One of the motorcycles Honda confirmed for production at the recent EICMA show was the Honda Crosstourer, a V4 dual sport introduced as a concept last year. Powered by a 1200cc V4 and weighing in at a bit over 600 pounds, you might say it shares some characteristics with another bike we’ve written about several times on The Kneeslider, the various “Dual Sportsters,” which were Harley Sportsters converted for off road or dual sport duty.
Whenever I write about the Harleys, saying I think they’re pretty cool, there’s always a subset of comments poking fun at the Sportsters as ungainly and far too heavy for any sort of dual sport use. The common criticism seems to be they’ll bury themselves in the dirt and they’ll break your leg or something if you fall over. I wonder if those same critics will take the same shots at the Crosstourer, or since it’s a Honda, maybe those 600 pounds are a lot lighter than 600 pounds of Harley. Or maybe, those dual Sportsters were really a neat idea after all.
Related: Harley Sportster off road conversions
Related: Harley off road conversions
B50 Jim says
No weekend rider will seriously take a 600-pound bike off-road. They’re fine for back roads and the occasional fire trail, but to do real off-road work requires something far less weighty. We’re not talking Paris-to-Dakkar here. It’s all about riding a good dual-purpose bike that will see most of its miles on the street. it would be a good touring bike for someone no wanting to follow the Gold-Wing crowd.
Yes, the Sportsters are a neat idea, as long as they are ridden within their limits, for all the reasons stated above.
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
“No weekend rider will seriously take a 600-pound bike off-road.”
Well, they might. It depends on the rider.
Hawk says
Good link Paul. If I remember correctly, you had a few more pictures of guys with BIG bikes out in the back country.
In the mid-50s I rode an Alloy Clipper. Hard to find even a picture of one now but it was a 500cc Gold Star engine in a trials frame. High pipe, skid plate, minimal lighting and knobbies. Probably 350-400 lbs. I recall riding in a Bellingham MC “Cowbell Run” (still an annual event) in a cold rain on a slippery trail over some Gawd forsaken mountain. I’d fouled a plug and darn near killed myself kicking it before another rider loaned me a plug wrench. (Not too prepared.) Going again, I’d dropped it a half dozen times and was so exhausted I just wanted to sit down and die.
I heard a “potato-potato” sound, turned to see (to my utter amazement) Trev Deeley riding past on a Harley 74, feet on the boards, smiling ……. I could have killed him.
Yes, those were the days when “You run what you brung” and I don’t know how we survived. But today, do we really need 1200cc in the back country? I’d be a lot happier half ot a third of that …. and a lot less weight … and 60 years younger.
Jeff Jones says
Does anyone think off road is really where this bike is marketed? Or that more than a handful take their GS’s (even the little ones) off road on anything other than the occasional dirt road?
GuitarSlinger says
Much like the majority of SUV’s this M/C is being marketed to the Off Road Adventure Wanna Be’s . It’s in no way able to compete with BMW’s GS’s , nor KTM’s and in fact is a bit of a disappointment from Big Red , as so many other Honda’s ( both cars and bikes ironically ) have been
As to the ‘ Dirt’ modified Sportsters , I’d certainly give one a go . What with all the videos of late ( especially from the French for some reason ) a Trackster or Dirt modified Sportster is looking mighty fun of late
But this new Honda ? Unless you’re a poseur , more concerned with Image vs Reality ….. Just Say No .
Jeff Johnson says
To see one of those on the “Fire Roads” I frequent would be very impressive. And soon after I pass them would get full roost.
Gary says
Are you telling me I’m not a serious rider? I’m the proud owner of a 08 KTM 990 Adventure with 44K on the odo. It weighs in wet (no luggage) at about 500# and loaded for a trip into the wilderness, about 620! Outfitted with Metzler Karoo’s it goes places I usually reserve for my Honda 650L. I’ve been screaming at Honda for over a decade to release their Africa Twin and TransAlp in the US. This is close but…. Not all of us are fans of the “Cruiser Bike” life where the mantra is “if it isn’t paved you can’t go there”. I think pavement is a waste of taxpayer dollars! LOL
bub says
Comparison does not make sense since this is a touring bike and the HDs conversions are dirt-cafè bikes.
