P&H Motorcycles News & Events

The new Honda Crosstourer has proved to be a hit with the experts.

When Honda announced that the Crosstourer concept machine was becoming a full production model, it promised to deliver all the fun and excitement of a sports-tourer, with the comfortable, upright riding position and manoeuvrability of an adventure machine.

First unveiled at the 2010 WICMA International Motorcycle Show as the concept model, the response was resoundingly positive and a year later it was back at the same event as a production version.

Key to helping Honda achieve its vision for the bike is to have taken the best features from the highly popular VFR1200F sports tourer, including the powerful V4 engine, and fitting those into a typical off-road machine.

The final result is an upright, long-travel suspension off-roader, with added versatility provided by the option of adding the innovative second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission technology.

Yosuke Hasegawa, leader of the Crosstourer development team, said: "The Crosstourer offers a high-level fusion of vibrant off-road styling, upright riding position, V engine power and Dual Clutch Transmission that offers more direct power transmission and easy operation.

"We are convinced that we have successfully brought out new value in what can be termed the true crossover concept."

Mark Forsyth of Visordown is one the lucky few to have been given a ride on the Crosstourer, which will be available from UK dealerships next month, and has been impressed by the machine.

The upright position is excellent, he explains, giving the individual the chance to see corners well in advance and allowing riders to see over hedgerows, parked cars and other obstacles.

Yet this does not come at the expense of comfort or a compromise in the quality of the ride.

The major strength, Mr Forsyth explains, is the amount of torque the engine produces. Without having to chase revs or keep changing up the gears the bike is able to offer some real punch.

"Through much of our 180km road route I barely touched the gear lever. Just rolling on and off the power in third gear was perfectly adequate to thread ten miles of corners together quickly, smoothly and enjoyably," he continued.

"When you've got massive low-down torque like this on tap it really does change the way you ride. Effortless."

The traction control system is another key factor, which is apparently remarkably simple.

Using a fly-by-wire throttle and a couple of wheel sensors, the Crosstourer can sense when there is a 25 per cent difference in wheel speed, and makes the adjustments to the throttle and fuel injection. The result is "effective and unobstrusive", says Mr Forsyth.


Motorcycle News executive editor Phil West was also at the Crosstourer's test launch in Spain, and he was also impressed by the quality of the ride.

While the bike in undeniable big and heavy - and will be more so when touring with top poxes and panniers full of kit - Mr West says the engine is perfectly suited to the bike.

"Its features more than enough electronic aids and gizmos such as traction control and sophisticated instrumentation to make it worthy of the flagship tag. It's comfortable, good looking, classily finished and undoubtedly one of the best mile munchers in the class," he notes.

Mr West goes on to add the bike may not be as sharp as Ducati's hugely popular Multistrada, he can see that the machine will prove very tempting to riders looking for an alternative to the traditional tourer machine.

In a bid to encourage more riders to take the touring plunge with the Crosstourer, Honda has introduced a new interactive app.

The Go Touring app for Android and iPhone helps bikers find the best routes in the UK and Europe, which, along with checklists and other advice, enables them to ensure they have the best possible experience on the Crosstourer.