Honda XL125V
Encyclopedia
The Honda XL125V Varadero is a dual-sport motorcycle with a 125 cc four stroke V-twin engine, produced by Honda
since 2001.
Honda began working on a larger 125 machine after the 15 metric horsepower restriction on all 125 cc motorcycles, with a marketing study suggesting that riders involved in this market were attracted by the idea of what Honda called a dual-sport motorcycle, which benefited from a protective nose fairing.
Borrowing design cues from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda set about developing a bike that offered substantially bigger proportions than most 125 cc motorcycles, with a seat height of 802 mm (31.6 in), ensuring that the rider would gain not only a commanding road view but also ensure the motorcycle was capable of offering real pillion access. The XL125V had a fuel capacity of 17.5 l (37 US pt), which included at 2 litre reserve – larger than other 125 cc motorcycles.
Owing to the cues taken from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda chose to power the new model with the 124 cc 4-stroke SOHC 4v 900 V-twin engine that was originally developed for the VT125C Shadow
cruiser motorcycle. The engine developed the new maximum 10.7 kW allowed by the new restriction as well as 10.8 N·m (8 ft·lbf) of torque. The new bike was fuelled through carburretors.
Unlike most V-twin engines, the Varadero 125 engine revs to over 12,000 rpm. It develops peak power at around 11,000 rpm, while its stable-mate. In contrast, the XL1000V Varadero peaks its power at 6,000 rpm.
The engine sat in an all-new tubular steel frame designed specifically for the new model, however the cast aluminium box-section swing arm was taken from the XL650V Transalp motorcycle (As well as the rear luggage rack) and equipped with mono-shock rear suspension that provides 150 mm (5.9 in) of travel.
The front suspension is 35 mm forks, also with 150 mm of travel.
The Varadero 125 was released with some fanfare with Honda calling it the "New flagship of Honda's diverse 125 lineup" in the press information.
There were also plenty of positive reviews of the new model, with most only citing the high price as the only criticism.
The new Varadero 125 reportedly sold well with MCN reporting in January 2002 that it had sold over 380 units, roughly the same as its two bigger stable mates the XL1000V Varadero and the XL650V Transalp.
In 2003 the XL125V Varadero was given a minor facelift. The main being the three spoke, cast aluminium wheels being changed from black to silver in colour.
s, the XL125V Varadero would either have needed to be withdrawn for production or modified. In 2007, Honda elected to continue with the model and so developed a new electronic fuel injection system based on the PGM-FI system used by other Honda motorcycles.
At this time Honda also elected to bring about a major restyle to bring the model in line with company appearance trends at the time.
The changes included a restyled front fairing which includes wind screen, indicators and headlight, an all new dashboard which now included a fuel reserve warning light and new fairing mounted wing mirrors, previously handle bar mounted.
Mechanically, the 2007 XL125V Varadero is similar to the previous model with the engine, gearbox, swing arm and rear suspension, luggage rack and steering all interchangeable as well as parts such as stater-motors, spark plugs and brakes also being interchangeable. However, the air intake has been turned through 90 degrees to be front facing and the fuel tank capacity has been reduced slightly to accommodate the new fuel injection system and ECU control unit. The fuel tank is around 0.5 litres smaller at 16.8 litres (35.5 US pt).
To enable the bike to meet the new emission standards, the engine is now fuel-injected, is slightly de-tuned and has a catalytic converter
. The 124 cc 4-valve V-twin now produces 10.6 kW.
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
since 2001.
2001–2007
The first generation of the Varadero 125 was released in the UK in 2001 aimed at the beginner rider market.Honda began working on a larger 125 machine after the 15 metric horsepower restriction on all 125 cc motorcycles, with a marketing study suggesting that riders involved in this market were attracted by the idea of what Honda called a dual-sport motorcycle, which benefited from a protective nose fairing.
Borrowing design cues from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda set about developing a bike that offered substantially bigger proportions than most 125 cc motorcycles, with a seat height of 802 mm (31.6 in), ensuring that the rider would gain not only a commanding road view but also ensure the motorcycle was capable of offering real pillion access. The XL125V had a fuel capacity of 17.5 l (37 US pt), which included at 2 litre reserve – larger than other 125 cc motorcycles.
Owing to the cues taken from the XL1000V Varadero, Honda chose to power the new model with the 124 cc 4-stroke SOHC 4v 900 V-twin engine that was originally developed for the VT125C Shadow
Honda Shadow
The Honda Shadow refers to a family of cruiser-type motorcycles made by Honda since 1983. The Shadow line features motorcycles with a liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin ranging from 125cc to 1800cc engine displacement...
cruiser motorcycle. The engine developed the new maximum 10.7 kW allowed by the new restriction as well as 10.8 N·m (8 ft·lbf) of torque. The new bike was fuelled through carburretors.
Unlike most V-twin engines, the Varadero 125 engine revs to over 12,000 rpm. It develops peak power at around 11,000 rpm, while its stable-mate. In contrast, the XL1000V Varadero peaks its power at 6,000 rpm.
The engine sat in an all-new tubular steel frame designed specifically for the new model, however the cast aluminium box-section swing arm was taken from the XL650V Transalp motorcycle (As well as the rear luggage rack) and equipped with mono-shock rear suspension that provides 150 mm (5.9 in) of travel.
The front suspension is 35 mm forks, also with 150 mm of travel.
The Varadero 125 was released with some fanfare with Honda calling it the "New flagship of Honda's diverse 125 lineup" in the press information.
There were also plenty of positive reviews of the new model, with most only citing the high price as the only criticism.
The new Varadero 125 reportedly sold well with MCN reporting in January 2002 that it had sold over 380 units, roughly the same as its two bigger stable mates the XL1000V Varadero and the XL650V Transalp.
In 2003 the XL125V Varadero was given a minor facelift. The main being the three spoke, cast aluminium wheels being changed from black to silver in colour.
Since 2007
After the introduction of the Euro III Emission standardEmission standard
Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
s, the XL125V Varadero would either have needed to be withdrawn for production or modified. In 2007, Honda elected to continue with the model and so developed a new electronic fuel injection system based on the PGM-FI system used by other Honda motorcycles.
At this time Honda also elected to bring about a major restyle to bring the model in line with company appearance trends at the time.
The changes included a restyled front fairing which includes wind screen, indicators and headlight, an all new dashboard which now included a fuel reserve warning light and new fairing mounted wing mirrors, previously handle bar mounted.
Mechanically, the 2007 XL125V Varadero is similar to the previous model with the engine, gearbox, swing arm and rear suspension, luggage rack and steering all interchangeable as well as parts such as stater-motors, spark plugs and brakes also being interchangeable. However, the air intake has been turned through 90 degrees to be front facing and the fuel tank capacity has been reduced slightly to accommodate the new fuel injection system and ECU control unit. The fuel tank is around 0.5 litres smaller at 16.8 litres (35.5 US pt).
To enable the bike to meet the new emission standards, the engine is now fuel-injected, is slightly de-tuned and has a catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
. The 124 cc 4-valve V-twin now produces 10.6 kW.