Honda just made this armored tank to contrast the strong sales of BMW GS here in the old continent. No one will use this thing for real off road.
hoyt says
It makes good enough sense in light of the criticisms about the weight. If those dudes (that went as far as making their own HD suv bike) wanted to make it more touring-oriented, they could fab some bags and a touring seat.
Good one, Kneeslider.
peabody says
The whole world seems to be trending toward ugly bikes…..
What happened to sleek?
These half-assed things are a joke….
kim says
And yet the BMW has become a cult bike, with quite a large number of followers.
Now what do YOU ride?
peabody says
Because the BMW is a “cult bike” doesn’t mean that it’s nice looking….Tiny Tim was a “cult” type, too….
Nope….wire spoked wheels went out when we all got push-button phones…tubelss cast or composite are much safer…
These bikes are vutt ugly….
BTW…I ride an ST1100A….but I have owned 40 or so bikes in my life…
Have fun!
Gary says
BUT spoked wheels are better for off road because they handle abuse and impacts much better. Cellphone while a handy tool are also a dangerous pain in the ass when overused/abused by so many.
I’ve been riding since 1964 and have owned 30+ bikes, ridden about 5 times that many different models for all different genres. I prefer off road and its related equipment. Beauty is in the engineering, and the eye of the beholder.
Not all of us swoon at the sight of a fat tired, overchromed trailer queen cruiser bike.
The BMW a “cult bike”? you’re kidding right?
PS, I own 6 bikes, every one capable of off road. My “street bike” is a 100hp 1liter V-twin by KTM known as a 990 Adventure. A 500# 130mph “dirt bike”! It’s beautiful, practical, and with 44K on the odo and a few battlescars has proven itself as both a great long distance highway and off road machine.
Not everyone marches in your narrow trench Peabody
Gary says
and we hear from another who is scared to leave the paved world……..
Keith says
I find it amusing. yes an 883 based bike is a bit stout. BUT if/when you are in the middle of erehwon it will have less to break than the Honda or the BMW or the Triumph or the…well you get the point. Would I buy one? Maybe if the price is right. Or maybe I’ll just keep riding my wing on the same dirt and gravel road those are ment for..
Marvin says
I had a 1983 BMW K100 until a couple of years until 1999 which was my only bike. In all the time I had it I replaced fluids filters and a rear brake switch. It had injection on that engine but it seemed pretty sturdy to me. When I sold it it had 130K on the clock and the only real fault was the digital gear indicator was missing a couple of lines. So my money is on the BMW is less likely to break. Of course given a coise to go off road with that 600 pound bike or my old 400 pound bike, I’d chose the one from 1983!
Gary says
Just remember Marvin BMW’s are just “cult bikes” LMAO!
That had to be the funniest thing I’ve ever seen anybody write!
Bryan S. says
I’d trust the Honda over most brands any day.
Tin Man 2 says
The Yamaha GS clone also weighs more than the Sportster, just as this Honda does. Harley needs to get off its butt and bring out an Adventure Sportster, what would it cost them to put Aluminun rims and Enduro tires on a lifted Sporty??
Nicolas says
I don’t know how to say that in a way that will not wrinkle anybody, but, except for the weight, I don’t believe you can compare the state-of-the-art uber-modern V4 Honda with the fairly old-school and basic heavy iron HD twin, right ?
(old school, basic, iron, it’s not negative against HD, folks, it’s just their core business, no mean intent here)
I’m pretty sure the Honda will take you anywhere quicker faster farther with less fatigue than a Sportster. Now dumping each or the other one in a dirt would equally suck.
Nicolas says
but my all time favorite is this GSXR powered dirtbike thingy : thekneeslider.com/archives/…/suzuki-gsx-r-motocross-conversion/
B*A*M*F says
What would it cost them to pull the Buell Ulysses off the shelf?
Gary says
Harley really screwed the pooch when they dumped Eric Buell and his company. They had a visionary with a practical engineering background who also happened to be passionately in love with the sport of motorcycles.
