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

[BenelliSEI]

Did you take it out on a run John ?

The weather has been nasty and the road in front of our farm turns into brown porridge….. Tomorrow we are hosting a BBQ for the CVMG Ganaraska Section (weather looks great for that) so maybe Monday!

[Kelly E]

Nice work John, should be stronger. Thing that kills me is the weight rating often quoted by manufacturers for a rack is ridiculously low. Silly like 5-7 pounds. Cannot carry a gallon of milk? Really? We know that isn't true but they do that anyway. Not sure what liability they are trying to avoid.

Putting 20 to 30 pounds on the back of a bike up high and behind the rear axle centerline is a bad idea physics wise. Likely trying to avoid the lawsuits of people overloading the top box and then crashing because of the shifted center of gravity.

[BenelliSEI]

Nice work John, should be stronger. Thing that kills me is the weight rating often quoted by manufacturers for a rack is ridiculously low. Silly like 5-7 pounds. Cannot carry a gallon of milk? Really? We know that isn't true but they do that anyway. Not sure what liability they are trying to avoid.

Putting 20 to 30 pounds on the back of a bike up high and behind the rear axle centerline is a bad idea physics wise. Likely trying to avoid the lawsuits of people overloading the top box and then crashing because of the shifted center of gravity.

I agree, not smart. I don’t like top boxes for just that reason. Cleaned up the brackets as I probably will never cover them with a box! The base plate does have lots of slots for Velcro straps and bungy cord hooks.  The top box also makes it very hard to get on and off the bike……

[RAFster122s]

I've seen people step on the left peg to mount the bike while still on the center stand to give them the ability to swing a leg over a top box rather than thread their leg across the seat standing in the ground.
I never felt comfortable trying

[BenelliSEI]

I do that to get my leg over the KLR650 stock rack. Not sure even that would work with the top box on the Varadero. It becomes a ridiculous height.

[BenelliSEI]

Oh my goodness…… I may never ride an old bike again. What a silk rocket!

[grcamna2]

John,When do you take that long 700KM trip on it ?

[BenelliSEI]

John,When do you take that long 700KM trip on it ?

Early September, the day kids go back to school. Vacation traffic dies down by 80%. Pickle Lake is 1400 miles from our Farm!

[RAFster122s]

Glad you are loving the new bike John!

[BenelliSEI]

This morning was a short ride. We hosted the monthly CVMG Ganaraska BBQ (27 people, 14 bikes showed up). Time was short……. Sometime this week it’s going to get a real test.

[Kevin D]

 Looks like a good turnout John. We had some rough weather Th-Fri, all day rain followed by high winds. Hope you didn’t have to suffer through any of that Sat-Sun.
 I only know a few names. I dont see Gary or Patsy or Ed V, but I think that’s Glen on the swing, right of Phil. Glen helped me with some motorcycle maintenance Friday night, just before the G250.
 I have considered a newer ride, very tempting. I’m glad you are enjoying yours. Are you going for Pickle Lake?

[BenelliSEI]

Kevin…… weather was lovely. Ed was here, and that is Glen. Patsy is off in Tobermory for a few days,  Gary was golfing!

Pretty sure we are headed for Pickle Lake in a few weeks.

[BenelliSEI]

Dug out a +20 year old Garmin Nuvi 250 unit that has been out of service for ages. Watched a UTube video on replacing the battery and spent the $8. Success! It works as well as always. The Varadero has an upgrade!

Another100km ride this morning. I am in love with this bike……

[scunny]

I knew you would love the engine. Short shift to use the torque, and just relax.

[BenelliSEI]

I knew you would love the engine. Short shift to use the torque, and just relax.

You’re totally right! It pulls like a train from a fast idle…… but is also redlined at just under 9K rpm. Surprisingly quiet too. A real “Q ship”.

