It’s a concept that has proved successful in mainland Europe, but not so much so in other markets. UK riders might be surprised to learn that Yamaha still offers the TDM900 here, while it simply doesn’t bother in North America. An odd situation, especially given the very healthy sales figures of ‘proper’ adventure bikes such as the BMW R 1200 GS.
Whether the looks of the Crossrunner will help increase the popularity of this class of bike is debateable. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the Crossrunner’s styling seems to pull off the trick of appearing bulky yet overly fussy at the same time. Photogenic it is not.
But the Crossrunner won’t be short on power. Its engine is a V4 unit, previously seen in the VFR800 sports tourer. Producing 100 bhp (75 kW / 101 PS) and 72 Nm of torque, it features the VTEC valve timing system, which wasn’t always too popular with VFR riders. However, in this application, Honda engineers have tweaked it to ensure that power delivery is smooth and linear.
A claimed side effect of the engine retune is improved fuel consumption. It’s reckoned that the Crossrunner will have a range of 216 miles (348 km) from its 4.7 gallon (21.5 litre) fuel tank, which is equivalent to around 45 mpg (6.2 l/100km).
The Crossrunner has an aluminium twin-spar frame. Connected to it are 43 mm cartridge forks with adjustable dampers at the front, while at the rear there’s a Honda Pro-link rising-rate linkage system with a gas filled damper and coil-over spring, both of which are adjustable.
Braking performance should be one of the bike’s strong points. There are twin 296 mm floating discs with three-piston calipers at the front, while the rear wheel gets a 256 mm single disc with a twin-piston caliper. An anti-lock system comes as standard.
Prices for the Honda Crossrunner have yet to be announced, but European buyers will have a choice of three colour schemes: Graphite Black / Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic, Pearl Fadeless White / Matt Bullet Silver Metallic or Candy Blazing Red / Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic.
There will be plenty of optional extras available, too. These include a higher windscreen, fairing deflectors, heated grips, centre stand (pretty much an essential on a chain-driven bike like the Crossrunner?), 12V DC socket, alarm, 29-litre capacity panniers and 31-litre capacity top box.
2011 Honda Crossrunner Technical Specification | |
|---|---|
ENGINE | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC 90° V-4 |
| Displacement | 782 cc |
| Bore × Stroke | 72 × 48 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.6:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 100 bhp / 74.9 kW / 101PS at 10,000 min-1 (95/1/EC) |
| Max. Torque | 72.8 Nm at 9,500 min-1 (95/1/EC) |
| Idling Speed | 1,200 min-1 |
| Oil Capacity | 3.8 litres |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Carburetion | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
| Throttle Bore | 36 mm |
| Air Cleaner | Oil-permeated, cartridge-type paper filter |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 21.5 litres |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
| Ignition System | Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance |
| Ignition Timing | 8° BTDC (idle) ~ 50° BTDC (1,200 min-1) |
| Sparkplug Type | IMR9D-9H (NGK); VNH27Z (DENSO) |
| Starter | Electric |
| Battery Capacity | 12 V / 11 AH (YTZ-12S) |
| ACG Output | 386 W |
| Headlights | 12 V; 55 W × 1 (low) / 55 W × 1 (high) |
DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate with coil springs |
| Clutch Operation | Hydraulic |
| Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed |
| Primary Reduction | 1.934 (64/33) |
| Gear Ratios | 1: 2.846 (37/13) / 2: 2.062 (33/16) / 3: 1.578 (30/19) / 4: 1.291 (31/24) / 5: 1.111 (30/27) / 6: 0.965 (28/29) |
| Final Reduction | 2.687 (43/16) |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
FRAME | |
| Type | Diamond; aluminium twin-spar; pivotless |
CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 2,130 × 799 × 1,243 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,464 mm |
| Caster Angle | 25° 45' |
| Trail | 96 mm |
| Turning Radius | 2.8 m |
| Seat Height | 816 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 140 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 240.4 kg (F: 115.2 kg; R: 125.2 kg) |
SUSPENSION | |
| Type Front | 43 mm cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload adjustment, 108 mm axle travel |
| Type Rear | Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper, 7-step preload and stepless rebound damping adjustment, 119 mm axle travel |
WHEELS | |
| Type Front | 6-spoke cast aluminium |
| Type Rear | 5-spoke cast aluminium |
| Rim Size Front | 17M/C × MT3.50 |
| Rim Size Rear | 17M/C × MT5.50 |
| Tyre Size Front | 120/70 R17 |
| Tyre Size Rear | 180/55 R17 |
BRAKES | |
| Type Front | 296 mm dual floating hydraulic disc with 3-piston calipers, C-ABS and sintered metal pads |
| Type Rear | 256 mm hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper, C-ABS and sintered metal pads |
