The Mighty Vara

[bluestoesonnose]

Been looking at Honda Varadero's (XL1000) how do they get so little power from the motor? Thought it would be similar to the Storm out put...

[StormingHonda]

I ask the same question about the CB900F Hornet, Honda could have had so much with that bike and delivered so, so little.

The 900 Hornet was perhaps my biggest disapointment as far as bikes was concerned.

[seb421]

i often wonder the same with the storm engine, it should have had so much more than 100-110bhp

[Pyro]

Im going to have to disagree there Seb, the reason the 'storm is such a stonking road bike is because it has such a strong midrange, and any bhp you add to the top of the powerband (that you might hardly ever use anyway) would be at the expense of those low down ponys we all love. 110bhp is plenty. IMHO.
back on topic, a Vara with a full fat engine would be ace...

[benny hedges]

any bhp you add to the top of the powerband (that you might hardly ever use anyway) would be at the expense of those low down ponys we all love. 110bhp is plenty. IMHO.

er you want to have a go on mine m8 & rethink that lol!!
you can increase the top and keep the midrange stomp

[Pyro]

"all power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutly"
George Orwell.

Id love a go on yours benny, but mines faster cos its red innit.

[tony.mon]

Been looking at Honda Varadero's (XL1000) how do they get so little power from the motor? Thought it would be similar to the Storm out put...

Cams, compression ratios, exhausts, smaller carbs/throttle bodies, and I believe that the ignition timing and advance are also different, and of course the five-speed box.

But a Storm engine drops straight in, with a wiring harness.

[Styler4077]

Serious Tony?
Did the old Val have carbs before it went injection? I don't know the answer to that question.
But a Val with a storm engine is an interesting idea!!!
Keep away from eBay peeps

[benny hedges]

Serious Tony?
Did the old Val have carbs before it went injection?

the pre '03 model had a 5 speed box and keihin 45mm downdraught cv carbs carbs, same as the storm but 3mm smaller venturi.
the fi model was introduced in 2003 and it also got a 6 speed box, with a tall top gear for better cruising speed and fuel economy, and a slightly bigger tank.
in 2004 it got optional abs & linked brakes.
in 2005 abs was standard.

makes me wonder if this would be another upgrade for the firestorm - i wasnt aware of the abs.
will have to have a look in my haynes as it covers both the firestorm & xl1000's
not sure if there would be additional wiring / electronics for the abs, disc mounted sensors etc like the beemer>>>> interesting!

i reckon you could drop a firestorm engine into a pre 03 model, but for the fi variant i think there will be additional sensors and stuff to add....
would be interesting to fit the vara engine & gubbins to a firestorm, fit firestorm heads, beefy cams, +4 advancer and change the 45mm throttle bodies for tl1000 52mm bodies or 54's off a ape rsv then chuck a power commander on it
pretty sure it would be possible to fit the firestorm gearbox in the vara casings or mix & match the 2 for a nice close ratio box?

[tony.mon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it all seems like a good idea, but there's one stumbling block....







You really want to be seen riding a Stormadero?

[Styler4077]

Would it not be either a Firedero or a Varastorm