New motorcycle 2015: Honda upgrades its Crossrunner
Integrated into the Honda range in the spring of 2011, the Crossrunner has since had mixed success due to certain penalizing weaknesses in the trail category, in particular a lack of engine compartment, comfort and protection.. Deeply revised for 2015, the new vintage of the VFR800X intends to correct the situation !
Integrated into the Honda range in spring 2011, it has since experienced mixed success due to certain penalizing weaknesses in the trail category, including a lack of engine compartment, comfort and protection. Deeply revised for 2015, the new vintage of the VFR800X intends to correct the situation !
New trim, boosted V4 and neat comfort: the winning equation ?
Designed on the basis of which it uses the 782cc V4 and the chassis, the Crossrunner (VFR800X of its little name) offers a curious mix between the characteristics and behavior of a road bike, a roadster and a trail.
Crossrunner 2015: the key points |
|
A compromise already released by Yamaha with the TDM and that the winged coat of arms has not sufficiently refined to the liking of MNC: during our (brought to), the Crossrunner had suffered from its insufficient protection, from its perfectible ergonomics – folded legs typed "sport-GT", in particular – and its engine not expressive enough at usual speeds.
Add to that a list of rather stingy practical aspects (no storage compartment or central stand, trunk just capable of carrying a specific U …) and an "original" front face with its lines evoking a dolphin. .. and you get a motorcycle with an ambiguous positioning whose sales are struggling to take off.
Aware of these weaknesses, Honda is reviewing its copy for 2015 by first boosting the mechanical approval of the 4-cylinder V: the engine would offer "more torque at low and medium speeds" (72.8 Nm at 9500 rev / mn currently), but also a power "brought to 78 kW (106 hp or 4 more, Editor’s note) at 10,250 rpm", assure the engine manufacturers, without going into the details of the changes made.
As on the, the Crossrunner is equipped as standard with an adjustable and disconnectable traction control as well as heated grips and automatic return indicators. It in turn trades its combined C-ABS braking for a "simple" ABS, a strategy gradually applied on most Honda motorcycles in order to reduce weight and cost..
The traditional 3-piston calipers at the front peculiar to Honda equipped with C-ABS therefore give way to sporty four-piston elements with radial mounting. By the way, the diameter of the front discs goes from 296 to 310 mm, which bodes well for powerful and measurable slowing down.
In terms of the cycle part, the aluminum frame spars have been redesigned, while a new swingarm is introduced..
In addition, the travel of the suspensions is generously revised upwards: "+ 25 mm" for the non-adjustable telescopic fork (henceforth 133 mm) and "+28 mm" for the mono-shock absorber only adjustable in preload (henceforth 147 mm).
A modification which should serve the cause of comfort but also that of the absorption of irregularities, an essential point for a trail-road whose main qualities are versatility and comfort. To keep the Crossrunner accessible to the shortest on legs, Honda has installed a height-adjustable saddle on two levels..
We also note that the pilot seat appears more hollow (see assembly above) and that the passenger grab handles are more prominent and fixed higher. So many positive points for long journeys, like the installation of a windshield with visually revised upward measurements, especially in height.
Finally, the 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner benefits from a major facelift mainly affecting its front part, now equipped with a double LED optic with stretched shapes. The side fairings appear less enveloping and sharper, while the silencer in the low position – less bulky in appearance – inherits a trim on its output. The spoked rims also change presentation.
Availability end of December at an unspecified price
This new Honda will be available from December in black, white or red. All its technical details will be unveiled at the Cologne Motorcycle Show on September 30, as well as its price not yet known to Honda France (€ 10,999 when it was launched three years ago). To follow naturally on MNC: stay connected !
Related articles
-
News – A look back at the first test drive of the 2015 Honda Crossrunner in video – Used HONDA
Video of the first test of the 2015 Honda Crossrunner In addition to our Full Test of the 2015 Honda Crossrunner, here is our video shot during the first…
-
News – New in Intermot Cologne 2015: Honda Crossrunner ” 2.0 ” photo gallery – Used HONDA
New in Intermot Cologne 2015: Honda Crossrunner ” 2.0 ” photo gallery In addition to our detailed presentation of the second generation of the VFR800X…
-
News – Motocross news: Honda CRF250R and CRF450R 2015 – Used HONDA
Motocross news: Honda CRF250R and CRF450R 2015 After Suzuki, it is Honda’s turn to unveil the developments made to its motocross for 2015. The new…
-
News – Motorcycle news 2013: everything on the Honda CB500X – Used HONDA
Motorcycle news 2013: everything about the Honda CB500X Focus on the second Honda 2013 novelty discovered at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan: the…
-
News – Motorcycle news 2013: everything on the Honda CB500F – Used HONDA
Motorcycle news 2013: all about the Honda CB500F As planned, from tomorrow Honda will exhibit in Milan three of its main novelties for 2013 as part of…
-
News – New 2015 EICMA: the price of the new Honda VFR800X Crossrunner – Used HONDA
New 2015 EICMA: the price of the new Honda VFR800X Crossrunner Live from the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Honda reveals the price of its 2015…
-
Trail – 2015 Crossrunner test: the VFR800X has found its way! – Crossrunner 2.0: easy going
2015 Crossrunner test: the VFR800X found its way ! Since its launch in 2011, the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner has been looking for the path to success ……
-
2015 Crossrunner test: the VFR800X found its way ! Since its launch in 2011, the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner has been looking for the path to success ……
-
News – News 2016: first info on the Honda CB500F, NC750S and Integra – Used HONDA
New in 2016: first info on the Honda CB500F, NC750S and Integra Honda continues to trickle down the information relating to its 2016 motorcycle and…
-
News – New 2015 EICMA: Honda unveils its trail prototype CRF1000F – Used HONDA
New 2015 EICMA: Honda unveils its trail prototype CRF1000F As predicted by MNC, Honda revealed this morning at the Eicma motorcycle show in Milan the…