Had a go on local Honda dealer's demo VF1200 Crosstourer (manual gearbox) here are my impressions;
The good stuff:
Engine is superb - pulls your arms out at low RPM but is very smooth and not snatchy. Fuelling smooth. No tingly vibes. Feels like a big V twin with no vibes. Sounds absolutely fab too.
Gearbox is good, no clonks or notchyness.
Clutch is light.
Steering is excellent, feels like a much lighter bike than it is and whole lot faster to turn than a GTR. Suspension is well controlled if a bit firm at low speed with coarse road surfaces vibrating the bars (might be how the demo was set up).
Finish is typical Honda, high quality although much the same as everyone elses nowadays.
On balance a very nice bike to ride.
The not so good:
Riding position is ODD. High seat and bars but foot rests are high too, you sit more upright than on a GTR. My legs were more folded than they are on the GTR. Could just get my feet down but the seat is higher than the GTR. Also as with all the soft road / trail style bikes the foot rests are just where your legs go when you put a foot down. Having said all that I didn't feel uncomfortable during the 45 mins or so I rode it.
Brakes feel OK but nothing special.
The instruments are all LCD, speed is clear but I found all the other info a bit a jumble and hard to see. Panel is not very pretty to look at either IMO.
Screen is OK but as far as I could tell doesn't adjust, more wind noise at lower speeds than on my GTR (MRA screen) but oddly this didn't change much at higher speeds. No helmet buffeting for me.
Cost - this bike is fairly expensive and IMO looks a bit basic up close. If you go for the SE you get luggage which looks odd. The plastic is supposed to look like aluminium but doesn't. All very flimsy looking but with more capacity than the GTR.
No centre stand on the basic model.
Fairing bars on the SE will not protect the bike if it falls over the dealer told me. Honda describe them as accessory bars - for fitting spot lights to (not included!)
Finally, and this is just my personal bias, I really am fed up with all the BMW GS 'adventure' image stuff. Why does a bike which is really only ever going to be used on the road have to be so tall, come with wire wheels and trail tyres etc. At least the Crosstourer looks a lot better than a GS but it's not exactly sleek. Why didn't Honda just fix the lack of touring features on the normal VFR? All it needs is better luggage, a bigger tank, slightly higher bars and an electric screen. If they offered that with the engine in Crosstourer tune it would be one hell of an ST.
So that leaves the GTR together with may be two or three others, as the only true ST motorcycle currently available.
Ah yes, a Honda Crossdresser, !!! As ugly as an otters arse :shocked: :wacko:
Thanks for that review futura. At the NEC 2011 show it was one of the bikes that caught my eye. If I was to go back to an adventure tourer, that would be one of the contenders. I don't think it is as good as the GTR though
I've recently had test rides on a Speed Triple & Tuono R & Cross Tourer, and been on the verge of buying, then changed my mind after the ride back home, the GTR spoils you for other bikes, especially once it's tweeked to suit the individual. :biker3:
A good pal of mine has tried the Crosstourer, as he is thinking of changing his 1200GS...He found the throttle snatchy but said it might improve once a rider got used to it. I'm not a big Honda fan I reckon they should be renamed Blanda :mfr_lol:...My Honda Lawnmower is good though :yes:
Futura I'm with you when it comes to the 'Adventure' image thing, I, like many others, never intend to go 'off road' on my bike, I've had enough proper 'off road' bikes to have satisfied that desire.
BTW I did have a 1200GS for a VERY short time uuuuuurgh, it was a pig, and a fugly one at that :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Bondu on August 11, 2012, 08:29:39 AM
I've recently had test rides on a Speed Triple & Tuono R & Cross Tourer, and been on the verge of buying, then changed my mind after the ride back home, the GTR spoils you for other bikes, especially once it's tweeked to suit the individual. :biker3:
I felt the same way after a few test rides. Recently tried a Guzzi 1200 sport and new 1200 Stelvio 8V. Riding my GTR home I thought how good it was. There are a few things I don't like about it but unless you're very lucky that will apply to any bike.
I always go for a few test rides after about 3 years of ownership, helps keep things in perspective. Will be keeping the GTR a while longer.