March 12th, 2008. A cold winterday at the Honda Agent... If I would like to have a three days test spin on Honda's 2008 version of the Honda XL1000V Varadero... Guess what...? Well… after still feeling a little disappointed about the ‘all new’ 2007 Varadero – which came out to be no less and no more as an aesthetic update to the 2003 model – and a test ride on it, I hesitated when my Honda agent offered me this 3 days test ride on his brand new ’08 model. What in heavens name could this ’08 model add to the ‘04 I own and the ’07 which was that disappointing? Well… they say that you’ve only got one opportunity to make a first impression, but sometimes you will have a second chance.

First things first. I still think that the glove compartment is rubbish – can only be operated by using the key and is located on the wrong side of the cockpit -, that the lock to unreleased the saddle is moved to the wrong place (rear side between the rear light and the licence plate – I still haven’t heard or read which bright light got to that idea… or what was wrong with the original place) and lets be honest, the Varadero gets a little dated if compared with the new GS 1200, the LC8 or even the new Moto Guzzi Stelvio. 

But hey, it is still a Honda and since it is still too early to say anything about the reliability of the Guzzi, it is a fact that the Beemer and the KTM are really struggling against a rather bad image they have received on the reliability front… Where the Beemer GS forums and the KTM forums are posted with numerous complains and warranty issues, it is rather quiet here at our International Varadero Forum. OK, there are some problems, but let’s be honest – when did your Varadero has left you down the last time?

I covered almost 1.000 km in 3 days and used the bike on a stretch which I also use for commuting with my own ’04 model. With a little detour every now and them; just to see how it handles in tight cornering at the TT racetrack, and how the suspension works on the longest cobblestone road in the Northern parts of The Netherlands, the ‘Valtherzandweg’ between the villages of Exloo and Valthe (Province of Drenthe). And the best way to test the straight-out stability at high speed? Well… visiting my Admin Colleague Ratman in the German city of Oldenburg: 150 km of (still) unlimited Autobahn starting at the Dutch-German border near Nieuweschans. 

I do not know what they did, but the ’08 model has been improved on some fronts. The engine, for example. Where my ’04 PFI starts to get really nervous (especially on cobblestones) the fuel injection on this ’08 model is really great. No nerve wrecking behaviour at low reffs, but gently and spreading its power output throughout the full range.

Then the suspension. Where I found the suspension on my ’04 model way to hard – giving me almost a hernia on speed bumps – Honda seems to (finally!) get it right. In fact, this ’08 Varadero is the very first Honda big trail bike (including the new XL700V Transalp!) where I found the suspension just the way it should be. And luckily for us Varadero Raiders: it is still easily adjustable with a handy turning knob. Where a Transalp 700 owner has to struggle with its toolbox… Please note: the suspension is not ‘to’ comfy. On the mentioned cobble stone road it just swallows every-thing and the only thing preventing me to go full throttle on this road are the Bridgestone Trailwings which are mounted under the Dero for standard. Tip if buying one: Don’t take it for granted with the Bridgestone’s. There are far more improved tyres on the marked these days and the Trailwing really spoils a lot of the fun you can have. I would settle for Michelin Anakee or even better: Continental Trail Attack. And nothing less.

Wind and weather protection from the fearing (we had temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius during the test) are – like on any Varadero 1000 – best in its class. The new saddle cover is great; on my ’04 I slide from rear to front (and back) wearing rain gear or my thermo trousers; but on the new saddle cover you do not need to wear leathers (or a seat belt) any more to remain seated. The saddle feels a little harder as the old one, which is good on long distance riding.

Where you can question some of the ‘modifications’ Honda did on this new ’08 Varadero, you have to put question marquee WHY Honda did not made modifications for which the whole Varadero community has been asking the last decade (Yes, decade, 10 years, Honda!):

The top dashboard (including the indicator indicators, the clock, ODO, tripmasters and the temperature gage) is still covered by transparent plastics which does have the habit of reflecting (and blinding) you when riding with low sun in your back. And: FUEL GAGE, Honda, FUEL GAGE. It really p* me off that Honda still refuses to put a proper fuel gage on a bike mend to travel, where cheaper Honda’s (Transalp for example) are fitted with one since 2000! There is a change on the fuel gage front, however. The warning light still remains and switches on as soon as you are starting on the last 4 remaining litres of fuel.

And here comes the biggest improvement: As soon as the fuel light switches on, the ODO starts to count back from an estimated range you can reach on the remaining fuel supply. OK, it is still not a proper fuel gage, but beggars can’t be choosers and it is a start. Taste is a personal thing but I think that the new dashboard layout as introduced on the ’07 is poor. Too much ‘plastic phantastic’. It reminds me to the dash of a Harley Davidson tourer (can’t recall the type, but it was half the Alphabet) but most definitely not an adventurous all-rounder like the Varadero is.

Shortcut? Well… Difficult. The new Varadero is rated below € 14.000,- in The Netherlands these days which is a fair price. Especially looking at the bottom price for a Beemer GS or a KTM LC8 – and even then things as ABS brakes are not included. About brakes: the Varadero still is equipped with the best linked ABS brakes available which even allow riding on dirt without jamming the whole system. It is so balanced and perfectly worked out. I still think – looking at the fact that we are still talking about a MK2 – that the XL700V Transalp (fitted with proper suspension) is still the best buy. .

The ODO starts to count back as soon as the fuel light switches on

You can eat your hard out that Honda will replace the Varadero 1000 within a few years and to be honest (especially if you use the bike all day, all weather) the wind and weather protection of the Transalp is still bestThings which would vote in favour of the Varadero? Well… The Varadero will allow you to travel up to 400 km on a full fuel tank (where the Transalp has only an 18 litre fuel tank whilst the fuel consumption is similar to that of the bigger, more powerful and heavier Varadero) and with full luggage and pillion it is the more comfy bike.

If I had to make a choice right here, right now? Well… Transalp 700. But if I had to share my bike with my wife as a pillion, and doing all the long road trips we are doing now? Most definitely the Varadero. The choice is yours.

With special thanks to Mense Landlust for pictures and Koos Mulder from www.muldersmotoren.nl for providing the bike.