Two-up Touring?

[iswoolley]

Currently I ride an Africa Twin, which is ideal for my solo trips and touring. However I'm scouting around for a more comfortable bike for my girlfriend and I to go touring on later this year. She finds the pillion seat of the Africa Twin quite uncomfortable, although she quite likes the wind protection she gets from the upright seating position. We had a look at an FJ1200 as it has a good comfortable pillion seat and was reasonably priced, but my girlfriend found the pillion seat quite exposed and blustery. So we're back to looking at bikes with a more upright seating position

Naturally the Varadero is a contender, having a similar riding position to the Twin, with a comfy pillion seat. So, some questions:

* What's the fuel economy like? (I generally cruise at around 80mph on the motorways, and we'll have panniers fitted all the time) What's the range to reserve on the fuel tank?

* Are there any years/models to steer clear of?

* How high is the seat? (I'm only 5'7", but manage the Africa Twin okay)

* Is home servicing viable? Or is it best left to someone who knows what they are doing?

* Which is the fastest colour?

* Is there anyone out there who would let us sit on their bike to see if that pillion seat really is as comfortable as it looks?

As always, thanks for your help and comments!

Iain

[Robster]

Urrrrmmm.....


The riding position is near identical to the AT.

The seat height is lower so you'd have no bother there.

Home servicing is no more complicated that the AT (2 less plugs to fish out from under the tank), so if you're ok with that then you'd be OK with a Vara.

Black naturally is the fastest colour.

Range to reserve on my Carbadero is anywhere between 175 and 195 depending on what I've been doing and where I've been doing it. I did once spank a whole tank in 110 miles, but I'd had enough of the journey that day and needed the last 2 hours over and done with in an hour...if you catch my drift officer . Otherwise it's not too bad, and you get around 20 miles once the fuel light comes on. The FI models are significantly less thirsty it seems.

There don't appear to be any "duff" year builds that have become apparent yet. It just depends how much you want to spend and whether you want a Carbadero or an Injectadero.

You're welcome to sit on mine (as the actress said to the bishop), but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who isn't quite so far away as I am.

Oh and Vader will be along shortly to sell you his Vara...which incidentally is a cracking clean bike

2 words of advice... Buy One.

[iswoolley]

...but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who isn't quite so far away as I am...

As it happens my girlfriend lives in Sunbury, and I'm heading there tomorrow evening...

[Robster]

As it happens my girlfriend lives in Sunbury, and I'm heading there tomorrow evening...

5 minutes down the road sir! And as it happens I think I'm "home alone" tomorrow...do feel free to pop in!

[Lord Vader]

Oh and Vader will be along shortly to sell you his Vara...which incidentally is a cracking clean bike

2 words of advice... Buy One.

How very dare you Sir
but rob is right,brilliant bikes for the money.So far the only problem i heard of and experienced are(like the @) the fuel pump
Otherwise they are bulletproof it seems.Have a look and read at the International Vara site ,there are lots of high mileage bikes about.
As robster said if you push them hard enough they drink(11o miles Wow,Robster,that must have been warp speed 9 at least)
Last year on our Scotland trip i did get 170 miles to the light 2up with all the luggage(and that was lots)
Yep and robster is right ,mine is still for sale with lots of goodies.All ready for 2 up touring

[sparklymarkly]

Black naturally is the fastest colour.

I think that you'll find that Silver is the fastest colour!

Other than that, everything the boys have said is correct.
Just buy one - you won't regret it!

[Mr NiceGuy]

Fi model, fully loaded and 2 up will get you around 210 - 220 miles to the reserve doing around 80-90. You will also find that there is still a lot of room even with a pillion on

[Snaphappy]

don't do 2up touring but the wagon wheel advert of yesteryear springs to mind (this is big enough for both of us)

the other advert
Nike just do it

[Snaphappy]

and black IS fastest

[Hagrid]

Can't you just get a smaller girlfriend and keep the AT...? I could be persuaded to lend you mine