varadero 99 model

[mikey]

Hi folks,

I've been looking at getting a pre reg transalp, but then as I researched it more, I couldn't decide if that was what I wanted or if i want something else. My visit to the dealer didnt prove helpful as I then liked the varedero and also a v strom. However I'm reluctant to spend 6k on a big bike that is going to be a massive step up from my kle 500, so I'm looking at either 02/03 Vstrom or a 99/00 varadero, the varadero i've seen is 2500 with 30,000 miles, full luggage and crash bars... Is this a good price? what should i look for on the Varedero? it looks nice and I think it should allow me to get comfy on a bigger bike before the big outlay for a newer model....

any thoughts?

cheers


Mikey

[Stormforce8]

Yup - get an Africa Twin

OK my only real suggestion:

Take both the VStrom and Varadero out for a LONG testride - they are really two very different bikes.

And after your test ride................go and buy an Africa Twin

[meljordan]

I Thrashed My Old Kwak Around Eu For 16 Years But I Allways Had Octavia For Real Biking So Buy An @ Go Steady For A Few Weeks Then Dont Go Steady For As Long As You Like.

[z-weiser]

There are quite a few threads on this site about trading from one bike to another and each member will recomend the bike they ride - not out of being silly but we each have the bike we do because it suits us!

i woudl recommend a few questions to ask of yourself:

1) budget - how much you want to spend - then find the bike that gets you the most for that price

2) your size - different bikes fit different shapes - the Vara seems to fit most folks but is fine if you are very tall (Me and Chad both comfy on Vara)

3) what kind of riding - you seem to allude to this being a first bigger bike (sorry if i've got that wrong!) The vara was my second bike after an africa twin and i find that it is very easy to get along with - i had it for 6 months just cruising around on it before i found out that when you open the taps it will really fly! Apparently the V-Strom is put out there as a sportier option but most folks seem to say that it is 50/50 between them!

I love my 99 Vara as does beloved as the pillion is huge and comfy!

get a ride on both and on an @ then look at the above questions and also things like insurance and running costs (Varas aren't as thirsty as the mags claim!) will play a part in your decision!

I know it's sad but compiling a spreadsheet of all of the info you think is important on each bike will help you compare at a glance!

Hope this helps

Z

p.s. the price seems good for one with luggage and bars!

[Trickyp]

Hi,

I have a 1999 Vara and also a 2005 FI vara and to be honest i much prefer the perfomance of the 1999 carb version. It seems to have much more grunt and gets 100+ very quickly!! Unfortunately i was about to sell it but had a car pull out on me and lost the front end twice and the second time it went down!! Fortunatley with the Givi bars and top box there was minimal damage.

It needs a rear side panel, and an indicator cover and and apart from some scratches on the crash bar thats it. I am going to order one next week. If you are interested in buying i am looking for about £2200 for her. She has 16389 miles on the clock. Let me know if you are interested. A fabulous cheap bike and low miles. Black in colour, Scorpion race cans to make it sound like a prober v twin and rental bars.

[mikey]

Thanks for the replies guys,

on closer inspection, the vara has done 21k miles, has a baglux tank protector, full panniers, crash bars, heated grips and an alarm with FSH...
it will cost 2500 which appears to be a lot of bike for the money...

Ideally I want something to carry a pillion in comfort and by all reports the vara is ideal for this. Hopefully i'll get a test ride over the next week.

cheers


Mikey

[Paul]

Hi Mikey,

Z-Weiser makes a good point; when considering a new bike I try to make the rational decision first and then if the emotional is needed let it out to finalise the process.
When looking to replace my Bandit I made a list of what I wanted to do on the bike and therefore what it should be capable of. I then looked at what would deliver the aforementioned and got out and did some test riding.
I was not at all convinced about the Vara before the test ride and it was probably my last preference, one reasonable test ride to try out the bike against my riding style and types of road etc and it was a no brainer, Varas are surprisingly good at everything I do. You need to make sure it's the same for you.
After 58000 miles in about 4 years I have bever regretted the decision.
The ne thing I would warn you of is if you are relatively inexperienced the highish centre of gravity will put you off at first but once rolling it just dissapears and if your not used to V twins be careful on slow manouvers as they can stall if your not slipping the clutch and they will tend to fall over. I've done it twice now, fortunately no major damage occurred either time. It's no real problem but you do need to be aware.
Once your riding though, the comfort is good, the MPG around 40, the power is effortless and staggeringly good - I've ridden most things and in fact overtaken a lot of superbikes on the Vara - the performance is excellent and the accelleration very fast. It's no superbike eater but it will upset a few if they are not well ridden. My favourite game is called "blade baiting" and I often win! and I don't even think I'm a fast rider!! Above all the view from the Vara is superb both in foront and through the mirrors, allowing safe and fast overtaking and early decision making.
Don't forget Honda reliabilty and build quality too when compaing to other bikes.

My biggest problem is what to change the Vara for if and when I can afford to because she is sooooo good (for the riding I do).

Enjoy the test rides and take your time deciding.

Paul

[mikey]

Thanks for the reply Paul,

I'm looking at finding the bike that gives me the most for my money, I prefer the style of "adventure" bikes and like the looks of the varadero and v strom, I decided against the TA (or have put that to the back of my mind) as it felt cramped when sat on with a pillion and luggage in comparison to the varadero...
The 99 Vara i've looked at has everything on a bike i would want, alarm, crash bars, full luggage etc and will cost 2-300 plus my KLE, so its a massive step up in bike for very little outlay, it would cost more to put the extras on my kle than to change bikes....
My thinking is, buy the vara, ride it for the rest of the year and then if i'm happy with it and got confidence with the larger bike (and she who must be obeyed likes it) look at buying a new/nearly new model at the back end of the year...

I've arranged a test ride of a demo o7 model at my local dealers tomorrow, I guess i'll know more after that.


cheers


Mikey