Motorcycle specifications Honda125 VARADERO XLV 2005 TDR in the firing line
It's not all about big cubes. Honda now offers a 125 version of its Varadero trail bike. The aesthetics are largely inspired by the big 1000 trail bike, and like it, the XLV 125 is equipped with a twin, in this case that of the Shadow. An excellent engine, one of the best 4-stroke 125s, powering the only twin-cylinder trail bike on the market.
Although it is sober and takes the Varadero along at a good pace, it struggles to pick up speed, as the bike is not a model of lightness. It has to be said that its size is imposing and particularly attractive. Added to this is the substantial, high-quality equipment, not to mention life on board. If the 1000 is a quality tourer, the smaller model also does well: range is impressive, protection is convincing (even excellent with the high-bubble option), and comfort is top-notch. The seat and suspension are friendly companions on the road.
A good braking machine, provided you apply firm pressure, the Varadero is also at ease in town. Its dimensions don't prevent the rider from putting his or her feet on the ground, as the seat is at the right height. With its good roadholding, it has only the TDR to contend with, whose 2-stroke engine is far more peppy (especially in the unbridled version).
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I own this Model since April 2010
It currently has 26900 km
I have mostly done 1 major overhaul at 12000 km
Otherwise, routine maintenance
Neutral and side stand not very stable, no fuel gauge?
Otherwise, it's reliable
I also have a Top-Case, appreciated by my passengers (S.D.S.)
Cdt. Rating : 3/5 Respond to Dom14
mail: monet.guy@orange.fr " URGENT"... Rating : 1/5 Respond to guy guy guy
great fun to ride
comfortable and economical
Rating : 5/5 Respond to ponpon
The 125 varadero is a very bonn
e moto
Mais pas asser rapide( 110 km heure) se n\' est pas toujours au top pour doubler les poilours sur petite route Il faudraitait au moins 140 km heure
That would be great
Rating : 4/5 Respond to fanfan
Is this model reliable and what kind of problems can be encountered?
Best regards Rating : 2/5 Participate in the conversation
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Burma 35
i think it says it all. Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
i've owned my varadero since october 2006, it's really great and beautiful compared to the 2007 one which looks like a 50 from the 80s
otherwise mechanically nothing to say it's becane the top of the top. unfortunately I am forced to sell it with regret but these 5586km I did with will remain much more pleasant than my yamaha tw I had before
sincerely Rating : 5/5 Respond to olivier
I'm 52 years old, and I've had the new 2002 version of the vara. I can assure you that to find a fault with it, apart from the fuel gauge and the lack of the original center stand, you have to get up early
I kept it for 5 years, and with regular maintenance at my local dealer, I only changed one chain kit and one set of tires, because there were 2 pegs in each (I USED IT EVERY DAY)
And no, a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke are not the same thing, you can't compare them. I weigh nearly 118 kg, and with my wife behind me who does 65, I've never had any trouble overtaking trucks. All I have to do is drop down a gear, pick it up again, and it's a breeze
Unfortunately, a serious illness has prevented me from continuing on two wheels, which is a great pity, as I often made the round trip from Paris to Providence in the same day, without having a bad day
I've done the same thing 2 times with a KIMCO ZING, and believe me, we often stopped because of the discomfort, and now, okay for overtaking, you can hang on, 105 max for the two of us on it
Bravo honda for its VARA Rating : 5/5 Respond to GREYSTOCKE
brand new. We've just done a little mountain biking with my wife and I can tell you that it was a blast, and what's more, I'm just breaking it in; it's a great bike, although I'm very happy with my ybr, with which I've still covered 13,000km, but it's still less comfortable than the vara. it's great!!!! Rating : 5/5 Respond to christian
The longest distance I ever covered in one day on my Varadero was 660 kms, with a 2-hour stopover in Nancy. I didn't have any back pain, as the riding position on this bike is excellent.
I can only say good things about this Vara
I haven't made any modifications, but I'm thinking of buying an engine block. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Mickaél
on long trips it is pleasant
on short trips it's a bit heavy, a little modification and it's ready to go
Rating : 5/5 Respond to miky
a good 120, from the factory it's almost the same except that it doesn't top out at 120 but at 130
Rating : 5/5 Respond to mik
There's nothing like it for daily commutes and long rides on the national and departmental roads!
