Honda 125 VARADERO XLV 2005 — Specifications

When Honda decided to offer its large Varadero in 125cc, many raised their eyebrows. Miniaturizing a trail with such a distinctive DNA risks producing a pale imitation. Yet, the XLV 125 Varadero has earned a serious reputation in the A1 license category, and reviews of the 2005 Honda 125 Varadero XLV regularly confirm it: this machine is a coherent proposition, not a marketing gimmick dressed up as an adventurer.

The heart of the machine is worth stopping for. Honda had the good idea of installing the 90° L-twin from the Shadow, a proven 4-stroke engine that develops 15 horsepower at 11,000 rpm for 9.80 Nm of torque at 9,500 rpm. It’s not a bolt of lightning, and no one claims it is. But in a category dominated by underutilized singles, this twin offers smoothness and a sound that competitors simply don’t. The Yamaha TDR remains faster in acceleration, its unrestricted two-stroke playing a different tune, but the Honda twin has the flexibility and mechanical longevity.

The downside of this mechanical richness is the weight. 167 kg fully fueled on a 125 is a reality to integrate before purchasing. The 5-speed gearbox partially compensates for this handicap by allowing the engine to be worked with precision, but sharp acceleration out of corners requires anticipation. It’s not the ideal profile for a rider who wants to play elbows in the city every morning. On the other hand, for the young license holder who plans long journeys or weekend getaways, the picture changes radically: a 17.5-liter tank offers autonomy that many 125s envy, and the 800 mm seat allows the vast majority of builds to place their feet flat without acrobatics.

Road behavior relies on a rigorous steel double cradle frame and generous suspension, with 150 mm of travel at each end. The 35 mm telescopic fork absorbs irregularities without dramatizing, and the two discs, 276 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear, stop the machine convincingly provided that firm pressure is applied to the levers. Road holding inspires confidence, without parasitic nervousness.

Many of those who have given their opinion on the 2001, 2005 or 2007 Honda 125 Varadero XLV return to a common point: this motorcycle ages well and is resold without difficulty. At 4,700 euros in the catalog at the time of its commercialization, it represented a serious investment for a 125, but the quality of finish and Honda reliability justified the gap with less accomplished alternatives. It is above all a machine for the patient and thoughtful driver, one who prepares his routes, who appreciates the comfort of a well-designed saddle on two hours of road, and who does not see his A1 license as a purgatory but as a serious learning ground.