Honda Crosstourer Woes!!

[fredz43]

I did see your AT review and that bike is very intriguing. I think I'll be on pavement a solid 80% of the time though, so I'd enjoy the ST's on-road strengths over the AT.

I don't make it up to Litchfield from St. Louis often, but if I get a chance to stop in there, I'll look for you. Thanks.

Yes, that is why I am sticking with my 14 ES, love it and it is a much better on road bike.

I don't work full time at Niehaus, just fill in when the "real" salesmen take time off. Just send me a PM if you're heading up this way.

 

[STLRider]

I've been meaning to get back to this forum. In late 2016, I was in full on search mode for a used 2nd gen ST. Since those had not been out long, that search proved near impossible. I was tempted many times by some leftover new 13 ST’s, but based on the improvements that I kept reading about, I wanted a 14 ST or newer. Failing to find the deal that I was looking for, I ended up buying a significantly marked down, leftover, 16 VFR1200X last summer. The irony is obvious, the VFR doesn't have the cruise control or ride modes that I had been passing over the 13 ST for. However, I love the X's engine and also really like the looks of it. Like the 1200F before it, the X isn’t selling well. It has no business having a $16K MSRP, but I think it’s a nice bike new in the 11’s, where I found it.

I don’t expect many on here to care much about the VFR, and shake my head at the minor things that Honda could have done to make this bike better. However, I am happy to be part of the ADV family, even though the X is best suited for the pavement. It's quite amusing how, at least here in the midwest US, the general public reacts when they see this style bike. It's so outside of the box as to what most people expect a bike to be, but I think that's a good thing.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Dogdaze]

I've been meaning to get back to this forum. In late 2016, I was in full on search mode for a used 2nd gen ST. Since those had not been out long, that search proved near impossible. I was tempted many times by some leftover new 13 ST’s, but based on the improvements that I kept reading about, I wanted a 14 ST or newer. Failing to find the deal that I was looking for, I ended up buying a significantly marked down, leftover, 16 VFR1200X last summer. The irony is obvious, the VFR doesn't have the cruise control or ride modes that I had been passing over the 13 ST for. However, I love the X's engine and also really like the looks of it. Like the 1200F before it, the X isn’t selling well. It has no business having a $16K MSRP, but I think it’s a nice bike new in the 11’s, where I found it.

I don’t expect many on here to care much about the VFR, and shake my head at the minor things that Honda could have done to make this bike better. However, I am happy to be part of the ADV family, even though the X is best suited for the pavement. It's quite amusing how, at least here in the midwest US, the general public reacts when they see this style bike. It's so outside of the box as to what most people expect a bike to be, but I think that's a good thing.

Enjoy the ride!

I love the V4 Crossdresser, but as you mentioned, no cruise and a heavyweight bike at that was a no-go for me. But you are always welcome on this forum, we really don't care what you ride, just as long as you do, or in my case, try to ::010::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Like Dog wrote, glad to have you here regardless of what you have. So many of us have been here for so long that a lot of it is just the friendships.

 

[STLRider]

I love the V4 Crossdresser, but as you mentioned, no cruise and a heavyweight bike at that was a no-go for me. But you are always welcome on this forum, we really don't care what you ride, just as long as you do, or in my case, try to ::010::

I appreciate the welcome! Crossdresser? Ah man, I can't let my Harley buddies know about that name. VFR1200X never sounded better.

As far as the weight, I jumped between both the ST and X in the same dealership and I honestly didn't notice the near 30lb difference between bikes. Both felt tall and top heavy to me, so the weight didn't factor into my decision. The v4, and eventually price, did.

Without question, the gen 2 ST has nicer finishing touches, better electronics, and the ES option. As Fred points out earlier in this thread, the X didn't get the gen2 treatment it should have by now.

