Honda Crossrunner review
Discussion
Scobblelotcher said:
Would the VFR1200X work for you? https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/adventur...
Too tour and not enough sport sadly. Plus it is fugly. The 18 blade I have is pretty good at touring tbh. As long as you pack minimally.... Thanks for the write up. I had considered a CR as my first big bike for commuting duties but went with a mk3 Versys 650. Long term MPG as you mention it in your OP is around 59MPG.
When commuting I also do 210 miles a week from Kent so you must be local to me.
Will consider a CR when I change the Versys as it was the 10k pricetag that put me off!
When commuting I also do 210 miles a week from Kent so you must be local to me.
Will consider a CR when I change the Versys as it was the 10k pricetag that put me off!
I'm glad that it's been useful. I can't help feeling that it's a forgotten bike. I've been very happy with mine.
Richy Vida did a nice video that shows the lights working: https://youtu.be/Efqfj6cLpes
Iminquarantine said:
Thank you for the write up.
Not sure if you have the pre or post facelift Crossrunner. I had a shortlist of a facelift Crossrunner and a BMW F800GT when I was buying a bike last month. Ended up with a BMW F800GT, but only because I'd had 10 years straight of Hondas and wanted a change. The Crossrunner was a better all round bike.
Anyone thinking of one, I think they have the best lights of any bike on the market now; important if you ride at night. 2 x low beam LEDs and 2 x high beam LEDs.
I have the post facelift (2015) and the LED lights are very good. They take some getting used to though as there is a strip of light cast out in front. It's not the pool of light that you might expect. There's also light for low speed turns almost like turning lights on cars which work very nicely.Not sure if you have the pre or post facelift Crossrunner. I had a shortlist of a facelift Crossrunner and a BMW F800GT when I was buying a bike last month. Ended up with a BMW F800GT, but only because I'd had 10 years straight of Hondas and wanted a change. The Crossrunner was a better all round bike.
Anyone thinking of one, I think they have the best lights of any bike on the market now; important if you ride at night. 2 x low beam LEDs and 2 x high beam LEDs.
Richy Vida did a nice video that shows the lights working: https://youtu.be/Efqfj6cLpes
NS400R said:
Honda quality and reliability. Looked after that bike will do over 100,000 miles with no issue. I'd happily have a VFR if they did a 1000 version.
You'll recall I did 1,500 miles on the same Old Gits trip thrashing the stroker with zero issues despite its age.
Totally agree.You'll recall I did 1,500 miles on the same Old Gits trip thrashing the stroker with zero issues despite its age.
Good write up.
I'm going to get a test ride on one. Low miles bikes available from £6-8k and it might really suit my needs.
I'm commuting from Surry into London every day dropping my son at school in the mornings. That means I take his lid, boots and jacket with me so a full set of panniers is essential.
I bought a Deauville 700 which is perfectly adequate but I am now hardly using my triumph scrambler. So I think both current bikes will go and the CR looks to be an ideal all-rounder, the difference in extra cash can then be spent on an enduro for green lanes.
I'm going to get a test ride on one. Low miles bikes available from £6-8k and it might really suit my needs.
I'm commuting from Surry into London every day dropping my son at school in the mornings. That means I take his lid, boots and jacket with me so a full set of panniers is essential.
I bought a Deauville 700 which is perfectly adequate but I am now hardly using my triumph scrambler. So I think both current bikes will go and the CR looks to be an ideal all-rounder, the difference in extra cash can then be spent on an enduro for green lanes.
I’m doing some research now into replacing my 2000 pre vtec VFR with something. Was looking at a direct replacement with a new model VFR F but reading lots of good things about the CrossRunner. My only concern is the bar and mirror width, as most of my riding is London based so filtering is a big part of daily ride. Was it ok getting through gaps compared to your 2001 model? I read they narrowed the new one down but getting rid of the side mounted rads, so the F model is even thinner, but more sporty which I don’t need really!! Yes I’m getting on a bit too, and have a CBR600 FS for sports riding fun if needed...
maccers said:
I’m doing some research now into replacing my 2000 pre vtec VFR with something. Was looking at a direct replacement with a new model VFR F but reading lots of good things about the CrossRunner. My only concern is the bar and mirror width, as most of my riding is London based so filtering is a big part of daily ride. Was it ok getting through gaps compared to your 2001 model? I read they narrowed the new one down but getting rid of the side mounted rads, so the F model is even thinner, but more sporty which I don’t need really!! Yes I’m getting on a bit too, and have a CBR600 FS for sports riding fun if needed...
