HONDA XL Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

If you liked the likes of the old Transalp or Africa Twin but felt some extra touring-oriented features were missing, here's one of the answers to your plight. The 2008 Varadero, a liter-class v-twin bike which can tread both asphalt roads and forest trails, carry lots of gear for longer journeys and plenty of fuel for more riding and less gas station stops.

Long travel suspensions, powerful brakes, a bulletproof engine and light handling, the Varadero is a bike created for those who won't look back as they leave the sealed roads behind.

The Honda XL1000V Varadero was a dual sport motorcycle manufactured from 1999 to 2013. In 2003, Honda introduced the fuel injection system with a smooth engine, throttle response, topped by an ABS modulator.

In 2008, the Japanese maker released the Honda XL1000V Varadero that introduced many new upgrades and features, enhancing its style, convenience, and long-term riding comfort and enjoyment.

The bike featured a new instrument panel with a new dial design for a more attractive appearance, new locking side pockets placed on the sides of the cockpit area, and a new redesigned seat shape for more comfort for the rider and passenger.

Also, the side cover panels were redesigned for more compact and stylish shapes; the tail cowl featured a sleeker design, the under-cowl was replaced with an aluminum unit, and new color variations with two-tone graphics for a more luxurious image.

The stopping power was generated by two 296 mm discs coupled to three-piston calipers on the front and one 256 mm disc with a three-piston caliper on the rear for solid braking performance.

The model was built on a tubular steel frame with a 43 mm telescopic fork handling the front suspension, while a preload and rebound adjustable Pro-Link shock absorber took care of the rear suspension.

As for power, the 2008 Honda XL1000V Varadero delivered a power output of 94 hp at 8,000 rpm and 99 Nm (73 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm from a 996cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine.

The XL 650 V Transalp motorcycle belongs to Honda, the famous company which first created the bike in 2005. Thanks to its liquid cooled, four stroke, 52 degree V-Twin, SOHC , 3 valves per cylinder engine, the motorcycle is able to reach a top speed of 170 km/h.

The Honda XL1000V Varadero was a dual-sport machine manufactured by Honda since 1999, while different models were manufactured from 1998 to 2013. The bike had capabilities for long-distance road trips and limited off-road use.

All models were powered by a liquid-cooled V-twin engine. At the same time, in 2001, the Japanese maker introduced the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS), an engine immobilizer similar to the one used on cars.

In 2001, the production of the Varadero model was relocated to Spain, at the Mondes Honda factory outside of Barcelona. In 2003, the bike was launched with several upgrades, increasing torque and fuel efficiency.

The 2003 model featured a fuel injection system, a new six-speed manual transmission, cosmetic changes, and a new instrument cluster. In 2004, Honda introduced ABS and later used it as standard equipment in various markets based on Honda's safety commitment.

In 2004, Honda launched the XL1000V Varadero, a dual-sport machine designed for long-distance touring with a comfortable riding position. The XL1000V was a reliable and capable adventure machine suitable for on-road and light off-road use.

The 2004 Honda XL1000V Varadero had fitted a 996cc DOHC V-twin engine in a twin-spar steel frame, delivering an output power of 94 hp at 8,000 rpm and 99 Nm (73 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.

The power produced by the engine was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission that spun the rear wheel to a top speed of 202 kph (125 mph).

The Honda XL125V Varadero was a dual sport motorcycle with a 125cc V-twin engine manufactured by the Japanese maker in 2001. The model's first generation was launched in 2001 in the United Kingdom market for beginner riders.

Due to a marketing study suggesting that riders were attracted by the dual-sport motorcycle idea with a protective noise fairing, Honda began working on a giant 125 machine after the 15 hp restriction on all 125cc motorcycles.

Honda developed a motorcycle with more considerable proportions than most of the 125cc machines, with design cues from the XL1000V Varadero, an 802 mm seat height with a commanding view and enough space for a passenger.

The XL125V was fitted with a 17.5-liter fuel tank and a two-liter reserve, powered by a 124cc four-stroke SOHC V-twin engine, developed initially for the VT125C Shadow cruiser machine.

The bike had a double cradle steel frame fitted with a 35 mm telescopic fork and a preload-adjustable Pro-Link shock absorber on the rear, offering optimum handling and suspension performance.

As for braking performance, the 2001 Honda XL125V Varadero rolled on three-spoke cast aluminum wheels fitted with a dual-piston caliper and a 276 mm disc on the front and a single-piston caliper with a 220 mm disc on the rear.

As for power figures, the machine was set in motion by a 124cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine with two carburetors, delivering an output power of 15 hp at 11,000 rpm and 11 Nm (eight lb-ft) of torque at 9,500 rpm.

The Honda Translap was a series of dual-sport machines manufactured by Honda from 1987 and comprised five models, such as the XL400V, XL600V, XL650V, XL700V, and XL750. All the bikes from the series were set in motion by a liquid-cooled V-twin engine, except for the XL750, which was powered by a different engine.

