Switch to a Vara?

[Slimjim]

Hi All,

Looks like my commute might be getting a fair bit longer in the coming months. I've currently got an 03 Alp which I really like but mostly use at the weekends. However with this extended commute that I face (80 miles each way) I'm thinking I may need something with a bit more grunt and better wind protection than the Alp for covering this kind of distance. (I'll still be keeping the Alp though!)

So I was wondering if anyone here has made the switch from the Alp to the Vara and if so, does it really provide better mile munching ability? Are there any other big benefits? My commute would be mainly fast dual carriageway, bit of motorway and just a few miles of urban stuff.

I was a bit concerned about the size of the Vara but after sitting on one recently I noticed that it's no higher than the Alp, in fact I think the seat height is a fraction lower - which is good because I'm only 5,8!

Cheers

[Chad]

i think the only thing your really going to notice is a, power

b, comfort the varas going to be a bit more roomy

c, fast motorway cruising will labour the vara a lot less than the TA. even though the alp takes motorways in its stride quite nicely.

ive always thought that the vara was a truer big brother to the alp than it was to the AT

[Dilbert]

Been thinking along similar lines myself Jim, can't make my mind up between the Vara and the Tiger, or maybe a newer AT, I reckon the Vara has a lot going for it though, in addition to Chad's comments I'd have to add reliability, the Vara won't be under a lot of strain on the long journeys, probably the newer version with the EFi would be the best.

I think you may notice the extra weight at low speeds, but by all accounts this won't bother you once you get going.

Post the same question in the Vara section to see if anyone has made the change.

[Slimjim]

Yeah I've posted this in the Vara forum too.

I sat on a Vara at the NEC and it instantly felt roomier than the Alp. Seat height didn't "seem" a problem because I believe it's actually a fraction lower than the Alp although perhaps a little wider. Couldn't judge the weight as it was anchored to the floor but I'm not exactly 9 stone myself so I reckon it should be OK! A 2004 6spd model or later seems to be the way to go it seems.

Regarding the Tiger Dilbert, I saw the new one at the show and I really like the look of it.

Cheers

[Pete Rock]

I have been riding a Transalp for two years and a month or so ago test rode one of the former Varaderos, a funky coloured orange one, carbed version, what surprised me was how easy it was on very tight corners, I took it on a bumpy coblestone road and it was perfect, comfier and smoother than the Transalp, and after a series of near full lock turns on a low straffic street I was seduced by it. The current ones have six speeds, so must be better than the one I rode.
I think the late ones are very good looking, my only problem seems to be that I became somewhat attached to my bike

[LazyRider]

I bought a new Varadero in 1999, had it until early this year. Did some 60,000 miles, most touring in Europe. Great bike. Very comfortable, the 'soft' suspension of the early model suited me. I am some 16 stone, 5' 10" with inside leg of 31". I had to lower the seat. Stop on uneven ground, one slip of the foot and they are down!

When fitted with Givi crash bars, they can fall with very little damage - the poor quality rear flashers brakes, but it is an excuse to put on a decent hard rubber one.

They are big and a bit awkward to wheel about - in/out of the garage. They are very fussy about where you park them - they do not like slopes or uneven ground when parking
- everyone drops them in the car park, sooner or later!

Performance is good, handling, acceleration, comfort and cruising speed. They carry a load well - good for pillions and luggage. They give good weather protection - they make screens to suit everyone.

Big strong young agile men have no problems at all in using them as runabouts or for commuting. For smaller/weaker less agile people would find them a bit of a liability as a general purpose bike.

Having recently moved onto a new Deauville 700 and 2003 Transalp, I am a happy man. The ease of use and convenience of the bikes outweighs the lack of zooooom. They will both cruise at licence loosing speeds. The Deauville is a very convenient and effective solo touring bike. The TA is a little more fun to ride and will be my general purpose bike - I don't commute.

The running costs of the Varadero are quite a lot higher than the TA - all the consumables are more expensive and so is 37 mpg!

Two up, touring, if you are big enough, go for the Varadero. 5'8" commuting? Put a bigger screen on your TA or buy a Deauville and have peace of mind..

[ger]

Had a kind of similer experience last summer...Fancied a change, got a PanEuro. Loved the bike but could not live with the weight, not while riding but when manhandling around the garage and parking.

Considered the Deauville, but could not live with the mindboggling corrosion, even on 2/3 year old bikes.

Held on to my old TA in the end !

Cheers
gerry

[Austin]

I do 90 - 100 miles a day most week days on my 650 TA and have been doing for the past 18months. That's 22,000 miles so far and not a problem to speak of. I think the TA will handle your commute no probs.

But if you are looking for an excuse to get another bike, then nah, it'll never do it.

[Ralphie]

Hi I've been thinking the same thoughts - two years into the Alp, love it for town commuting, and a bit more, but would like the power, fairing etc on nice long cruising weekends etc.

BUT - I'm not sure from the stories here that the extra size and weight would be practical for my 6 mile mainly filtering commute?

Then I looked into the possibilites of moving to a differnt brand.

It weighs 32.5kg less than a Varadero, its faster and has similar options -

Its a Suzuki DL1000 - Question is - has anyone gone from an Alp to one, or anything to one?

Cheers
Ralphie

[Slimjim]

Take your points, Lazyrider. I think the TA would be better on urban commuting with serious traffic. Smaller/lighter is better in that situation. This new commute I may face is 90 percent fast dual carriageway/Mway and I reckon for that type of journey the Vara may be a better option. I'm sure there are many other bikes I could consider, I just like the prospect of a bigger faster TA and the nearest to that seems to be the Vara. I know a properly kitted out TA could do the journey but I don't think it's the greatest motorway tool. In short, I really like the style/comfort/size/weight of my TA but I just want more grunt! I reckon an 850cc Transalp with a slightly bigger fairing would be my ideal machine.

Also agree with the other points about living with the size/weight of a Vara when parking and putting in garage etc. Shame it's not just a touch lighter and smaller...

Now for the DL1000 Ralphie, it would seem to tick all the boxes except for the fact I think it's so ugly! OK, I admit the Vara is a bit of an acquired taste in the looks department too! Maybe I'll go and have a closer look at a DL just to make sure.