 

[Nikolajsen]

I was also thinking about the Crosstourer, when I bought a new S10 in spring 2017.
But on Denmark the Honda is about 7.000$ more than the S10, and the missing cruise, and a little heavier, and I think it is a bit more difficult to do maintenance on, very little space on top of engine..
And a bit shorter suspension travel, and not so many miles on a tank af fuel ;-)

 

[Sierra1]

Crossdresser?! ) I'm guessing iPhone spell checking? ) No offense, but that's funny as hell!! Definitely going to use that in the future! )

 

[Dogdaze]

Crossdresser?! ) I'm guessing iPhone spell checking? ) No offense, but that's funny as hell!! Definitely going to use that in the future! )

No iPhone typo or spell check, just my blend of humour ::013::

 

[spinalator]

I've been meaning to get back to this forum.

Enjoy the ride!

What range do you get on a tank? I was always curious. My VFR was terrible, I would carry gas on long tours.

 

[greg the pole]

Welcome..
I sort of left myself ::015::
https://flic.kr/p/EybByM

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome..
I sort of left myself ::015::
https://flic.kr/p/EybByM

Nothing against the Africa Twin, but every time I see somebody use the AT initials, I think of these:
::013::

 

[RCinNC]

Same thing happens to me every time I see the words "S10"...my default setting is to think they're talking about a small Chevy pickup.

 

[greg the pole]

Nothing against the Africa Twin, but every time I see somebody use the AT initials, I think of these:
::013::

the ATs are bad ass! ::014::

 

[STLRider]

What range do you get on a tank? I was always curious. My VFR was terrible, I would carry gas on long tours.

I ride a lot of fun back roads at a good pace and don't cruise down the highway or interstate at a set speed very often. So that kind of riding is getting me 200 miles a tank, or about 38 MPG. Obviously, nothing great. I've put about 1,400 miles on the bike. The one time that I did ride some extensive highway, I topped off at the end and saw a 45 MPG avg (which matched the bike's computer calc). I think 250 miles a tank is no problem.

 

[STLRider]

Welcome..
I sort of left myself ::015::
https://flic.kr/p/EybByM

Great looking bike, GTP. The 1200X that I bought was surrounded by AT's on the showroom floor. That was a pretty tough call for me because I do love it, especially in your red, white, and blue. In the end, I stopped kidding myself, admitting that a fireroad here and there will be the extent of my off-roading. The X's road manners better fit the adventures that I'll be on.

 

[greg the pole]

Great looking bike, GTP. The 1200X that I bought was surrounded by AT's on the showroom floor. That was a pretty tough call for me because I do love it, especially in your red, white, and blue. In the end, I stopped kidding myself, admitting that a fireroad here and there will be the extent of my off-roading. The X's road manners better fit the adventures that I'll be on.

Good call! Suit the bike to your needs. Last year, I got a bit giddy off road with the ST, and almost put a hole in my oil sump, even though the ACD skid plate was installed.
Order of the day: Less weight, more ground clearance. The AT is the ticket for me.

I'll be doing a proper write up mid april after my Cali trip on the new scooter. Excited!

 

[AVGeek]

Same thing happens to me every time I see the words "S10"...my default setting is to think they're talking about a small Chevy pickup.

You and me both...and I owned both a 94 Chevy version, as well as a 97 GMC (which was a huge pile of crap!)

 

[Sierra1]

Same thing happens to me every time I see the words "S10"...my default setting is to think they're talking about a small Chevy pickup.

::026:: (they were likely built by Isuzu since the Chevy Luv was)

 

[WJBertrand]

Yeah, I can't bring myself to call my beautiful Super Tenere an "S10" due to the unfavorable image that Chevy connotes in my head. Unfortunately, the S10 was a domestic product. I cringe slightly when I see our magnificent bikes referred to that way. The Isuzu version wasn't great but it was better (quality/reliability wise) than the domestic S10 and it's GMC twin (forget what it was called).

 

[bigbob]

it's GMC twin (forget what it was called).

I have no problem with my S10 Tenere since I did not want a Chevy 10. I had a GMC S15!