Honda CrossTourer

[YellowDog]

It seems that Honda are now in with a 1200cc Adventure bike, Shaftdrive with switchable manual / auto gearbox.

I'm sure it's a great bike, but - No thanks :no:

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/adventure/crosstourer/configure/

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/andwend/honda.jpg

[pritch]

That has been coming for quite a while now. Like the Yamaha equivalent it looks a bit ummmm large(?).

If I was going to look at the specs of either of those, or the new Triumph equivalent, or the "old" BMW, first things I'd want to check would be the weight followed by the seat height.

[Gremlin]

From memory, the Crosstourer without DTC (ie, the light option) is heavier than the GS Adventure, when wet. The GS Adventure is carrying 15kg ish of fuel extra.... I'm not one to pick at 500g, but when you're fully laden on a gravel road etc...

[Big Dave]

Not every rider is a short lightweight.

[MrKiwi]

The bike is a little heavier than the current Varadero, but that V4 motor would be nice. I hear it is thirty on the fuel though. I understand the NZ price will be around $27-28k.

[Jantar]

At that weight I would be hesitant to take it anywhere a bit gnarly. Not for me.

[Gremlin]

Not every rider is a short lightweight.
But the majority of the market are not 6'3 plus strapping boys either... To succeed you need to sell to the large market first, then target the smaller segments...

[Big Dave]

But the majority of the market are not 6'3 plus strapping boys either... To succeed you need to sell to the large market first, then target the smaller segments...

Maybe not the majority, but there are plenty of them - and there aren't that many big man's motorcycles on the market. We have to appease the sistas these days dontchaknow.

Anyway - it's a niche product. I'd be keen. Love that motor.

[AllanB]

IMO the lot of them have lost the plot with the 'adventure' tourers. I see no adventure in needing a step to get on the bike, a gym membership to heave it off it's side stand and a AA membership to tow it home if heaven forbid you actually drop it and break a part.

For the price I'd prefer a decent road bike and a DR650 (or the likes) and a good back pack. :cool:

[Big Dave]

Whereas I think they are pretty good. All-roads touring vehicles, capable of carrying two people a long distance comfortably and occasionally veering off the seal.
There are a lot in the class I like. The Varadero is good - That Moto Morini is choice and I'd love a R 1200 GS.

If you want to ride it up a river - be my size - or yes - get a KTM or a DR. :-)

[MrKiwi]

I don't need to go to the gym, I can swing my leg over nicely. I like a tall bike to fit my tall frame. Tall is different to heavy though and this bike is heavy. It will be an ideal road tourer with the ability to handle straight forward gravel for little bits. If you want to go to the narly places a smaller lighter bike like the tiger 800xc of the bmw is more mode ideal, IMHO.

[Gremlin]

Oh look... a GS going through a river... (don't bother with the last bit of the video...)


http://youtu.be/iiheElJgZCA

[Big Dave]

Oh look... a GS going through a river...


Ha! Big deal. I've crossed similar on a V-strom, A Tiger, a Varadero and a Scrambler, would be quite happy on the Honda. Did it a lot more stylishly too :-)

What I meant was the 'Challenge loop' on the Capital Coast ADV ride is a different story.

[actungbaby]

Oh look... a GS going through a river... (don't bother with the last bit of the video...)



great effort mate u did well i crossed river on xl600 not that deep though i guess boots whould been slipery with the water

least you didnt dip your headlights hehe chould make joke about when you dip your lights when crossing a river sure its in the roadcode somewhere

You whould not atempt that on sportsbike

[Gremlin]

You whould not atempt that on sportsbike
Just to trivialise it... Mr Toto did it on a Honda Hornet CB919 right after me... :(

[banditrider]

Oh look... a GS going through a river... (don't bother with the last bit of the video...)


Musta missed that bit on our route...

[MrKiwi]

Found this comparison of big adventure bikes in motorcyclenews.com (UK)... The Honda is the fatty of the group :weep:




Make
Price
Power
Tank size
Weight


Triumph Explorer 1200
£11,149
135bhp
20 litres
259kg



BMW R1200GS ABS
£12,524
110bhp
20 litres
229kg
Benchmark boxer now starting to show age but still sets the standard for versatility


Ducati 1200 Multistrada
£12,524
150bhp
20 litres
220kg
Performance and electronics brings true sports potential to class - but at a price


Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer
£11,475
127bhp
21.5 litres
275kg
New VFR1200-derived V4 is big and heavy but brings classy touring sheen to the class


Kawasaki Versys 1000
£9,499
116bhp
21 litres
239kg
Oddball in being a Z1000-derived transverse four, but difficult to argue with value


Moto Guzzi Stelvio ABS
£10,778
102bhp
32 litres
251kg
Often-ignored 'Italian GS' can't quite match most rivals but is still a worthy alternative


Yamaha XT1200Z Tenere
£12,128
110bhp
23 litres
261kg
Worthy contender new in 2010 with impressive abilities. Scary price has now been cut


KTM Adventure 990
£9,995
113bhp
20 litres
210kg
Definitive off-roader fends off senility for 2012 with uprated engine, styling and suspension

[ellipsis]

every time I see this thread I somehow read Honda Cross-Dresser...;)

[Big Dave]

The height of the centre of mass is more important than the vehicle's tare weight.

