The Honda XL1000V thread

You can find some remarks about Honda's big trail bike here, but I haven't found a thread for this superb Honda... So, here it is! And since it will come available in Canada next year, I guess that it will come to the US as well... Sooner or later...

PS: Don't buy the Original side bags as showen on the bike above... I had them on my '04 ABS, but they are crap. Go for the Hebco % Becker alu ones, they are just perfect!

I wonder if I will see one next week at the Toronto Motorcycle Show..

Keep us posted, and perhaps you could share some pics?

I just checked the web site.......and..........yes, yes you will see one.

the bike has been confirmed to be available next year in canada. it will never make it to the USA . IT WILL BE A HUGE FLOP IN NORTH AMERICA ,SO BUY ONE NEXT YEAR, I AM. as for the bags honda is giving them away in europe with the 2008 varadero i hope they do the same but i will still order the new GOBI bags and engine bars. i have been waiting a long time for this bike and i think it will be here 2 years tops so get one while you can.

Hey North Rider, why do you think it would be a flop in North America?

Curiosity!

Dave

Yes, I am curious to... For the crashbars: don't buy any Givi or so, but go for the (German) SW Motech crashbars. They are solid (proven!) as a rock, and easy to install (and to swing aside if you need to remove the fairing for repairs or maintenance!)

We've got them both on our MK1 (2000) and my MK2 (2004 ABS)

Don't go for the original panniers. Also Givi crap. On the ST1100 the panniers came from Hebco & Becker... solid like a safe!

Oops, forgotten... Pictures...



And on the old MK1 (sorry for the tiny picture...)



A complete list of crahsbars can be viewed here:
http://users.bart.nl/~stikfort/new_international_site/accessoiriespage/acc_crashbars.html

Funny how alot of the new big Adv Touring bikes are looking like Strom's!

From which Planet are you...?
The Varadero was introduced in September 1998... At that moment Suzuki only build the single DR650... So every thing after that date was a copy... Suzuki did not even bother to make it right!

They dont like sand !!!!

You are right, lose sand is not the surface the mighty Dero likes... And me neither... On gravelroads the bike handles solid as a rock though!

I hope we get the chance to purchase the XL1000V here in the US...it looks like a great alternative to the KTM....BMW/GS and Triumph Tiger.

That thing was HUGE!!
I think it will be competion for the V-Strom, but I think BMW and KTM have nothing to worry about.

I've owned two superhawks (vtr1000f)
And loved the engine (hated the fuel range on that bike but that's not the engine)

An XL1kV' would be wonderfull IF only.
A. it weighed around 150 to 200 pounds less,
right now its around 550 pounds!!
And B. was more... Well, more of a dirt bike and less of a Hummer H3
Same issues with lots of the "adventure touring" bikes.
Low engine, with no real protection, Small diameter front wheels
Massive painted ABS fairings that cost massive amounts of money to fix when you crack them.

Honda.
Why not build a light weight, dirt biased long legged big tanked small but functional windscreen.
Give the engine and it's bits (oil coolers, raditors, exhaust pipes Etc.) Some real (read not plastic) protection from spills, crashes and tip overs.

Give it a chain drive, REAL suspension like what's put on the CRF450R race bikes.
Oh yea, and please please please don't "retune the engine for more torque"

Thanks!

Just crossing my mind...

A) Have you ever driven the XL1000V? Coming from a 600 Transalp, I am already working on my 3rd Varadero and covered 150.000 km (almost 100.000 miles) on the three of them. It is heavy on paper, but a GS1200 (although BMW would like to make you believe) is not that much lighter. Honda adds the FULL road weight on the brochure, BMW the dry weight.
I can assure you that it rides and handles like a Transalp 600 and gravel is just peanuts. It even handles better on dirtroads as a GS (have driven both), only the KTM is better (but more expensive, especially if something brakes down which will)
C) A Hummer H3 is very compatitive offroad although I would never buy an American car in first place...

About the plastics: You will appreciate it. There is NO 2nd big trail bike which is offering the same amount of weather protection as the Varadero does. And suspension can be changed!

I believe that you lot say 'Appearances can be deceiving'. Believe me, this goes up to the Varadero. When I saw the very first MK1 at the Munich Motorcycle exhibition in September 1998, I was just sooo disappointed (expecting to see a 1000cc Africa Twin), but 3 months after that I bought my first Varadero and I kept to it with no regrets, despite some starting problems (engine, faulty fuel pump, rust, etc). You guys are getting the best... No more starters faults! And above that... Its a Honda.