'Dero vs Tigger

[manosamos]

Well, I've had both, actually two Varadero's, one 955 Tiger and five @T's.

Here's my tuppenyworth, the @T is, or rather was, the ultimate allround motorcycle. As Honda stopped making or improving the @T I tried the carbadero, 5 speed 2001 model. The 5 speed Varadero was a very capable machine, it could be ridden spiritedly until the pegs were traling on the ground in corners and would pull to the rev limiter in top approx 135mph. I toured Europe on mine, 3500 miles and didn't even adjust the chain! Downside was the economy, 45mpg riding sensible but could see low 30's ridden in anger! Also looking like something out of Judge Dredd didn't help!

The new VA9 I ride now is just as capable, with the 6 speed box and EFI the consumption has improved to 50mpgand almost 60mpg being sensible. Looks to die for compared to the older models. Ok, it's a bit agricultural engine wise compared to the Triumph but damn it can pull! Wheelies off the throttle and with aftermarket pipes sounds like rolling thunder! I do love my VA9 Varadero, damned sexy in black, suspension is light yrs ahead of Triumph, lights, OMG! Compared to the candles in a jar on the Tiger they're great!

On to the Triumph, I had the 955i so can't compare the 1050 but Sean has given plenty of feedback on them! The 955i on the other hand, I loved. Super smooth engine with oodles of power. 30,000 miles and no problems apart from petrol guage sender unit, replaced and problem solved, £48. Economy was 50 to 60 mpg, around Europe twice, also Stella Alpina rally in Italy twice, a truly great motorcycle. Downside was poor lights, wind noise and suspension was very wallowy for two up touring. On the positive side, the Triumph is more comfy and has an engine note to die for!

Which of the two? Well, I might have went for the 1050 if not for the price and Sean's reports on them, I ride my bikes like I stole 'em as well so reliability is high on my list. The Mighty Varadero may well have big hips but damn she can shake 'em when she wants! With aftermarket pipes sounds very sweet. Pricewise, the Vara is a lot of bike for the money. The Showa suspension on the Honda is miles above the Triumph. Not only is the Honda as big as a supertanker it has the presence of one! I stand by my statement over the yrs that the Varadero is probably the best touring bike made in the world to date.

Opinions, like ar*eholes, everyone has one, this just happens to be mine!

Hi.Sorry to say,but how you achived 45mpg with your 2001 Carbadero?By riding at 30mph?
I also own an 2002 Carbadero riding with my wife and top box for a distance of 150miles,average speed 70-90mph,consumption was almost 4UK gallons....

[Davech42]

Here is my bit but based only on a test ride of each.
Tiger sounds like a car. good strong competant engine small panniers. riding it felt like driving a car A to B it left me feeling empty
Varadero big lazy engine competant and willing no where near the pulling power of a buel (thats another story) damp road test ride meant i couldnt push it but it felt at times like it would do more. but most importantly the varadero spoke to my soul and it moved me in ways the triumph didnt. thats why i pick up a new Vara next week yippee

[davsato]

i never had a tiger but i did go from a 955i sprint ST to the varadero, apart from top end speed the varadero pisses all over the triumph in my opinion.
build quality is in a different solar system, the finish on the ST started going in the first week, the vara still comes up as new after 2.5 years, furry fasteners and rubbed off paint are long forgotten memories.

dealer backup also is totally different, and i wont ever go into rafferty newmans in fareham ever again. in the first few services i told them i felt the head race bearings were rough, but they were 'ok', and the first service after the warranty ran out, guess what, my head race was shot.
also coils, battery, loose screws, and then the engine munched itself at three yrs old for £2500 of internals + £700 labour, to be fair triumph stumped up the parts gratis because it never shouldve happened but after that id never trust it again.
other triumph dealers dont want to know if you didnt get the bike from them either. i dont know if honda are the best but they are certainly head and shoulders over the ratpack.
the only thing thats happened to my vara (aka BB, Black Bertha) is the ubiquitous gland in the lower exhaust.

i dont find economy a problem on bertha, its nearly as good as the ST but the extra three litres in the tank means i can go further and its as comfy which means my bum can go the extra distance aswell.

all in all i love the bike, the triple was a fantastic engine but expensive to service, the ST was great to ride, but not to own. the big v-twin on the vara is equally great. different but just as great.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Good information, guys.

...other triumph dealers dont want to know if you didnt get the bike from them either. i dont know if honda are the best but they are certainly head and shoulders over the ratpack...

I doubt Honda dealers are much better in that regard. Certainly the dealer in S Wales - Thunderroad - has been fine with me, if pricey. I know another dealer who has since (been?) dropped (by?) Honda refuses to work on bikes not bought from them.

[Lord Vader]

Hi.Sorry to say,but how you achived 45mpg with your 2001 Carbadero?By riding at 30mph?
I also own an 2002 Carbadero riding with my wife and top box for a distance of 150miles,average speed 70-90mph,consumption was almost 4UK gallons....

Which is about 40mpg
Well i had a 2000 carb Vara and on the Haggis run i managed between 42-45 mpg 2up loaded like this





only problem was,i had a stopping distance of a Super tanker

[jasonbc]

Which is about 40mpg
Well i had a 2000 carb Vara and on the Haggis run i managed between 42-45 mpg 2up loaded like this





only problem was,i had a stopping distance of a Super tanker

I still think the early Varadero's are better put together and finished than the newer ones built in the Spanish factoy and they are a damn sight more comfortable the new vara ( i've said it before i'll say it again) the seat is modelled on my xr400 the contours shape and the amount of padding no wonder people are suggesting airhawks on the newer bikes. But i love mine to bits.......







Mine's getting some money spent on her at end of the month when i'm on holiday just bought her a new chain and sprockets 1st set ever on the bike at 33k miles £95+vat from David Silver so got to fit them, also a set of rubber front and rearwill get the same as it got now the good old Bridgestone 020's and she's going in for the 32k service as it the one i don't want to get involved with. I haven't got vacuum guages for the carbs and as she's quad cams i dont want to get involved with the valves either....... I can say good bye to £5-600 this month, but she's worth it

[davsato]

Which is about 40mpg
Well i had a 2000 carb Vara and on the Haggis run i managed between 42-45 mpg 2up loaded like this

(pic)



only problem was,i had a stopping distance of a Super tanker

the vara is definately an open road bike compared to round town, but its still super fun to chuck around so i couldnt care less if i put a big dent in our drying up fossil fuels. its in no way juicier than other bike bikes though, round town they are all thirsty! on a decent run when the fat bird can lift her skirts i get good economy, i think.
250mi to a tank on my 955i triumph was possible, a bike renowned for giving good economy. 250mi for the vara is easy, the extra 3ltrs helps of course but i have been able to cram 26.5ltrs into it and gone over 300mi in spain, cruising on the autoroutes. thats over 50mpg not being careful, loaded up to the gunwhales.
thats another thing i love about it, the engine just seems to shrug off enormous loads, even if the suspension doesnt, (dont put too much weight in the topbox! the front wheel goes very light and nearly had me in the back of a lorry i was overtaking. my fault though, a case of wine and 5kg of swordfish steaks can do that)

[Lord Vader]

thats another thing i love about it, the engine just seems to shrug off enormous loads, even if the suspension doesnt, (dont put too much weight in the topbox! the front wheel goes very light and nearly had me in the back of a lorry i was overtaking. my fault though, a case of wine and 5kg of swordfish steaks can do that)

That is whiy i had a lot of tools in my tankbag even i dont have a clue what to do with them
p.s.i put a Hagon into mine and it transformed the bike