Which is the best Varadero ?

[Frad]

Maybe a bit of a subjective question but I am considering 'trading up' to a Vara 1000 from my Transalp.

I do not have a bottomless pit so it will definately be 2nd hand one but looking through Bike Trader etc there are so many models V2,3,4 etc
Would like a 6 speed and EFI so when did they come out and how much should I expect to pay or trade in for my mint TA?

Do they have any weak spots, someone mentioned cam chains being a problem?

Any help greatly appreciated

Cheers Frad

Details of mine below

[HUDDERS]

Where you going to get the mint TA from??

[Frad]

If I could download some photos I could show you the ones I took on Sunday in Wales with Catherine but there seems to be a problem posting photos at the mo


The sun was shining and had a great ride out..................where were you ??????

[Austin]

Which is the best Vara?....... mine's the best one, but I am not selling it!!!!

Seriously though, although newer always seems better I am not so sure that EFi was good step forward for the Vara. My EFi is horrible, it surges at low speeds <30mph and the difference between a closed throttle and an open throttle is so fine to be damn near impossible to smoothly feed in the throttle without feathering the clutch, last bike I had like this was an air head BMW where the shaft was the problem not the carburation. Some say the the older models were a bit more powerful too and fuel consumption is reported as on a par - 45ish normal with 50+ on steady motorway cruises although I think the carb models can get thirsty if ridden with spirit whereas the EFI one's don't. Unless you treat it very firmly mine doesn'thandle very well .

But on the whole I love my Vara, I like the power and the torque and the instant acceleration, I love the sound the sound especially the induction roar and one day the burble of the Akrpovics I will get. I love the comfort the "bigness", and the massive fuel range and . Get one, you won't regret it.

[Frad]

Which is the best Vara?....... mine's the best one, but I am not selling it!!!!

Seriously though, although newer always seems better I am not so sure that EFi was good step forward for the Vara. My EFi is horrible, it surges at low speeds <30mph and the difference between a closed throttle and an open throttle is so fine to be damn near impossible to smoothly feed in the throttle without feathering the clutch, last bike I had like this was an air head BMW where the shaft was the problem not the carburation. Some say the the older models were a bit more powerful too and fuel consumption is reported as on a par - 45ish normal with 50+ on steady motorway cruises although I think the carb models can get thirsty if ridden with spirit whereas the EFI one's don't. Unless you treat it very firmly mine doesn'thandle very well .

But on the whole I love my Vara, I like the power and the torque and the instant acceleration, I love the sound the sound especially the induction roar and one day the burble of the Akrpovics I will get. I love the comfort the "bigness", and the massive fuel range and . Get one, you won't regret it.

Thanks Austin you know I was thinkin of it at the Welsh invasion

Just need a few more Great British Pounds

[Steve T]

Totally objective view from me, seeing as I've recently got a '99 Vara, that sits along side my '97 @, which lounges next to my old TA (now owned by my eldest son) in my garage.

The TA (a classic '91 600cc version ) is ace for the ruff stuff off road, being lighter, thus easier to pick up when laid down to rest . It's road ability has to be "searched for" with extreme use of the right wrist to make good progress.

The Vara - GRUNT, lots and lots of GRUNT.
Exceedingly comfortable tourer (did nearly 4k miles through France & Spain on it a few weeks ago) that rolls up road miles without breaking into a sweat. Never contemplated taking it off road cos I'm a wus and its weighs more than I do (but then so does the TA ), but it is easy to pick up from the recumbent position on the petrol station forecourt even by little old me!

Personnaly I'll never let my TA out of my clutches - when eldest son has had enough of it, Dads taking it back.

The Vara - want to by buy it? I'd lose no sleep if it was sold tomorrow. Haven't really "bonded" with it even after over 5k miles in a little over 6 weeks.

Notice that I haven't mentioned the @ till now . . . . . that machine still involves me in riding it every time I ride it, if that makes sense? It can cover the miles at the same rate as the Vara over the roads I use up here in the north east of Scotland, but uses a lot less fuel whilst doing so! I find that it's engine is smoother than the Vara's, even when the @ is being worked that little bit harder to keep up the pace.

Just the ramblings of a mid life crisis (SWMBO description of me) rider with not enough time to enjoy all his toys .

TTFN,

Steve T

[Frad]

Cheers Steve

I love my TA and it does almost all I ask of it, but.......... on Motorways it ain't much fun I feel i'm ringin its neck at 80-85 and the slightest side wind and it has a mind of its own. does the vara behave the same or is it more 'solid'?

Two up it just struggles to do any quick overtakes, everything has to be 'planned' no great problem but it would be nice to just 'twist and go' or is that me being lazy

We are off to Ireland in July for 10 days not doing big mileage and just 50- 60 mph everywhere which suits it just fine.

Sounds like I'm knockin the TA a bit but I just want to know from the experienced Vara riders how they differ.

Cheers Frad

[StumpyFingers]

the best model of any bike is the one you can not afford.
Always go for the newest one you can afford.

[africajim]

I've ridden the TA but not owned one, I've had both Vara's, the 5 speed carb and a new VA9 6speed EFI. Also five @T's.
The TA is a nice balanced bike and works fine. A little breathless for my taste hence the @T's. Very breathless for two up touring.
The @T, I've toured Europe on one, a very able bike, but again, breathless when two up.
The ultimate tourer is the mighty Varadero. The 5 speed carb is more aggressive, easier to ride as less involved due to less gear changes as 6th's too tall for b roads on the EFI. Power delivery is smoother on the EFI, dunno what's up with Austin's one, mine does not surge?

So, horses for courses. TA is fine for one up, if not a little breathless. The @T is also a great all round motorcycle but two up touring is harsh on it. The mighty Vara is the bike for touring two up. The 5 speed is more aggressive and I personally preferred it to ride. The 6 speed is silky smooth and better on fuel. So, the TA and @T will do almost anything, brilliant all round motorcycles but the Varadero will do Anything, including two up touring in it's stride. If you need a bigger bike for two up touring, yes, buy a Varadero, either will do, as new as you can afford. If not, just get a newer TA!

[pete h]

Frad, I can't offer you a comparison against the @t or the TA I'm afraid, but in 20+ years of riding, everything from fizzies to hayabusas, my 99 vara is the only one that consistently makes me a happy bunny every time I get on it.

Prior to it I spent three years on a vfr, and I've ridden every model of that since '96, honda really goofed with vtec, and I've always preferred carbs to fi, probably something to do with having at least got a clue how the damn things work, unlike the degree in electronic engineering you seem to need now to fix a modern bike.

I used to think the vfr was the pinnacle of all round biking but I'm a convert to the vara, it is simply a superb do anything bike, love the height, love the wide bars, love the fact that my mate on his 1098s can't lose me on b roads, love the all day cruising ability, love the noise of a nicely fettles twin, love my popping scorpion cans, love being able to walk when I get off it without aching, nice to be able to take more than a gerber tool and a rainsuit out with me, without having to strap on a rucksack.

The only thing I'd change....I'd like a sixth gear for the inevitable motorway trips to ports, over 85mph it makes me feel guilty about engine sympathy, but to be honest I can live without it these days, if I want to exceed licence keeping speeds, that's what I go to work for, (small perk of the job).

Faults: only major one I've had was a new shock, £250 quid from hagon, but in two and half years ownership I think that's an acceptable outlay.

I get to see much more of where I'm riding now, rather than blurred hedge lines and limit points of bends, lower speeds don't equal less fun, I enjoy every ride on the thing, I only wish I'd bought one ten years ago when it was new.

The best vara.....it's the one you're on!