BTW, the Yamaha Super Tennere is a slug. This come from riders and honest reviews.
robert says
It amazes me what kind of M/C snobs that are out there! I always say the more riders the better, the more types of motorcycles the better! Wow why do we need to criticize the others like some school age children…? It is not always about the biggest or most expensive… I ride a 08 BMW GSA and love it. I travel mountain roads and up and down fire prairie fire roads, I go camping off the beaten path (Yes it’s not a motocross… we never said it was!) It is a conveyance that transports me to places my Harley D Low rider won’t go, and yes it weighs 600 lbs (less than my Harley) but the thing it gets me to places that I cannot go to on other bikes and I don’t want to go in a cage. Get over it as far a looks, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… sometimes function is more important than just looking like an out dated image from a motorcycle magazine! I like this Honda and will be looking at it when it hits the Dealerships in Canada. MORE TYPES O MOTORCYCLES = MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE SPORT!
From: a snowed in Cunuck!
Dynadog!
EdRadio says
Dynadog,
It does seem that often the most posts are from vinegar spitting snobs eh? I grew up in Montana with a CB 450 on a farm 25 miles from town. Like the bike riders of yesterday there weren’t Off-Road factory made bikes. You just got some man-guts up and rode the dang thing. Now all these guys are worried about whether it’s the right weight? is it purty eough? does it have too much plastic? waaaah waaah, and then the commentor that says STUPID bike. Opinions are like armpits, we all got ’em and most of ’em stank! I now live in Las Vegas, and that there Honda, or the HD, would be a kick in the pants to scramble through the desert, and desert mountains on! That’s why the industry many years ago named a style of bike the “scrambler”. Many were just street bikes with upswept pipes, knobby tires, a skid plate, and smaller fenders!
So there all you snobbers!! 😉
Gary says
EdRadio,
You took me back to my early years! Thanks!!
65 CL-77 (305 Honda Scrambler) 68 Triumph TR6C (650 Scrambler)
The Trump was about 40# lighter than the Honda but the 305 didn’t suffer from the “curse of Joseph Lucas” LOL
thanx again for makin me remember……
Byrd says
600 lbs? Well you’re off by 150-200 lbs because a stock sporty weighs in at about 450-470, and the re-purposed ones surely weigh less than that. You can get a sportster down to 400 lbs if you work at it.
That thing would be a nightmare off-road, not to mention thousands in damages if you dumped it with all that plastic garbage. STUPID bike.
All this just reminds me of is just how much I miss the 2 stroke enduro bikes of the 70’s.
Mike says
The 2012 Sportster weight range is 562 lbs for the Nightster to 582 lbs for the 1200 Custom. Perhaps your scales are off Byrd.
micky c says
92 sporty is 470lbs!
Gary says
883 XLH your right…….. and a whopping 48 HP about 5 more than my XR 650L Honda.
And I don’t care what you all want to claim about HP numbers these are actual dyno numbers @ the drive tire!
Nortley says
My sportster worked just fine as dirt road bike, within its limits. The BMW adventure bike that followed was heavier and wider, though in many respects a better paved road bike, while on dirt roads its limits were similar to the sportster. Neither was by any stretch a dirt bike, nor were they intended to be. Dirt cafe racers? I’ll raise a cup of cold, muddy, well shaken thermos coffee to that.
Tin Man 2 says
My 08 Rubber mount Sporty has an advertised weight of 576 Lbs. Ive changed it up with a Storz tail and seat, 18 inch knobbie tire on the rear, mild rearsets and 2 into 1 exhaust. It still weighs just over 550Lbs, If I spent the money for Alloy rims I might get it down to 500, but not much less is practical.
micky c says
My GFs 92 sporty comes in @470lbs factory,with 100hp(dynoed) and ss pipe and a few alloy bits comes in @ 430.the poor old sporty just got heavier with age like every thing else in seppo land
Mikey says
I’d like to have ridden a Buell blast set up for dirt.
Different frame, wide knobby tires. Already has buttloads of torque, only needs somebody ballsy enough to push it while deep in the woods….
I smell bean oil….is there a Maico running round in here?
Sean says
Just one fly in the ointment – belt drive and dirt roads are not a happy combination, as far as I know. Aside from that, I love belt drive.
Gary says
even a 1200 @ 100 hp is a stretch! 85 would be a very healthy street Big Sporty indeed. Good Lord, a 115 inch S&S is just a little over 105hp. A cammed, ported, twin cam humps hard to crack 100 (but it will easily make 105 ft-lbs!) and your GF mounts a set of loud pipes and makes it?
You harley guys crack me up!
I love the bike but so many of those who ride them are so delusional?!
