Honda 125 VARADERO XLV 2007 — Specifications

When the Yamaha TDR disappeared from dealerships and the Cagiva Supercity followed suit, the segment of 125 road trail bikes found itself quite empty. The Honda Varadero XLV therefore found itself alone in this niche, carrying on its shoulders all the legitimacy of the genre. Six years after its launch, Honda decided to put the revised version back on the table. The result is there, and it deserves attention.

The first glance is enough to understand that Honda’s designers didn’t settle for a cosmetic facelift. The front optics clearly look towards the CBR 125, the overall silhouette recalls the Transalp 650 with this mix of fleshy curves and taut lines, and the lights adopt the stylistic codes of the CBF 600. The result is consistent, almost flattering for a 125. The dashboard, complete and easy to read, further gives the machine a presence that its direct competitors simply don’t have. At 4999 euros, Honda is selling as much a desirable object as an AM license on two wheels.

Under this beautiful robe, the mechanics received only one notable modification for this 2007 model year: PGM-FI injection, identical to that adopted by the CBR 125 the same year. The 90° L-twin, 124.70 cc, still develops 15 horsepower at 11,000 rpm for a torque of 9.80 Nm at 9,500 rpm. These figures don't inspire dreams on paper, but this V-twin has character. The downside is that the 169 kg fully fueled constitutes a serious adversary. For those who are asking for opinions on the Honda 125 Varadero XLV 2007, the answer is clear: you have to rev the engine, exploit the five-speed gearbox to the limit, accept that 115 km/h in top speed is the ceiling. Injection improves thermal management and consumption, and allows the machine to meet Euro 3 standards, which is not insignificant for the model's lifespan in circulation.

The true promise of this Varadero remains travel. Honda understood this and offers a catalog of accessories designed to transform the machine into a small GT. 45-liter top case, heated grips, center stand, engine guard, aluminum handlebar riser: everything is there to equip a mount that, despite its limited displacement, can swallow kilometers on national roads with real serenity. The 16.8-liter tank contributes to this vocation, offering correct autonomy when adopting a reasonable driving style.

Those who compare opinions on the Honda 125 Varadero XLV between the 2001, 2005 and 2007 versions will note that the evolution has been gradual but consistent. The 2007 version represents the logical culmination of this lineage: more refined stylistically, better equipped technically, without mechanical revolution. It clearly targets the young driver who wants a stylish and capable motorcycle, not just a simple A-plate utility machine. Weight remains its main drawback in maneuvering, especially in town or during U-turns. But on the road, this handicap disappears, and the V-twin reclaims its rights with its characteristic sound. In a quasi-deserted segment, the Varadero XLV has almost no serious competitor. This de facto monopoly does not prevent it from being a real motorcycle.