[BenelliSEI]

Another 200kms today. Bike runs incredibly well, silky smooth, great brakes……

Twice today, I pulled to a stop and as the bike hit idle, the oil light came on and it shut down. Ignition off then on and it fires up instantly, smooth idle, no oil light, absolutely quiet. The crankcase is full of fresh, very clean Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (previous owners choices, not mine), that was just changed. It has a sight glass for level check and oil is right up, still the colour of liquid honey. Mmmmm.

Dirty/loose electrical connection at the sensor? Faulty sensor? No idea where it even is on this big V twin. Will have a look tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

[Stev-o]

I may never ride an old bike again.

Hey John....very disappointed to read this. I know you dont mean it literally, but if we all bought newer bikes because they are faster, handle better and have superior brakes our classic bikes would go the way of the dinosaur.

It's the same with automobiles, I love driving my wife's Nissan 370Z, it's very fast [330hp] has excellent brakes and handles great. But if I want to go for a pleasure cruise, I'll pick my '70 Corvette every time! There is just something about riding or driving a 50 year old classic and the people you meet while doing so.

[ofreen]

Twice today, I pulled to a stop and as the bike hit idle, the oil light came on and it shut down. Ignition off then on and it fires up instantly, smooth idle, no oil light, absolutely quiet. The crankcase is full of fresh, very clean Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (previous owners choices, not mine), that was just changed. It has a sight glass for level check and oil is right up, still the colour of liquid honey. Mmmmm.
Dirty/loose electrical connection at the sensor? Faulty sensor? No idea where it even is on this big V twin. Will have a look tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

I did a quick google search and found this is happening to many makes and models, goldwings, v-stroms, Kawasakis, etc.  Didn't look long enough to find a conclusive reason for it.  Sensors, poor electrical connections, PCM codes were all mentioned.  Reminds me of a Honda snowblower I had years ago that wouldn't start because of a bad oil level sensor.

[MauiK3]

I wonder if the bike has an oil level sensor.

[BenelliSEI]

I may never ride an old bike again.

Hey John....very disappointed to read this. I know you dont mean it literally, but if we all bought newer bikes because they are faster, handle better and have superior brakes our classic bikes would go the way of the dinosaur.

It's the same with automobiles, I love driving my wife's Nissan 370Z, it's very fast [330hp] has excellent brakes and handles great. But if I want to go for a pleasure cruise, I'll pick my '70 Corvette every time! There is just something about riding or driving a 50 year old classic and the people you meet while doing so.

No worries….. took the K1 out this morning. Great weather and even nicer machine!

[BenelliSEI]

I wonder if the bike has an oil level sensor.

Looking through wiring diagram, does not appear to.

[BenelliSEI]

Twice today, I pulled to a stop and as the bike hit idle, the oil light came on and it shut down. Ignition off then on and it fires up instantly, smooth idle, no oil light, absolutely quiet. The crankcase is full of fresh, very clean Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (previous owners choices, not mine), that was just changed. It has a sight glass for level check and oil is right up, still the colour of liquid honey. Mmmmm.
Dirty/loose electrical connection at the sensor? Faulty sensor? No idea where it even is on this big V twin. Will have a look tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

I did a quick google search and found this is happening to many makes and models, goldwings, v-stroms, Kawasakis, etc.  Didn't look long enough to find a conclusive reason for it.  Sensors, poor electrical connections, PCM codes were all mentioned.  Reminds me of a Honda snowblower I had years ago that wouldn't start because of a bad oil level sensor.

Thanks for the suggestions! The oil pressure switch looks exactly like a cb750 unit, smaller OD, took a thin wall 24mm socket. It’s been out before. Sealed with BLACK silicone that I’m sure is not original, and too much of it. I wonder if there’s a drop of that muck inside? Blew it out with carb clean and air and reinstalled with a small wrap of gas line Teflon tape, making sure none got across the screw base….

Light dropped out instantly on start up but I wonder. Will order a new one and replace it.

[ofreen]

Good luck with it.

[BenelliSEI]

Good luck with it.

Thanks!

[RAFster122s]

John, You gonna fix the typo in the thread title or just live with it? I sometimes chuckle when I see replies pop up...any boby. Would be funnier if it had been any booby
David