Honda XL1000V Vs Honda Africa Twin Vs Wee Strom

[Shepski]

If anybody is interested i think that i can give a good review of these 3 bikes as i have now owned all 3 and done a bit of mileage on each of them.

First i had the Honda Africa Twin i had the RD04 model which is regarded as being even better than the latest RD07 model. I loved this bike, superb motor very smooth and good torque everwhere, however limited in absolute power. Superb build quality built like a tank.

The greatest drawbacks were a terrible standard seat, also brakes were not that strong. Overall a very balanced and competent package.

Then i had the Honda Varadero XL1000V, this is a better two up bike than the Africa Twin more power and a much better seat, however this is a heavy bike and you feel it !! very smooth and tractable engine, more road biased bike than the Africa Twin. Mine was the early carb version which has a bad reputation for fuel consumption, dont know why i used to get 45mpg from the Africa Twin and 42mpg from the Varadero that is British MPG, For a 1000 V Twin and a big bike that is perectly acceptable to me.

I now have the fabled Wee Strom first off the Wee handles better than either the Varadero or Africa Twin also more power than the Africa Twin and a much better seat. The Varadero feels more powerfull but then it is a 1000 so it should be. Fantastic fuel consumption from the Wee i am getting 60mpg +. The brakes are also good but not as good as the Varaderos combined brakes which are superb. The build quality also looks very good on the wee, nearly as good as the Hondas !!!!

My "issues" with the Wee are poor windscreen loads of buffeting in any windscreen position so this will need to be fixed, The Varadero standard screen is also terrible, the wind protection from the Varadero fairing is better, but Wee is better than Africa Twin. Suspension feels a little bit crude after the Africa Twin and Varadero fine on smooth surfaces but not on rougher services.

I also find a lot of weight on my back with the very upright riding position. I am going to fit a set of standard Renthal handelbars which will drop the height slightly and also not as much pullback. The Varadero and Africa Twin are definetly more lean forward which i find much more comfortable. The first thought is that it is the Seat, but i dont think this is the problem, i want to get my back leaning more forward and a bit more room hence the bar change.

As regards charachter the Africa Twin is a real classy act, the Varadero is a bit boring but extremely competent, the Wee is a great fun bike.

Hope this helps, my bikes are pictured here.

http://trendinvestor.smugmug.com/