Review of the Honda XL125V Varadero motorcycle (Honda Varadero 125)

XL 125 Varadero

- motorcycle model, Honda brand

The Honda XL125 Varadero motorcycle was first released in 2001.

The Honda XL125V Varadero was based on a 2-cylinder V-twin liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 125 cc and producing 15 hp. power and 10.4 Nm of torque. This engine was new and was developed specifically for the Honda VT125C Shadow cruiser. Maximum engine performance is achieved at 8500-11000 rpm.

— Honda XL125V Varadero (2001-2006) — first generation. The model is distinguished by a carburetor power system, a 17.5 liter fuel tank, and a power of 15 hp.

— Honda XL125V Varadero (2007-2013) — second generation. The model is equipped with an injection engine, has a different plastic design, a dashboard in the style of the Varadero 1000, a 17-liter fuel tank and a maximum power of 14.2 hp.

2001 - official start of production and sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero. First generation.

2003 - starting this year, the model is equipped with silver-colored wheels (instead of black).

2007 - The Honda XL125V Varadero model undergoes major changes. Due to the release of updated Euro 3 emissions standards, the model receives an injector and a catalyst, which slightly reduces the maximum power to 14.2 hp. The model also receives a new plastic fairing, headlights, mirrors and instrument panel (as on the Varadero 1000). The air intake was rotated 90°, and the fuel tank capacity was reduced to 17 liters.

2013 is the last year of sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero.

Model history

2001 - official start of production and sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero. First generation. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X01E1EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V1.

2002 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X02E2EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V2.

2003 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X03E3EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V3.

2004 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X04E4EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V4.

2005 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X05E5EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V5.

2006 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X06E6EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V6.

2007 - The Honda XL125V Varadero model undergoes major changes. Second generation. Due to the release of updated Euro 3 emissions standards, the model receives an injector and a catalyst, which slightly reduces the maximum power to 14.4 hp. The model also receives a new plastic fairing, headlights, mirrors and instrument panel (as on the Varadero 1000). The air intake was rotated 90°, and the fuel tank capacity was reduced to 17 liters. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X07E7EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V7.

2008 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X08E8EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V8.

2009 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*9E9EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V9.

2010 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*AEAEXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125VA.

2011 is the last year of production. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*BEBEXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125VB.

Recommendations

1. Honda Press Information Varadero 125 2001 Archived September 20, 2009 Wayback Machine
2. "Soon | Motorcycles | Honda (UK)". WW1.honda.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
3. "Honda XL125 Varadero (2001-present) - Honda Motorcycle Reviews." Motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
4. "Sales data tells you what's going on in motorsports." Motorcyclenews.com. 2002-01-14. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
5. https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/125cc/ Summer 2013

Characteristics:

Review of the Honda XL 125 V Varadero motorcycle (Honda Varadero 125)

The device is the most advanced of the “consumer goods” 125-approx. Liquid cooling, monoshock and rear disc brake. The same ones are available on the CBR15R. Next came the differences. Double frame. V-twin (moved from the Shadow 125 chopper). Wide seat. Landing... You sit high, you can see far away. On the Phaser FZ6 the landing is worse for me.

Driving around the city is completely satisfactory. It's uncomfortable on the highway. The side wind doesn’t blow you away much - after all, the empty weight is 152 kg, but overtaking is difficult, and rather stressful for those who overtake you. My maximum speed without wind was 118 km/h in 5th gear. The revolutions do not reach the red zone - there is not enough power. At 4th speed 110. Maximum revolutions (12000). Faster than 90 - you already have to hide behind the windbreak. And he's short.

In addition to the comfortable (depending on who) fit, it is beautiful.

When I fell, oddly enough, my plastic suffered 2 times out of 6. Scratches. Now I installed the arches and this trouble is in the past. I broke the brake handle once, but the plastic was not damaged at all. The gearshift paws and brakes have never been damaged.

The light is not very familiar. 2 lamps for low beam, two for far. 35 watts each. I changed them to halogen ones. It became a little lighter, but not radically. And the base there is ba20d. I translate it into Russian - you won’t find it. I bought it in some English store, having read about it on the Varaderkin forum (English-language, of course).

The sound of operation ranges from quiet rattling to a low buzz (after all, 12000). The vibrations seemed noticeable at first. I went to a motorcycle school and here and there. I sat down on mine. What vibrations? In short, mine doesn’t have them. That is, there is. But very affectionate. You just feel that the engine is running and not stalled.

The first one is idling. The speed is like that of a pedestrian. You can literally sneak around in traffic jams. Accordingly, more dramatic maneuvers are possible.

I drove and drove along a forest dirt road, saw a clearing, turned and drove in, and on the way crossed a ditch. Didn't even stand up on the steps. This is me on the topic of his endurability. Even though it’s a SUV, it’s still a jeep. I drove through the forest without roads, on sand. On his way. I didn't go into the swamps.

Reliability is considered very high (according to reviews from owners on forums). I confirm. Operation is cheap: he only thinks about gasoline. How much gasoline evaporated from the tank... Well, okay, I exaggerated a little. I travel about 220 km on 10 liters. Mixed cycle. If on the highway and 90 in 5th, I think it will be less than 3 liters. You need a little more than a liter of oil (when replacing it, it doesn’t consume oil at all). You also need a little coolant.

O-ring chain. I know people who believe that there is no point in cleaning and lubricating it. I'm lubricating...

It takes a long time to warm up. Still, it also has developed cooling fins.

By price. She's mad. What 4000 euros? This is what non-officials sell second-hand devices for in Germany. Officials have the same price everywhere - 5,000 euros. Hit yourself against the wall. There is no emergency alarm button or high beam flasher.

