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    My beloved Kay

    Rides
    honda varadero touring combe laval
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    • Nick Carthew
      Nick Carthew RouteXperts Instructor last edited by Nick Carthew

      2006 Honda XL1000 Varadero SD02 - She's called Kay (K for kilo = 1000)

      Sandyway 1.jpg
      High up on Exmoor Dec 2018

      I started my affair with Kay in November 2013. It truly was love at first sight.
      I wanted something big that had presence on the road and the Varadero certainly fits that description. I started looking and discovered that Honda only made the tri-colour in 2006 and the moment I saw a picture of one I knew it was the next bike for me.
      I saw one for sale on a motorcycle dealerships website just 60 miles away and the following day, Kay and I were a couple πŸ‘«.
      Kay had just 14,000 miles on the clock and had had 4 previous owners despite her being only 8 years old πŸ€” It was clear by some of the knocks and scrapes on her that she hadn't seen much love πŸ™
      It also amazes me that 4 other people had bought a big touring machine and none of them seemed to have ridden her for very many miles! Perhaps it’s her weight or sheer size that put them off. She left the factory at a little under 250kg and like most of us, she has gained a little weight over the years with the compulsory added on bling! I would guess she’s over 300kg now!

      As well as the 3 piece Honda Luggage, the extras I have added are:
      MRA Vario Touring screen
      Palmer Products screen bracket
      Honda heated grips
      Givi Engine bars
      Marselus engine bar bags
      LED daytime running lights
      LED headlight and tail light bulbs
      Honda centre stand
      60mm handlebar risers
      Hand guards
      Rokk Charge+. Twin waterproof usb socket
      Scottoiler with touring reservoir
      Power Commander and new ECU re-map
      Bagster tank cover and tank bag
      Pyramid hugger and fender extender
      GiPro gear indicator
      Denali Sound Bomb horns
      Marselus big foot side stand extender
      On top of these extras I have upgraded the rear shock and fork springs (progressive) to Hagon.

      I change her oil and filter every 4000 miles and I get my local garage to service her πŸ‘¨β€πŸ”§ at every 8000 miles, on time every time. It's a job I could do myself but I prefer to have some professional eyes look over her, + I get a stamp in my service book. We have traveled 50,000 miles together, far and wide πŸ—Ί and she has never let me down so I guess I'm doing the correct thing.

      This May we traveled 4,500 miles on a tour through Europe which we called #ElGrande (link to our routes), we had snow in the Picos de Europa and Pyrenees at 2001 meters above sea level and 39Β°c heat in Andalucia and Kay took it all in her stride, never missing a beat.

      IMG_2536~photo.jpg
      Leading the pack - it's what Kay does best.Gorges du Tarn May 2019

      Some people like to come home, put their slippers on and sit in the comfy chair, there is nowhere that I feel more comfortable than when I'm sitting on Kay and heading on a tour somewhere.

      IMG_4235.JPG
      Combe Laval, Col de la Machine May 2019 with Hannah's (my other love) Honda CB500X

      Always willing to help if I can.
      Triumph Tiger 1200 XRT called Tina.
      MRA Navigation Next and SilverFox B8J bar buttons.
      Quadlock wireless mount for IPhone 11.
      Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold.
      TomTom Rider 500. (In the cupboard now)

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
      • MyRoute-app community
        MyRoute-app community administrator last edited by

        This is how a "My Ride" post should be written πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ‘ .

        I loved reading about you and Kay, beautiful story! I love the colours as well.

        Nick Carthew 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
        • Nick Carthew
          Nick Carthew RouteXperts Instructor @MyRoute-app community last edited by

          Thanks @Timo-Martosatiman-MRA ✍

          Always willing to help if I can.
          Triumph Tiger 1200 XRT called Tina.
          MRA Navigation Next and SilverFox B8J bar buttons.
          Quadlock wireless mount for IPhone 11.
          Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold.
          TomTom Rider 500. (In the cupboard now)

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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