Honda XL125V

Honda XL125V Varadero

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2001 - Current
Engine	Liquid cooled, 4-stroke, 4 Valve, SOHC, 124cc, 90° V-Twin engine
Top speed	75 mph (120 kmh)
Power	14.6bhp (10.7 Kw)
Suspension	Front: 35mm Telescopic Forks Rear:Adjustable Mono-shock
Dimensions	L 1450mm H 802mm Seat Height
Fuel capacity	17.5 l (pre 2007) 16.8 l (2007-current)

The Honda XL125V Varadero is an Enduro/Traile-style four stroke 125cc adventure motorcycle with a V-twin engine produced since 2001.

It is physically the biggest 125cc on the market with the appearance of a much larger motorcycle, therefore very popular with taller riders, especially learners (over 6 ft (1.8 m)) as it provides a much more comfortable ride than its peers. Although shorter riders (Below 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)) will find it uncomfortable and hard to mount.

An updated model (2007) is now on sale, with a revised instrument cluster, body-mounted mirrors (as opposed to handlebar mounted) and new bodywork. This new model has injectors instead of carburetors. It has also been fitted with a catalytic converter to meet the new Euro III emission laws for motorbikes. However the new model is slightly heavier that the previous model, a smaller fuel tank (16.8 litres reduced to 17.5 litres) and slightly less power compared to the previous model

The 2009 XL125V Varadero currently retails for around £4,300 in the UK.

2001 - 2006

2004 XL125V Varadero

The first generation of the Varadero 125 was released in the UK in 2001 aimed at the beginner rider market. The V-Twin engine that is shared with the VT 125 Shadow.

Honda began working on a larger 125 machine after the 15 metric horsepower restriction on all 125cc motorcycles, with a marketing study suggesting that riders involved in this market were attracted by the idea of what Honda called a "Dual Sport" motorcycle that benefited from a protective nose fairing.

Borrowing design cues from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda set about developing a bike that offered substantially bigger proportions most 125cc motorcycles, ensuring that the rider would gain not only a commanding road view but also ensure the motorcycle was capable of offering real pillion access.

Owing to the cues taken from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda chose to power the new model with the 124cc 4-Stroke SOHC 4v 90⁰ V-Twin engine that was originally developed for the VT125C Shadow cruiser motorcycle. The engine developed the new maximum 14.6 bhp (10.7 Kw) allowed by the new restriction as well as 8 lb-ft (10.8 Nm) of torque. The new bike was fueled through Carburetors, presumably to reduce development costs of the bike and/or maintain simplicity.

Unlike most V-Twin engines, the Varadero 125 engine revs to over 12,000 rpm. It develops peak power at around 11,000 rpm while its stable-mate. In contrast, the XL1000V Varadero peaks its power at 6000 rpm.

The engine sat in an all-new tubular steel frame designed specifically for the new model, however the cast aluminum box-section swing arm was taken from the XL650V Transalp motorcycle (As well as the rear luggage rack) and equipped with mono-shock rear suspension that provides 150mm of travel. The front suspension is 35mm forks, also with 150mm of travel.

One of the more impressive features was the fuel tank. Featuring a 17.5 litre (3.8 Uk Gal) capacity which included at 2 litre reserve. This is one of the "Big bike" features that Honda sought to achieve when developing the XL125V Varadero.

This can be compared to its stable mates: XL650V Transalp: 19 Litres

XL1000V Varadero: 25 Litres

The other feature that compares to bikes of much larger capacities is the seat height. The seat is listed as 802mm making it as tall as many 500cc+ commuter motorcycles.

The Varadero 125 was released with some fanfare with Honda calling it the "New flagship of Honda's diverse 125 lineup" in the press information. There were also plenty of positive reviews of the new model, with most only citing the high price as the only criticism

The new Varadero 125 reportedly sold well with MCN reporting in January 2002 that it had sold over 380 units, roughly the same as it's two bigger stable mates the XL1000V Varadero and the XL650V Transalp.

The XL125V Varadero was originally offered in three colours:

Moody Blue Metallic, Candy Glory Red, and Black

Note: All three colour option featured the 'Accurate Silver Metallic' paint for the fuel tank.

The Varadero was offered with a raft of official accessories including two capacities of top box, a belly pan, centre stand and taller screen

As well as the official accessories, third-party accessories were developed for the motorcycle. These include panniers, crash bars and taller screens.

In 2003 the XL125V Varadero was given a minor facelift. The main being the three spoke, cast aluminium wheels being changed from black to silver in colour.

In 2006 Honda offered a new colour option fror the XL125V Varadero. This was called "Mystic Orange Metallic".

2007 Onwards

After the introduction of the Euro 3 Emissions Standards, the XL125V Varadero would either have needed to be withdrawn for production or modified. in 2007 Honda elected to continue with the model and so developed a new electronic fuel injection system based on the PGM-FI system used by Honda's. At this time Honda also elected to bring about a major restyle to bring the model in line with company appearance trends at the time.

The changes included a restyled front fairing which includes wind screen, indicators and headlight, an all new dashboard which now included a fuel reserve warning light and new fairing mounted wing mirrors, previously handle bar mounted.

Mechanically, the XL125V Varadero is almost entirely unchanged with the engine, gearbox, swing arm & rear suspension, luggage rack and steering all interchangeable as well as parts such as stater-motors, spark plugs and brakes also being interchangeable. However, the air intake has been turned through 90 degrees to be front facing and the fuel tank capacity has been reduced slightly to accommodate the new fuel injection system and ECU control unit. The fuel tank is around 0.5 litres less at 16.8 Litres (3.7 Uk Gal).

As well as the fuel injection system and new catalytic converter, the engine has been detuned slightly to meet the new emissions standards. The 124cc 4v V-twin now produces 14.4 bhp (10.6 Kw)

The current generation XL125V Varadero has a similar list of accessories, tailored for the new shape as well as sharing many of the third party accessories offered for the previous generation