[Gremlin]

The height of the centre of mass is more important than the vehicle's tare weight.
Absolutely. However, when a GSA fully fuelled weighs 260kg ish and is holding 33L of fuel, while the Crosstourer is holding 21L of fuel and weighing in at 275kg... it's an issue. I wouldn't quibble over 5kg here or there...

How can it weigh so much when other bikes with 50% more fuel weigh less? The weight does become an issue when you go down gravel roads, through water, etc. You'll still need to put luggage on, the weight will affect handling and tyre wear.

[ellipsis]

....this thread also brings to mind a really cool book I read many years ago..'Husky Be My Guide'... check it out...

[Big Dave]

Absolutely. However, when a GSA fully fuelled weighs 260kg ish and is holding 33L of fuel, while the Crosstourer is holding 21L of fuel and weighing in at 275kg... it's an issue. I wouldn't quibble over 5kg here or there...

How can it weigh so much when other bikes with 50% more fuel weigh less? The weight does become an issue when you go down gravel roads, through water, etc. You'll still need to put luggage on, the weight will affect handling and tyre wear.

Pass the BMW Koolaide.

[Gremlin]

Pass the BMW Koolaide.
I should actually add that after (and still) enjoying the Hornet I really wanted a Honda... I knew the Crosstourer was coming about a year and a half ago, but speaking to a dealer who referred my questions to Blue Wing, it wasn't even confirmed for production, so was told it's at least 2 years away. Told the salesman (honestly) that I wanted a Honda but Honda didn't have the bike for me... Varadero was not an option.

More annoyingly, the Crosstourer is not an option either. Not enough fuel (I'm not doing a 2nd fuel tank again) and for the amount of fuel you do get, it's waaaay too heavy. My favourite dealer is a Honda dealership right near by, but Honda can't pull their shit together and build a good bike :crybaby: I can only hope that the 2nd iteration is better... until then the GSA is basically my only option... but it's not like I'm slumming it ;) The numerous warranty claims have been annoying however, when the 100,000km 6 year old Hornet continues to trot along like it has 20k on it. :brick:

[Big Dave]

Honda builds a good bike. It just doesn't suit your requirements.

It *appears* that it would suit mine quite nicely. As do several others on the list.


The real issue for off-roadability is not so much the weight or any mass debate - but the size of the rear wheel and whether it can accomodate a knobby tyre. Several of them can't.

[Gremlin]

For the manufacturers going big adventure bike with some off road potential, most are choosing the 110/80/19 front and 150/70/17 rear, which have plenty of options. Vstrom, GS, Super Tenere to name a few use that combo (just googled the Triumph Explorer, seems to be in this group).

For the 17s front and rear I believe Continental is expanding their TKC range.

[Jantar]

Honda had the Varadero which seemed to a close match to the VStrom. Both are road going adventure bikes rather than more off road, but Honda's newest addition appears to be even more road orientated. The fuel tank is smaller than the VStrom's and it looks like it is considerably thirstier based on their claimed fuel consumption.

If I was going to move away from the VStrom I think my choice would be the Yamaha Super Tenere rather the Honda.

[Big Dave]

For the manufacturers going big adventure bike with some off road potential, most are choosing the 110/80/19 front and 150/70/17 rear, which have plenty of options. Vstrom, GS, Super Tenere to name a few use that combo (just googled the Triumph Explorer, seems to be in this group).

For the 17s front and rear I believe Continental is expanding their TKC range.


It's about the rears. 160 wide is the maximum knobby.
People who know better than me say it's because the 180s get too much heat for the type of construction.
So a number of them - Multistrudle, Tiger 1050, Stelvio, Ulysses, have a 180 or wider - which means that heavy cut road treads are the only option. (Or run a 160 on a 180 rim)
They are actually fine for pretty much anything in the dry. Soon as it gets damp....

[Big Dave]

Honda's newest addition appears to be even more road orientated.

Not meaning you lot - but that's what the hard-core ADV bleaters don't get. Most owners of this type of vehicle would ride it on the road +95% of the time.
Big, comfortable, 2-up tourers that can deal with a shitty and twisty road.

