Varadero vs...

[saitek]

One thing I did notice when riding the V-Rod, though, was that other bikers were less inclined to let on to me. They'd nod (more or less) if I nodded first, but it was evident there was less enthusiasm in it.

Harley, BMW and Gold Wing riders - especially on their convoy runs - often seem less inclined to wave or acknowledge other bikers.

Is it some sort of superiority thing or are they basically car drivers out for a bit of fresh air? Or are they worried about being sniggered at....

[Buggles]

Goldwing riders don't acknowledge other riders, since they don't know which button to push to greet other bikers...



JB

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Thanks for an interesting and balanced review.

...like getting into a warm bath - everything fell pleasantly to hand...

I'm seeing double meanings everywhere!

[Dave]

Goldwing riders don't acknowledge other riders, since they don't know which button to push to greet other bikers...



JB

I resent that Buggles - I've got a button clearly marked 'Wave' or is that for the jacuzzi?

[StumpyFingers]

I resent that Buggles - I've got a button clearly marked 'Wave' or is that for the jacuzzi?

No that one is for the parachute in case you lose the brake levers.

[Freerangestormer]

Goldwing riders don't acknowledge other riders, since they don't know which button to push to greet other bikers...



JB

[Muzz]

OK, the Vara vs... saga continues - this weekend it was a Multistrada. Apart from the initial disappointment in the colour of the test bike - black (I know that sounds a bit mincey, but the natural colour of Ducatis, like Ferraris, is red, and any other colour, as we all know, is an abomination unto both nature and any local deity who might be hanging around ), I was impressed with the spec: the 1100DS, with the nicey nicey Ohlins kit.

Enjoyed the bike, it handled sublimely, and I like how they look, too - as long as you don't linger over the front of the fairing too long. That fairing, though, gives some relief from the elements, and there are larger ones for the more nesh amongst us - like me Just a few ergonomic niggles got on my nerves - mostly useless mirrors (although better than the H-D efforts last week), and a nasty tendency to slide forward on the (hard) seat into the tank when braking. That last one highlighted an annoying tendency in sales staff too - to pass off issues: when I mentioned it, he said "Yeah, that's a common issue - the seat's too smooth. Just fit the gel seat and the problem goes away." OK my friend, if we're talking about £9.5k for a bike, why don't YOU fit the gel seat, and not supply the problem in the first place?

Overall, I liked the bike a lot: feisty, agile, quick enough (albeit without the "yee-haa!" factor of the V-Rod) and sublime on the bendy bits, but for daily use in all weathers? The test bike was an 08 with less than 2k on the clock, and looked like it had been standing in the sea for a few weeks - lots of furry and rusty corrosion on the lower areas. The salesman's response?
"Well, we leave it out in all weathers."
"What, all the time?"
"Well, during the day."
"Do you clean it?"
"Yeah."

So, you leave it outside 9-5, it doesn't get ridden in the rain much, and then comes into a garage overnight. And it's got plenty of speckly brown furry bits inside 2k.

That, I'm afraid, rules it out for me for my circumstances .

It's made for sunny days, and real-world roads, and I'm sure you could take it to a track day and have beyond fun on it. If I had the opportunity to have a multi-bike garage, the Multistrada would be in there, definitely. But then I'd employ someone to clean it all the time, too...

So, back home on the Vara again, and more pleased than ever with it. I was beginning to take it for granted, but all it takes is a bit of perspective to point out what a good job Honda have done.

Mind you, the next couple of test rides could be trouble: it's off to the KTM dealers in a few weeks when I get back from my hols...

[Freerangestormer]

Go try a Tiger 1050 next, yeehaa with a comfy seat, comparable and perhaps better quality paint and fittings in some areas than a Honda (according to Bike I think) and I defy anybody not to like that engine.

[Muzz]

I tried a Tiger 1050 last year (posted my impressions somewhere on here), and liked it. But not enough to buy one. I'd put it on a par with the Multistrada - I enjoyed the Trumpet engine more, but thought the Multi handled (even) better. Oh, and the Tiger's prettier...

It did make me ride like a hooligan, tho

[Freerangestormer]

It did make me ride like a hooligan, tho

never really felt like hanging my off till I rode one, tried a friends Tiger with uprated front springs and rear shock and I would think it would bear comparison with most things this side of pure sports bike, the same guy has an R1 in his garage too, says the 1050 is more