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/

[NORTH RIDER]

thanks for the info ,i just got an africa twin and have to agree about the seat .it's horrible, i have ordered one from touratech,it will be a while before i get it. we are getting the VARADERO here in canada and if i don't blow my money on something else before they come ,i will consedering one as well.i have no interest on the WEE, it just does not appeal to me

north rider

[Papa Pete]

Someting told me you were going to say that. I have only owned one of the three. But there ain't a snow balls chance in hell I will ever own a V Strom.
That bike may be right for some , but not for me. I have to agree the ride
on postion on the Africa twin, but the seat is just about like any other bike I've owned. The longer you sit the more your ass hurts. I can also say that about cars and trucks I've owned.

[Shepski]

I think the Wee is a very good bike and certainly has some advantages over the Hondas superb price, great engine, good handling and brakes

I have no favorite they are all different bikes and all with strengths and weaknesses.

If i had to choose for primarily offroad i would choose the Africa, for 2 up long distance road work i would choose the Varadero and for Single roadwork the Wee Strom as it is such great fun

[Two Plugs]

Strange... I thought I made a posting here...

[ozcan]

Nice exercise, but a little like comparing bacon with apples with fish. The AT's seat issue is simply cured, especially by specialists who use your body stats to design a seat for you, or you and your pillion. If you're going to be riding for any length of time, expenditure on a custom-designed seat is worthwhile. Macho guys who stay with a factory seat simply because they're real men deserve our respect, admiration and sympathy. Want to really impress us? Ditch the seat altogether... .

Hope to be able to test a Varadero X-Canada next year. A fair(er) comparison would be with the original Dero and the latest model. Is it thinner, more economical, more comfortable, better in city traffic? The first one didn't impress me (enough to buy one) but from what I've read the latest Deros are a major improvement. What DO you think, Two Plugs?!

[Two Plugs]

Originally Posted by ozcan

Nice exercise, but a little like comparing bacon with apples with fish. The AT's seat issue is simply cured, especially by specialists who use your body stats to design a seat for you, or you and your pillion. If you're going to be riding for any length of time, expenditure on a custom-designed seat is worthwhile. Macho guys who stay with a factory seat simply because they're real men deserve our respect, admiration and sympathy. Want to really impress us? Ditch the seat altogether... .

Hope to be able to test a Varadero X-Canada next year. A fair(er) comparison would be with the original Dero and the latest model. Is it thinner, more economical, more comfortable, better in city traffic? The first one didn't impress me (enough to buy one) but from what I've read the latest Deros are a major improvement. What DO you think, Two Plugs?!

You do have a point there. Riding on my 3rd Varadero (a 2004 ABS model) and still owning my 2nd Varadero (a 2000 carburettor model) and having owned a Africa Twin (1996 model) I was hoping to see a more 'allroad' styled Varadero in 2007... But it was simply a facial updated '03 model.

I have been riding the latest '08 model for several days and a few 100 miles and despite the fact that I was rather disappointed by the '07 update, it is great in comparising with my '04. The fuel injection is superb, the suspension is great (I had to replace mine for a complete Technoflex (Wilbers) set because it was to hard... and on the carb versions I had to replace it because it was far to soft!) and the brakes are still the best combined ABS brakes you can get on a production big trail motorcycle.

Fuel economy is a big plus and the weight? Well... you won't feel it because its centre of gravity lies much lower as on the good, old Africa Twin.

I thought I already made a posting here, but it seems that it went lost… So here we go again!

Being involved in the Dutch Transalp / Africa Twin / Varadero club I always found that the Africa Twin was overrated by its owners. For proper offroading it is still too heavy (230 kg including full fuel and all bits and pieces) the centre of gravity is very high. It is (despite the fuel pump) a solid and reliable motorcycle – can’t argue with that – but it is a real ‘old school’ bike.

For its weight it is underpowered (a MK1 Transalp 600 has only 5 Bhp less – but also 30 kg less!) and from the Transalp you will get a more comfy ride and better protection from the fairing. And in those days the Transalp 600 was almost 2.500 Euro cheaper to buy (new).

The Varadero MK1 was introduced in September 1998 and was 20 kg heavier as the Africa twin (253 kg), but with almost 100 Bhp (95) and 100 Nm Torque, superb brakes and the best protection you could get from the fairing its new price was only 450,- Euro’s more than the new price of the 60 Bhp Africa Twin…

The MK1 Varadero was rather thirsty – that is a well known fact – but the Africa Twin has a reputation on that as well (Note: on both bikes the fuel economy can be easily improved up to 15 to 20% by changing the carb settings (Dynojet) and adding an K&N or BMC airfilter – I have done this job on both bikes).

The Africa Twin is still overpriced, even as used bike. Here in Europe you can get a good, low mileage Varadero (a fuel injected MK2!) for less than a older Africa Twin. Both bikes are able to run high mileages on the clock, both engines are indestructible.

