Topic: Anybody Own a HONDA VARADERO? I DO NOW!

[BenelliSEI]

Pain meds are good, when used at the minimum amount. My wife also got off hers early after back surgery (very successful for her back!). She had to go back on a little but then got off totally. Good move, she was up and back in her garden very quickly. And, bonus, we could ride the K3!

I can’t wait…. Been harvesting her garden! Today was a bushel of beets, carrots and pulling out the last of the peas. Cleaned out 7 flower boxes around the veranda. Beginning to realize just how much this lady does around here!!!

[BenelliSEI]

Ran the Varadero yesterday. Started instantly and sounded great. Almost took it out but the local roads dept have thrown a ton of salt everywhere! No really cold weather yet but that corrosive dust is everywhere!
    Service for the winter includes replacing the air filters (one large element and two smaller breather filters) and spark plugs. That massive tank has to come off, so not a small job. I also have a new chain and both sprockets sitting on the bench. The ones on the bike are “original equipment” and have been making a constant thrumming sound. It’s time. Assuming I get that done, I bet the fork oil has never been changed either….. I’m sure I can think of more, but that will do!

[MauiK3]

I love doing that kind of maintenance, I know the bikes love it.

[BenelliSEI]

I love doing that kind of maintenance, I know the bikes love it.

Me too. Reread HondaMan’s posts on replacing sprockets. I’m going to install the old chain for 50-100 miles to “break in” the new sprockets and then pop on the new chain. Might be the last time I have to do it?

[RAFster122s]

I love doing that kind of maintenance, I know the bikes love it.

Me too. Reread HondaMan’s posts on replacing sprockets. I’m going to install the old chain for 50-100 miles to “break in” the new sprockets and then pop on the new chain. Might be the last time I have to do it?

Hopefully it still works as it did...Mark recently posted that, right?
I saw that post somewhere. You will have to tell us next year if you seem to have quieter sprockets or if it not appearing to wear in quickly like the old way doing it all at once. I trust what Mark says is true, no doubt about it...

[BenelliSEI]

I love doing that kind of maintenance, I know the bikes love it.

Me too. Reread HondaMan’s posts on replacing sprockets. I’m going to install the old chain for 50-100 miles to “break in” the new sprockets and then pop on the new chain. Might be the last time I have to do it?

Hopefully it still works as it did...Mark recently posted that, right?
I saw that post somewhere. You will have to tell us next year if you seem to have quieter sprockets or if it not appearing to wear in quickly like the old way doing it all at once. I trust what Mark says is true, no doubt about it...

Check out “Prepping Sprockets” on October 9th. Really good read.

[BenelliSEI]

Spotted a set of 30mm lowering links for the back of the Varadero today. Not much of a drop (1.25”) but I think that might be enough to get both my feet really FLAT on the ground. I’ll drop the front the same amount. I’m six feet tall but this is a very tall bike. More on the winter list.

[RAFster122s]

Inexpensive risers sometimes are worth their weight in gold in transitioning a bike and your ability to easily stand up. I used to measure 6 feet 4.25 inches in height. Some have massive spinal deterioration dropping their height much greater than mine, even a few of our fellow members have some scary height changes in getting significantly shorter due to various causes, mine is near nothing… I’ve settled some in my old age and spinal deterioration is but a nuisance for some and it can bring pain or some are lucky enough with no outwards sign and no pain with their settling or deterioration.

Anyway, back to your issue more directly. The front bars on my V strom were making it challenging for me to stand up and when I did I couldn’t straighten up because much if not most of my height is found in a long torso and not long legs. The affect of long torso is the geometry of things gets thrown off and simple things such as feet placement when riding affect your ability to stand and bar height affects how comfortable a bike or your long torso shifts you to lean into the handle bars more putting more pressure on wrists  causing carpal tunnel flare-ups or ability to stand or your comfort on the bike… I was able to adjust the height with inexpensive bar risers that move the bars up making you be able to stand and control the bike better.

So fitting the bike or adjusting the bike in small unobtrusive ways to make it safer or easier to ride or improve ergonomic solutions before you decide to hate a bike before you make a few tweaks to improve it with non-permanent adjustments…I’m all in for improving and tweaking any bike you ride without losing the charm or value by bolt on efficiency…Some may notice the changes and others may detect it looks different somehow but they cannot figure out how you changed it. I’m short legged , or feel I am, for some who is 6’3” tall.

I would be doing similar as you John…your safety is important. Guys to ride super mortared bikes have no issues with tip toeing at stops. I could never ride or my comfort or confidence in the bike would be affected if I cannot get the balls of my feet on the ground or your feet wide enough to keep the bike steady at a traffic or stop . Get your feet too close to the bike you might end up falling over at a traffic stop unless you get your feet out away from the bike somehow.
Short , petite women or some bikes like the Varadero and TransAlp have challenging heights for short riders , but you find a way if you enjoy something or want it.

Keep up the great work!
David

[Kelly E]

I've lost 2" from spinal injuries. I used to be 5' 7" and now I'm 5' 5". Luckily I have long legs for my size. I wear logger boots for an extra 1 1/2" of legs. I've trimmed a couple of windscreens so I could see over the top again. I also have to install shorter handlebars as well. And being small and light weight I usually have to do quite a bit of suspension tuning so I don't get beat into submission.

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks guys, ordered them today!

[BenelliSEI]

Yesterday was right at the freezing mark but real sunshine for the first time since Christmas! I opened the shop door to run the cb750K3 and the Varadero (decided not to “winterize” either one out of laziness). Put on some thick clothing and survived about a 12 mile run. Stupid fun. Bike ran its usual water temp, so thermostat is working! I really love this bike!

[PeWe]

You do not have snow in Canada?
My last ride was October 7, no riding weather after that.
2 months of frost and snow so far.

Photos of yesterday walk with wife, -13C
Today colder, -25C when I woke up, now -18C with sunshine.
Minimum 3 months more with cold, bikes parked.
Mid April might be a date to dream about.
The movie Day After Tomorrow would be a perfect match!

[BenelliSEI]

You do not have snow in Canada?
My last ride was October 7, no riding weather after that.
2 months of frost and snow so far.

Photos of yesterday walk with wife, -13C
Today colder, -25C when I woke up, now -18C with sunshine.
Minimum 3 months more with cold, bikes parked.
Mid April might be a date to dream about.
The movie Day After Tomorrow would be a perfect match!

Per….. Normally we look just like you, but nothing so far. -10C the other night, which is mild for use too. I sure it will come!

[BenelliSEI]

Went to visit “Lash” yesterday and spotted a set of ROX Risers on his Kawasaki KLR650. Reminded me that after a few hours up on the pegs last Fall (see Pick Ax Loop above) my back was sore from being a bit hunched over.

Need to see if I have enough extra hose and cable to lift the bars a few inches?

[crazypj]

My sister has two I think, the 125 she passed her test on and a 1000.
I'll send her this link

[BenelliSEI]

My sister has two I think, the 125 she passed her test on and a 1000.
I'll send her this link

The 125 is a very neat  and popular “little, big bike”. Too bad they never made it here. Great starter motorcycle.

[Kevin D]

My sister has two I think, the 125 she passed her test on and a 1000.
I'll send her this link

The 125 is a very neat  and popular “little, big bike”. Too bad they never made it here. Great starter motorcycle.

A 125 twin is the very first bike that I ever “clutched” maybe 55 years ago. Had to rev it a bit, but no stall, no wheelie. The boss was watching as we put all of the bikes inside the shop at the end of the day.

[RAFster122s]

John...
How about these...APE Racing

Pivoting Handlebar Clamp Risers - APE Racing Billet Aluminum Universal Motorcycle 2" Raise Clamps For 7/8" or 1-1/8" Handlebars Mount To 7/8" Stem Clamp (Silver, 7/8") https://a.co/d/hBjxqUh

The other one I had wasn't what I intended to direct you to...APE as in the California company we know for motor work...  ? Or is it someone who knows about APE doing a trick to use name recognition.

APE RACE Parts is the machine shop. I emailed APE to ask if they did business on Amazon

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks David. Less than 1/2 the price of what I was looking at! I will check them out.

[RAFster122s]

Thanks David. Less than 1/2 the price of what I was looking at! I will check them out.

Or these Rox brand

Rox Speed FX Pivot Handlebar 2" Riser 7/8"Handlebar Black 1R-P2SS https://a.co/d/2r43z1d

[BenelliSEI]

Unbelievable sunshine and warmth here today. Opened the shop door and ripped into the Varadero. Had to pull lots of trim and bodywork to get the tank off. Plus 5 hoses and an electrical connection. Drained it empty and managed to get the tank off. The air filter had never been changed (16 years and +20,000 km) for obvious reasons. What a PAIN! Also changed two small crankcase breather filters in the canister (the gal at the local parts counter was smart enough to include them). Since the tank was off I’m changing spark plugs too. The back one was all but hand tight…… I’m sure no one has been under here since the bike was new, so very strange.

Pulled off the chain guards and knocked off the original chain (riveted) and sprockets. They weren’t terrible, but I ordered new ones months ago, so they’re going on! Spent 4 hours doing what would have taken me one hour on a cb750 and I’m still not done. Did enjoy having a really good look at the beast and I still like it a lot.

Ripped out the second ST2 Brake module (the one that is suppose to turn on the brake light when the motorcycle decelerates). Never got the piece of c&@p to work, including the second one they sent me.

[BenelliSEI]

Searching all over for a new set of spark plugs. NGK Laser Iridium IJR8B9. Stupid prices and no availability. That rear plug is a huge job to access and it’s all opened up now!

[Stev-o]

Searching all over for a new set of spark plugs. NGK Laser Iridium IJR8B9. Stupid prices and no availability. That rear plug is a huge job to access and it’s all opened up now!

Hey John...I sense your frustration with this bike!   Amazon shows them with a high price and long lead time....

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-IJR8B9-Spark-Plug/dp/B0050514CS

[MauiK3]

Now spark plugs are unobtainium?

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks guys….. Honda Canada is the only vendor that actually has them in stock! I caved and have them coming (can$64.00 for a pair!!). It’s such a pain to get to the rear one I figured I may as well do it now. The last set has been in there for +20,000 km. so what the heck. I won’t be doing them again……..