All Tests – 2012 Honda Crosstourer Test: V4 and DCT as key assets – The R1200GS in the sights of the Crosstourer

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2012 Honda Crosstourer test: V4 and DCT as key assets

All Tests - 2012 Honda Crosstourer Test: V4 and DCT as key assets - The R1200GS in the sights of the Crosstourer

The maxi trail motorcycle segment is doing well in France but it is monopolized by one and the same machine: a certain Geesse … To compete with it, Honda is launching the Crosstourer and relying among other things on its V4 and its DCT transmission. Test…

The R1200GS in the crosshairs of the Crosstourer

Always guided by the Honda opener – behind which rode Miss Kaita, responsible for the development of the Crosstourer! -, MNC leaves the main axes of the Catalan coast to attack the climb that leads to the Montsant Natural Park…

The angles are more and more pronounced, the revivals more and more marked, the braking more and more late … And the Crosstourer is still holding on! Certainly, mass transfers are important, but they will not unsettle the hardened "trail runners".

The "Behemists" accustomed to Telelever will on the other hand be more surprised by the dives of the fork on the big braking of the front … as on the smaller ones of the rear !

Because like any good self-respecting Honda, the Crosstourer has combined braking: a simple press on the rear brake pedal activates the two pistons of the rear caliper as well as the central piston of the front left caliper, which mechanically drives a sag in the front of the bike, surprising for neophytes.

Nevertheless, the C-ABS system adapts perfectly to quiet driving – which was not the case, let’s face it! The front-to-rear ratio is very good and allows you to wander from one turn to another without touching the right lever.

The engine also lends itself very well to this approach to the road, since it accepts to do everything in 6th without running out of energy when exiting a curve. When accelerating, the cardan transmission causes the rear to rise slightly, which does not in any way affect the behavior of the motorcycle..

C-ABS and TCS as standard

The condition of the road is excellent and allows you to whip the Honda trail more. We then realize that the grip conferred by the Battle Wings is very good: despite the increasingly muscular brakes and go-arounds, neither the ABS nor the TCS are triggered..

To judge the effectiveness of its traction control system, Honda is leading us on a dirt track … Under these conditions, the V4 coupler quickly surprises the rear wheel, but it does not skid more than one half a second, the TCS then regulating the throttle in order to maintain completely acceptable traction.

Intrepid and rigorous, MNC did not hesitate to reproduce the test on slippery crosswalks at will, with the same success: the Crosstourer marks a new point here thanks to this traction control supplied as standard and disconnectable by simply pressing the button. "TC" located on the top of the left side – but if, under the handlebars !

The front axle, as agile in the city as it is stable on the motorway, requires a minimum of investment on small roads. However, considering the size of the bike – and especially its weight – the angle changes are executed quickly and do not heat the shoulders that much..

Likewise, if the compression then the relaxation of the front fork of 43 mm in the entries in turn are sensitive and inevitably modify ("geometrically") the trajectory, the Crosstourer never refuses the obstacle and even accepts improvisation in full. curve.

Ground clearance is just as satisfactory: unless they want to break a stopwatch on the Moto Tour, future Crosstourer owners will probably never feel their footrests rub on the tarmac. It will be the same for two passengers on a loaded motorcycle, since the shock duo Honda (opener and Japanese manager) only made sparks on rare occasions..

Passengers also benefit from a warm welcome aboard the Crosstourer: higher up but not too far from their half, the "co-pilot" has large handles and footrests placed low and sufficiently forward to withstand heavy braking. . The only downside: the cohabitation of two pairs of large feet when the suitcases are installed.

"A pack with top case and suitcases is offered at an advantageous price", reveal on this subject the managers of Honda France, quite proud of their list of accessories already provided (see last page). Among the various items and in addition to the luggage, Site retains the 12 V socket almost essential for traveling, as well as the heated grips – MNC tested and approved! -, the U lock that slips under the saddle, or even the steel dropper mainly for the look.

We actually note that on the right side, when the double clutch – its prominent housing is preceded by a distinctive plastic cover – is installed on the machine, the steel tubes hardly protrude! Protection in the event of a fall may therefore not be optimal … To be checked, really ?!

Your Crosstourer, with or without DCT ?

Definitely to be tested before any possible purchase: the DCT version! Its operation is obvious to understand: a flick on the right button "D / S" and the first engages automatically. It is then enough to open the throttle to start, as on a maxi – XXL for once – scooter !

A limited rotation of the throttle makes it possible to maneuver to the nearest centimeter, even on slopes. But the departures can be taken in a thunderous manner by selecting the "S" mode by pressing again on the central button of the right stalk..

Because unlike the Drive mode where the six gears are sent in a few seconds, the Sport mode lets the engine spin almost to the red zone if the pilot wrings the handle properly! In this second mode, the engine brake is also much more present and only the "sports hunters" will prefer to play the triggers (left commodo) to keep the V4 very high in the turns..

In "normal" use, mode D is perfectly suited to the program of a maxi trail. In town, the DCT system eliminates the need to constantly use the clutch lever – which has simply disappeared! -, while on small roads it constantly maintains the engine around 5000 rpm, ideal speed for winding.

It is astonishing – and distracting for a journalist who has only that to do – to observe how the system adapts to the style of driving adopted by the pilot: sudden and pronounced interventions of the right grip tend to make momentarily raise the tone of the Crosstourer !

On the motorway of course, the interest of the DCT is much less. As for the advantage in terms of average consumption (advanced by Honda on the technical sheet available on the following page), this press launch – very "in a hurry"! – did not validate it…

The on-board computers of the Crosstourer indicated at the end of our driving average consumption between 7.9 and 8.4 l / 100km on the standard versions, and between 8 and 8.6 l / 100km on the DCTs….

Note in passing that the dashboard is very complete: digital tachometer – a little too small -, engine temperature gauge, air temperature, fuel gauge, speed, instant or average conco, clock, odometer or partial trips A and B, gear engaged, ABS, TCS, DCT, etc. Everything is there !

"The screens are located at a height so that the pilot takes his eyes off the road as little as possible, and their windows are concave in order to avoid the reflections present on other models, including our brand.", readily admits the Honda team.

Too bad, however, that all the information cannot be directly controlled by the handlebars. We also regret the absence of storage compartments, useful during long journeys. Also practical for traveling very long distances, an even larger tank would no doubt be appreciated by adventurers. And you see what is meant by "Adventure", of course…

Offered in white, gray, black, but also in red – Honda France missed the mark on the NC700X – the Crosstourer is available now in the Honda France network. The price? It is competitive since the standard version (with S-ABS, TCS … hand guards and LED indicators!) Is priced at € 13,990. For the DCT, count 1000 € more. Finally, note that like the VFR1200F, the "VFR1200X" Crosstourer has a 3-year warranty: "Japan Qualitat" requires.

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