Living with the Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer

africajim · Post by **africajim** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:09 pm

Well, that's my first season with the Crosstourer, I hope to get it out maybe another one or two runs this month but if the gritters appear that'll be it for this year.
Any way, only 4000 miles on the VFR1200X this year due to health issues. I'm still coming to grips with the power and speed of the bike. It's sooo silky smooth power delivery it's easy to rack up high speeds if not paying attention.
I use the bike for long distance hauls rather than to the shops, I use the @T for that! I've also put a couple of thousand miles on the Varadero this season but it is more and more being left sitting as I pick the Crosstourer or the Africa Twin!

Ok, as for the VFR1200X Crosstourer, I have fitted Givi crashbars in case I drop it on tracks, topbox is my Honda OEM from the Varadero which it also shares with the @T. Givi quick release racks have been adapted to take my alli Alpos side boxes. A couple of power sockets, one in the dash and one under the seat cover the satnav and charging so it's prepped for touring.
The bike takes around 20 litres of fuel and usually manages 220 to 230 miles to empty so averaging at 50 to 53mpg. The adjustable suspension takes a bit of setting up but once set the bike rides very well and pegs can be touched down occasionally. The traction control and anti wheelie have their uses too, as do the linked ABS brakes, making the VFR a brilliant handling bike which is very easy to ride.
This is one of the quickest bikes I've ever owned! Powerwise, it will break all UK speed limits in first gear before the limiter, second gear will very nearly see three figures as the bike hits the rev limiter! Wheelies from 60mph to 80mph in 2nd gear off the throttle! It does occasionally lift the front in 3rd and 4th gears putting it on the back wheel into three figured speeds. This bike is just a THUG!

For people looking for a competent touring adventure bike I think this is a worthy contender against the BMW1200GS, the Ducati Multistrada and the Yamaha XT1200Z, with Honda build quality and three year warranty and Euro recovery it's a sound package. I've enjoyed my first season on the bike and plan on doing a lot more miles on it next year!

Just thought I'd share my experience with the Crosstourer.

: 28092012906_2012-10-04.jpg (60.93 KiB) Viewed 2832 times

Sprockette · Post by **Sprockette** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:39 pm

Sounds like you made a good choice there Jim, keep us posted!

felco · Post by **felco** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:04 pm

Sounds like its great fun to ride and decent on fuel for a bike with that much power,look forward to more info on this bike as the miles go on, keep us posted.and keep the front end down :whistle:

cozmo1589 · Post by **cozmo1589** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:31 am

Wheelies from 60 to 80 mph in second gear, on an big heavy adventurer bike, get a fire blade mate if that's what you're after, you must be ragging the nuts of it LOL

special one · Post by **special one** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:36 am

Nice

I'm changing my sprint next year, I will test ride one of these.

Not impressed with the anti wheelie feature though if you can lift the front in second gear at 60

macvisual · Post by **macvisual** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:56 am

Glad your enjoying it Jim, rev the nutts of it, that's what they are for.

Enjoyed your snap-shot report of your Crosstourer, I seen quite a few in Europe on a recent trip, I like them I do!

Hmmmmm 'V4' smoothness with mega grunt, nice mixture!!!!!!

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:49 am

Looks lovely.......................fancy one of them

africajim · Post by **africajim** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:36 pm

Thanks for the responses.
Quick update, I can't quite rag the VFR, it's a tad too scary for that! The anti wheelie seems to come in real quick in 1st gear but in second the bike climbs quite a bit before anti wheelie catches on and lowers it back down!
The fuel economy is if you're tootling! Ragging it (well, as much as I can) the bike has a powerful thirst! But that's not what it's about really. If you want a bit of fun the bike is certainly grin inducing and can also cut it as a long distance two up tourer.
Horses for courses as I always say, I've had a Blade, not the best for packing my stuff on and hitting rough tracks! But,,,, DAMN! The Blade's a flier!
As I have a reputation for moaning about my last bike I just thought folk would appreciate my opinion on my latest ride, the Crosstourer. Unlike the bike it replaced, this one's been a peach! But then, it is a Honda!

russ_fae_fyvie · Post by **russ_fae_fyvie** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:48 pm

100% agree Jim, no surprise there eh !!

:woohoo:

fionaann · Post by **fionaann** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:54 pm

Well as africajim's other half I can honestly say that the crosstourer is very powerful as ive sat on the back, the vibration when he revs up is so powerful im going to start taking a spare pair of knickers with me the next time im on the back :whistle: