All Tests – Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X … – A Honda for almost everyone

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Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X…

All Tests - Honda Crossrunner test: the VFR 800 classified X ... - A Honda for almost everyone

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 Honda for almost everyone

"The universal motorcycle, the one that would make all bikers happy, does not exist", slice in the preamble of this test Teofilo Plaza, designer at Honda to whom we owe in particular the sculptural VFR1200 (read our). But Honda all the same decided to launch out and to propose in 2011 a motorcycle which"would appeal to a maximum of European bikers"… and especially French !

Just two years ago, the big bosses of Tokyo asked Yosuke Hasegawa (the "Large Project Leader" of this Crossrunner and previously of the VFR1200) to redesign the VFR800: "this motorcycle is an emblematic model of our brand, it benefits from several Honda assets (V4 Vtec, aluminum frame and single-sided arms, ABS-CBS mainly) and therefore provided an excellent base for work", explains to Site the Japanese manager.

Redesigning the VFR800

Unveiled at the Milan Motor Show last fall (read), the new Honda effectively incorporates many elements of the VFR800. Technically, we note that the extension of suspension travel announced in Milan has not taken place: "it was an error in the first press kit", admits Honda France.

The Crossrunner therefore takes the values ​​of the VFR800, i.e. 108 mm at the front and 119 mm at the rear (yes, true VFR fans will not fail to point out the drop of 1 mm …). On the other hand, the evolutions at the level of the V4 are there: we will come back to it in detail during the test..

Aesthetically, however, the VFR800X – that’s the nickname of the new Honda trail – is clearly different from its sister / mother: "we wanted to set the Crossrunner apart from the aggressive image that people, bikers or not, have of motorcycles", explains Teofilo Plaza.

The Spanish continues his demonstration in an original way: "while developing this bike, we thought of the characters of the Coyote and the Road Runner (Bip-Bip in French version, NDLR) : less nasty and aggressive than other motorcycles, our Crossrunner is similar to the Bip-Bip, faster and easier"Who said Honda designers lacked fantasy? ?!

In a less colorful way this time, the designer claims to have been inspired by "jet skis" – not just Kawasaki, the term has become generic! "Jet skis are typically very fun vehicles, which do not impress despite their incredible power.".

Dormant motorcycle licenses

Because if the Crossrunner is intended for a large panel of users, Honda has all the same listed three types of bikers including one to be particularly targeted: "the "sleeping licenses", those holders of the A license who have abandoned the motorcycle for various reasons (family, work, other leisure activities, etc.) and wish to get back to it", describes Hasegawa San.

"These people often need the approval of their loved ones to buy a motorcycle, and that’s why we wanted to make the Crossrunner look reassuring.", explains his colleague, Teofilo Plaza.

Honda has therefore equipped its new Crossrunner with a fairing with refined lines, a high and thin fork crown and fully dressed handlebars: "wires and tubes can confuse people who usually ride in cars or on scooters. This is also why we did not accentuate the "trail" look of the Crossrunner.", explains the Spanish designer.

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