All Tests – Honda Crossrunner Test: the VFR 800 classified X … – A furious V4 or nothing! (+ video)

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Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X…

All Tests - Honda Crossrunner Test: the VFR 800 classified X ... - A furious V4 or nothing! (+ video)

No, Honda did not launch into the production of X movies in 2011 but declined its VFR800 in an "X" version called Crossrunner. A month before arriving at the dealership, Site had the chance to ride it under the Balearic sun. Test.

A furious V4 or nothing! (+ video)

The 782 cc Honda V4 is still almost at odds with other engines of the brand, and especially its in-line 4-cylinder, admittedly smooth and powerful, but terribly linear. The character of the Crossrunner is much more assertive than that of a CBF1000, and its performance even seems superior !

When the eight additional valves come into action, the hoarse sound of the original pot – until then pleasantly discreet – gains in presence and delights fans of beautiful melodies. Boosted by the soundtrack, the torque of 72.8 Nm (at 9500 rpm) and the power of 101.8 horsepower (500 rpm higher) offer their dose of thrills.

The extension of the Crossrunner will eventually satisfy the apprentice pilots: the red zone is located a little before 12,000 rpm and gives the Honda a theoretical maximum speed of more than 280 km / h (the Crossrunner tumbles at 100 km / h). h "counter" from approximately 4000 rpm). Not bad for a trail !

Although Site has not had the opportunity to drive "excessively" fast on the rolling roads of southern Mallorca – which is moreover stuffed with cyclists, tourists and other trucks – driving at 160 km / h on the expressway is all. quite in the ropes of the Crossrunner.

The only concern on this type of road concerns the vigor of the V4 on the last gear (s) … The Vtec and the 16 valves intervene too late to take advantage of sufficient times to accelerate and quickly overtake from of 80 km / h. In this case, it is imperative to fall two speeds.

Fall two reports

At high speed therefore, the enhanced cycle part of the VFR800 holds the road perfectly: small connections or longer imperfections are properly absorbed. Nevertheless, during long journeys, the buttocks will be put to the test: after a little less than 100 km already, the flat and lightly padded saddle of the new Honda forces you to stop..

The most courageous or insensitive will continue to trace the road while waiting to overcome the 21.5 liters of the tank: according to Honda, the autonomy of the Crossrunner could reach 348 km! For the sake of comfort, large riders will have to invest in fairing deflectors (€ 89 for both) and in a high screen (+126 mm and + € 149).

As for those who would like to escape for several days, resorting to suitcases and / or the "top box" will be inevitable. Their finish is very neat – these are elements stitched to the VFR1200 – but beware, only the top box (31 liters) can accommodate a full suit worthy of the name: the right suitcase is unable to – the fault of the pot – while that the left can only enclose one "small full", warns the Honda accessories manager.

On a secondary network, the Crossrunner could surprise more than one: the sporty cycle part trail does not require a lot of effort to spin from one turn to another and the V4 maintained in the turns tends to reduce considerably the length of straight lines !

V4 shortens the length of straight lines !

Even in arsouille mode, the mass transfers are not excessive. Obviously, the Crossrunner prefers to wind rather than attack, but its front axle, with its inverted 43 mm fork, reacts rather well to the demands..

The corner entries are clear, the stability on the angle appreciable and only a significant intervention on the brakes can slightly modify the trajectory. The members of the family of "djeunz kinenvissent" will be pleasantly surprised: once the bike is well in hand, they will probably be able to hold – or even tax ?! – their friends on too radical Supersports.

On the other hand, they will perhaps reach the limits of the rear axle a little faster: on a perfectly clean surface, the load of the engine at the exit of a curve can cause some waddling. Fortunately, the grip of the sidewalls of the 180 mm wide Pirelli shows itself perfectly to the height..

In short, the Crossrunner largely meets the demands of its vast customer base. Its healthy cycle part and its very powerful and communicative V4 in the towers will undoubtedly seduce young bikers tired of their Hornet or any other first or second motorcycle..

Target 800 sales

Those who are on their thirtieth – motorcycle, not anniversary – will appreciate the warm welcome of the very latest Honda due to an upright driving position, its efficiency in town and on the road. However, beware of the weight and the lack of practicality (reduced storage, absence of a central stand and barely legible counter) could definitely put off "cool" bikers..

Finally, the "future ex-bikers" – those who resume the handlebars after a period of wandering at the wheel of a car, god forbid – will acclaim its ease of use, the flexibility of the V4 and the softness of the Vtec. They will then have to convince their relatives that this "machine" is beautiful and that it is well worth its € 10,990..

Designed with the objective of pleasing "to a maximum of bikers", the Crossrunner’s mission is to reach 800 registrations in France in 12 months. A figure which may seem very low in view of the number of sales of motorcycles in our country – the Crossrunner is supposed to hunt wide – but quite consistent if we compare it to the 2010 sales of the Versys, Vstrom, TDM and F800GS: 766 immats for the first two, and respectively 524 and 373 for the next two !

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