In fact, I'm president of the VARADERO 125 CLUB NORD, a club dedicated to VARA enthusiasts
website address
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/varadero125clubnord
Contact me: vcn125@wanadoo.fr
See you soon in our Club
V
Daddy, President of VCN125 Rating : 5/5 Respond to Daddy
nice line / nice noise with a ninja pot, just a little disappointed by the lack of fishing in the mountains otherwise perfect on every other point of view. Rating : 5/5 Respond to greg69
There's a great choice of colors and what a size!
The weight is noticeable for the first few kms, but you soon get used to it!
Fuel consumption: 15 euros and 400 km of pleasure guaranteed!
V-Twin shadow engine for guaranteed reliability and robustness
In short, a bike to recommend!
If you have any questions, come and have a look here: http://varadero125.forumactif.com/index.forum
FYI: the Yamaha 2-stroke is more "nervous" than the Honda 4-stroke ... it's up to you to decide whether you want to play the rossi with a trail bike or if you're aiming for cruising and comfort!
Personally, I love this crutch!
A+ Rating : 5/5 Respond to Knightloos
Having said that, I love a quiet ride on my son's Vara, and it's also very economical in terms of fuel consumption, but when I want to have fun, I take the TDR!
The Vara's biggest selling point, in my opinion, is its size, which is very flattering for its owner: there's a reason why a lot of B license holders ride it; it's a motorcycle for the 2-wheeler-hungry, with a well-stocked wallet for those who buy it new! Rating : 5/5 Respond to tdrman007
i've had a vara for 3 weeks now and I can tell you that this bike is great. Extremely easy to handle, excellent manoeuvrability, but as for the lack of power, I can't say I'm still breaking it in
The Vara is a great choice for a first motorcycle experience; the only downside is that it makes you want to get a license to ride a bigger bike lol
On that note, I'm off for a ride! Rating : 5/5 Respond to bumo
The 8000 km oil change and the 125 is no longer the same. I mentioned it to the dealer, who kept it for an afternoon, but nothing he said
It even lacked peach afterwards..
It didn't take long ... rear cylinder tightening with wheel lock and a 10-meter slide with passenger... phew, all safe and sound, but scary. My bike is under warranty for a week. But why repair 1 cylinder and not the second by prevention..
Thanks for your comms Rating : 5/5 Respond to bluesmich
+air filter after 350 kms of running-in, I lock the speedometer at 12500 revs for mine (140 km.h)be careful to check the fifi oil consumption Rating : 5/5 Respond to fifi
I've heard of problems in winter: it would stall if you ran on SP95, but with SP98 it wouldn't happen again!
Have you had this problem?
What's more, no gauge? How do you see the fuel level? A blade of grass in the tank? LOL
Apart from that, I'm really into the look! It's a bit expensive, but hey, it's Honda, so it's a guarantee of quality, especially with the shadow's tried-and-tested twin-cylinder!
A+ et bon vent ! Rating : 5/5 Respond to chuimathie
I've been driving it for 1 year now and I can't get enough of it.... Obviously, it lacks a bit of acceleration, but it's a real pleasure to drive and above all, what a face it has
In short, it's a real invitation to take your driving test!
i recommend it to everyone......it's a real joy for which I don't regret having broken my piggy bank!
bonne route à tous Rating : 5/5 Respond to olive27
Rating : 5/5 Respond to nemrod34
a bientot a tous les motards
gazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!! Rating : 5/5 Respond to jen raoul
for me who has never been a biker (I think I'm going to get my license ;lol )still breaking in 650km I don't know yet what it's like if not for those under 1m70 it's a bit high;not very obvious the vara for peitis
but it's a lot of fun when you know how to stop without falling off; I'll tell you more about it
i'll tell you more when I've tested it better
ideal for people like me; a little over thirty who want to go for a ride mm with 2 or go to work; good motorcycle safety for a so-called 125 cc;l not too fast but very comfortable; I'm in the Aix-en-Provence region and around here a lot of hills I hope it will do it finally I'll tell you more for now good road to all and good ride
dans un grand confort a + tard a tous et toutes focement ciao ciao
Rating : 5/5 Respond to untarrr
True, it's expensive, heavy and lacks punch
That said, it's still the best 125 on the market: comfortable, reliable, easy to drive, two-up, great range, fuel-efficient, rewarding, etc., etc..
In short, I love it and I'm not ready to part with it! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Raphael