Howdeedoodee from Hillingdon UK

[spikidave]

[Rocker66]

Hi and  . of course I'm biased but I think that you could be really happy with the Crossrunner. I too considered the CBF1000FA as my wife has one and I have ridden it quite a few times and really like it. However I prefer the looks of the CR (yes really but then I owned a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS so many would say I have no taste ) and I really didn't want the hers/his scenario. The Crosstouer is far too tall for my little legs. I also find the varadero a bit tall for my liking as well as finding a bit heavy both in weight and in fuel consumption.
To sum up
What ever you choose I hope that you enjoy it in safety

[Smeagol]

 

Enjoy whatever you get  .

Slow No not slow  Unless your comparing it to a supersports    With 100BHP available at 10,000 revs AND loads of torque that means it will pull smoothly from 2000 revs it has more than enough for road use.  6th gear is for cruising and conserving fuel, mind you when the VTEC kicks in you still feel it pull in 6th ( but your doing 100mph by then ).  Not that I've done that on a public road of course  .

Tank range, for me, when commuting (trips vary between 2 and 30 miles each way), I'm getting around 40mpg and tend to fill up at about 150 - 160 miles putting in around 18 litres.

When I'm out playing  , normally day rides, I'm getting around 45mpg and fill up at around 180 - 190 miles putting in around 18 litres again.

For both of those I avoid motorways as far as I can, rarely doing more than a couple of miles on them.  I tend to sit at around 6000 revs, so I've got something to use when I need it  .  The sound of the VTEC coming on is a bit addictive 

The fuel gauge is pessimistic, it is consistently saying I've used about 1 litre more than I can put in the tank.

[xrunjoe]

Can't add much to previous comments - CR is a real surprise package as you have found out and am sure you will prefer it to Varadero.

[malcolm]

You will easily get 200 miles to the tank. When I first got mine running it in i was getting about 45 mpg so I was a bit worried that this would drop in the 30s as a few bike mags said on tests but after 1000 miles and I was starting to use the VTEC 6k rpm plus I was still getting 45mpg and now after 4k miles Im getting 48 mpg about 180 before reserve and you can get another 40 miles before that runs out. I do find it uses less fuel and seems to have more power at low revs If I use supper unleaded.

[Will vZ]

Hi Spikidave

I had a Varadero for a couple of years, and found it was great for touring or open roads, comfy as an armchair. For town riding it was a bit too big & top-heavy for me to feel totally comfortable in tight maneuvering, especially with a full tank (25 litres is a fair weight that far off the ground!). Handling's pretty good, but nothing like as sharp as the Cr, & at 5'9" I can get both feet flat on the ground now (just) which I couldn't quite on the Vara. I haven't tried a Crosstourer yet, but my guess is that if you found it a bit big you will find the same with the Vara. Luggage for the Vara is about the same size/capacity as Givi luggage for the Cr. Honda luggage for the Cr is pretty well covered elsewhere on this forum. The biggest difference I found with the Cr is the fun factor - it feels like it wants you go for it, especially in the twisties, in a way the Vara never did. The Vara has a bit more top end, but you'd need to be on the autobahns to (legally) notice the difference, and the Cr will get up to speed quicker. I guess it most comes down to what you want to do with it. Whichever one you settle on you'll have a good bike, so enjoy it. Let us know which one you choose.

Will.

[spikidave]

Thanks for your replies guys, your feedback is very encouraging. Sadly I didn't get myself organised to get to the dealership yesterday and will be going after work today.

One thing I've noticed which I take as good is that, the only Crossrunners currently that appear to for sale are either new ones or dealership demo ones. I know the bike has only been around for a year or so. But often people buy a new bike on a whim, then after no time at all, sell it again. This doesn't seem to happen with the Crossrunner. Once you've bought one, it seems to be a keeper, whoever you are, that can only be a good thing. Only problems I can source are leaking luggage and the occasional gear leaver pinnion leak, so i'll check these at the dealer later.

I'll let all know how I get on.

[spikidave]

An update as promised. I finally decided to get a Varadero, It just felt right for me and really no other reason. There's no denying, the Crossrunner is an awsome bike and I loved it, but I just felt better on the Varadero and less likely to ride like a loon.

Thanks to all those who made me feel welcome and safe riding.

[uoorns]

Spikidave- good luck with the Vara - i'm sure you'll enjoy it - i rode one for 3 years. It's very good bike - yes now outdated but nevertheless very comfortable and fast if you want it to be. A great load lugger.  But I was disappointed with fuel consumption - it won't be as good as the CR.   I think Will vZ below had it spot on with his comparison that the Vara does a good steady solid job but the CR has more excitement. But because of that I can see the sense of you saying you are less likely to ride like a loon on the Vara. 

[malcolm]

I tried one of these to tall and top heavy,brakes suspension engine felt like a very old design I cant believe they are still selling them.