Honda 1200V4 Crosstourer

[Paikia44]

S$36'888 sell you mine.everything goes ! Accessories worth >S$9k.

 

Onz Bo? Keke

 

I was taught in school to put a (,) to denote thousand & a (.) for decimal point. Yours (') is simi lan lai??

[papabread79]

Well..... Maybe if I change bike, specifically either the XTourer OR ah hock's S10... Then I must also upgrade my jacket that matches the status of the bike & can get urs! Haha!!

I think its more suited for sportsbike riding this jacket of mine.

 

I bought a sportsbike back then hence the jacket. If not, i still have my touring jacket (Clover).

[hockie69]

I was taught in school to put a (,) to denote thousand & a (.) for decimal point. Yours (') is simi lan lai??

 

your one british mine amerikia....haha.

 

Nbz...dun sell u liao....haha

 

dun eye mine...go get de Xtourer....lolx

[yammie]

I hope this bike reach here sooner. There isn't much new choices and some supply of same genre bikes are low. The only favourable choice now could be the yamaha super tenere which I am seeing more otr. Lucky honda didn't come up with blue color, yet

[Paikia44]

I hope this bike reach here sooner. There isn't much new choices and some supply of same genre bikes are low. The only favourable choice now could be the yamaha super tenere which I am seeing more otr. Lucky honda didn't come up with blue color, yet

 

Choices is the right way to put it. Currently there's way too few options. & hopefully with more choices for the consumers, prices will be more competitive.

[hockie69]

Choices is the right way to put it. Currently there's way too few options. & hopefully with more choices for the consumers, prices will be more competitive.

 

I highly doubt the pricing will fall even with

In flood of new adv tourer model.due to strong yen and a dumb paper call COE.

[Paikia44]

I highly doubt the pricing will fall even with

In flood of new adv tourer model.due to strong yen and a dumb paper call COE.

 

Sigh.... Even worse for cars.

[hockie69]

Sigh.... Even worse for cars.

 

Stay FOCUS bro ! ( no,I don't mention the new 2012 ford focus 1.6 125PS 6AT DCT at S$100k one).

 

I meant the 2012 Honda Crosstourer 1200 127PS 6spd adv tourer with OEM side pennier & 21.5L tank range at S$34k.

 

Haha

[Paikia44]

Hahaha.... Not a Ford fan. New Civic looks like a FL City. Subaru 2.5L sibeh siong. Mit EVO quite 'old' liao & Ralliart 2.0TC hatch didn't materialise. Still stick to my old Toyota for now since the woman at home is driving most days anyway. Hahaha!!

[freakyairhead]

FYI, I cut and paste a view of an European rider.... Please find below.....

 

" It's was interesting reading all your thoughts on fuel tank range and capacity.

I have been riding the ST1300 now for 8 years an averaged around 5.7 litres/100km on long runs with 3 different bikes. The bike has a 29 litre tank giving a theoretical range of 508km. I even once got to 600km before I filled up - riding in Holland sucks! I can think of no reason for the ST to have such a big tank, you just don't need it. The ST and CT engine capacity and power / torgue figures are similar, but the CT with DCT is 40 kgs lighter, so fuel consumption can't be much worse or Honda would be going backwards.

I tour with mates who ride CB1000R, Tiger 1050, Bandit 1200, VFR1200F, Fazer 1000 and Ducati 748. We always have to look for fuel after 200km to make sure nobody runs out. I always filled the ST up every second stop. A stop every 250kms or so on a long run is a welcome break and filling up is no hassle. In fact, on a 600km daytrip we stop for breaks between refuels anyway. The VFR even manages 300km with its 18.5 litres; and the VFRs range was the biggest talking point when it came out - now for 2012 it has a 19 litre tank - will those extra 8-9 kms mean more sales?

 

In my humble opinion, unless you are off the beaten track, 21.5 litres is more than enough. I for one, had no problem trading in my STs 29 litres for the CTs 21.5! "

 

 

 

[Idono]

I prefer a bigger fuel tank. Finds it a hassle for petrol stops in SG.

[Paikia44]

I prefer a bigger fuel tank. Finds it a hassle for petrol stops in SG.

