2011 VFR Crossrunner (800)

I knew those towels were there for a reason.

 

You kidding? Want a real adventure bike? Best one on the market, hands down? Triumph Tiger of course... Check it out: Triumph Motorcycles - New Tiger 800XC

 

It has safety outriggers that deploy, much like the BMW convertible "rollcage", to keep you from falling down.....

 

Fughettaboutit, I won't hold my breath for Honda to bring any off-road purpose built bike to the US and if I ever decide to go down that avenue, will go with the Super Tenere 1200.

 

Agree, I'm thinking the Crossrunner wouldn't be look out of place on the more bumpy sealed and long (eg) 40 mile sections of unsealed graded back roads that sometimes link from one nice set of country twisties to another. It's more of an road biased "All Rounder" like KTMs 990 SMX than a Dual sport like BWMs GS or Sportstourer like the VFR.

 

Looks like the first reviews are starting to come out on the Crossrunner, Interesting pre-review comments, like a VFR800 with more comfortable ergonomics and better fueling.



""Honda Crossrunner first ride: "Great fun on twisty roads"
By MCN - First rides & tests 31 March 2011 13:12

"Some cynics have been dismissing the Honda Crossrunner as little more than the old Honda VFR800 in a frock, having ridden it up to a point it is, but that’s no bad thing and it’s also much more than that.

"Yes, the chassis, frame and suspension are almost identical to the VFR800, but there is nothing wrong with that, after all if it ain’t broke why fix it? Crucially the engine has been significantly reworked with new exhaust, inlets and mapping which has smoothed out the delivery and largely eradicated the VFR800’s criticised VTEC lurchiness.

"On top of that it’s been modernised all round. It’s ergonomics are spot on, it’s really comfortable and a doddle to ride, it’s got nice finishing touches and it’s great fun on these twisty Majorcan roads.

"Overall, it’s what Honda set out to achieve – ‘Easy Fun’ or to put it another way it’s a bit like the old Ducati Multistrada but with grunty V4 power, a more modern feel and classy Honda touches. In fact Honda could well be onto something with this new Crossrunner." "


Honda Crossrunner first ride: "Great fun on twisty roads" - | Motorcycle News | New Motorbikes | Buyers Guides | MCN

 

The reason they don't bring it over here is because they have tons of leftover vfr 800's at reduced prices (joke by the way)

 

It must be remembered that most adventure bikes in the UK & mainland Europe never get used off road. Like most 4X4 cars the roughest terrain they see is the speed humps in the supermarket car park. In view of this I think that the Crossrunner may be a success over here

 

Never quite understood why most dudes feel the need for a 500 lb., 100 hp cow trailer. Maybe watching too many vids of the latest iteration of Paris-Dakar or live too near malls with speedbumps.

 

I don't know about the USa but in the UK the average age of riders is getting older so more comfortable bikes are becoming more in demand. Our roads don't really suit the cruisers so adventure bikes are very popular.

 

I think maybe that demographic may be due in part to the cost of a new bike and access to disposable income. Some of the hype is exactly that. Kind of like telling a two year old he can't have something with the result that the kid wants whatever it is even more. Some gaffes too, to be sure. Bike colors top the list.

Lots of mental masturbation too. Flying down some rutty, muddy, twisty back road at the ton on a 500lb. bike makes for a good story but how many can really ride that well? Sort of like the dudes that buy a GSXR and then bitch that it ain't fast enough.. (on the internet)

 

Not on;y the cost of a bike +insurance but also the draconian rules for new riders & the cost of passing the tests required. these are far more complex than when I started. a car can work out far cheaper nd easier to obtain a licence for than a bike. Most 16 year olds buy a twist and go scooter then at 17 move on to 4 wheels

 

Insurance costs here are actually dropping provided one has a "good" record. The US insurers for years were operating on the assumption that all bikes and riders were high risk and charged accordingly. Now that they have finally figured out that even the rich dudes, dentists and proctologists included, might have bikes, the rates dropped. My insurance on my bikes dropped recently and my auto insurane was nearly halved because I have a high credit rating.

In the US motorcycle magazines, there are very pricy ads for insurers showing agents ( I guess they are real agents) with tats and doorags usually sittin on a Harley or one of the clones . I suppose the next version will be a cross dresser agent sportbike rider with plastic boobs.

The State of Washington does not require motorcycles be insured.. Nor are the helmet laws nationwide.

The tests here at least in my state are a joke. If one takes an accredited "safety" course, testing is waived. A good thing considering the tests both written and practical are administered potentially by someone who may or may not be licensed to ride. Go figure.

 

Well I don't have to make any further comment on the Crossrunner as I have just voted with my wallet

 

Take heart my friend. According to those in the peanut gallery and if we protract thier prognostications about the 1200s in general, the Crossrunner will soon be available in the three to five dollar range.. This of course has nothing to do with the fuel capacity, the feel of the seat or the unaccounted rise in the price of Jo-jo's.

 

I was sorry to part with the DCT but the riding position & weight were having such an effect on my knee that riding was ceasing to be a pleasure. Better to be riding the Crossrunner than not riding at all

 

Hmmm...I don't think it will make me get rid of my new Triumph 800 XC but I WOULD like to ride the Honda to get a feel for it...I DO miss my old VFR800 motor every so often...

 

I'm sure that the Triumph is a great ride however our local Honda dealer gives much better service than the Triumph one which is why I'm sticking with Honda