After two Varaderos and nearly two years now with CT (20 Kkm with DCT model, 2 Kkm with manual transmission bike) I would say that the CT is the one for me. Took me more than a year to get used to the look, though, but nowadays I find CT a good looking bike..! It certainly looks smaller than Vara...
Maybe CT offers less shelter from elements than Vara, but in my case, after adjusting the Honda touring screen and handlebar, everything is good for me! I have SW Motech foot pegs without the rubbers, they give that extra room... I ride gravel roads and also like to do a few track days every year. I totally like the DCT gearbox with foot shifter --> for example, in the track I tend to change down with my thumb, and up with my foot... Fast days in gravel I found myself driving with manual mode and foot shifting, ...I like!
CT is much better to ride standing than Vara (I'm only 1,74 m), I can't put both feet fully ground on neither bike but I don't mind. After I got the suspension to my liking, the CT is much more relaxed to drive at gravel, despite the weight. On tarmac, it is also much better. My last Vara weighed something like 275 - 280 kg without the luggage, and CT is 300 kg without the luggage...
Only thing I do not like is the rear luggage (Honda original) --> leaky bastard. Funny thing, I rode the 1190 KTM adventure at familiar gravel roads immediately after CT, ...and CT was easier! Maybe most due to the tyres, CT was on Karoo 3, KTM with Trail Attack 2... CT was better, even the power was easier to handle: everything was available only at 7000-9000 rpm in KTM, comparing to the 4000-9000 rpm in CT. In gravel, that is real difference
Of course, over a 100 hp is ridiculous in gravel...I spend a lot of time braking
The CT is keeper for me...and that's all that counts for me. Everybody has to make their own decisions!