 

Maybe mod one of the panniers to carry extra fuel? Hahaha!!

[hockie69]

It really kind of different to compare Europe road trip range vs our local north Thailand type of travel.

 

A few liter less of petrol wun kill on a road trip with smooth tamac however when petrol station is miles apart up the country side,the last thing a tourer need is to run out of fuel either due to LOST(it happens often) or distracted by rose by de roadside attraction.

 

GSA 33L tank is by far the best within the adv tourer class,of course the extra petrol will feel it weight while on full off road.

 

Guess we can't have best of both world.....

[muddyxr]

There are 2 guys, that I know of, who toured on a CBR1000RR(one Repsol & the other on Black paint) frequently to Thailand and never came close to running empty. I'm sure there're more. The black Fireblade even had pillion.

[muddyxr]

Initial impressions by Phil West, MCN.

 

Visordown's Mark Forsyth really rates the engine too.

Edited February 17, 2012 by muddyxr

[rifqi]

any news about the crosstourer? the wait is killing me. correct me if im wrong, from the photos, the pillion seat doesnt look spacious..

[hockie69]

There are 2 guys, that I know of, who toured on a CBR1000RR(one Repsol & the other on Black paint) frequently to Thailand and never came close to running empty. I'm sure there're more. The black Fireblade even had pillion.

 

I hope my earlier post regretting fuel tank capacity between the Xtourer1200,S10 & R1200GSA (all belong in the adv tourer class) are not be quote out of context here.

 

It is not the bike model that make the diffferent. It the planning of fuel stop that does.

 

Having a mix-class group (super sport/cruiser/adv tourer/sport tourer/street sport) will means a compomise of fuel stop between range/milage/distance.

 

While having a similar range Pre tank group will ensure almost all the riders got the same road milage & rest time.

 

Yes,of course there are many excellent example of varies bike model that tour up north however I dun see the relantionship & in context with this tread of the Honda crosstourer1200.

 

Cheers

[biting_point]

with regards to fuel issue,

 

SG to Thailand got no problems finding a petrol stop even in rural areas in Thailand every 200km..

most of Singaporeans wanted bigger tank to pump Msian petrol, else the hassle of pumping every other day in SG..

 

for me, a bigger fuel tank to run non-stop to reduce time on NSHW on route to Thailand..

for a S10, 300km on NSHW speeds is the max it can go.. for SG roads, 400km per tank..

 

but in Laos, Vietnam, I dunno.. for hockie69 to find out and update us! heehee..

 

Have a safe trip!!

[muddyxr]

most of Singaporeans wanted bigger tank to pump Msian petrol

 

I like this point!

[Idono]

Do JB petrol restrict bike to only RON95 petrol?

[freakyairhead]

Do JB petrol restrict bike to only RON95 petrol?

 

Unlike cars, bikes have no restrictions...........

[Bluvic]

Any news of when it will reach our shores?

[biting_point]

the bike looks so small when this 2.04m giant sat on it..

 

comparing him with the Vara.. may be because of the suit?

 

"BMW" engineered rims..

 

full pictorials

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2012_Bikes/Honda/CrossTourer/Honda_CrossTourer_Images/index.htm#1

Edited February 25, 2012 by biting_point

[freakyairhead]

Any news of when it will reach our shores?

 

I was told in April CT will be arriving.

 

Cheers

[Roger1605198916]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]236854[/ATTACH]

the bike looks so small when this 2.04m giant sat on it..

 

comparing him with the Vara.. may be because of the suit?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]236856[/ATTACH]

 

"BMW" engineered rims..

 

full pictorials

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2012_Bikes/Honda/CrossTourer/Honda_CrossTourer_Images/index.htm#1

 

This review was writen by this big tall dude....

 

The new Honda Cross Tourer!

by Bernard 'Two Plugs'

 

The first impression

You only have one chance to make a good first impression, they say. That first impression was given, exactly a year ago, on the Milan International Motorcycle Exhibition, where the prototype of the Crosstourer was revealed to the International Public. The first impression was not entirely positive. The bike looked rather ‘small’, and its ‘out of the box’ design made people wonder if someone at the Honda R&D department was suffering from some kind of mental illness.

