After the Africa Twin ?

[uk_vette]

Hi.all,

I have had about 6 or 7 bikes over the years.
Started of on standard, basic road bikes, nothing special.
Then I had an XT 350, which I really had fun with.
Then promoted myself to an XT 500.

Then I got the feelings for a sort of faster sports cruiser, this is where I got a ZZR 600.
Totally different !

I liked the speed, and 2 years later, along came the ZZR 1100.
Commute was a blast, Motorways 90% my work journey.

Then the inevitably, and aTransit took me out, nothing serious, but the bike was a right off.

I went back to my earlier ride types, and bought one of the last Africa Twins, 750.
Simply loved the more upright riding position, with decent enough power and turn of speed.

I got a job abroad for a couple of years, so the AT got sold.

Now I am looking for a similar bike, and the 1000 Varadero is at the forefront.
I do 45 miles a day, and 40 of them miles are M62 and M60

I believe the 6 speed, injection models, are the better buys.

What should I look out for, ?
Yes they are Honda, which in my past experience, has given me excelent reliability.

What are the downs of the big Varadero?
My wife also enjoys days out, providing not cold!

vette

[RizzoTheRat]

There's a lot of choice in the "big adventure" market these days, so worth taking a look at things like the Super Tenere or Triumph Explorer if you fancy a big 1200, or there's Tiger 800, V-Strom etc. Budget option is the TDM900 which has a really loyal following among those who've tried them. then there's the newer more road biased bikes like the MT-09 Tracer and the Crossrunner. Or you can go a bit more bonkers with a KTM SM-T or Adventure.

In short, you need to go on a lot of test rides

[spareparts]

If you think the AT had a good 'turn of speed', I suspect some of the more 'bonkers' type bikes may not be what appeals.

Apart from adventure type bikes (BMW GS800/1200, Triumph XC800/Explorer are the popular leaders here), I would consider an upright all round road bike as a good alternative: something like a Honda CBF1000, Yamaha FZ1 or new MT09 Tracer. Depends on your budget really.

[Mr2Mike]

The Varadero is a heavy old lump compared to most of it's competitors (wikipedia suggests 276kg wet!), but it seems to be built well enough. You have a large choice of bikes in this style though, off the top of my head:

Suzuki V-Strom
Aprilia Caponord
KTM Adventure
Kawasaki Versys
Yamaha TDM/Super Tenere/MT-09 Tracer
Triumph Tiger
Ducati Multistrada
BMW GS

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 1st April 13:44

[TvrJohn]

Interesting dilemma

looking for similar myself
tried a Honda NC700, very stylish with mega 70pmg economy, but only 47bhp !!!

Kawasaki do a rebadged V Strom called a KLV, same but cheaper ?

soo much choice

[hwajones]

Money no obstacle...
Multistrada for me!

[Andy XRV]

As you probably know the Varadero was supposed to be the replacement for the Africa Twin but it never really sold. It’s heavy, underpowered and everything that the Africa Twin is not. I love my Africa Twin and I really don’t think there’s another similar bike quite like it which is why their value keeps going up.

If you want to stay with Honda I would say your choices are pretty limited unless of course you wait for the new Africa Twin to be launched. But that also might end up being another Varadero.

I’ve ridden most of the adventure type bikes and my choice would either be the KTM 1190/1290 adventurer or the Multistrada. Another good bike which is extremely good value for money and often overlooked is the Kawasaki Versus 1000.

Have fun looking

[Silver993tt]

No ones has suggested the Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer. Fabulous V4 1250 cc motor, shaft drive, upright seating position, great handling, fast and beautifully built. I went from a ZZR15400 to a CT and never looked back. I test rode the GS1200 water cooled, Multistrada, Triumph Explorer and Crosstourer butthe Honda was the pick of the bunch with performance, handling and build quality all in one and of course shaft drive.

[Mr2Mike]

Silver993tt said:

No ones has suggested the Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer. Fabulous V4 1250 cc motor, shaft drive, upright seating position, great handling, fast and beautifully built. I went from a ZZR15400 to a CT and never looked back. I test rode the GS1200 water cooled, Multistrada, Triumph Explorer and Crosstourer butthe Honda was the pick of the bunch with performance, handling and build quality all in one and of course shaft drive.

285kg with the DCT box Dear god, why do they have to be so ridiculously heavy?

[Silver993tt]

Mr2Mike said:

Silver993tt said:

No ones has suggested the Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer. Fabulous V4 1250 cc motor, shaft drive, upright seating position, great handling, fast and beautifully built. I went from a ZZR15400 to a CT and never looked back. I test rode the GS1200 water cooled, Multistrada, Triumph Explorer and Crosstourer butthe Honda was the pick of the bunch with performance, handling and build quality all in one and of course shaft drive.

285kg with the DCT box Dear god, why do they have to be so ridiculously heavy?

I'm 178cm tall and weigh 72kg. I don't have a problem with the weight of the bike and it handles superbly in the Alps for example, much better than my old ZZR1400 on those roads. The specified weight of a bike never concerns me. It's the sum of all the parts that is the important aspect and after test riding the other 'similar' bikes it was by far the best package. The DCT adds 10kg which in very impressive considering how much more fun it makes the bike to right, especially in the mountains/hairpins/tight curves. The changes are lightning quick up OR down. I always test ride bikes when looking to buy, not just look at specs.