Honda XLV 125 VARADERO DX 2016 — Specifications

Can a road-going trail bike still make sense on a 125? Honda seems to think so, and has maintained a unique offering in this niche for years with the XLV 125 Varadero DX. At first glance, this 2016 machine somewhat defies convention: it boasts a wet weight of 169 kg, a mass that would embarrass some 500s, and a price of 5499 euros for a new one, a significant sum in the A1 world. It's a bold gamble, offering a mini-Transalp, a GT that is seemingly lightweight.

The heart of the machine, a liquid-cooled, 124.7 cm3 L-twin, delivers 15 horsepower at 11,000 rpm. It's a pleasant, lively engine that has adopted injection to meet Euro 3 standards. But facing the double cradle frame and trail bodywork, these 15 hp must pull nearly 170 kg once the 16.8-liter tank is full. Riding requires anticipation; you need to rev it, exploit the 9.8 Nm of torque available at 9,500 rpm. The top speed is around 115 km/h, which is honorable, but the dynamics are those of a machine that carries its weight with dignity rather than aggression. The comparison with the CBR 125s of the same era is instructive: where the sportbike aims for nervousness, the Varadero DX seeks style and stability.

Honda has done well on the aesthetics of this second version. The lines blend influences from the Transalp 650 and the CBF 600, with a headlight reminiscent of the CBR. The dashboard is complete, the whole is rewarding, far from the sometimes cheap appearance of some 125s. The DX version even adds chrome, a two-tone seat and an engine guard. It is a machine that is intended to be ready for the road, with a seat height of 800 mm which offers a commanding riding position, and suspensions (35 mm fork, mono-shock) designed for comfort. The brakes, a 276 mm disc at the front and a 220 mm disc at the rear, are sufficient for this weight.

The target audience is clear: the young globetrotter, or those looking for a 125 with an adventurous look for daily use and getaways. The price of a new Honda XLV 125 Varadero DX, around 5500 euros, places it in a premium segment. It stands alone in its field, without a direct competitor having this trail posture. Honda even offers a list of options to transform it into a small GT, with top case, heated grips and integrated anti-theft system. It is a coherent machine, but which requires an accepted compromise: you buy its style and comfortable posture knowing that the mechanics, although reliable and high quality, will always be a little strained under this majestic bodywork. A proposition of character, therefore, for a rider who already wants, on his A1, to feel the taste of travel.