Des says
It looks good and ticks all the boxes in the category of off road bike it sits in. The big plus is it’s Honda engineered. I currently own a BMW and it’s the biggest POS I’ve ever owned. I keep hoping for spontaneous combustion or theft.
There has been a trend down to the 8-900cc bikes and smaller size. But this size bike is sold readily by other brands, is ridden and does the job for many. You know you’ll be able to put serious miles on this.
Carlos says
It has lots of storage space, thats a real plus for a road trip. Though I am not sure I would be able to lift it.
Paulinator says
Harley dust off its Hummer badge and call it the H4.
Paulinator says
should
Walt says
Like better shouldless.
Steve says
Discussions pro and con (mostly the latter) re: Honda’s 1200 V4 bikes are all over the web, mostly concerning the VFR rendition already with us.
Most opine that Honda blew it with these over done creations building answer(s) to a question no one asked (I DO agree) and sales reflect it too.
Much better results would have been attained developing on the already existing, lighter and entirely powerful enough 750-800 VFR package than has been achieved with the new 1200 machines… another overthought lemon like the DN-01!
mark says
This Honda is hardly a dual sport. I don’t think it was designed with much if any actual offroad use in mind — certainly nothing more rugged than the occasional dirt road. The thing weighs quite a bit more even than an R1200GS Adventure. I’ve ridden one of those, and at slow speeds it feels like you’re riding an aircraft carrier (but it does handle surprisingly well once you get going).
The interesting part of the ADV market is not these Ford Excursions of the motorcycle world, but rather the midsized bikes with actual significant offroadability, such as the F800GS, Tiger 800 XC, and the rumored upcoming 800-900cc twins from Husqvarna and KTM. If Honda really wanted to make an impression on the ADV market, they would bring out a worthy successor to the Africa Twin, not a VFR1200 with upright seating.
Jim says
Mark, you hit the nail on the head here.
It seems the European manufacturers have latched onto the “Adventure Touring” classification, but the Asian manufacturers are still clinging to the “Dual-Sport” classification even though these bikes are nowhere near that.
What is an adventure touring bike? Well, if you look at most of them they’re basically “standards” with luggage (std. or optional). The Suzuki V-Stroms, the Triumph Tigers, the BMW GS models, the Kawasaki Versys, etc. They’ll handle gravel roads and graded dirt with ease but that’s about the extent of it. Anything more severe than that and you’re pressing your luck and the limits of the machine.
As for most everything else Honda has brought out in the last 10 years I really don’t care for this new monstrosity. It also shows a complete lack of market research on Honda’s part. Suzuki dropped the DL1000 due to a lack of sales, so what’s Honda do…they bring out pretty much the exact same thing.
Honda would have been much better off bringing out a modern 700-800cc version of the African Twin or Trans-Alp. It’s what the ADV crowd has been asking them for for years now, yet this is “thing” what they opt to deliver.
Alan says
If I were to get into adventure biking, I’d go with something more like an F800GS or KTM 990. After all, I watched “Long Way Round” and saw the joys of picking up 700+ pounds of bike and gear. But if I wanted to tour on pavement but LOOK like a dirt guy, sure, one of the big barge adventure bike would do the trick.
Tin Man 2 says
Take a gaze over on the ADV Rider forum and you will see thousands of pics of all kinds of bikes ridding in off road conditions. Mostly the big GS1200 but others as well,a real eye opener.
B50 Jim says
I’m not an off-road rider, but I think a good rule would be to never ride a bike off-road that you can’t pick up when you drop it, especially when it pins your leg to a rock and there’s an unhappy rattlesnake giving you the stink-eye.
Paulinator says
After five days that rattlesnake might look pretty tastey.
Nicolas says
Bikes are always too big in the dirt, and too small on the road to reach the dirt. RIght ?
BB says
All these big bikes have their place and following and I understand manufacturers competing for market share. There are a lot of cool bikes out there, so to each his own.
I wouldn’t mind trying some of them if I was 350-400lbs and 6′ to 8′ tall, and rich, but my policy is never wrestle with women who outweigh you or with bikes that weigh triple what you weigh.