If your choice would be the Varadero, go for an after 2003 MK2 because of the improved fuel economy and suspension.





Our Africa Twin and our MK1 2000 Varadero. We changed the Africa Twin for my current black MK2 '04 Varadero, we still own the red '2000 model (Owned by my wife now) which has done 120.000 km (75.000 miles).

[Shepski]

Bernard

I allways seem to agree with your reviews, which are allways superb.

I loved my Africa a completely mint RD04 but in reality the Varadero was a better bike, i have to agree with you. i had like you a 2000 carb model, i also rode the newer model Varaderos which have better suspension and a smoother engine, however i still feel the carb models felt more "grunty".

I am now modifying my little Wee Strom and i think there is the basis of a really great bike here. First i found that the screen was producing a lot of buffeting, varadero memories? !!!!!!

I now have the screen in its lowest position, much better, bit more wind noise, but not buffeting.

I have now replaced my seat with a 1000 V Strom seat, which i find much better, more padding, more comfortable.

The biggest improvement has been setting the suspension up and most importantly the Renthal handelbars what a difference !!!

I am really liking this bike now.

If the new Transalp 700 is coming to America shortly as Bernard pointed out in a review this is a really excellent bike, i loved my long test ride on it.

[ozcan]

Thanks, Two Plugs (Bernard),

I thought I was getting better economy from my AT, but hadn't figured that my K & N air filter was the reason... . I think I'll Dynojet the carbies...!

You've given me the confidence to proceed with my plan to buy the new Varadero, in Canada. It has been claimed that Honda Canada will be importing 2007 models... but calling them 2008 models. What is the quickest way to tell?

Also, do you know if the luggage rack holes are identical to those on the TA600 and AT750? They're the same holes as the XLV750, but I need to ask, as I plan to ship my luggage rack to Canada, to bolt on, if the holes are all in the identical place.

Many thanks for your excellent reviews.

Paul,

AT, TA, XLV

[varaman]

Originally Posted by ozcan

Thanks, Two Plugs (Bernard),

I thought I was getting better economy from my AT, but hadn't figured that my K & N air filter was the reason... . I think I'll Dynojet the carbies...!

You've given me the confidence to proceed with my plan to buy the new Varadero, in Canada. It has been claimed that Honda Canada will be importing 2007 models... but calling them 2008 models. What is the quickest way to tell?

Also, do you know if the luggage rack holes are identical to those on the TA600 and AT750? They're the same holes as the XLV750, but I need to ask, as I plan to ship my luggage rack to Canada, to bolt on, if the holes are all in the identical place.

Many thanks for your excellent reviews.

Paul,

AT, TA, XLV

I've conversed with a number of Honda Canada representatives at length, and all the Varaderos in Canada awaiting replacement fuel lines and certifications are 2008 models.

Terry

[ozcan]

Originally Posted by teranfon

I've conversed with a number of Honda Canada representatives at length, and all the Varaderos in Canada awaiting replacement fuel lines and certifications are 2008 models.

Terry

You've done better than i have on the internet. (Maybe I should have terafoned them! ) I knew the fuel line issue had delayed them until August, but nothing more.

Thanks for that info.

Paul

[Two Plugs]

Originally Posted by ozcan

Thanks, Two Plugs (Bernard),

I thought I was getting better economy from my AT, but hadn't figured that my K & N air filter was the reason... . I think I'll Dynojet the carbies...!

You've given me the confidence to proceed with my plan to buy the new Varadero, in Canada. It has been claimed that Honda Canada will be importing 2007 models... but calling them 2008 models. What is the quickest way to tell?

Also, do you know if the luggage rack holes are identical to those on the TA600 and AT750? They're the same holes as the XLV750, but I need to ask, as I plan to ship my luggage rack to Canada, to bolt on, if the holes are all in the identical place.

Many thanks for your excellent reviews.

Paul,

AT, TA, XLV

@Paul: sorry to tell you but the luggage rack from the TA and the @twin are different to those used on the Varadero. The Frame of the TA and the @twin are related to eachother (read: the frame of the MK1 ('87) Transalp and the MK1 @Twin (the RD03, XRV650) where almost exact copies) but the Varadero has a total different layout. I use the Hebco and Becker rack with Alu panniers on both the Varadero's, the XLV750 and our MK1 Transalp.

If you are handy it should be possible to make some mods to the rack, but I would prefer a version designed for mounting on the Dero...

@Shepski: Yep, Turbulence was an annoying thing, even on the latest models. It seems to be a typical Honda thing, my brother has the same troubles on his ST1100 and his new ST1300X touring bike...

Even for your V-strom you can order a little deflector, which can easily be mounted on the original screen. There are to makes, one from Touratech which is rather, eh, ugly, and one from MRA. Visit www.mra.de for details and ask for Mr. Johannes Klement. He speaks fluently English and can help you with details for dealers in Canada or post odering.

Here in Europe the MRA deflector (which is adjustable) is now standard on the Rino version of the Vstrom!