Honda teased us last year with the Honda Crosstourer Concept, but for the 2011 EICMA show, the Japanese manufacturer is making good on its promise to bring the GS-lookalike to market. Based off the VFR1200F, the 2012 Honda Crosstourer comes with traction control, combined anti-lock brakes (C-ABS), and of course an optional dual-clutch transmission. While the Crosstourer shares the VFR’s 1,237cc V4 motor, the adventure bike model puts out a significantly lower 127hp @ 7,750 rpm, while a gluttonous 93 lbs•ft torque @ 6,500 rpm remains on-tap.
Clearly a road-focused adventure-tourer model, the Honda Crosstourer may never have the off-road pedigree as the BMW R1200GS it is meant to emulate, but true to Honda fashion, the Crosstourer has plenty of technical prowess built into it. For instance, the idea of using DCT technology for an adventure bike should prove interesting, as it takes the process of having to manage the clutch/motor over unsteady terrain out of the picture.
Adding traction control and C-ABS to the mix only heightens how the Crosstourer will be an easy bike to ride off-road (we’re ignoring its 600+ lbs riding weight for now). While purists will protest, no one should be surprised by Honda’s “better living through technology” approach. Other features include ride-by-wire throttle control, a shaft-drive that is housed in the single-sided swingarm, and the ability to mount tubeless tires on the Crosstourer’s 19″ front wheel and 17″ rear wheel.
It will be interesting to see how Honda positions the Crosstourer in the market. With everyone wanting a piece of BMW’s pie, some OEMs are going directly after the R1200GS, while others are looking for unexplored real estate in the adventure space. One of the newest market segments in motorcycling, there could be something to the notion that we haven’t quite vetted out what riders are looking for in this space.
Like with the VFR, Honda’s strategy here seems to lean towards creating new class definitions. If the Honda VFR1200F sat at the intersection of sport and sport-tourer, then the 2012 Honda Crosstourer seems ready to straddle the fence at tourer and adventure-tourer. The question remains though, are consumers looking for a more road-oriented machine that can occasionally do off-road duty? Or, are these purchases aspirational, fueled with dreams that go the long way around? Maybe the better question is at what price point do those dreams occur, and how will Honda live up to its dream to take on BMW? Stay tuned.
Source: Honda
It looks lighter than the Crossrunner (even if it isn’t). Maybe because it doesn’t look so fatty around the engine, I suppose. I quite like it.
As for the on-off road ability, most GS’s never seem to go eat a little dirt, it seems. Maybe it will be succesfull just because of the riding posture (I dig it too) and the “adventurer allure”. After seeing so much SUVs stopped in traffic in the crowded city I live, I don’t doubt it.
I suspect it could come in a little lighter than the VFR1200F. Less complicated fairing, lighter mirrors, smaller muffler, smaller brakes.
This has the potential to be a real winner.
I like what they are trying to do, but not so sure I like what they’ve done. Aside from being one of the most aesthetically uninspiring things I’ve seen in a while the ergonomics and geometry seem a bit weird from the picture. The seat looks too far back, the pegs too far forward (relative to the seat – move the seat up a foot and they’d be about right) and the forks too raked out.
127hp (crank?) seems rather pathetic for a 1200cc four. Ducati’s twin is doing well more than that.
everyone that travels gets caught on a dirt road now and then but unless it has a large fuel tank cruse control and a place to mount hwy. pegs to straighten out the knees leave out the old guys, which this seems to be the market there going for. I’ll probally keep my 1200RT
Seems as if Honda did the old bait and switch with this Bloated Pig.
SO, this means we won’t be seen anytime soon the replacement of the ST1300 based of the VFR1200 that should have been out by now and before this long legged Pig ?…oh Honda, U so crazy…LMFAO.
http://www.smcars.net/forums/honda/34231-2010-honda-vfr-1200f.html
I guess SPORT-Tourers are dead and the thing replacing it is “UP-RIGHT Sport-Tourers” ?
Whats wrong with nice GT machines instead of these friggin 2 wheeled tractors ? lol.
@Random: LOL, the CrossDresser does look fatter, lmao.
@BikePilot: I thought i was the only one, the fork does look raked for an ADV Machine.
Don’t get too hung up on the HP Game, i bet what it lost on Top it makes it up in low-mid range torque like it should and really needs it.
@Don: I wouldn’t trade an R1200RT over this thing…not yet anyways…lol.
@ MikeD: Yeah, it seems no real 1200 V4 tourer. At least the 2012 VFR has TC and a bigger tank (they don’t reveal how much bigger, though).
Why all on-off inspired bikes have that annoying “beak” under the front lights? Both this and the new Multistrada would look so, so much better without those strange appendices. And that thingy is there even if they have low front fenders. Highly annoying.
I think that this has potential. The esthetics aren’t half bad. The riding position looks reasonable, at least compared to the VFR on which it is based (yes, I know that they’re SUPPOSED to different). I hope the seat height will be adjustable, as not everyone is 6′ 2″ tall. I would assume that the narrow seating area made possible by the narrower rear cylinder bank will help in “flat” footing it. I hope that bike is less “bulky” than the GS. I’ve sat on the thing and honestly I feel as if I’m going to fall over (I’m 5′ 10.5″ in socks). I’m a big fan of the DCT option. I just think that it makes a bike easier to live with. I hope that cast wheels might be available as well. Of course the clincher is the price. I don’t need to tell my fellow conspirators that the GS ain’t cheap, especially when larded up with the seemingly endless options that are available. If the DCT version of this thing comes comes in in the low twenties sans many options, I think Honda may have a problem. Indeed, I would argue that if the price is more or less the same, without things like ESA, etc. being available, Honda could have trouble. But then what do I know? I’ll shut up now.
Follow up: I’d assume that the tank will afford “sufficient” range as well. That has been a big knock against the VFR–a well deserved one. As for the commentator bemoaning the absence of ST1300 replacement, I would assume that it will be introduced about this time next year. So just hang on. That said, the ST is pretty long of tooth and it must be frustrating to wait so long for its replacement.