Honda 1200x crosstourer review

Honda has officially joined the adventure-touring party in earnest with the arrival of the long awaited VFRX Cross Tourer. It does boast mm of ground clearance, sturdy spoked rims and handguards, honda 1200x crosstourer review, but like all machines of this genre, much work is needed for it to be turned into a serious off-road mount. Honda does offer modest optional crashbars dubbed cowl ornaments to satisfy honda 1200x crosstourer review as they are not crash tested to the various standard required around the worldas fitted to our test bike; but for serious protection buyers will need to turn to aftermarket manufacturers for a sturdy full-length bash plate to protect the undercarriage, crankcases and shock linkage, likewise for the radiator.

Handling-wise the Crosstourer scores over the donor VFR, too. V4 shaftie is essentially the same powertrain as that of the VFRF but has been retuned to boost midrange and low down grunt at the expense of top end with new cam profiles to give reduced lift, longer inlet tracts and smaller diameter by 10mm exhausts. The result is a stupendously broad spread of sheer, smooth urge yet all flavoured with the charcateristically V4 rumbly drone. The slightest touch of throttle is enough to pull smoothly away and the progress thereafter completely linear and meaty yet enough, at the top end, to remind of true superbikes. Meanwhile, the paint is gorgeous and deep, the black-anodised alloy rims beautiful and the textured seat class — a true flagship machine. It also has pretty much all the right bits in all the right places: slim but meaty proportions, single-sided shaft drive, GS Adventure-style wire wheels, decent looks and BMW-rivalling quality and refinement. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Honda 1200x crosstourer review

Like the Honda Crossrunner, the Crosstourer takes an existing Honda V-four sporty-tourer, and repackages it into a taller, adventure-styled tourer instead. That engine gets a fairly hefty detune though, with peak power dropping from bhp to bhp, with corresponding beefing up of the low-down and midrange torque. Honda also offers a DCT version, with an automatic dual-clutch transmission. This adds a chunk of mass — 10kg — and plenty of convenience. If you have any off-road pretentions though, the manual bike will be a better option. Its dash, rider aids and electronics package is a little dated now. Get a bike Quote. Call us Comfort out of 5 stars. Build Quality out of 5 stars.

Build Quality out of 5 stars.

While it looks like a big adventure motorcycle, it is classified as a sport touring machine and we found that it is capable of pounding the pavement on long hauls and eating up the most twisty canyon roads. After spending a week and a half logging about 1, Miles on the VFRX, I came away with a pretty good idea where this bike belongs in the motorcycle universe. My goal was to leave Los Angeles and get lost on the VFR, so I packed my bags, strapped them down on the passenger pillion, and suited up for an adventure. Where would I go? I was not too sure. So, I just headed north. Ninety percent of the time spent on the VFRX was on pavement with about 10 percent spent exploring some fire roads in the Los Padres National Forest.

Four years later, we finally get it in pretty much the same form since its everywhere-but-here introduction in As it turned out, I was more than right about having my opportunities to ride the VFR. The VFRX I rode was a model, but it returns in as the exact same motorcycle, except for color. It now comes in red instead of black. In the X, the engine has been re-tuned for more bottom-end and mid-range performance. I chose the DCT model.

Honda 1200x crosstourer review

Handling-wise the Crosstourer scores over the donor VFR, too. V4 shaftie is essentially the same powertrain as that of the VFRF but has been retuned to boost midrange and low down grunt at the expense of top end with new cam profiles to give reduced lift, longer inlet tracts and smaller diameter by 10mm exhausts. The result is a stupendously broad spread of sheer, smooth urge yet all flavoured with the charcateristically V4 rumbly drone.

What outer banks character are you

Soft off-road touring will not pose serious problems however I still feel that considering the real benefits of the linked brakes and ABS on road, the facility to easily deactivate the ABS and the linked nature of the brakes off-road is unfortunate. And now, finally, something that is. Motojourno - Founder of MCNews. Bought it to go touring with my wife, lovely and comfortable and handles well especially with a pillion and luggage, but be aware of the weight, very top heavy and unless you only go touring on smooth roads you need to be prepared for plenty of helmet clashes due to the rubbish throttle. An oversight on a premium adventure-touring machine such as the VFRX is the lack of a standard 12V outlet. Powerful - massive torque. According to my math, by the time you load the bike, it is near or over its load capacity which could in turn prematurely damage components if not immediately, eg. A bit thirsty but then again I never got into biking to watch the fuel gauge I just did it for enjoyment. In this regard they are much better than all the aftermarket hard pannier solutions I have tested, including the incredibly popular SW Motech and Hepco Becker arrangements. Much of that is due to the competence of the V-4 engine, which has been retuned from VFRF spec to dish out more low- and midrange torque. BikeSocial Publisher since January Unicam cylinder heads, which have a single overhead cam that actuates the intake valves and roller rocker arms to actuate the exhausts, help shorten the V-4 as well. I think the DCT is a huge advantage here as well.

Shortly after its groundbreaking VFRF sport tourer was introduced for , Honda launched an adventure-styled bike for based on the same smooth and powerful 1,cc V-4 engine used in the VFR.

I love these. Super smooth with a hint of V4 vibe to remind you its there. Honda Super Cub Clever, eh? I would do a world tour on this bike. Home Forum Subscribe About. A set of tires can last over 2 years. Oozes quality. Equipment 4 out of 5. Value vs rivals 4 out of 5 Took out a service agreement with dealer.