In 2000, the XL600V was replaced by the XL650V Translap, which came with several improvements, such as a power output increase, a 64cc displacement increase, shock absorbers redesigned for road use, an updated exhaust system, one liter larger fuel tank, and a redesigned control panel.

The bike was built on a semi-double cradle box-section steel tube frame fitted with a 41 mm telescopic fork as front suspension. The bike packed a Pro-Link shock absorber on the rear with adjustable compression as rear suspension.

Also, the bike rolled from the factory with wire-spoke wheels fitted with two 256 mm discs and dual-piston calipers acting as front stopping power, while on the rear wheel, the bike was equipped with a single-piston caliper and a 240 mm disc for solid braking performance.

The 2000 Honda XL650V Translap delivered a power output of 52 hp at 7,500 rpm and 54 Nm (40 lb-ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm from a 647cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine fed by two carburetors.

With a five-speed manual transmission and a wet weight of 210 kg (463 lbs), the 2000 machine hit a top speed of 170 kph (106 mph).

The Honda XL1000V Varadero was a dual-sport motorcycle manufactured by Honda from 1999, while different models were produced from 1998 to 2013. In 2003, the Japanese maker introduced fuel injection with a smoother engine and throttle response.

The XL1000V Varadero Adventure Touring machine was introduced at the 1998 Munich Motorcycle Show as a 1999 model with a powerplant based on the Honda VTR1000F Firestorm or Superhawk.

All versions were powered by a liquid-cooled V-twin engine. At the same time, in 2001, Honda introduced the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS), an engine immobilized similar to the one used on cars.

In 2001, the Varadero production was moved to the Spanish Montesa Honda factory outside Barcelona, while in 2003, the bike received some significant revisions, improving torque and fuel efficiency.

Some of the upgrades included the fuel injection system that replaced carburetors, the addition of a six-speed manual transmission, cosmetic changes, a new instrument panel, and ABS, which was introduced in 2004.

The twin-spar steel frame was fitted with a 43 mm telescopic fork for a front suspension and a spring preload and rebound adjustable Pro-Link shock absorber that handled the rear suspension.

The 1999 Honda XL1000V Varadero was powered by a 996cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine and two Keihin carburetors, boasting an output power of 94 hp at 8,000 rpm and 99 Nm (73 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.

The Honda Translap was a series of dual-sport motorcycles manufactured in 1987. The series comprised the XL400V, XL600V, XL650V, XL700V, and the XL750, powered by a liquid-cooled V-twin engine, except for the XL750 machine, which had a different powerplant.

In 1985, Honda built the first prototype as an off-road motorbike with a 500cc engine, while further development introduced an increased 600cc engine with more road-oriented features and an improved fairing.

The Honda XL600V was manufactured in 1986 and made available for the American market in 1989. The first version delivered 50 hp at 8,000 rpm, while for the 1989 and 1990 models, Honda increased the output power to 55 hp, returning to 50 hp for the later models.

The bike had some improvements over the years, such as the rear drum brake unit, which was replaced by a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper in 1991, the original square headlight replaced, and a new fairing in 1994.

In 1996, the bike was fitted with 34 mm carburetors, and a microprocessor design replaced the CDI ignition. Also, in 1997, the front brake received a second disc, and the diameter was reduced to 256 mm.

Regarding power, the 1999 Honda XL600V Translap had a 583cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine with two Keihin Carburetors, delivering a power output of 50 hp at 8,000 rpm and 53 Nm (39 lb-ft) of torque with a peak at 6,000 rpm.

A liquid cooled, four stroke, V twin, SOHC, 583cc engine which can develop a power of 55 horses at 8000rpm and a maximum torque of 53 Nm at 6000rpm.

The XL600 RM is a Honda motorcycle equipped with an air cooled, single cylinder, four stroke, 591cc engine developing 44 horsepower at 6500rpm. Thanks to its engine, the bike is able to reach a top speed 142 km/h.

Manufactured between 1983 and 1984, the XL200R has an air cooled, four stroke, single cylinder, 195cc engine, a 9.2:1 compression ratio and a 65x58mm bore and stroke.

The XL250R is an enduro type bike which has an air cooled, four stroke, single cylinder, 249cc engine developing 22 horsepower at 7500rpm.

Manufactured for three years, Honda's XL500 was available in Tahitian Red, Helios Red and Monza Red with Black. The motorcycle was able to reach a top speed of 135 km/h.

The year 1984 was the last one for the XL185 series in USA, but Honda continued the production in Canada for one more year. The motorcycle was available in a single color, Monza Red.

Honda manufactured the XL 350 motorcycle for only 4 years, between 1974 and 1978, and made it available in multiple colors, including Excel Black with White and Tahitian Red.