Honda Adventure Riders Forum
Honda XL1000V Varadero - The bike that started our community! => Varadero riders experiences => Topic started by: sleepyhead65 on January 29, 2014, 04:57:42
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I'm still new to the Varadero. When I purchased mine I had visions of dual sport riding throughout the rocky and rugged terrain here. I had the idea that I was buying the poor mans GS. However, I have had to tame my expectations for a few reasons:
The dero is really freaking heavy ( I knew this but was surprised how much this affected the bike off road) , I don't have a lot of offroad experience, and I'm running Avon Distanzias which are a 90/10 tire (they came with the bike).
But I also notice that I don't see a lot of talk about actual offroad riding in the forum. So I'm asking the question, a kind of survey, What kind of riding do you do? How far have you pushed the Dero off road?
It's a superb bike especially on the road, I won't be changing it but I would like to hear your stories ( and PICS).
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well, it all depending how skill you are to change tyre for different missions and getting used to drive in these conditions.
Varadero is a versatile bike.
Honda Varadero XL 1000 - The Pathfinder ride on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/27983683)
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Nice vids. I went and checked out some of the others on your website. great scenery.
So I am inclined to agree that the Varadero is a versatile bike, however I haven't found anything on youtube showing a Dero on a real trail. Just compacted stuff like your pathfinder video. I will certainly be riding on roads like this pic and probably worse.
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Guys, remember the wight of our dero is 275 kg without anything, only refuelled.
Rainer
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@Sleepyhead:
My learning curve has not yet passed the middle of you can do with a bike. I started with the heaviest..
Agree Rainer. Alone and you are stuck..
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@Sleepy head. If that's the sort of terrain you are going on, you need a Bultaco or a KTM 400. The 'Dero is a beeeg lump and great for it; I would have no compunction about riding on that pitch but if you were alone and dropped it...? Even if you can lift it up again, the bike will be damaged. The same goes for BMuu GS, for all you CAN take it off-road I've seen an awful lot of them laid on their sides, with the new owners in their shiny but now spoiled and muddy BMuu leathers, sitting at the side of them, rubbing various bruised bits and looking for their buddies to give them a lift up with it.
If you trawl this website, you'll find plenty of pictures of the Scandinavian giants who treat these bikes like trailies and put knobblies on to go ploughing through forests and snow: they have my admiration but quite frankly, I think they are crazy. they probably do that instead of wrestling bears.
JK
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Uh No, Jackyork. We have a lot of BMUusers that have fully kitted GS's from touratech and 80% of them are parked outside Starbucks, more shiny that Custom chromes.. After they have ended their little coffee break they drives home again. Cause mileage ruin the value..
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@jackyork That`s hilarious! ;D ;D
So I am not the only one who finds it almost too heavy to take off road. I`m glad it`s not just me!
Obviously every situation needs to be sized up for risk level and riding alone increases the risk tremendously. It`s also a matter of experience so taking small bites to bring up skills is what I plan to do (as well as knobbies, armour, and a resignation to scratches and dents).
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in fact I think my most likely problem I will encounter is getting stuck....probably repeatedly. I'm packing para cord and carabiners so that I can leverage my way out of that inevitable situation (with a friend of course)
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The problem is not the weight per se but where the weight is located. On the Varadero the weight is unfortunately on top while on the GS it is below and thus its weight is rarely felt.
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Hello !!! My opinion is that Varadero could not be an enduro bike but you can go at smooth roads with dust and its better if you have tyres 50/50. As i stay in Greece you can't imagine how well the bike goes when tarmac ends and you want to visit the ''secret'' island beaches at summer ;) !!!!!!!!!!!
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@sleepyhead
For me, the trail in your photo is great fun for a KLR ;D ...I suppose I could get the Vara up that trail but going down.... :o ...that's when the front end will go where it wants to and it will all end in tears :'(
My old KLR 650 was a great compromise (off-road, touring, Starbucks etc). Maybe you could haul a trail bike behind the Vara for those mountain moments ???
