All Tests – Honda Crossrunner Test: the VFR 800 classified X … – A sporty roadster with a trail look?

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Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X…

All Tests - Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X ... - A sporty roadster with a trail look?

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 sporty roadster with a trail look ?

However, the Crossrunner does not completely turn its back on the off-road which enjoys a good rating with French bikers, whether in motorcycles with a certain "GS" in particular, or in cars with countless "Crossover" models.

Proof that the winged brand wants to hover over this trend? For the two 17-inch rims of its Crossrunner – the same as those of the VFR800 – it has chosen an original all-terrain vehicle: the Pirelli Scorpion Trail (read our).

"Why did you choose these tires? For the look mainly", Yosuke Hasegawa answers us without ambiguity. Nevertheless, aware that their clients‘ escapades on the roads will be limited to a few hundred meters to reach a breathtaking point of view or the table of a remote restaurant, the Japanese asked the Italians to change their tire to the profile which is already very road.

Trail tires for the look

"The bike was meant to be versatile, agile as a roadster and exciting to ride, a bit adventurous at heart and fast. We have therefore adapted the Scorpion Trail according to: more stability at high speed, endurance, sporty feeling, but keeping the off-road aspect.", specifies a Pirelli official.

In addition to the design and the casing slightly revised, the Scorpion Trail of the Crossrunner innovates by adopting a bigomme composition (a hard one in the center, a softer one on the sides): "for an "Adventure" type tire, this is a first", guarantees the Italian manufacturer. Enough to put the angle without restraint and take full advantage of the 101.8 horsepower and 72.8 Nm developed by the Honda V4 in each stretch ?

The rear part of the VFR800 has been completely replaced in order to improve the fate of the passenger: much lower (56 mm compared to the VFR800), its saddle allows it to become one with the pilot. In addition, Site was able to verify that it exempted the driver from excessively lifting the leg when getting on the motorcycle..

Experienced bikers

These last points will also be greatly appreciated by the second family of motorcyclists openly targeted by Honda: that of four-and-fifty who, bored by their hypersportives – or their VFR ?! -, their big coaches or their trendy maxiscooters, are looking for a "comfortable and efficient road".

To fill those old experienced biker croutons, the Crossrunner offers a completely pleasant riding position. The 816mm perched saddle allows little ones to graze the ground on both sides, while the tall, wide handlebars grip without having to tilt their torso. Nothing to do with the reception of the VFR800 !

Taller riders will easily put both heels on the ground and just as easily fit their thighs and knees around the tank and fairing. Big feet – wearing big boots – will be a little more cramped because of the passenger footrests, but the discomfort is not too great.

Despite the presence of side radiators – "they are not placed in the frontal position in order to limit the wheelbase", reveals to us a responsible Honda Europe -, the width of the motorcycle remains reasonable: the compactness of the V4 is not a figment of the mind !

Compactness of the V4

Another very good point to emphasize: the very high position of the meter which avoids having to look too low. Too bad, however, that the block inherited from the 2011 Hornet is so small: seen from this angle, the engine speed becomes literally illegible. !

Displaying speed in large print is fine, but secondary info is much less obvious. Too bad, because apart from the gear engaged, all the data that riders love are indicated: odometer, two partial trips, engine temperature, clock and even instantaneous and average consumption.

Likewise, we are surprised that the finish of the exterior of the meter leaves so much to be desired: the plastics do not fit together properly. The note also applies to the handlebar cover as well as to the adjustment of the fairing at the tank level….

"The Crossrunners you are trying are pre-production models, which may explain the perfectible finish of some elements", reacts Sebastien Pernel, press relations manager at Honda France..

Hopefully the "VFR800X", produced at the Kumamoto plant in Japan, will end up as carefully assembled as its big sister VFR1200. There is no reason: the 10,990 € of the Crossrunner must be justified !

The cycle part and the engine of a devilishly sporty road !

Small subtlety to take into account before launching the assault on roads and streets: as on the VFR1200, the horn is located above – and not below as tradition dictates – the turn signal button. The horn concerts near the first roundabouts during this test in Palma de Mallorca showed that the reflexes are sometimes hard to thwart !

"Sleeping" bikers OK, "sober" bikers it’s done … But what is this third family that the new Honda Crossrunner is aiming for? "That of young people in their thirties who wish to increase in displacement and attach great importance to performance, ease and efficiency", summarizes the world number one.

Because if the Crossrunner puts on Pirelli Scorpion Trail above all to "look pretty", the fact that the Italian tires are specifically equipped with bigomme technology is enough to remind that behind its reassuring face hides the cycle part and the engine of a road devilishly sporty !

Young thirties

Arguments that will try to hit the mark with a clientele of "youngsters", also very sensitive to the look of their motorcycle. Highly subjective, this aspect can be discussed at length in the comments at the bottom of this essay..

More objectively, however, we can regret that Honda does not offer the Crossrunner in a more "flashy" color or a more sophisticated decoration than the black, white or red of this first 2011 salvo. In 2012, perhaps ?

Similarly, some will regret the exhaust of the road … Placed under the saddle on the VFR, the pot certainly heats the buttocks a little too much, but clears the view of the rear rim with 5 particularly classy sticks! The Crossrunner does not benefit from the same appendage. Fortunately, the finish of the big silencer is flawless.

How do the new ergonomics, deeper travel, off-road fit and V4 modifications affect the handling of the VFR800? This version "X", difficult to classify although it appears in the family of "Trails" in the Honda catalog, does it meet the expectations of a majority of bikers ?

This first dynamic test on small and large roads and under the sun of Palma de Mallorca allowed Site to establish a first observation.

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