Honda 125 VARADERO XLV 2006 — Specifications

Imagine having a brand-new A1 license in your pocket, the desire to go far, and the feeling of being stuck in the world of bland 125cc singles. Honda had an answer to that in the mid-2000s, and that answer was the XLV 125 Varadero. A twin-cylinder trail bike in 125cc – an absolute rarity on the market – borrowing its 90° L-twin from the Shadow, dressed in the bodywork of its big sister, the Varadero 1000. The visual result was striking: it was difficult to guess at first glance that you were dealing with a 125.

Under this generous fairing, the 124.7cc engine delivers 15 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 9.8 Nm of torque at 9,500 rpm. On paper, it looks like all the others. In reality, this four-stroke twin is noticeably smoother than a classic single, with a better-distributed powerband and a sound that flatters the ego. Where things are lacking is the weight: 167 kg fully fueled, that’s the price to pay for all this equipment. Acceleration out of corners or for overtaking reminds you that you’re not on a Yamaha TDR, whose unrestricted two-stroke plays in a different category on that specific point. The five-speed gearbox partially compensates, provided you constantly use the lever.

For reviews of the Honda 125 Varadero XLV, whether concerning the 2001, 2005, 2006, or 2007 model year, the same observation consistently arises: its autonomy is its trump card. Seventeen and a half liters of tank capacity, a sensible fuel consumption, and you are capable of covering 300 kilometers without a stop. The standard screen provides correct protection, but the large screen option truly transforms the machine into a convincing touring bike. The 800 mm seat allows most riders to put their feet on the ground without acrobatics, and the suspension – 35 mm fork at the front and single shock at the rear with 150 mm of travel each – handles irregularities with genuine kindness.

In the city, the XLV is surprising. Its imposing proportions could have made it an unmanageable urban monster, but the upright riding position and the reasonable center of gravity make it maneuverable. The dual-disc braking system, 276 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear, requires a firm pressure to really bite, but it is predictable and controllable. Priced at 4,700 euros, the Varadero 125 targeted a public of young riders who refused to feel diminished by their license, or experienced riders returning to the A1 category after an interruption. For them, this machine made sense. It wasn’t the fastest, but it offered a riding experience that its competitors in the segment simply didn’t approach.