On Friday I picked up a new 2012 reg Varadero with 1,500 miles on the clock from Oxford and rode it up to Aberdeen.
They are essentially the same bike but the new bike has some cosmetic changes, ABS and 53,000 miles less on the clocks. Some of the differences between the two bikes were expected, some were not.
The old Bike was a 2003 model, one of the early FI's.
Engine:
The old bike was often a bit rough a low revs (below 3,000 RPM) , sometimes it would be OK but then it would go back to being rough often after a stop for a rest or fuel. The new one is smooth all the way down to 2,000 rpm.
My impression is that the new engine does not yet pull as well as the old one but that may be due to my reluctance to thrash it as it is so new.
Brakes:
Haven't had the opportunity (or need) to test the ABS yet but the new bike need a little more pressure on the lever to achieve the same braking effect. I expect in time it will get better.
Suspension:
The old bike had a Wilbers on the rear and Hyperpro progressive springs on the front. The new bike has Pre-load and stiffness settings on the rear. I don't know what the rear is set to but it feels similar to the Wilbers.
The front suspension feels harder over small bumps but dives a lot more and is less steady (see tyres later) under heavy braking.
Screen:
The old bike had an MRA Vario touring screen. The new bike has a standard Honda screen. Without any doubt this was the most noticeable difference and the MRA screen is now fitted to the new bike. The Honda screen was much nosier and created a pronounced turbulence at visor level around 50 mph. My impression was also that the screen was causing the bike to be less stable at warp speeds but this may be due to the tyres (see below).
Tyres:
Old Bike Michelin Pilot Road 2/3, new bike standard Honda fitment of Trail Wings. There has been a lot of negative feedback about the trail wings so I was not sure what to expect. They felt very similar to the Tourances that were on my old bike when I first got it. I wasn’t pushing hard on the way home as it's never a good idea to lob a new bike before the wife sees it. The instability under heavy braking and at warp speed may be down to the tyres. I will know more when I change them to PR3's. The classic Tourance low speed, hands off, handlebar shake was also noticeable at times.
Handling :
Overall the bike felt more stable dropping into corners.
Centre Stand:
Old bike - Honda (I think). New Bike SW Motech. The foot lever on the Motech centre stand is a lot shorter than the old one and this coupled with the less user friendly (but nicer looking) grab bar at the back end meant that it needed a lot more grunt to get is up into the stand. The difference in the front springs may also affect this as the old bike sat a bit higher once they were fitted.
Instruments:
The new dashboard looks much nicer than the old one. Functionally the only difference I have seen so far is the mileage count down once the fuel light comes on. I deliberately continued until it was indicating only 10 Miles left and It took 22.5 Litres suggesting it had 2.5 litres or 20 miles left (good to know).
Luggage:
Old bike Givi E360 panniers, new bike Honda panniers. The Honda panniers probably have more space in total but I've got used to the Givi's and know how to pack them. The Honda rack looks neater when the panniers are not attached. I've still got the pair Givi's and haven't made up my mind if I will stick with the Honda ones yet.
Alarm:
The previous owner of the new bike used it for commuting and presumably had to park it in odd places. I've never had an alarm on a bike before and my needs are different. I completely understand why the alarm was fitted but my initial impressions were negative. 45 seconds after you switch off the engine the alarm automatically arms itself and you have to press a button on the remote to unset it. The remote is not 100% waterproof and should be kept in your pocket. Lots of faffing about when I'm used to just getting on and riding off.
I use the bike for touring and leisure and when not used the bike is kept off-street in a locked garage. The prospect of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a petrol station when in a hurry to catch a ferry or at the front of a queue waiting to get off a ferry and finding out that the immobiliser or key fob is broken is not good.
I had a look at that alarm installation and wiring today and that was enough to convince me to remove it. Why is it that “Professional Installers” insist on using cheap electrical tape when self-amalgamating tape is easy to use and so much better.
Heated grips:
Never had them before. They seem to work well but as above the wiring need tidying up.
Scottoiler:
The old bike had a touring reservoir behind the rear number plate and a chainwheel feed of my own making. New bike has a standard reservoir and a twin feed thingy for the chainwheel. After a 520 mile ride to Aberdeen I was surprised to see the back wheel looking so clean. On investigation I found that the feed tube to the chainwheel thingy was too short and had come off thus lubricating the M6 and A7 !. I suspect that I will eventually fit the touring reservoir to the new bike.
If I think of any more significant differences I will post them here.
SB
Nice Stewart, you just need to change the sw-motech stand for the honda one if you prefer ! See you with the new one! And the color? You don't say one word...
Nice to hear about the differences Steward! Lots of fun and safe rides with your new bike!
And the color is........shasty white!?
Any pics?
I know the colour...
Something different...
Have done 14.000 km now on my '12 and the thing which really surprises me is its fuel economy.
At touring speeds (<100 km/h) I can easily reach up on 24 km per litre. On motorway speeds (<130 km/h) 17 to 18 km per litre.
I also recognizes Stewart's first impression on the suspension. It feels so much better and stabile than my old MK2 which was an 2004 ABS. On the old one I felt the need to make all kinds of adjustments and modifications (Wilbers suspension, power commander, K&N airfilter, etc), but this last series Varadero is as good as it comes.
It surprised me during my 5.000 km tour through Ireland and the UK last year, and this time, 3.700 in 10 days of riding to VCIM Norway, again. The whole bike as a concept should not be that much different than my previous bike, but it feels different in a – very - positive way.
If you can lay your hands on a proper low mileage Varadero from the last series... Go for it. After in total over 200.000 km on 4 Varadero's this one is seriously the best I have owned despite the fact that the HISS plays up annoyingly every now and then - but that’s solved by keeping the start button pressed in whilst putting the ignition key on 'ON'
Congratulations Stewart!
Did Bernard, Gilles or Jess persuade you in any way?
Regards,
Josep
Congratulations Stewart!
Did Bernard, Gilles or Jess persuade you in any way?
Regards,
Josep
No, it was the 1,500 miles, lots of extras and a very, very silly price that convinced me
Stewart,
enjoy your new motorcycle.
I hope I shall have a look at it at Millau next year.
Have fun and always an accidentfree ride.
Rainer
@TwoPlugs:
...despite the fact that the HISS plays up annoyingly every now and then - but that’s solved by keeping the start button pressed in whilst putting the ignition key on 'ON'
Really? That's about all I haven't tried!
Centre stand update :
Putting the bike onto the centre stand today and I grabbed the pannier rack instead of the grab rail. I couldn't believe how much easier it was.
The difference is obviously due to the updated grab rail being a bit higher than the old handles.
SB
@TwoPlugs:
...despite the fact that the HISS plays up annoyingly every now and then - but that’s solved by keeping the start button pressed in whilst putting the ignition key on 'ON'
Really? That's about all I haven't tried!
It realy is that dead easy, Jasper!
But keep in mind... put the gear in 'neutral' first...
Centre stand update :
Putting the bike onto the centre stand today and I grabbed the pannier rack instead of the grab rail. I couldn't believe how much easier it was.
The difference is obviously due to the updated grab rail being a bit higher than the old handles.
SB
It really is that dead easy, Stewart!