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

[BenelliSEI]

Made an offer, which the owner (actually a very nice guy) turned down. Strangely, I noticed today he upped his price to $4000 (was $3500). Looks like this may take a bit longer........

[BenelliSEI]

I messed around and finally decided I wanted this bike. Came back from our Australia/ New Zealand trip and discovered he sold it! I have a funny feeling I may still end up with one…..

[MauiK3]

Patience pays, most of the time

[BenelliSEI]

Yes…. Unfortunately the few nice ones are twice the price of what I could have had! I may wait until Fall. The KLR650 is running great, so no rush……

[BenelliSEI]

Patience pays, most of the time

Steve….. you were right! “Patience is a virtue”. Stumbled on a low very mileage (19,000 kilometres = 12000 miles) 2008 today. Made an offer, fingers crossed.

[BenelliSEI]

Got it! Off to pick it up early next week. Very low mileage and the second owner swears “never been down, not a mark on it”. Fitted with TRAX side and top boxes, side bars, “bark busters”, centre stand and a real skid pan too. Hopefully, it’s as good as it sounds. +700 kilometre road trip Tuesday.

Local guys have a trip planned to Pickle Lake in about a month. It’s as far north as you can ride in Ontario, a long way north of me. Looks like the KLR650 may miss this one (unless my wife decides to join us).

[grcamna2]

Wonderful looking brakes on that bike John 

700+ K round trip to pick it up ?

[BenelliSEI]

Wonderful looking brakes on that bike John 

700+ K round trip to pick it up ?

Will know more soon! Electronic ABS and rear pedal linked to fronts. Some testers complained they could not be turned off when roads got sloppy…..

[grcamna2]

Wonderful looking brakes on that bike John 

700+ K round trip to pick it up ?

Will know more soon! Electronic ABS and rear pedal linked to fronts. Some testers complained they could not be turned off when roads got sloppy…..

VTR1000F Superhawk 90 degree V-twin,should have a lot less vibration than your KLR650.

[70CB750]

Got it! Off to pick it up early next week. Very low mileage and the second owner swears “never been down, not a mark on it”. Fitted with TRAX side and top boxes, side bars, “bark busters”, centre stand and a real skid pan too. Hopefully, it’s as good as it sounds. +700 kilometre road trip Tuesday.

Local guys have a trip planned to Pickle Lake in about a month. It’s as far north as you can ride in Ontario, a long way north of me. Looks like the KLR650 may miss this one (unless my wife decides to join us).

Congrats!

[grcamna2]

Wonderful looking brakes on that bike John 

700+ K round trip to pick it up ?

Will know more soon! Electronic ABS and rear pedal linked to fronts. Some testers complained they could not be turned off when roads got sloppy…..

I would like a way to shut-off the ABS or the linked system,at times.

[BenelliSEI]

Wonderful looking brakes on that bike John 

700+ K round trip to pick it up ?

Will know more soon! Electronic ABS and rear pedal linked to fronts. Some testers complained they could not be turned off when roads got sloppy…..

I would like a way to shut-off the ABS or the linked system,at times.

Agreed….. will be digging into that, for sure.

[BenelliSEI]

Yesterday was a long day. My buddy cancelled at the last minute, so off I went. Total of 766 kilometres, one short stop for a bite and an hour to “chat and load”. The bike is a 2008 Honda Varadero XL1000VA. Robert bought it 12 years ago from a fellow in NewFoundland. This guy bought it new, from the only “Honda Powersports” dealer on the Island, and then discovered it was a bit more bike than he needed.
     Robert chatted with the guy over the phone, did the deal, flew out there and rode it back to Ontario. A few months later, he had an “argument with a ladder, while working on his barn roof”. Over the years, he rode the bike occasionally, but not long. This past Spring, he gave it an oil change and filter, rode for 1/2 an hour and decided he was done with motorcycles.
      19,400 kilometers, I don’t think it’s ever been wet! Not a mark on it, no fade or rust. TRAXX side and top aluminum boxes, alloy sump guard, centre stand, engine guards, power port, “bark busters” and handle bar brace. Tubless, dual sport Continental tires look good, but the front is old enough to replace. Orderd one today. I am really pleased with this one! Pictures later.

