Kev - Honda Crosstourer

The VFR 750 (1990), remember it in black with white rims? Was the best bike I ever owned. My Mate had an Africa twin at the time and we used to swap on trips over the alps. We imagined morphing the two together and it seems that all that was stopping Honda doing this was 22 years and our designs, sketched out in bars and bistros on paper table cloths.
No wonder the GS did so well, with no competition out there even that breezy vibe box cleaned up the market. I imagine the boys in Bavaria, not believing their luck each month for the last 20 years, leafing through the bike mags, saying ‘nein, still nobody has noticed’.

The tricky crankshaft and careful balancing of the 1237cc V4 would make enlarging it very fussy I think.

What's more likely is a less cammy version of the motor with more grunt and maybe a 8500 or 9000RPM redline and 135-140hp at the wheel, plus shorter gears. IMHO

Then it would be a CB1000F

I guess you've never ridden a 2-stroke dirtbike.

Granted i know, i have one and all the new ones are actually 09 models, the A9 variant. Bought mine last year but the kick is there nonetheless, although noticeably less than the early models. Honda were thinking of discontinuing the model, i know up here in sweden they are no longer available.

I'd have preferred a different engine for the crossrunner myself but then again, i don't work for Honda. I still think it's the wrong engine choice but only time will tell. The vtec engine at least in the vfr is unchanged since 2006 i think, when they lowered the rev range at which the vtec kicks in, which is now around 6100 rpm. I like it on the vfr, just wouldn't fancy it off road.

Honda will unveil its new Crosstourer at the Milan Eicma 2011 show (Nov.8-13). It appears to use the VFR's 1200 engine. No mention of reduced power BUT I won't bet against it.

There is also no mention of it offering any electronic power modes or suspension settings - not good.

I do like the styling, especially the front.

Go to www.infomotori.com for more info/pictures

Cheers.

Funny how Adventure type bikes are growing in popularity as SUV have. We all know that 99% of SUV's are never taken off-road and it looks like motorcycle manufacturers have caught on by building bikes like the MTS 1200, Tiger 1050 and others which aren't really meant to rough-it.

IMO, I think the Crosstourer will follow suite - no off-roading please.

I'd also be surprised if it doesn't weigh even more than its VFR brother.

Well, let's recap:

If Honda offers the Crosstourer at BMW or Ducati's price level, but without any of the electronic gismos and weighing significantly more - how many think it will be any more successful than the VFR (I've yet to see one on the road!!)?

We really don't need any electronic gismos IMO, but when paying top dollars, I EXPECT to have them. Afterall, they do make a difference. I constantly change my windshield and suspension settings while riding. Not sure if I would really use different throttle maps, however - since I've yet to have the option. Although while test riding the new K1600, I just placed it in its most aggressive setting after playing with the others for a while.

Look at how most sportbikes now offer different traction control settings - it is really becoming the norm at the highest level.

Cheers.

A couple of more details:

1. Wet weight - 275kg w/o DCT and 285kg w/DCT transmission
2. Tire specs - 110/80-R19 Front & 150/70-R17 Rear

Given the tire specs, it appears Honda has some off-road aspirations for this model. IMO, the weight is a REAL disappointment.

By the way, the new Triumph Adventure sports the same rubber.

Not sure I fully understand the concept of a bike weighing almost 300kg (with bags, top box etc) being taken off-road?

Cheers.

On my Xrunner if I keep below 7000RPM at which the V-TEC kicks in the fuel consumption is noticably better than when I use higher revs

What would be the ideal engine to achieve maximum fuel economy.

First you would have to determine the cruising speed required.
Let’s say 100 to 110 KLM.

Next you would have to figure out how much RWHP you would need to maintain 110 KLM.
Let’s say 10 RWHP.

Then you would have to have the lightest possible bike with the lowest rolling resistance and air drag.

That would limit you to a single cylinder engine.

To keep drive line losses to a minimum you would only want a 2 or 3 speed transmission with a chain final drive.

The engine stroke would have to be as long as possible. The bore as little as possible to achieve 10 RWHP at 100 to 110 KLM.

You would want the engine RPM to be as low as possible at 110 KLM. Maximum torque RPM would be at 100 to 110 KLM in top gear.

Engine displacement would be about 250 cc.

Acceleration would be very poor.

JAG

I totally agree with that

Playlord, had a chat with a good-humoured Honda rep. at the NEC show. Suggested that he brace for the by now traditional criticisms of any new Honda effort in re. weight, thirst, insufficiency of BMW badges, etc.  He took it all in good part...

I was told that the standard bike will be about £12k and that'll include ABS and traction but not heated grips, engine bars, aux lights, etc. all as shown in some of the publicity photos.  DCT will add at least £600 to the tab.  The show bike was equipped with a luggage set which looked to be crafted to Fabergé levels of quality and I imagine that could ring up at more than £1k.  So reckon about £14k for the bike equipped with everything your heart might (un)reasonably desire.  Gulp.

I say "looked" because it was not possible to touch, the machine being displayed to its worst possible advantage sandwiched between others on a fenced-off stand.  I gave the Honda bloke a ribbing about that, too.  To these eyes it was all good though, and the design and execution compared very favourably with the new Triumph Explorer.  It's not especially tall and you can bet it's not exactly light, either, but the mass appears to be carried low and I certainly wouldn't be drawing adverse conclusions at this stage based only on what the spec sheet says.  See your local friendly Honda dealer for a test ride next April-ish.

Good feedback Rocca.

It's a shame yourself and RIC, etc, couldn't sit on the bike. I've never understood the 'you can look but you can't touch' Honda mentality, regarding their new bikes at the NEC. I mean, that's precisely why visitors go there isn't it?

When Honda build quality and exotic engineering actually meant something. e.g. RC30 and NR750 launches, I totally understood why they stuck them up in the air and then twizzled them around like untouchable disco balls. They were truly made of aspirational unobtanium. I mean titanium rods, magnesium oval pistons, eight valve heads - WTF? They were totally on the jazz back then.

But regular road bikes? Pah! If you want to create a bit of hype excitement, then maybe offer advanced gradual teaser vids like Triumph did with the Tiger 800. But... then you have to be confident that when you do launch, that you are the best in class or near as damn it. If you don't, you just leave a trail of deflation, exactly the same as if you just rope your bike off so that those who have made a special trip just to sit on it feel cheesed off when they can't.

It all harms sales and brand strength I feel. But Honda never seem to learn that arrogance has no attraction. However, their general build to this day and reliability record do. And the CrossTourer is a welcome addition to the exploding sector. It'll be interesting to see how it rides compared with the Yam, Be-em and Triumph in particular.