Ready for the dirt?
If you’re familiar with Honda products (and you should be by now), you’ll recognise the Crosstour name from the company’s automobile line-up.
Honda’s version of the BMW GS beater.
Well, Honda’s winged branch borrowed the name and tagged it onto an adventure-touring concept, shown today at the EICMA show in Milan.
The Crosstour two-wheeler is powered by the same engine as the VFR1200F DCT, which resides in an aluminum twin-beam frame using a single-sided swingarm.
Oh, and wheels are spoked, with the spokes mounted to the outer edges of the rims — like BMW has been doing for years — to mount tubeless tires.
After watching the video below, I would have to say that this thing kinda looks like the bastard child of a new VFR and the Veradero, wearing BMW swag from Walmart. 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6ysVty2dWs&feature=player_embedded
Yup, Honda is paying attention. BMW’s 1200GS is the sales leader of these big adventure bikes.
How’s this adventure-touring bike thing working out for BMW? Think Honda is paying attention?
Thanks for the mail. Yes you are right, I mixed up the Cross bikes “Mea culpa!”
Still think they aren’t all that great looking or inspiring. I had hoped for more.
Versys Chris
Eh? I think you’re thinking of the Crossrunner.
Sorry, I forgot to add, it’s also not running on spoked rims. They are cast.
Hi guys,
I would like to correct the post. The Crosstour is powered by a 800cc engine not the 1200cc. It’s a recycled VFR800 motor, just like they recycled the Euro / US Deauville 700 motor used in the DN-01. The bike is another strange creation from Honda after the DN. They must be smoking something good. Anyway, the bike has a ready to ride weight of 240 kg / 530 lbs, runs on 120/70-17 & 180/55-17 tires and is intended for on-road use only (Honda).
Another disappointment from the Wing brand.
Versys Chris
No longer a ‘concept’
http://www.crosstour.ca/home.php?language=en
Hey, I’ve got a DR650 and at 350 pounds it is too heavy in tight stuff trails too. Dirt roads and the like seems to be the normal environment for these new larger dual sports.
Looks like I mixed up Crosstour and Crosrunner … LOL :upset
Oh boy, just when I thought that Honda is done with the stupid “new” bike releases. 530lbs wet? This bike makes zero sense …. like DN-01. I guess they wanted to be first to call a bike a crossover. OK they succeeded.
The idea of most of these bikes is they are comfy with there long suspension, pretty good power and handling, and you don’t mind taking them down dirt roads or a bit of mud. Kind of like a 4×4 Suburban, would you go off road in one? I would in yours but not mine and for there purpose I think they work great.
Coming to an overpriced chain coffee shop near you soon !!!
I wonder what kind of weight this rig is going to come in at? Bloated, like the Varadero? Will it be too heavy (like the GS, really) for any sensible person to take off-road? Why bother with spoked wheels and then put such street-oriented tires on them?
I wonder what sort of pricing we’ll be looking at if and when it arrives here. Same question for the Super Tenere. Maybe there’s a big market out there for $18,000-$20,000+ bikes like this out there, but I’m not going to be part of it, I don’t think. Otherwise I might already be riding a new Multistrada.