Intermot 2014: Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
The Honda VFR800X Crossrunner features prominently in almost any discussion of cool bikes that don’t make it to the U.S. For those not already in the know, the original Crossrunner has been sold overseas since 2011. We noted its EICMA debut in 2010 and silently crossed our fingers in hope that this VFR800 framed but converted to a more upright, utilitarian positioned Naked bike would see time in our garages – to no avail.
When we first heard rumors of an updated Crossrunner for 2015, we contacted our sources inside American Honda and were told roughly, “Yeah, we heard about it, too, and no, we don’t know if it’s coming stateside.” Now, Honda Europe has made that market’s update official.
Reading through the list of improvements only furthers our desire to throw a leg over the stylish adventuresque naked bike. For 2015, the VTEC-equipped 90° V4 DOHC 16 valve engine gets a bump in torque where it matters – in the low- to mid-range. Apparently, this didn’t come at the expense of the top end with is claimed to be 105bhp at 10,250rpm.
The engine isn’t expected to be the only change. The aluminum twin-beam frame will get a revised subframe. The suspension travel will be bumped a bit: 25mm up front and 28mm in the rear. ABS will be standard on 17-inch hollow-cast aluminum wheels. Wrapped around the wheels are a 120 front tire and 180 rear. The 310mm discs will be embraced by radial-mount, four-piston calipers.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) will perform traction control duties by reducing torque to the rear wheel in the event that loss of rear wheel grip is sensed. The system has two settings in addition to off to allow riders to tune the HSTC to their tastes. Prior to moving to the Crossrunner, the system has been part of the Crosstourer for 2014 model year.
Other changes are the more aggressive riding position and the sporty new LED headlight (in fact, all lights are LED items). Comfort features include two-position height adjustments for the seat and five levels of heating for the grips.
Other features include Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system, ABS, LED lights, self-cancelling indicators and heated grips as standard.
Will the Crossrunner make it Stateside? We can always dream.
Related Reading
EICMA 2010: Honda Crossrunner Breaks Cover
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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