vara or vstrom?

[squaretyres]

help!
the better half wants me to sell my x reg transalp and buy something bigger. i seem to be torn between a varo and vstrom 1000, any advice on whats best for general comfy days riding and odd long haul? thanks

[africajim]

I've not had a Vstrom so can't really compare mate but I have ridden one. I can say Suzuki power delivery is very good and probably the slickest gearbox in the business. Downside would be Suzuki's build quality.
The Varadero, I'd opt for the newer 6 speed EFI rather than 5 speed carb version, more economy, slicker, better looking!
250 mile tank range, 6000 miles from tyres, good ergonomics for touring, plenty of room for two up and luggage. It will feel just like your Transalp but bigger and better!
Try both and let us know how you got on.

[jamie92j]

help!
the better half wants me to sell my x reg transalp and buy something bigger. i seem to be torn between a varo and vstrom 1000, any advice on whats best for general comfy days riding and odd long haul? thanks

i went from a tranie 650 to the mighty vara and i have never looked back!
Vara is so compfy and eats up miles no problem, i have never driven the v-strom so cant compare sorry. best thing to do would be to test ride both!
recently been 2-up, full luggage and top box all over Europe and it still deals with the twistys very well! did 2400 miles in 9 days, didnt feel tiered or stressed once, like i said vara just loves the miles.........

[squaretyres]

Thanks very much,
I have to say that build quality seems to be main factor for all and having the transalp has given me the confidence in Honda.
I have no idea what to sell the transalp for its only done 12000 mot'd yesterday but they seem to be fetchin silly money, or maybe i'm kiddin myself any ideas?

[Trixsta2]

I had a DL1000 V-Strom until late 2008 and did 47k miles on it. Have had an XL1000V Varadero since then and done 12k miles. The build quality and finish on the Suzuki was fine and as good as the Varadero. Varadero build and finish down slightly on previous Japanese built Honda's I have owned. But in reality both good. Gearbox better on the Varadero, lot of crunching into 1st on the V-Strom. Gear change on the move smother with the Varadero. The Varadero is 40kg or so heavier than the V-Strom, which is OK when you are riding, but you know about it when you are pushing it around. ABS version adds another 5kg. The main problem with the V-Strom is the driveability. It was never happy at 3000rpm, lurching and surging. They are very sensitive to TB set up which needs to be done on a regular basis and they do stall. I tried everything and the V-Strom International forum is littered with helpful people giving it their best. Cured it in the end by buying the Varadero, which is a lovely bike, typical Honda in the way it works very well as a package. Feels like a bike that has been designed rather than parts thrown at a frame and not properly developed. The bike has had two sets of front disks and the well documented pulse generator under warranty. Learnt to live with the weight. Get a post V7 when you can. Look at the the price of the new VFR and Super Tenere.

[allanmac]

Had an 03 Vstrom and it was ok. Very lumpy at the bottom end. I got fed up and down sized to the 650 vstrom and found it to be far better all round than the thousand. Got a varadero at the moment and apart from bieng a fair bit heavier tham the strom its a better bike. Much smoother to ride.
Built quality not much between them to be honest.
Try to go for as long a test ride as you can get away with.
Cheers Allan

[Twickers]

Left field option - try a TDM , although you'd need a touring screen on it

[davsato]

no no no, you need to spend £12K on the new supertenere, or wait a bit and spend even more on the new honda V4 when it comes out

[richie]

Thanks very much,
I have to say that build quality seems to be main factor for all and having the transalp has given me the confidence in Honda.
I have no idea what to sell the transalp for its only done 12000 mot'd yesterday but they seem to be fetchin silly money, or maybe i'm kiddin myself any ideas?

No you are not wrong, last year I was looking for a nice Transalp. In the end I decided to look for a nice Varadero instead as it appeared that for the same money you can get a vara as a transalp.

The vara is a great bike. However I have ridden a very nice Transalp 600 owned by the owner of the Irish XRV site and TBH for me where I live on the West Coast of Ireland the Transalp would have been just as good. Take your time looking and you will pick up a good deal. Mine was from this site and immaculate...

15000 Miles 12 service stamps and a few nice extras...

[davsato]

i love my vara but i had a 700 TA for a courtesy bike once and liked it, id be happy enough with one i think.