 

A first impression can rarely be undone. But sometimes, it can. Standing next to a production model of the Crosstourer, the first thing I noticed that the bike is not that small. Of course, most bikes look tiny beside my 6,8 ft / 2,04 meter. But the Crosstourer certainly does not feel small. This is also due to the design ... it seems as if some parts of the Cross Tourer are deliberately designed 'oversized'. This is not a disadvantage! It seems as if the bike is built for eternity, carved out of a solid block of granite. In that sense, the Crosstourer reminds me to the Buell Ulysses. And that's a compliment to the Honda.

 

Honda has paid much attention to the design. Honda phrased the bike as "A Sophisticated hard duty". In civilized English an ‘Royal Multipurpose Bike’ might be a good approach. Or: what about a SUM? Sports Utility Bike? With a seat height of 850 cm, the bike is easily accessible to a wide audience. Still, sitting on the bike you don’t have the impression that it is ‘low’. Pleasant surprise: in comparison to the XL700V Transalp it is much easier to get out of the saddle for retaining a standing position on the footpegs. The steeringbar is also higher placed than at the competition. You won’t need raisers on this one.

 

For that 2nd impression, the Cross Tourer receives a big plus. The unscathed first impressions are repaired.

The first kilometers

 

After a detailed explanation on the technology behind the Crosstourer (in particular the operation of the 2 nd generation DCT including a feetpedal shift pedal we go. After a smooth city drive and about 30 kilometers on the motorway it is time for a first impression. The wind protection and comfort are definitely good, except that the standard screen - I would say, according to good Honda Traditions - really is bad. The dashboard and controls are instead, decisive when it comes to information and ergonomics. Finally a fuel gauge, finally a gear indicator! The build quality is absolutely superb and the V4 engine does its job with ease and naturalness that I have never experienced on any other large bigtrail bike.

 

The smooth performace also poses a huge disadvantage ...: the economy meter (set to measure the average fuelconsumption) points out at a staggering 8 liters per 100 km and that, even at highway speeds,is just to much. That is over 1 to 12,5! While the Crosstourer appears to be born to perform as an comfy long distance tourer in comfort, even with 2 up.

 

We leave the motorway and drive through country roads towards the mountains of Catalonia. On shady slopes there are still remains of snow, on the roads still saltdeposits. The onboard computer measures an outdoor temperature of 10 degrees Celsius that during the day will gradually increase to a comfortable 18 degrees Celsius. The engine continues to work tirelessly until the first tight hairpins appear. The speed experience on the Cross Tourer is a completely different dimension than for example a Transalp, or even a Varadero. The transmission works well with this: During the rapid ascent I discover that I’m only using 2 nd or 3rd gear. Just because I do not get the impression that I "should" upshift. Vibrations are the Cross Tourer strange. The whole transmission gives a very, nice, balanced impression.

 

The speed perception is therefore at least 20 to 30% lower than on a Varadero for example, compared at similar speed. For your perception you are doing 100 km/h, which turns out to be 120 km/h real speed… Slight turns you 'instinctively' estimate to take at 100 km/h suddenly appear a whole lot tighter. Nevertheless, the Crosstourer does not disguise its weight. In tight corners, it feels as if the weight is controlling the bike. As if the weight, acting as a kind of invisible giant hand is pushing the bike towards an direction you do not want to end up. The Yamaha Super Tenere feels, despite a similar weight, (much) more nimble.

 

And that 'automatic'?

 

On the Crosstourer Honda unveiled the 2nd generation of its semi-automatic transmission, the DCT. In addition, finally (since the first generation Pan European ST1100) traction control is returning back – but including an ‘OFF’ switch (which by the way won’t win any design prices with the appereance of an 1980 Honda Civic switch). I was tempted to test one of the bikes, especially for a DCT model with foot pedal. I have deliberately chosen not to do so, therefor I cannot give an objective judgment. The colleague motorcycle journalists in my group, indicated however, that the system really works flawlessly, but at a more sporty riding style on narrow twisty mountainroads in "A" position (fully automatic) just a fraction too slow to respond. According to Honda, makes the VFR1200F-DCT, 30% of European sales. I Can imagine that the system on the Crosstourer is well applicable. But not (yet) if you ever want to use the bike to play nice.