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Guys, remember the wight of our dero is 275 kg without anything, only refuelled.
Rainer
275 kgs motorbike + 120kgs the rider + luggage and extras 40 - 80 kgs .... almost 500kgs!!I assume that a gnarliest trail with all this weight will look like getting a tour with legendary '' BIGFOOT '' .Too risky for me BUT some of my collegues loves to do it!
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ok you guys have pretty much convinced me. I'm not going to have to tone down my expectations. I get that it's not a KLR or GS. And if I try I'm in for pretty big bills and maybe some injuries. :'(
That's alright though there are lots of much more moderate trails here in Newfoundland. I'm still quite happy with my Dero it's a great bike even if I only ever took it on roads.
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ok you guys have pretty much convinced me. I'm not going to have to tone down my expectations. I get that it's not a KLR or GS. And if I try I'm in for pretty big bills and maybe some injuries. :'(
That's alright though there are lots of much more moderate trails here in Newfoundland. I'm still quite happy with my Dero it's a great bike even if I only ever took it on roads.
Now you're talking. It IS a great bike: you'll find out what it's good at.
JK
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As a tip. Don't know how tall you are but driving in these conditions standing makes it a lot easier to spread your weight backwards and using the throttle so the frontwheel not dig into the dirt to much. The Vara is real fun to drive standing. Bar risers is a must otherwise you got crawl back cause your arm is to short.
approx 3 cm is the highest you can have it if you don't want to change the hydraulic hose to front brake caliper.
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Well I have 30 cm risers. I'm 179 cm so I generally find this a good fit for standing. The only time I really reach is when I have my butt as far back as my arms will allow (downhill).
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@athanman are you calling me fat? ;D ;D ;D
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@Sleepy head 3 cm risers, or 30 mm, 30 cm is nearly a foot, they're ape hangers; that's how those two spaceshots missed each other.
JK
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30 cm risers, that's monkeybar?
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I've had my Vera on sections like in your picture. Yes it can be done, but it's not any fun at all and potentially disastrous.
I've smashed the hell out of my front wheel, there's a good "ding" in it that I need to get repaired. It's holding air and has for over a year, but I got to get it fixed eventually.
It's far more comfortable on nothing worse than the gravel in the Video.
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30 mm! OMG not 30 cm!
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@ Sleepyhead
Like many us have done, I'm sure you'll try out different types and conditions of "off-road" and find your comfortable level of fun ...just don't be too ambitious the first time ...and have a buddy with you to help pick her up ;)
I ride solo most of the time so I keep to "easy" trails and where there will be some others out there (....for when I need help :-[)
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OK, my three takes on this:
1. The Varadero is called "the gravel road Gold Wing." That is really accurate; I've done a lot of distance on gravel on mine. The standard machine is really good for this, solo or with a pillion passenger.
2. But it's a big, heavy lump for offroad (ie anything tougher than formed tracks). My DR650 cost less than potential repair costs from attempting to trailride the Vara would, and even the DR is a big, heavy and unfocussed lump for true offroad. Really tight and tough offroad: I trailer my OSSAs there.
3. Likewise, spending money to try to make the things rideable offroad will lead you into expenditure better made on buying a machine fit for offroading to be your other (or, as is my case, another) machine - and it will still do the job better than would a BMuu-ised Varadero.
However, I do have a few pics in an old camera somewhere of my wife and me 2-up on my Vara on a clay-surfaced farm track - I'll see if I can find to post in this thread. The thing does do monster rooster-tails, even with 2 of us on it.
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Here is a swedish guy who tried make the Vara more lighter and versatile for the enviroment.
(http://iloapp.swedishline.com/data/_gallery//public/2/136906001086902400_resized.jpg?width=1277&height=720)
http://www.vci-forum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=345 (http://www.vci-forum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=345)
It is now for sale in Sweden.
It is a nice project but meanwhile it is still a fact. Varadero and others in this segment is just a slight of going offroad. There are better alternatives if you want to drive in terrain.