[banditrider]

I actually like it as a tourer - I will test ride it when I finally consider replacing the Connie (it won't be soon - she's only got 81k on her). It should be a comfortable tourer with a nice riding position. Owning both a Connie & a Strom I enjoy the upright riding position and wide bars that you get with adv bikes. If I got one I'd probably keep the Strom for the dirty stuff. 21L is a big improvement on the VFR but more is always better (that goes for the Connie too)...

[MrKiwi]

The new crosstourer is not as tall as the varadero, but it is still quite big. The bike will be an excellent road tourer while capable of handling rougher roads. I currently own a Tiger 955i, had a varadero prior to that. Neither the Tiger or varadero are great on gravel, but you get by simply by going slower than the lighter duallies but they still handle a shitty twisty road like the Lake Waikaremoana road better than any normal tourer:yes:, let alone a sports bike.

I am one of those that rides 95% of the time on tarmac and only 5% on gravel. Any of the bigger adventure bikes (BMW GS1200, Crosstourer, Triumph 1200, Yamaha 1200 etc) would suit me. If I wanted to do more gravel I would get the KTM990 adventure (and fit an after-market larger fuel tank).

I like the looks of the Crosstourer, but I will not be getting one soon. For me my next bike might be the Triumph 1200 (just wish it had a larger fuel tank). A comfortable two up touring bike I can take on most formed roads.

[Big Dave]

New Trumpet looks good.
I'd test the Yamaha as well.
The standard R 1200 GS is a barrel of laughs too.

[Mystic13]

I like the Cross Tourer. I like the drive shaft. the seat height is low in comparison the the BMW. It's not likely to have an electrical or warranty failure as the BMW does.

The bike seems to have a bit of an identity crisis going on. Seems it wants to be a gentleman's adventure bike.

Plus's are the reliability and drive shaft.
Minuses are the small tank... and weight.

Would I own one... no. It needs to go on a diet first. The seat height helps heaps.

Would I own a BMW - never again. @#$%

[merv]

Being about half Big Dave's size I have always marvelled at the fact that anyone would ride a bike weighing over 200kgs on gravel or dirt anyway. On adventure rides over the years I've noticed how even those riding bikes like the earlier BMW F650 that weighed just under 200kg, if they arsed up, the riders seemed unable to pick them up going by the number I have ended up having to help from the ground or get the riders out from being pinned under them.

Not my cup of tea at all but the Honda probably does make a great road bike, but even then 275kg is just too much if the post above has the numbers right.

[Big Dave]

:blip:

260172260173

[MrKiwi]

nice one Big Dave.

On earlier comments about weight. Yes it is heavy. And I know from experience riding on dirt with a bike over 200kgs is not easy. My Tiger (955i) is about 235kg before I jump on it (then it gets real heavy :eek5: :yes:). However, the reason I chose a big adventure bike is not to ride dirt, but to tour with the ability to cope with well formed gravel roads on occasions. I believe this is the target group Honda is aiming for, those of us who want a real comfortable road tourer that has some ability to manage well formed gravel roads. Having said that 275 kgs and most of it high up on the bike makes it a challenge, the margin of error is not great!

[banditrider]

Weight tends to become a lot less of an issue once rolling. I was worried about the Connie before I test rode it - 200m up the road my worries were gone...

260177

The DL can be a bit of a handful in tight rough stuff but then maybe it wasn't really designed for that sort of treatment. Loves good gravel though!

[MrKiwi]

The thing with the big Honda, and the Varadero before it, along with the V-Strom and the older Tigers (955i) they are made more for road running with the occasional well formed gravel road in mind. This makes them excellent tourers with excellent capability to handle a wide variety of roads. They're not dirt bikes. I wouldn't rate the GS1200 as a dirt bike either. They are nice comfortable bikes to ride and tour on and you feel more able to handle stretches of gravel road than you would on a normal tourer.

[Ender EnZed]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/motoring/bikes/7163757/A-Gold-Wing-for-dirt-roads

[sil3nt]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/motoring/bikes/7163757/A-Gold-Wing-for-dirt-roadsYour linky no worky.

This one does worky. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/7163757/A-Gold-Wing-for-dirt-roads)

[MrKiwi]

Consider it a Gold Wing super-tourer that is also targeted at dirt roads.

That's an "interesting idea"

[rastuscat]

IMO the lot of them have lost the plot with the 'adventure' tourers. I see no adventure in needing a step to get on the bike, a gym membership to heave it off it's side stand and a AA membership to tow it home if heaven forbid you actually drop it and break a part.

For the price I'd prefer a decent road bike and a DR650 (or the likes) and a good back pack. :cool:

+1.

Never a truer word spoken.