For the future. I am completely satisfied with it for the utilitarian purpose of getting to work and back. Cheap, convenient, fast. I'm not going to give it up. He stays with me until the end. If it really comes down to it, I'll give up the Phaser. I love him wildly. I love and cherish. I buy him all sorts of gifts. For example, the rear wing, like on the Phaser. It looks beautiful and protects the shock absorber. I'm even considering selling my add and buying a new one. I bought mine used, almost half the price, but with a difficult fate. It’s from England, the speedometer has km/h but in small symbols, but the odometer (by the way, there are 2 trip meters, like on reputable motorbikes) is only in miles. Inconvenient. It was stolen there, the locks were picked (but not broken)... There was no set of tools, but there are a couple of tricky ones. But I had my 1000 km maintenance done at a local dealer. We also sometimes sell the De-Luxe version at the regular price. It has stock crankcase protection and silver trim on the tidy rings.

Once again about “it doesn’t go.” This is 125. With a power limitation of “up to 11 kW” according to the standards of many countries. And the fact that he won’t get up to a hundred in 6 seconds doesn’t matter to me. If I want to speed up, I’ll switch to the Phaser. And the ride comfort for me is still the highest on the little Vara.

Additive. It steers very easily and smoothly. The turning radius is impressive. But the wheelbase is 1450 mm. More than Phaser. The phaser, by the way, deploys with a much larger radius. Speeds change very smoothly. When an experienced friend drove my Varya before purchasing, he said, “The box is super, well, it’s a Honda. That's how it should be." The clutch is depressed with very little effort. You never get tired of pressing it in traffic jams.

The season is over. I bought it new. Of course there were no breakdowns, the rear brake disc squealed a little until the pads got used to it. The device is a fairy tale, but it depends on what it’s for. It won’t take you 125 to get by, but getting to work and back is what you need. Consumption is 3 liters per 100, very comfortable, space for a top case, high ground clearance (easy to cross a curb), maximum speed 110-115 km/h, on good asphalt up to 120. In terms of throttle response in the city, there is no deficiency, but on the highway, yes, it’s not enough. My daily mileage is 80-100 km, of which 60-70 are on the highway at 110 km/h, but city maneuverability more than compensates for the space speeds on the highway. 2.5 hours by car and 40 minutes on Varaderk, I think there is a difference.

Video

Honda XL 1000 V Varadero
motorcycle is perhaps one of the most famous touring enduros, along with the Bavarian “Goose” and “Transalp”. It got its name in honor of the Cuban beaches of Varadero. This remarkable bike was produced in many respects from 1998 to 2012, after which it was discontinued and replaced by the Honda VFR 1200 Crosstourer. However, given the phenomenal reliability of the Varadero, these motorcycles will be traveling on the roads for decades to come.

The Honda XL 1000V is the epitome of a heavy touring motorcycle. He is tall, he is big, he is powerful, and not everyone can handle him. So, a fairly long-legged motorcyclist with a height of 180 cm, most likely, will not be able to confidently touch the ground with both feet while sitting on a motorcycle, but he needs to reach it, since the Varadero is a really heavy bike, and requires not only good skills, but also simply a fair amount of physical strength. strength. No, of course, it happens that short, fragile girls ride something like a Yamaha FJR 1300, but this is rather an exception to the rule. Over the years of production, the Honda Varadero has undergone some changes. The first motorcycles were equipped with a pair of carburetors, but already in 2003, along with cosmetic changes, the XL 1000 V received modified suspension and a fuel injection system. Four more years later, in 2007, the motorcycle was again restyled, and was produced in this form until production ended in 2012. Over the 14 years of production, Varadero has won the hearts of many motorcycle touring enthusiasts around the world.

Competition with such models as, for example, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 required keeping the motorcycle up-to-date, well suited for traveling in any conditions, and a little later another rival entered the market - the Kawasaki Versys 1000. Well, Honda can keep It turned out well for its audience. Equipped with a liquid-cooled V-twin from the Honda VTR 1000 sportsbike (94 hp, 98 nM of torque), the heavy touring enduro accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and is capable of a total speed of 210 km/h Cutting through the air with a roar, the Honda Varadero is capable of rushing along the road of almost any quality without slowing down.

This is a merit not only of the high-torque engine, but also of all other structural elements. A steel frame, a 6-speed gearbox, luxurious suspensions that regularly swallow pits of impressive size - all this together weighs under two and a half centners, and this is only dry weight. With a full 25-liter gas tank, the Varadero weighs more, and what motorcycle tourist rides without panniers and other tuning needed on a long journey? Most often, by the way, a higher windshield was installed on the Honda XL 1000 V. The fact is that Varadero was often chosen by tall bikers, and for them the standard glass turned out to be too low.

If a rider can handle this bike, the XL1000V will unleash its full capabilities. The power reserve of the motorcycle is impressive, the solid gas tank allows you to rarely stop at gas stations, and the Honda Varadero suspensions really allow you not to be too interested in the quality of the road surface. This, in contrast to the wonderful and versatile, but “parquet” touring Yamaha TDM 900, is a real touring enduro. It is powerful, extremely comfortable and very, very durable.

Links[edit]

1. Honda Press Info Varadero 125 2001 Archived September 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
2. "Soon | Motorcycles | Honda (UK)". WW1.honda.co.uk. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
3. "Honda XL125 Varadero (2001-present) - Honda Motorcycle Reviews". Motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
4. "Sales Figures Tell You What's Happening in Motorsports". Motorcyclenews.com. 2002-01-14. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
5. https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/125cc/ Summer 2013