This spring I joined the swedish national garde instead of buying. Just to learn how to handle the real terrain driving. It is just a 250cc from the early 80's but it is moving in those circumstances. If you like Dakar driving. 400cc suited for it is a second bike. You can't have it all from one bike. Varadero is a good touring bike with purpose to get forward in packed roads. Gravel or tarmac but it is not a terrain bike.
(http://malmo.fmck.se/bilder_pt06/ordonnanser.jpg)
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Me fooling around on my Varadero!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q)
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Me fooling around on my Varadero!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q)
That's more mud than I've ridden through in my whole life! ;)
I guess Newfoundland must be some interesting place to ride :)
Congratulations,
Josep
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Here is a swedish guy who tried make the Vara more lighter and versatile for the enviroment.
(http://iloapp.swedishline.com/data/_gallery//public/2/136906001086902400_resized.jpg?width=1277&height=720)
http://www.vci-forum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=345 (http://www.vci-forum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=345)
It is now for sale in Sweden.
It is a nice project but meanwhile it is still a fact. Varadero and others in this segment is just a slight of going offroad. There are better alternatives if you want to drive in terrain.
This spring I joined the swedish national garde instead of buying. Just to learn how to handle the real terrain driving. It is just a 250cc from the early 80's but it is moving in those circumstances. If you like Dakar driving. 400cc suited for it is a second bike. You can't have it all from one bike. Varadero is a good touring bike with purpose to get forward in packed roads. Gravel or tarmac but it is not a terrain bike.
(http://malmo.fmck.se/bilder_pt06/ordonnanser.jpg)
O.M.G :o
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@sleepyhead65, nice video, off road riding . Do you lower the tire pressure when riding on loose gravel like that?
What is the consensus on lowering the tire pressure when riding off road?
I carry an air compressor, but the Michelin web site (have Anakee3)states never to deflate a hot tire.
Would like to ride to an off road site, lower the pressure for the dirt and raise it back when back on asphalt.
Anybody doing that on a regular basis? Will it destroy the tires?
Thanks,
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@sleepyhead65, nice video, off road riding . Do you lower the tire pressure when riding on loose gravel like that?
What is the consensus on lowering the tire pressure when riding off road?
I carry an air compressor, but the Michelin web site (have Anakee3)states never to deflate a hot tire.
Would like to ride to an off road site, lower the pressure for the dirt and raise it back when back on asphalt.
Anybody doing that on a regular basis? Will it destroy the tires?
Thanks,
Its true.You should lower the pressure. Its not appropriate to deflate a hot tire,do it before you begin your trip (when the tires are cold),same thing when you want to raise it back, always when they are cold . Secondly i would advise you that if you want to have a long off road trip then a pair of Karoo tires will make you feel more confident and allow enjoy your off road adventure more than any other asphalt tire.
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@sleepyhead65, nice video, off road riding . Do you lower the tire pressure when riding on loose gravel like that?
What is the consensus on lowering the tire pressure when riding off road?
I carry an air compressor, but the Michelin web site (have Anakee3)states never to deflate a hot tire.
Would like to ride to an off road site, lower the pressure for the dirt and raise it back when back on asphalt.
Anybody doing that on a regular basis? Will it destroy the tires?
Thanks,
Its true.You should lower the pressure. Its not appropriate to deflate a hot tire,do it before you begin your trip (when the tires are cold),same thing when you want to raise it back, always when they are cold . Secondly i would advise you that if you want to have a long off road trip then a pair of Karoo tires will make you feel more confident and allow enjoy your off road lladventure more than any other asphalt tire.
Excellent advice, I will consider 70/30 tires in the future. I'm still a novice off road, and those will possibly prevent me from spending my time lifting my 600 pounds bike back up. I guess lowering the pressure by 10psi should not damage them too much if I keep a decent speed on the road.
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Me fooling around on my Varadero!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q)
That's more mud than I've ridden through in my whole life! ;)
I guess Newfoundland must be some interesting place to ride :)
Congratulations,
Josep
Josep, I could help you to find mud 8)
(https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/4271_1130630875288_6268067_n.jpg?oh=9cc9f97afbb4ef29c088ccc89dc1cb4c&oe=5471312A)
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well, it all depending how skill you are to change tyre for different missions and getting used to drive in these conditions.