I commuted into London on my old VFR (pre-vtec) and on the Crossrunner. They got stuck in different places. The mirrors folded in better on the VFR but were more likely to get stuck going through narrow gaps by car mirrors and the smaller vans. The Crossrunner got stuck going past van mirrors and SUVs (bars and/or mirrors). You pick your poison really. The VFR might save you a minute or two going up the Cromwell Road (or similar tight roads with too much traffic) but other than that I'd say it's a bit of a wash.The key parts for me were the better visibility - so much safer in traffic - and the comfort. I was getting back problems with the VFR and that went away with the Crossrunner. If you do find a new one (they are discontinued now as they don't meet Euro 5) then get rid of the OE tyres ASAP. They were horrific. Get some decent modern sportstouring tyres on like Metzeler's or Michelin's. They are light years better in all aspects.
I commented above that I might get one and I did. 2016 bike that I took from 11000 to 17000 miles in two years. No problems at all as you’d expect. Rear suspension was a bit too soft for my liking so fitted a Hyper-pro rear shock which improved but didn’t transform it.
Good value for money and the engine is a peach.
Good value for money and the engine is a peach.
carinaman said:
Did the oil consumption decline as the mileage increased?
Yes it did. Became almost a non-factor though when I was using it really hard in hot conditions in the Dolomites and the Pyrenees I kept more of an eye on it and did top it up a bit. Other than that it's barely been worth mentioning.GM182 said:
I commented above that I might get one and I did. 2016 bike that I took from 11000 to 17000 miles in two years. No problems at all as you’d expect. Rear suspension was a bit too soft for my liking so fitted a Hyper-pro rear shock which improved but didn’t transform it.
Good value for money and the engine is a peach.
Glad you've enjoyed it. There are some good groups on Facebook that are useful for general queries. Also a decent forum at https://www.honda-crossrunner.com/index.php which has a good range of discussions though it's not particularly high traffic.Good value for money and the engine is a peach.
"and the BMW GS (too wide for London)".
Nice review, thanks. Like you, I think the later Cross runners are a big step forward. I commute from Kent in to Central London on a GS1200 and I really rate it as a commuter. It's only 4.5cms wider than a cross runner so while little scooters and 125s can sometimes get through gaps I can't not many grown up bikes can in reality - sports bikes are a nightmare in traffic (I did it for 10+ years before seeing the light) as although slimmer they have no steering lock and so struggle with gaps I can often get through on the GS. I'm lucky on the commute from Kent though as most of the roads are quite wide and so it's rarely an issue, only really when something has gone wrong and chaos ensues!
Nice review, thanks. Like you, I think the later Cross runners are a big step forward. I commute from Kent in to Central London on a GS1200 and I really rate it as a commuter. It's only 4.5cms wider than a cross runner so while little scooters and 125s can sometimes get through gaps I can't not many grown up bikes can in reality - sports bikes are a nightmare in traffic (I did it for 10+ years before seeing the light) as although slimmer they have no steering lock and so struggle with gaps I can often get through on the GS. I'm lucky on the commute from Kent though as most of the roads are quite wide and so it's rarely an issue, only really when something has gone wrong and chaos ensues!
Gixer968CS said:
"and the BMW GS (too wide for London)".
Nice review, thanks. Like you, I think the later Cross runners are a big step forward. I commute from Kent in to Central London on a GS1200 and I really rate it as a commuter. It's only 4.5cms wider than a cross runner so while little scooters and 125s can sometimes get through gaps I can't not many grown up bikes can in reality - sports bikes are a nightmare in traffic (I did it for 10+ years before seeing the light) as although slimmer they have no steering lock and so struggle with gaps I can often get through on the GS. I'm lucky on the commute from Kent though as most of the roads are quite wide and so it's rarely an issue, only really when something has gone wrong and chaos ensues!
Fair point - for me there are plenty of places that the CR already feels too wide - usually where a road designed for two lanes has been made into three and there is very limited space. I suppose i should have added that the GS I tried felt huge - maybe after a while I would have acclimatised. But roads like this would be quite intimidating on anything much wider than I've got.Nice review, thanks. Like you, I think the later Cross runners are a big step forward. I commute from Kent in to Central London on a GS1200 and I really rate it as a commuter. It's only 4.5cms wider than a cross runner so while little scooters and 125s can sometimes get through gaps I can't not many grown up bikes can in reality - sports bikes are a nightmare in traffic (I did it for 10+ years before seeing the light) as although slimmer they have no steering lock and so struggle with gaps I can often get through on the GS. I'm lucky on the commute from Kent though as most of the roads are quite wide and so it's rarely an issue, only really when something has gone wrong and chaos ensues!
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