XL125 Varadero - Whats the best luggage options?

[BikerBoy]

Hi There

Just wanted to say what a fantastic forum this is and joined today after just buying my new (Well second hand!) bike! I passed my CBT a month ago and finally found a nice 125 Vara. 2006 model, 1 owner, 10k miles in silver with a FSH. I got it down to a respectable £2000 and am picking it up from the dealer Thursday...Can't wait!! Cheers everyone for posting so much information about the bike as it really helped me make my decision.

Anyway The first Q is:
I need to get a Top Box and wanted to ask everyones advice on what the best and hopefully cheapest options are because I don't have a clue what will fit or what everyone gets!!

I would like as large a box I can get as long as it sits OK on the bike, something like a 45l so that I can get a helmet, trainers and maybe a small bag in it for work. Ideally it would snap on and off easily so I can take the whole thing with me.


Second Question is:
Really the same but conerning what side pannier options I can go for? Again I see a few models/makes but I have no idea what will fit other than the Honda factory made items and I have no idea what you should look for in a pannier? I would prefer to get the solid type not the fabric style but any advice at all is welcomed.

Cheers

BikerBoy!

[Lulu]

Hi Bikerboy. Can't tell you anything about top boxes or panniers (there are folk here who'll be along to do that), but welcome to the site. It's a good 'un

[Annette]

Bikerboy

Welcome to the site. And fantastic choice for a 125 bike. Lady Vader will no doubt be along some time soon as she's got one.

I know that she has a Honda top box, but I would expect that Givi or any of the others should fit. The boxes all fit you just need to make sure you get the right fitting for it.

With regards to anymore luggage. I wouldn't want to put you off, but you already have a lot of bike for a 125cc engine. If you load her up too much you may find that you struggle to reach and attain anywhere near a decent speed.

You could try some type of throw over luggage if you're determined to have some as they are lighter. Alternatively, how about a dry bag strapped to the rear of the seat? Particularly if you're not overly flushed with funds. You can buy a big dry bag for a few quid these days.

For storing your helmet, does the bike not have a helmet lock on it somewhere?

[MandoBear]

Welcome, I had a fairly generic topbox on my baby Varadero - about 35 litres. You really don't want anything too big otherwise the temptation is to put too much in it, and then the bike's handling suffers. Same goes for panniers. I think Givi do a mounting kit - decent stuff, but not cheap. I've no experience of panniers on the baby Vara - but I managed 10 days touring around western Ireland with my topbox and a decent Richa tankbag. With both loaded up the bike was a little top-heavy, but the fore-aft weight distribution was fine and the handling was barely altered.

Hope this helps a bit.

[BikerBoy]

Cheers for the help so far. I was wondering if a top box and panniers might start to lag the bike down a little, although it is surprisingly nippy and powerful for its size. One thing I don't like about the panniers is that I would be worried about the width of my bike in traffic, although for a weekend away I guess you're not too worried about that.

The dry bag option is something I hadn't thought about and there seem to be loads on Ebay. With the 'L' plates on I have a nice big back seat going spare at the moment and these are in the Christmas present price bracket!!!!

The tank bag is an option too. I always thought they were for sport bikes but there seems to be one for any bike.

Cheers for the help

BikerBoy

[metropolis2k]

I have a tank bag I use on the vara and the shape of the tank is excellent for it. It's a cheapo one I got at Lidl's last motorbike sale but it's amazing considering it cost £13 and has a great range of pockets, a map pocket, a waterproof cover, straps to turn it unto a rucksack, and the magnets grip the tank like my girlfriend clung onto the back of my mate's R6 when he took her out for a spin on it!

[BikerBoy]

Hi Everyone

36 hours and counting until I pick my bike up!!!

I've been told that soft panniers might be a problem due to the high exhaust on the Varadero so i've written them off for now.

I noticed that Honda do a 42l Top Box so i think i'm going to get a Givi e450 top box and then get a tank bag for when I go touring a little bit. DK Motorbikes on Ebay are selling a complete bracket/topbox with freee helmet for £89 inc delivery which can't be bad.

I've also got my eye on a couple of tail bags too so we'll see how it all pans out.

Cheers everyone for the help and pointers.

BikerBoy

[Dave]

Hi BikerBoy

Welcome to the site.

If you are interested I have a set of Givi boxes (1 x E45 & 2 x E36) in good nick looking for a good home. PM me if interested.

Dave

[Critch]

Hello and welcome.

Here is mine

http://www.125varadero.com/forum2/in...?showtopic=875

Not to everyones taste but hey !

I spent 3 months playing with diff options,
Best option would be Top box, not too big 45l might be a bit too big
re throw over panniers the exhaust sits high so prob not the best option.. have read few horror stories...
if you do go down the solid pannier route, dont go above 36l, that way you would not be tempted to put more in it !!
and over load the bike,,, remember to adjust your rear shock

i have 32L metal boxes on mine, it handles really well but i loose about 5 mph with the boxes on and 10 mph top end loaded up..

Plus i cannot always get to the front of the lights with them on, which is why i suggest top box may be best..
i went with my option cos i need the space for camping stuff and my tent