Potential Crossrunner Owner from Hampshire UK

[GeoffB]

Hi all,

Virtual cheers 

I’m Geoff from Portsmouth 

Having owned a 2020 BMW F900XR that was a very disappointing introduction to adventure/sport tourers for me, I am carefully choosing my next bike for touring.  The Beemer was sooooo uncomfortable to ride and I had recall issues that led to me selling the bike after 18 months. I currently have a 1998 Triumph Daytona T595 (later rebranded as the 955i), owned since new and still my pride and joy.  The trouble is that even with a top yoke conversion for a more upright riding position, it is not suitable for touring when you are the wrong side of 50 like me! 

After researching several brands, including the Triumph Tiger range, I am quite taken with the VFR800 Crossrunner and would prefer a used bike now anyway.  For me the most important feature of a bike like this is comfort on long journeys, although a quick shifter and heated grips are nice too.

I plan to lurk here and learn more while I keep an eye on what’s for sale out there 2016 and newer.

Cheers

Geoff 

[Corringdon]

  Welcome to the forum, Geoff.
It's unfortunate but all Beemers have suffered awful reliability issues over the last few years. Fortunately that particular problem very seldom occurs in Crossrunners.

[Skids]

Geoff, hi and welcome.

I think your research has led you to the right place and you wont get a dissenting word about the Crossie here, not surprising as that is.

There are quite a few good low mileage models around and as you already have a great bike, there's no rush, and that means you can wait for the bike that you want.

Probably worth organising a test ride at a dealer if you can. That way you can see if the ergos work for you. I'd have no issues touring on mine as I love the riding position but luckily I have a VFR1200 for that.

Having said all that, the Crossie is not perfect out of the box. Depending on your riding the suspension can be improved and the brakes, whilst adequate, are not the best. But easy and a joy to ride, reliable and quick enough, I'm sure you'll love it once you buy one.

Please keep us updated with your search and pics when you finally decide. 

[GeoffB]

Originally Posted by Corringdon

Welcome to the forum, Geoff.
It's unfortunate but all Beemers have suffered awful reliability issues over the last few years. Fortunately that particular problem very seldom occurs in Crossrunners.

I appreciate the welcome 

[GeoffB]

Originally Posted by Skids

Geoff, hi and welcome.

I think your research has led you to the right place and you wont get a dissenting word about the Crossie here, not surprising as that is.

There are quite a few good low mileage models around and as you already have a great bike, there's no rush, and that means you can wait for the bike that you want.

Probably worth organising a test ride at a dealer if you can. That way you can see if the ergos work for you. I'd have no issues touring on mine as I love the riding position but luckily I have a VFR1200 for that.

Having said all that, the Crossie is not perfect out of the box. Depending on your riding the suspension can be improved and the brakes, whilst adequate, are not the best. But easy and a joy to ride, reliable and quick enough, I'm sure you'll love it once you buy one.

Please keep us updated with your search and pics when you finally decide. 

Thanks for the tips and welcome    I have been looking at the 1200 as well, with the advantage of shaft drive 

[brucey]

Hi Geoff and welcome. The 1200 is a very comfy bike but oh, so so heavy (and a bit top-heavy at that). The Crossrunner is a great bike and as it's a Honda, reliable. I changed the standard (non-adjustable) screen on my 2017 Mk 2 to the adjustable Powerbronze one, but the Mk 3 already has an adjustable one, so I'd definintely take a test ride to see if you're happy with what it does. There are many tweaks that you can make with relatively little expense, and the chances are that someone on here has already done it, so browse the forum and glean all the knowledge that's relevant to how you want to ride before you go to the dealer.
Don't know if they're all like it, but mine is a bit lumpy below 3,000 rpm so I don't ride it below that. 3k rpm doesn't feel high at all, so it doesn't bother me and on your test ride, make sure that you take it above 6,500 rpm when the VTEC kicks in. It's brilliant and the sound from the exhaust is amazing.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by brucey

Hi Geoff and welcome. The 1200 is a very comfy bike but oh, so so heavy (and a bit top-heavy at that). The Crossrunner is a great bike and as it's a Honda, reliable. I changed the standard (non-adjustable) screen on my 2017 Mk 2 to the adjustable Powerbronze one, but the Mk 3 already has an adjustable one, so I'd definintely take a test ride to see if you're happy with what it does. There are many tweaks that you can make with relatively little expense, and the chances are that someone on here has already done it, so browse the forum and glean all the knowledge that's relevant to how you want to ride before you go to the dealer.
Don't know if they're all like it, but mine is a bit lumpy below 3,000 rpm so I don't ride it below that. 3k rpm doesn't feel high at all, so it doesn't bother me and on your test ride, make sure that you take it above 6,500 rpm when the VTEC kicks in. It's brilliant and the sound from the exhaust is amazing.

No heavier than comparable bikes and it disappears completely once moving.

Standard suspension needs an upgrade but the engine and brakes are ridiculously good and it's a Honda!

I'm lucky, I have both bikes (and an 01 800  ).

[GeoffB]

Hi all,

I have put a deposit down on a 2016 Triumph Sprint GT 1050 so no Honda for me this time around but, who knows, I may be back! 

Cheers

Geoff

[Skids]

Good luck 

[GeoffB]

Originally Posted by Skids

Good luck 

Thank you