[BenelliSEI]

Also ordered a full set of brake pads. I like to start my tenure with fresh pads and brake fluid. You never know..

[bek1966]

Congrats, great looking bike!  Looking forward to seeing pictures and ride reports when you get it on and off the road.

Brad

[grcamna2]

Congrats, great looking bike!  Looking forward to seeing pictures and ride reports when you get it on and off the road.

Brad

Yeah,pictures.

[ofreen]

Nice bike, with a decent sized fuel tank.  It will be interesting to see what kind of range it has. I see references putting it at 35 MPG.  But that's what my old CBR1000F was rated for and it commonly gets 50+ cruising at 70-75.

[RAFster122s]

Congrats on another one to toy with and enjoy...

[BenelliSEI]

Congrats, great looking bike!  Looking forward to seeing pictures and ride reports when you get it on and off the road.

Brad

Thanks Brad….. Not sure how far it will get off road. Bit of a “porker”. Incredibly smooth, lots of torque and +90 hp. Should really cover the ground!

[BenelliSEI]

Congrats on another one to toy with and enjoy...

Thanks David! I’m kind of pleased about it. Brake pads did arrive today and maybe the front tire tomorrow. I want to get these things done, before I take if for a “safety certificate”. I have to get that, and proof of insurance, before I can get a plate and take it for a real run….

Opened up one of the reservoirs today and fluid looks brown and original.

[BenelliSEI]

Spent the afternoon in the shop. There was so much rain, lightning, wind and hail I didn’t even consider coming out (it’s about 400’ from the house) for 3-4 hours! Replaced all the brake pads on the Varadero with new ones. The originals were only worn about 30% so cleaned them up and kept them. Bleeding the system was interesting. The rear brake master feeds not only both pots on the rear caliper(via two seperate lines no less) but also the centre of three on both front calipers! RF,LF, Rear inner, rear outer bleed sequence. The DOT 4 fluid was coffee coloured, so put a full container through before it all came clear. The bike is generally spotless and the calipers were perfect. Bit of “brake Kleen” and they look new.
     The cross bar for the rear boxes was not attached to the rear fender. Made up some bits that tied it all in and will also secure the lic. plate I plan to get next week. Pulled the windscreen, and as I hoped there were four alternate mounting holes to move it up +2”. Spent some time scrubbing the rear mag wheel clean, PO seemed a bit over enthusiastic with the chain lube. Scored a slightly used Haynes Manual from Hawaii of all places, on EBay for $20! Forgot to take any pictures, will push it out tomorrow and take some snaps. I swear, this bike looks like it came out of the show room 5 days ago!
      Interesting note: because the bike never sold in the USA, parts are not so readily available. Will be interesting to see how helpful Honda Canada will be. They sold very few…… Will try to order an air filter Monday. It’s buried under the massive gas tank, so probably will go on the “winter list”.

[grcamna2]

Pics !

[BenelliSEI]

Pics !

Ordered a Continental TKC70 front tire today. Wanted to replace the oddly scalloped front that is also a few years older than the rear. I usually buy Kendas or “Stinkos”, and get a pair for what a single Conti costs! Slowly prepping the bike for a trip to Pickle Lake. It’s as far north from here as the roads go in Ontario! About 1200 miles from our farm.

[BenelliSEI]

Pictures today.

[grcamna2]

Quite a tall adventure bike.  The storage trunks look Huge !      The machine looks immaculate 
 The bike's profile looks good from the front:plenty of tall fairing/wind protection w/o it being too wide and it should be able to slice neatly through headwinds quite well.. w/o those huge luggage boxes.