Honda 800x crossrunner

[porter]

Anyone  out there  with a Honda 800x crossrunner?  If so what do you think. Nice looking bike and well finished plus a good deal at the moment, free panniers or 500 quid off.

[kissofdeath]

not sure about the crossrunner but a couple of us have a crosstourer and love them. Falkland bomber has just done the iron arse 1k mile challenge without any problems 

[porter]

The tourer is nice but too big and heavy for me,  I struggle with the Veek as is.
I went to look at the tracer gt but seen the crossrunner instead. The tracer looks cheap,  but at 10800 its not cheap anymore!  Honda looks much better quality. I've had vfr 750's before and loved the engine. My 2015 Veek is not worth much now, march 15, 23k miles. Was offered 5k trade on a bike over 10k or 4.5k on anything under 10k.
.

[Griff2]

I have heard various aspects about the Runner which of course is the bike in question. Very good motor and the bike is a blast to ride. VFR owners with the same engine been impressed with them. Service bills can be high due to variable valve timing. The tank is too small.

[porter]

Yes I know the 16k service is expensive but then again my dealer wanted 520 quid to service the Veek. But I could do the strom myself. 
Forum says they have a weak rear shock for two up use, that's what I do so not so good.  And no hyperpro rear spring available like I put in my Veek.
Think I'll sleep on it.

[vstroman]

The Crossrunner is a good bike, maybe a little small for 2up with luggage, it would have ample power though, wouldn't worry too much about the valve check, many leave Vfr's till 32k for the check, or never check them at all,
have you considered an Africa Twin? the 2018 adventure sport looks some bike, maybe a bit on the large side though.

[porter]

No I never considered the Africa twin, I want lower and smaller and  I don't want tubed tyres.
I've done nothing more.  The deal was 500 quid off the list price from Honda plus anothet 500 off from the dealer but looking at the figures all they done was take 500 off my trade in. With my 15 Veek so low trade in value I think it'll have to be a strom 650, versy 650, tracer 700 or bm 750 gs.  I'll see at the end of the season.

[mrp192]

A friend had the mk2 cross runner, apparently much better than the original, but has since swapped to the DCT Africa Twin and much prefers it. Does mainly two up leisure riding.

[vstroman]

I didn't realise the Africa Twin used tubed tyres,that would put me off them too,wonder why they didn't go tubeless like the crosstourer.

[porter]

Looking again today. My local dealer has a triumph tiger sport, multistrada 950 and a tracer gt in. Sat on all three, tiger is a heavy tank, multi a bit like the Veek, maybe a bit lighter but not much and the tracer felt like a toy, much lighter.
They also had the new 650 strom too, light but I found the riding position strange, it has the normal low seat hight and high pegs all stroms do but also the bars are far away, a stretch even for me and I'm not small. I liked the tracer best but I think the wife would like it least.

[vstroman]

If you lower the pegs and bring the bars up and back the 650 will feel a lot better, just wonder if it has enough power for 2 up touring? I suppose it would but overtakes would need more planning.

[porter]

Yes the 650 might not have the poke I'm looking for, I need to test one but it has the right price tag!    its time I slowed down anyway, I say that then someone passes me!
Its hard to find a bike that has a bit of go, not to heavy or big, good for two and  not crazy money. Four years ago the only one was the Veek..

[vstroman]

You are looking for the Goldilocks of bikes Porter, you never know what might be released at the bike shows this year though I haven't any rumours of new models coming, try the 650 it might surprise you, I think the new model has a few hp more but I prefer the twin headlight beakless model I have myself. Also try the your original idea the crossrunner, upgrading the rear shock might make it your ideal bike and that Honda V4 is a legendary engine.

[porter]

Trouble with the Honda here in Ulster is there expensive, £11300 but in England there are good deals, under 10k and a few low mileage secondhand ones to, none here. But when we trade in they use the English gap guide so we get screwed, twice!   Bike shows are only round the corner now, we'll see what appears.

[Mark Shelley]

When I decided to change my 1100GS I wanted something lighter that was spacious enough to tour two up in comfort and with enough power to pull up mountain passes with ease when packed to the gunwales. After a lot of research I devided on a 2014 VStrom 650. Three years later I know I made the right decision. I have added footrest lowering kit and SW Motech ‘up and back’ risers and it is so easy to rider long distance.

[user650]

Full loaded two up never had a problem
https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=33637.msg350481#msg350481

[porter]

You've sure got it loaded there!  How does the new models suspension cope with two up riding?

[user650]

The front is non adjustable but is about spot on for all types of riding even two up, the rear took a little time to get right but now it is it handles extremely well. I was very loaded for this weekend but the vstrom coped very well, no problem keeping up with everyone and quicker than some 
When we are two up on the vstrom, my wife thinks it's the most comfy of all the 650's I've had

[Tusker]

you are sharp in the twisties Paul,, you don't lose any pace..    just saying that smooth and even is a good thing on a 650. I'm opposite that's why I like a little grunt, I lose pace in the corners then catch up on the straight.  I am speaking from real experience I followed you from Hawes to Ingleton one day !!...

[user650]