Dear Mr Honda...

[Gremlin]

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.

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? 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...

[Swoop]

If they dick around like they did with the VFR1200, you'll be starting to see progress around 2018.

[Devil]

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

Oi! You! Off the grass!

I haven't had nary an issue with the GS (well, worth mentioning - nothing that has stopped it working!). It has been fantastic.

[baptist]

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?

The ST1300 is for people a couple of decades older (I'm only in my late twenties),

So how about it? 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...

Some oldies are not wrinklies you know, anyway look again 'cos by the time it gets here to the ends of the earth you might be a couple of decades older!!!!!

I hope it arrives in the next year or so.

[The Pastor]

sounds like you want to buy an old bmw r80.

[p.dath]

Don't forget to email info@honda.com.

[AllanB]

Heres the dirt on the Crossrunner.

Of no interest to me - looks more like a crossdresser IMO.

I'd say it is 95% road and 5% off-road, with off-road being that bit of council land between the road and the start of your property .......

But I may be wrong.


And it is fat - way too heavy for my size (somewhat less than your strapping 6'3).


It may well be the motorcycle equivalent to one of those big urban 4WD's the knobs use to drop their kids off to school in.

I think you'd be better off sticking some adventure tyres on the Hornet and making up a big alloy bash plate for under the engine - light, nimble and I bet it will handle off-road better!

Linky

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...ner/15275.html

[Gremlin]

Allan... the Crosstourer (1200) is not to be confused with the Crossrunner (800)

Linky: http://www.webbikeworld.com/eicma-20...a-crosstourer/ (first part of the page)

Only a video and some teaser shots exist so far, but it seems its already up to a rolling demo, but no press release like the crossrunner.

[Devil]

I'd never seen it before. That Crosstourer really looks like a gs adventure copy! The bulky tank, the crash bars, the spoked wheels threaded to the outside (presumably like the gs to allow tubeless tyres) the single sided shaft drive, the beak the screen...

[Gremlin]

I'd never seen it before. That Crosstourer really looks like a gs adventure copy! The bulky tank, the crash bars, the spoked wheels threaded to the outside (presumably like the gs to allow tubeless tyres) the single sided shaft drive, the beak the screen...

Yeah, some do comment its a sad indication when Honda has gone from pioneering the types of bikes to making direct copies.

Still, it'll be more reliable aye?

[Devil]

Yeah, some do comment its a sad indication when Honda has gone from pioneering the types of bikes to making direct copies.

Still, it'll be more reliable aye?

Mine's never broken down and i'd never have bought one if I thought it was going to!

[Gremlin]

Mine's never broken down and i'd never have bought one if I thought it was going to!

If you stopped cleaning it, and actually rode it (not counting taking it to a little bit of mud, getting it a little dirty, photographing, then cleaning again) then who knows.

It seems like some never have issues, some have endless issues. The indicator controls all over the place for example, while a minor thing, are still factors I'd rather not deal with if given a choice, when other bikes I'd ride would still be conventional. Thinking about it while riding, I realised I really do need rapid control of them.

Even with the KTM, the shop keeps telling me "We've never seen this before", "We service race dirt bikes and even they don't experience this".

Nuff said. I also commented they should fire their test riders in Europe and hire me, as I'm seemingly finding all the issues.

[EJK]

That's a long Honda Santa list. Are you thinking to consider a bike for this Christmas Gremlin?

[Gremlin]

That's a long Honda Santa list. Are you thinking to consider a bike for this Christmas Gremlin?

Not likely, but if everything fell into place, then I'd be open to it. Realistically, the only bike probably on the table at the moment is an R1200GSA, but the existence of the Crosstourer is making me excited.

As it is, I'm preparing for a 3300km in 40 hour attempt February next year, so nothing will happen until well after that... hence telling Honda how to build the bike, so I can like it and buy it As stated, officially the bike isn't even in production, probably the soonest its available would be 2012? Crossrunner according to the press release is 2011, but its barely confirmed, so I don't know when they would land stock given its almost the end of the year already.

I would still need to trade/sell the KTM regardless.

[Devil]

The indicator controls all over the place for example, while a minor thing, are still factors I'd rather not deal with if given a choice, when other bikes I'd ride would still be conventional.

You get used to them very very quickly, and then find that 'conventional' indicators are retarded! I like the bmw ones. Push left to turn left (just like countersteering) and push right to turn right (again, like steering the bike!).