the public on the whole are aware of the Dakar but that’s as far as it goes, for the 2007 event we have agreements’ with several national newspapers for daily reports from the event and outline assurances’ of better daily live coverage from many broadcasters including Men and Motors and British Eurosport. In addition we are helping British teams and manufactures with promotion at may UK events where the public can get to see the bikes, cars and trucks first hand, we launched Raidxtreme.com and will be running severial bike trips overland to all the European events for spectators, so hopefully we can reverse the lack of awareness over the last few years in the near future.

[robelst]

The problem with the Dakar seams to be solely with the British press and public, last years broadcasting figures were...

Since we have ditched our Sky subscription (paying 20 quid for additional channels that mainly broadcast sitcom-reruns in between 33% of advertising on how to get a home-owner loan just seemed a bit too much) I am not even able to watch PD at all anymore :oops:
It used to be covered by Eurosport (which is not on freeview or unpaid Sky); ITV/BBC only do F1 and GP racing, and a little bit of WSB to fill the gaps. And 240 quid a year just to see Paris Dakar once a year is a bit much :?

I may be biased, but I remember breathtaking scenes of Stephane Peterhansel doing 110+ on his 850XTZ in the sand, in need of permanent steering corrections and sliding, surely this sort of thing should impress a wide audience at least just as much as seeing a row of F1 cars hardly changing position for an hour or so? It is probably all down to limited advertising opportunities I guess :cry:

[Jenna]

with the loss of M&M from freeview there are no non subscription feeds left for any of the raids including the Dakar this year, I agree whole heartedly about the rip off that sky is and the fact I am forced to use sky if I wish to watch the rally. Unfortunately there is no silver lining to this cloud as talks with the BBC over showing highlights was a waist of time as it was with ITV.

We were looking to do a 3 hr documentary to be split broadcast over 3 programmes about a certain British team, but even that now looks unlikely as the vehicle manufacture that was supplying the car has now made the decision to award all its spare cars to a privateer team which has effectively used the vehicles for its own use. :twisted:

The Dakar in the UK is a vicious circle : until it gets more coverage and media interest the sponsors wont back it, but it wont get that coverage until it gets sponsors :?

[Cie]

So no planned coverage on Freeview's British Eurosport then?

[Jenna]

British Eurosport 2 will show the cut down highlights same as last year this is expected to be no more than 60 minutes of unique footage for the whole event.

We have had a few emails going back and forth with Pierre-Jean Sebert the UK Eurosport MD in an attempt to gauge his feeling on the possibility increasing the footage, its not like they would have a hard job obtaining it as Eurosport France is actually the on event broadcast contractor!

As yet no real progress has been made, however there a few key points that work in favour of a dedicated broadcast edited and voiced over especially for the UK market.

1: Pierre-Jean Sebert being a Frenchie is a big Dakar fan and knows the event inside out!
2: the UK production HQ has just moved from an old (and crap) studio in Langley to the new state of the art (£6 million state of the art!) studio in the Arqiva media production complex in Feltham, London. This studio complex is one of the best in Europe having the latest video editing and sound production facilities’ making it now possible to produce 'in house' programming for the UK and on contract for France!...
3: Arqiva, I doubt that you have heard of this company, but I guarantee you have been using their services for a long time?... Arqiva is the industry name of National Transcommunications Ltd or NTL, a worldwide company that has been at forefront of broadcast technology for the last 50 years supplying the link between the public and the media industry with broadcast facilities for UK commercial television including ITV, Channel 4, Five, and most the digital and analogue radio stations. They also own all the technology used to broadcast SkyBsB and run this from the UK at Feltham, they run all the mobile networks in the UK for Microsoft, O2 and Nokia platformed mobile phones, including owning the 2400 transmitters’ throughout the UK, plus run the UK's police and other emergency services radio network... :roll: so what’s there relevance?... committed sponsor for a British Dakar team!..

[matt]

Do not get me started on UK sport coverage. Not being a football fan at all, like a few million others in the UK (yes really) AND a keen follower of Le Tour de France, the largest annual european sporting event each year, I am livid with UK coverage.

I am in Spain right now, and cycling coverage is massive. It is a major European sport, top cyclists are celebs like Beckham, yet in the UK....nothing.

I have Freeview, which is a slight improvement, but still c*ap.

Oh and there is the link between two wheelers and blind drivers....another topic with a big soapbox :evil: :evil: :evil:

[Jenna]

lol, dont hold back :shock:!

football is crap and i have a few days going round asking why everybody has remove those silly flags of their cars with a smug grin and much to the annoyence and mutterings of many.. 8)

havent watched th TOF for a while but did watch the Brussels time trials (on sunday as apposed to the football) and was hooked.. 1 to 2nd =0.7 second over 8kms fantastic to watch , might even go watch the BCU final leg in london later in year.

[Rubberchicken]

Over here there's the (persistent) rumour that the whole dutch tv coverage (Eurosport and RTL) of the Dakar is rigged, that is you only get mentioned on tv at all if you've paid for it...

I'd say it's probably true if only because it took them forever (until they really couldn't ignore it any longer that is only the last few days) to even mention what Henno on the XT500 was doing, who had by then already become somewhat of a legend, apparently. ;-)

Having to endure Koen Bloody Wauters presenting yet another song when you know there's some crazy sleepless guy on a 30 year old bike still hanging in there and against all the odds just refusing to give up kind of put me off the whole Dakar-on-tv thing... :-(

[anton88]

I'm looking forward to the release of the DVD :

http://www.racetodakar.com/rtd.html

I would have thought that it may put Dakar more in the spotlight, like Long Way Round has for Adventure Travel.

Due out Before xmas 2006.

[matt]

Maybe with that footballer, erm Beckham something, now unable to lead a team he could try a solo career in long distance motorcycle events, then even Hello! magazine would be interested in these events...what is the world coming to.

Get a haircut.

Call that a song, in my day....

Yoof of today....

[matt]

Have a look at http://www.atic.org/faq/new-model.html. Surely Honda would sell 1000s of these?

Come on Honda - we know you are reading this :!:

[captaincaveman]

love the blue orange one at bottom

[Robster]

I know this pics been around forever, but it's still my fave out of that lot!

http://www.atic.org/faq/pics/xrv-850.jpg

[captaincaveman]

i know someones converted a varadero to look africa twinish, but has anyone ever tried to wedge a varadero engine into an AT, is it possible?

[DaveS]

i know someones converted a varadero to look africa twinish, but has anyone ever tried to wedge a varadero engine into an AT, is it possible?

Not without severe hacking of the AT frame IIRC to the point that its not worth it. Aren't the two engines different in terms of degrees? Ones a 62 and the other a 90? or summat like that.