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First New Bike

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The first ever new bike I bought was an Honda XL1000V Varadero in Candy Orange. Not the first twin I’d had but the first V twin, but more of that later…

This bike although it had its faults was good for Observing on with TVAM , general riding, touring and having a laugh as it liked being thrown about up to a point.

We toured on the continent with the Varadero and a lot of Britain besides.

Its faults:

  • The rear suspension was way too soft and would bottom out with a load on.

  • It would spark out far to easily and being top heavy could easily be dropped if this happened. I only dropped it once but came close to a few hernias trying to hold it up.

  • And the one that tried to kill us in Wales…

  • I bought the hard panniers for the bike and with two up and luggage on a long sweeping left hander, one grounded out and pushed us wide into the oncoming carriage way. Fortunately nothing was coming the other way so it ended well if not a little shocked. I sent a right snotty letter to Honda and they took them back and refunded the money.