More dualsports please.

[B-737GS]

'nuff said.

[Uwe W.]

'nuff said.

Not really. Are you talking true dual-sports or "adventure" touring rigs?

530 EXC or Varadero?

[KZDon]

Alternatively, it could be active bisexuals, or perhaps just people who play hockey and baseball.

[TimP]

Pistols at dawn, now that's a duel sport.

Hey, when is Husqvarna going to get off it's pseudo-scandinavian / Italian ass and bring the SM610 to Canada? That thing is the sexiest piece out there. Uwe: It's not orange, but there ain't no tractor trailer pipes on this beauty.

[Uwe W.]

Hey, when is Husqvarna going to get off it's pseudo-scandinavian / Italian ass and bring the SM610 to Canada? That thing is the sexiest piece out there.

You know BMW bought them, right? With their distribution network we might see more Husqvarnas showing up in Canada.

I was going to suggest that you could buy a TE610 and slap on some street buns, but then I remembered that you wouldn't be able to plate it for the street.

[Schmittenhymer]

Since sales for dual sports are on the rise and most are falling or flat (except scooters), more articles of this nature would be good. A test of the Veradera would be good too.

[Uwe W.]

A test of the Veradera would be good too.

The Varadero is part of the long-term fleet this year; check out the July issue of Cycle Canada for more information. We're also in the process of testing two small displacement dual-sports that will be featured in the same issue.

[KZDon]

Is Honda bringing in the Transalp?

[Uwe W.]

Is Honda bringing in the Transalp?

Not that I'm aware of, but Costa would be better equiped to answer that question. The smaller, lighter Transalp (compared to the Varadero) was redesigned this year and is a very popular bike in the European market, so we'll have to wait and see. There's also a 125cc version of the Varadero, but I think it's even more unlikely that it would find its way here.

[TimP]

You know BMW bought them, right? With their distribution network we might see more Husqvarnas showing up in Canada.

I was going to suggest that you could buy a TE610 and slap on some street buns, but then I remembered that you wouldn't be able to plate it for the street.

No, I did not know that. Interesting... Let's hope they don't put an XMoto seat on it. I've never sat on a 610, but it couldn't be less comfortable that an XMoto...

BTW, I like to think of my VTR as a Varadero that's been StreetFighter'd... (well, not really. But it's a thought. No interest at the moment on fitting knobbies.)

[Costa Mouzouris]

Not that I'm aware of, but Costa would be better equiped to answer that question.

Honda Canada will most likely wait to see what kind of reception the Varadero and the CBF1000 receive before introducing similar models. One thing is certain, they are probably going to expand on their mid-displacement models, because as it stands, someone looking to step up from a CBR125R either has to choose a Honda cruiser or look elsewhere. What type of bikes they'll decide to use to fill that segment remains to be seen.

Costa.

[KZDon]

Honda Canada will most likely wait to see what kind of reception the Varadero and the CBF1000 receive before introducing similar models. One thing is certain, they are probably going to expand on their mid-displacement models, because as it stands, someone looking to step up from a CBR125R either has to choose a Honda cruiser or look elsewhere. What type of bikes they'll decide to use to fill that segment remains to be seen.

Costa.

Well, that makes me wonder. The Varadero is likely going to be priced in the VStrom 1000 range, and maybe into the Triumph Tiger range. Suzuki sells a few VStrom 1000s and while the Tigers sell, they aren't exactly an everyman's bike.

Meanwhile, Suzuki sells just about every VStrom 650 they can bring in. Why wouldn't Honda try to tap into that market with the new Transalp, which has an established reputation and a little more size and power than the VStrom?

I predict neither the Varadero nor the CBF will be huge sellers in Canada, but the CBF will do well in the US.

Just a guess though.

[varadero]

I hear the Varadero will not be available until August.