Honda has launched a brand-new version of their big adventure twin, the Varadero. The 996cc V-twin engine – derived from the VTR 1000F – has shed its two big-bore flat-side carburettors in favour of Honda’s PGM-F1 programmed fuel-injection system, and the compression ratio has been upped to 9,8:1. A truly slick six-speed transmission replaces the earlier model’s five-shifter, and the factory claims that the bike can now manage 465 kilometres on its 25 litre tank, compared with the 340 km range of the older bike.
The new bike’s windscreen is height adjustable, although you need to remove the mounting screws to effect any change, and the bike now has a tip-over sensor that kills the engine when the bike falls over.
I rode the Honda for about 200 km at the Gauteng launch, on tar and on gravel roads, and the bike coped excellently with both. At 235 kg (dry) it’s obviously not a trail bike, but as long as you don’t treat it like one it’ll perform just fine in the rough. The claimed 69 kW engine output is enough to get the bike up to an indicated 220 km/hr in fifth or sixth gear, and the bike is very easy to ride quickly on twisty backroads. The gearbox is particularly impressive, changing crisply and offering well chosen ratios.
The new Varadero uses Honda’s linked brakes – tramping on the foot pedal activates one of the pair of front brakes as well as the rear, while a squeeze on the handlebar lever works the front brakes alone. I personally don’t like interference in my balance of front to rear stoppers, but I have to admit the Honda stopped perfectly on tar and on the dirt. Seat height on the Honda is 838mm but thanks to the low centre of gravity the bike doesn’t feel top-heavy when ridden slowly.
The Honda Varadero sells at R 98 995. As a large capacity adventure tourer it’s superb. My only reservation is that if you get carried away off-road and fall over a couple of times you could end up with some very hefty repair bills for all that plastic. Ride sensibly and you’ll love it to bits.