RE: Honda Varadero 125
con này để đạt 120kph là một điều gì đó rất vất vả, nó chỉ được coi là đạt điều kiện tối thiểu để chạy trên cao tốc thôi
Mời các bác tham khảo
traffic-buster that suits all
John Wheeler
MotorBikes: the Honda XL 125 Varadero There was a time when a 125 was a pretty utilitarian, functional, budget machine just one step up from a pedal cycle.
Then, along came the infamous '125 law', the brainchild of politicians, who always know best, decreeing that if young riders could ride nothing larger accidents would decrease.
In practise the effect was, predictably, the opposite of that which was intended: accidents increased. Despite that, this law remains.
It means that until you are at least 18, and can afford the insurance, you are unlikely to learn that bikes can bite back.
The law also means that some riders, confined to a 125, simply will not settle for a distinctly uncool, budget workhorse of a machine.
They want something that looks, sounds and feels more like a proper bike. Thanks to our compensation culture, insurance costs remain near unaffordable. If you are going to have to fork out that kind of money you may as well have a bike that is interesting.
This has encouraged manufacturers to produce a variety of upmarket 125's. Honda's Varadero 125 is an interesting example. It shares the name with its one-litre big brother the XL 1000 which we featured a few weeks ago.
At a quick glance it looks much the same; a distinctly, purposeful big trailie look. With its generous fairing, long-travel suspension and tall seating position it certainly looks the business.
Nor do you have to be in the 16 to 18-year-old bracket to appreciate this machine.
It has the distinct advantage for those of more mature years of not having lurid go-faster stripes and graphics.
It is an excellent traffic-busting, city bike offering a safe, relatively inexpensive solution to suburban and urban commuting.
The specification is interesting; the engine is a V-twin, SOHC, 4-stroke. Of all the motorcycle engine layouts the V-twin is, if not the best, then near as good as it gets.
Considering that almost any motorcycle spends far more of its time under 80 km/h, good acceleration and ease of riding, become more important than ultimate top speed.
No 125 is going to break the sound barrier. The really costly, high-maintenance sports 125s can achieve around 150 km/h. Most of the utilitarian, budget ones can do 100 to 105 km/h; the Varadero 125 achieves a comparatively respectable 119 km/h which means that it can just cope with motorway conditions.
When you sit on the 125 Varadero you feel you are on a 'proper' bike, it certainly does not feel as if it is only 125cc. As you pull away, if you are expecting that slogging torque synonymous with larger V-twin, forget it. This is still a small engine; to deliver the goods it depends on high revs.
At 90 km/h it is turning over at 9,000rpm. So well balanced is this sewing-machine-sweet engine that it doesn't ever seem to be working hard. Looking at the tachometer, at first, you think it must be exaggerating.
That impression is abetted by the first-rate exhaust and intake silencing. The noise level never rises above a pronounced purr and at tickover in traffic you can barely hear the engine.
The brakes and steering are first rate, as is the road holding. In true motard style this bike copes with bends and serious lean angles with all the aplomb of a sports bike. It has the added bonus of an excellent steering lock which makes manoeuvering through stalled traffic a joy. The mirrors are set high and do not conflict with car mirrors when you are passing between lines of stalled traffic.
Accepting that this is a 125cc machine, and that no machine with such a small capacity is ever going to be up to long-distance continental touring - though there are some of us who, in our youth were just daft enough to do that - as an upmarket ride to work the XL 125 is about as unbeatable as you could wish for.
Indeed if I needed a 125 and could justify the price, it is the one I would choose. The price is, admittedly, steep if you compare it with bread and butter, mundane, utilitarian 125s which are available for close on €3,000 less. At €5,499 it is well into the luxury/premium bracket and almost the same price as a single-cylinder 250, but the XL 125 is such a nice, well put together bike that, if it is affordable, you should spoil yourself.
Wasn't that what SSIAs were made for?
TechSpec
ENGINE: 125cc 90° SOHC Liquid-cooled, V-twin, 4-valve, 4-stroke. 11kW (14.75bhp) @ 11000rpm, 10.5Nm @ 8500rpm. 5- speed, chain drive.
CHASSIS: Front suspension - 35mm telescopic forks, 123mm travel, 276mm hydraulic disk brake. Rear; monoshock swinging arm with adjustable preload, 150mm travel. 220mm hydraulic disk brake. Wheels, triple spoked cast alloy, 18" front, 17" rear.
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase 1,450mm. Seat height 800mm. Dry weight: 149kg (328 lbs). Fuel 17.7 litres.
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 119 km/h. Consumption: 52 mpg.
PRICE: €5,499
( nguồn : The Irish Time )
