Gremlin
23rd November 2010, 01:10
Ok... so the odds of someone high up enough in Honda seeing this are almost zilch, but if you don't try, you can't complain aye?
A little while ago Mr H, a friend pointed out that you had shown demos of the apparently forthcoming Crossrunner and Crosstourer but were scant on details... no surprises there really.
Some research and pestering my local dealer got a "not even in production yet" from further up the chain. To any sane person, this would mean give up for a couple of years. Being slightly off kilter myself, I see this as an opportunity to raise a few points that you may or may not have considered when designing the bike. Bear in mind the Crossrunner is not really in my equation, with an 800 based on the VFR800 VTEC engine not sounding too exciting (I didn't enjoy a test ride on a VFR800). The purpose of this little story is solely focussed around the Crosstourer.
Based on the VFR1200 engine... makes sense... no issues. Haven't ridden the F as its too small for me (6'3 for the english types) and the fuel tank is ridiculously small. My boss has a blackbird, now thats a nice bike. I personally don't see the VFR1200F as a viable replacement for it, but you're the boss.
Still, my local dealer (Honda only) really is awesome, and other stories of dealers helping out Honda owners etc really do make me want to join the brand. The problem is, you don't have a bike that suits me. I do any road surface (gravel or seal), usually a good ride starts at 1000km, any weather, night or day. The ST1300 is for people a couple of decades older (I'm only in my late twenties), the CB1000R isn't practical for long trips (no givi pannier options) and the Varadero (otherwise badged XLV1000) too heavy and not sporty enough for the road riding (majority of my riding).
Hopefully you understand how I find the Crosstourer concept exciting then? Panniers and some off road capability (based on spoked rims - ideally 17" rims would be best for maximum tyre availability) but we'll need to wait to see some weight figures. Headlights need to be good, replaceable would be nice, but lets say H4 bulbs, easily upgraded for example. They need to be easily accessed. I speak from experience when I say they blow at 11.30pm at night in the middle of nowhere. :facepalm:
Now the really important stats in my eyes. Fuel tank and alternator. Please please, I beg you, do not put a 20L or less fuel tank on the bike. It's clear you're aiming for the R1200Gs/Super Tenere market. The GS Adventure has a 33L tank. Put AT LEAST 25L on, the more the better for exploring everywhere. Alternatively, offer a large tank (30+L) straight from factory. Riding through the night gas can be very hard to obtain, or even having the freedom to explore without worrying about gas. 300km is not a big range to me and won't make me love it.
The bars around the front of the bike show spotlights (like the BMW). This means you expect us to fit extra lights (or use ones that come with the bike, if they do) which is awesome in my book. However, this means that the alternator has to be up to the task. None of this sub-400W stuff you're fitting to the Crossrunner according to the press release please. My current bike, a KTM, has a max output of 450W. I have almost 200W of accessories to install on my bike allowing me to comfortably ride in freezing temperatures along with GPS navigation etc. I'm hoping you look to the BMW again, 720W alternator... Doesn't have to match, but 380W isn't going to make the bike viable to me.
Long suspension travel would be nice for soaking up the bumps, and if the price is a premium (of course, we don't even have a spec level) then it needs to perform. If the bike is cheaper then I'd probably consider an Ohlins alternative to get maximum performance. All of this is on top of a basic package of good brakes, engine, reliability (service intervals of more than 6000km would be a really nice convenience) and fuel injection would create a truly go-anywhere bike.
The big question you might be asking? Why don't I just buy a BMW if I keep comparing to it? Simple... they don't seem as reliable as they could be (3x computers = 3x trouble) and I have a real skill for finding issues no-one else can. I also really like my Honda dealer (I use a Hornet CB900 for work).
So how about it? :ride: If my wishes do all come true... don't forget to send the bike to little ol' New Zealand... we're under Australia at the bottom of the world...
A little while ago Mr H, a friend pointed out that you had shown demos of the apparently forthcoming Crossrunner and Crosstourer but were scant on details... no surprises there really.
Some research and pestering my local dealer got a "not even in production yet" from further up the chain. To any sane person, this would mean give up for a couple of years. Being slightly off kilter myself, I see this as an opportunity to raise a few points that you may or may not have considered when designing the bike. Bear in mind the Crossrunner is not really in my equation, with an 800 based on the VFR800 VTEC engine not sounding too exciting (I didn't enjoy a test ride on a VFR800). The purpose of this little story is solely focussed around the Crosstourer.
Based on the VFR1200 engine... makes sense... no issues. Haven't ridden the F as its too small for me (6'3 for the english types) and the fuel tank is ridiculously small. My boss has a blackbird, now thats a nice bike. I personally don't see the VFR1200F as a viable replacement for it, but you're the boss.
Still, my local dealer (Honda only) really is awesome, and other stories of dealers helping out Honda owners etc really do make me want to join the brand. The problem is, you don't have a bike that suits me. I do any road surface (gravel or seal), usually a good ride starts at 1000km, any weather, night or day. The ST1300 is for people a couple of decades older (I'm only in my late twenties), the CB1000R isn't practical for long trips (no givi pannier options) and the Varadero (otherwise badged XLV1000) too heavy and not sporty enough for the road riding (majority of my riding).
Hopefully you understand how I find the Crosstourer concept exciting then? Panniers and some off road capability (based on spoked rims - ideally 17" rims would be best for maximum tyre availability) but we'll need to wait to see some weight figures. Headlights need to be good, replaceable would be nice, but lets say H4 bulbs, easily upgraded for example. They need to be easily accessed. I speak from experience when I say they blow at 11.30pm at night in the middle of nowhere. :facepalm:
Now the really important stats in my eyes. Fuel tank and alternator. Please please, I beg you, do not put a 20L or less fuel tank on the bike. It's clear you're aiming for the R1200Gs/Super Tenere market. The GS Adventure has a 33L tank. Put AT LEAST 25L on, the more the better for exploring everywhere. Alternatively, offer a large tank (30+L) straight from factory. Riding through the night gas can be very hard to obtain, or even having the freedom to explore without worrying about gas. 300km is not a big range to me and won't make me love it.
The bars around the front of the bike show spotlights (like the BMW). This means you expect us to fit extra lights (or use ones that come with the bike, if they do) which is awesome in my book. However, this means that the alternator has to be up to the task. None of this sub-400W stuff you're fitting to the Crossrunner according to the press release please. My current bike, a KTM, has a max output of 450W. I have almost 200W of accessories to install on my bike allowing me to comfortably ride in freezing temperatures along with GPS navigation etc. I'm hoping you look to the BMW again, 720W alternator... Doesn't have to match, but 380W isn't going to make the bike viable to me.
Long suspension travel would be nice for soaking up the bumps, and if the price is a premium (of course, we don't even have a spec level) then it needs to perform. If the bike is cheaper then I'd probably consider an Ohlins alternative to get maximum performance. All of this is on top of a basic package of good brakes, engine, reliability (service intervals of more than 6000km would be a really nice convenience) and fuel injection would create a truly go-anywhere bike.
The big question you might be asking? Why don't I just buy a BMW if I keep comparing to it? Simple... they don't seem as reliable as they could be (3x computers = 3x trouble) and I have a real skill for finding issues no-one else can. I also really like my Honda dealer (I use a Hornet CB900 for work).
So how about it? :ride: If my wishes do all come true... don't forget to send the bike to little ol' New Zealand... we're under Australia at the bottom of the world...