 

Pros vs. Cons

 

Comfort, transmission, power delivery, finish, handling, ergonomics: the concept "Crosstourer" is put together very well. With an introduction price of € 16,000,- in my country (The Netherlands) I think the bike is fairly priced towards its direct competitors. But ... every advantage has its disadvantage. Throughout the test (200 km) I did not achieve a fuelconsumption under 8 liters / 100km (1 to 12.5). Of course, we have been riding a little sportier as normal. And I was continuous riding 2 gears too low. But that does not justify an absurd fuelconsumption of 8 liters. Honda has the NC700X to show that it is able to develop an engine which combines good usability, with outstanding economics. With my injection Varadero I would achieve for the same route, same riding style, with ease, a consumption of 5 to 6 liters per 100 km. In an age where only liter of Euro 95 is priced just under € 2, -, a missed opportunity. That the V4 was generous on aspects on fuel consumption, we already knew of the VFR1200F which after 200 km begins to scream for a fueltap. Then there is that weight thing. The engine is despite the good weight distribution, just heavy. It will have a good straight¬ line stability on motorways though…

 

For example, the Yamaha Super Tenere with 276 kg is also heavy, but nevertheless feels like it is a featherweight. Even a 283 kg Honda Varadero feels 'different' in a positive way.

 

Fortunately (in comparison with the VFR1200F), the Crosstourers exhaustmuffler not only a beautiful part, but the muffler is designed so that the powerful sound of the V4 is experienced by our eardrums in full advantage. Does the exhaustsound of a VFR1200F reminds you to a BMW Boxer who is ashamed of his origins, the sound of the Crosstourer makes it a symphony. What a sound! Fabulous. You're crazy if you're on a Crosstourer with an aftermarked muffler.

 

A pro (with remark) are the panniers Honda offers. Robust. Fortunately no longer Givi, but Honda original. The remark refers to the topcase...: This can increase from 32 to 39 liters by a zipper with a flexible sort of waterproof foil. You leave the bike behind on a abandoned parking lot, evil villain comes along, zipper open, knife in the foil, and topcase damaged and empty. Even if you have left nothing of value in the topcase, it remains a very fragile construction for people who have something less good in mind for your legal property than yourself. A kind of open invitation. Pity, because this is the first road Honda with really beautiful, usable, reliable panniers.

 

A Provisional final conclusion?

 

Very honest .. Despite the 'cons' I would choose the Crosstourer in favor to the BMW R1200GS. The Honda just looks really good, it really is an headturner especially in the color 'Red Prommised Red’. Top ergonomics, the finish is superb, the transmission is so much better, vibrations are totally alien to the Honda, brakes are really TOP (I would like an delay on the rear brake though!) and most likely, the Honda will not fail or brake down. The protection of the fairing (like on the Varadero) is the best a allroad currently can offer (apart from the standard screen, go for the 145mm higher touring screen!). We have to wait and see what the new Triumph Tiger Adventure will offer. According to a Swedish journalist who rode an preproduction model, the Triumph is the best motorcycle in its class…

 

Scheduled for 2013 are also a new 1200 KTM Adventure and the new liquid-cooled BMW R1200GS. You can bet that BMW will do everything in order to maintain its leading position.

 

The question remains whether the Cross Tourer is the spiritual replacement for the XL1000V Varadero. I doubt. The engine is really that much (to much) alienated from the Varadero V2. It is really based up on other dimensions. I recall the press information shared by Honda itself: The bike is developed at the interface of 'all / onroad "and" sport / tour'; for which I personally compare it with a Pan European more than the "spiritual successor” of the Varadero. The Varadero has almost nothing in common with the Cross Tourer. Absolutely nothing. The last (current) model (last update: 2007) of the Varadero is however fully matured and on the whole, even in comparison with the Cross Tourer, not so bad. OK, he has no shaftdrive. But with lower fuel economy and also more than € 3,000, - cheaper… and offers the same comfort (even 2 up). The Varadero is probably the most underrated bigtrailbike and that is completely unjustified.

 

For those who think differently ... the Varadero is still available until September 2012. The last of the Mohicans ...

Thanks to Honda Europe for enabling this test report.