Varadero is a versatile bike.
Honda Varadero XL 1000 - The Pathfinder ride on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/27983683)
Nothing off road in that video Mr Skye
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I don't lower the pressure at all. If I was riding in sand or mud regularly I would probably do so. However in Newfoundland the trails are very rocky. The previous owner cracked one of his rims and spent a fair bit of money replacing it. I believe he was lowering the pressure and bottomed it out on the rim.
So for sake of my rims I don't pressure down.
Here's another vid of the vara off road.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154651399750567&set=vb.602215566&type=2&theater (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154651399750567&set=vb.602215566&type=2&theater)
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Nothing off road in that video Mr Skye
Well, thats my experience of gnarliest road with a Varadero
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@sleepyhead65 Sorry, I can't see your video, facebook doesn't allow me.
Here are some recent pics of my Varadero, shot in a track I must have followed a couple dozen times with her.
Not the gnarliest, but still fun (I mean that when I've been in worse tracks, I started to have no fun at all 8) ).
Who said PR4Ts were road-only tyres? ;D
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2dsp7k3.jpg)
(http://i61.tinypic.com/szd9o2.jpg)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/122gkdt.jpg)
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just need karoo 3!!(https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10376738_736377119733902_7470845211515688865_n.jpg?oh=8e690267949667fd0b97d39e1ecbd1a5&oe=54F0582A)
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And please do tell the end of the story as it looks too muddy for you to get out alone, or maybe not ???
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@josepm. That trail is about my limit and certainly not with a full touring load
@rul. Sometimes a good trail as shown by josepm can turn into a mud bath after a few kms...I wonder if this is what happened? Do you turn around or keep going, hoping that it's only a short distance...
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HI...i am a "wild boar " i like this roads and i prove Varadero have 80% offroad capabilitis as my old Africa !!!
I turn just for foto..and i go 15km on this road!(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-POGHyB2pCuU/TldygFiZz3I/AAAAAAAAACY/IxOImoyTdss/w958-h719-no/100_5465.JPG)(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cc7WLHvoXME/Tldy0U8_GKI/AAAAAAAAACk/sYWVcISoJoA/w958-h719-no/100_5440.JPG)....after 3 yaers i sell Africa and return Varadero for more pover and comfort !!(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YMORR43ahAY/Tldx3Gwch3I/AAAAAAAAACI/YcjCO5lIaIg/w958-h719-no/100_5510.JPG)
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sorry.i am unskiled user!!(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fnzh7yb55ac/VF37FbYiFvI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Fcvss_dLyT8/w958-h639-no/vara.jpg)(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5Fp-L_bNcU/VF37KMEmtEI/AAAAAAAAAgM/06lcmcpObxQ/w958-h639-no/IMG_1377.jpg)..in most time i used karoo tires but is too loud for long trip on tarmac...and now i try tourance..its OK if its dry road!!maybe i buy a second paar of wheels..tourance for west europa roads and karoo for est europa!!
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< Rul 2 of the pictures of your previous post are no more available; can you edit please? or I will ;)>
Nice plate you had ! (http://r26.imgfast.net/users/2616/29/30/32/smiles/1063593926.gif)
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No problem...you can edit for me.. Thx!!!
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I don't lower the pressure at all. If I was riding in sand or mud regularly I would probably do so. However in Newfoundland the trails are very rocky. The previous owner cracked one of his rims and spent a fair bit of money replacing it. I believe he was lowering the pressure and bottomed it out on the rim.
So for sake of my rims I don't pressure down.
Here's another vid of the vara off road.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154651399750567&set=vb.602215566&type=2&theater (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154651399750567&set=vb.602215566&type=2&theater)
SLEEPYHEAD.........Your FB link no longer works. Just saying
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Me fooling around on my Varadero!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNu1kYPq0Q)
SLEEPYHEAD....What tyres are you running for trails like this ?