Carlos says
Good rule, but small women can be dangerous too, easier access to all your vulnerable spots
B50 Jim says
BB—
Rattlesnake ain’t bad. Tastes like rattlesnake.
conchop says
I owned a Buell Ulysses with a modified Sportster motor. The motor was a stone axe, but it was a 103 HP rock and roll stone axe. It was also over-geared for riding in rural Appalachia at a sane speed. Despite the street gearing and street tires, the suspension, balance, ultra light weight, and comfort lent itself to an uncanny ability to handle a lot of different “technicals”. In many respects, it was the best bike I’ve ever owned in 40 plus years of riding. My house needed some money thrown at it, so the bike is gone. I’m looking at this Honda Cross Tourer and the Triumph Explorer as a next bike. BMW is supposedly the best and I may yet consider one of those.
However, if the test ride doesn’t impress me, I’ll buy another used Ulysses and modify the gearing and a few other little odds and ends to have the perfect bike.
Thom says
I just think this bike is another way to build a big adventure bike, a la BMW GS, Triumph Tiger, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, et al. Not a true offroad bike… Just a styling exercise. Realistically, even though I hate Harleys, a converted Sportster would be a better bike for the dirt, due to the low center of gravity.
I had a VF1000R for a while, and it was morbidly top-heavy… Couldn’t imagine this Honda V-four being any better, considering it’s displacement and the jacked-up stance.
Tom says
I have one bike. A Honda Shadow VLX600. 2006 year model. I haven’t taken it on any purpose built off road bike trails because there ARE no purpose built off road trails around here for me to take it on. I do regularly ride it down dirt roads, and occasionally, when I spot a deer in a field of an evening, I’ll cross the ditch and give chase across said field. (Payback for all the scares they’ve given me. Get over it.) I’ve thought about trading for a dual sport, because honestly, it handles like a slip N’ slide covered in grease off road. But, for now… it does fine for me. *shrugs*
todd says
The best adventure bike I ever rode that had an optimal balance of power, weight, and on/off-road agility was a KLR650. That was truly a 50-50 bike. Now the fact that it was $3500 was a no-brainer.
-todd
Greg says
To me, all these adventure touring bikes make about as much sense as driving a giant SUV. Who needs a vehicle capable of driving off road? 99% of the time you’ll be on pavement. I’d rather be better prepared for that.
Gary says
Yah I know, all these adventure tour bikes make about as much sense as a 900# touring motorcycle that gets 30-40 mpg and usually never leaves the county it was puchased in…….
Stan says
All i’ll say is it’s not an adventure if your prepared for it.
Scotduke says
The Suzuki TS125 two stroke I used to have way back when was a great bike off-road. It didn’t have a lot of power but for a lot of green laning on muddy trails with ruts and loose stones, light weight is far more important than horsepower. And it was certainly light. If (or rather when) I fell off and it was one the ground, lifting it back up was no problem. I wouldn’t like to try to lift that Honda by myself and no, I haven’t got that technique of walking backwards holding the bars to raise a bike upright. This Honda is a tourer. And yes, it is ugly (though not as bad as some). I’m sure it’s as well made as Hondas can be and is comfortable and practical too. But anyone taking it off road had better prepare themselves for picking it up again, something I’d rather not do.
Steve says
mark:
“If Honda really wanted to make an impression on the ADV market, they would bring out a worthy successor to the Africa Twin…”
EXACTLY!
akaaccount says
How can you compare a 600 lb, fully dressed, 120+ HP “adventure” bike with a bunch of 600 pound 40 HP dirtbike lookalikes with 1 gallon fuel tanks? Huh? Clearly neither is really meant for off road use by sane people. The Honda, however, is a decent motorcycle in general.
Paulinator says
akkaaccount, I built a light-weight 70 hp dune buggy and rode it in the mud and gravel a lot. Trying to hook up 120 hp to dirt thru one wheel on a 600 lb bike seems absolutely insane. I wouldn`t write-off the 40 hp bikes just yet.
Hector says
This bike will see as much off road as the BMW GS’s see most of the time: the parking lot of the local friday night bike nite bar.
This bikes even when very capable; are oriented mostly for a crowd that enjoys the adventure of buying matching Gore Tex suits at the dealership’s boutique rather than getting out and ride. Of course there are riders that use the bikes properly; but that’s another story.
Chris says
Why all the hate on adventure tourers?
Even if they never get taken off road, the heavy-weight class of “dual sports” that this bike would fit into have a lot going for them: an upright seating posture, room for luggage and a passenger, enough power to haul all that weight at freeway speeds with ease, and a nice long travel suspension that eats up potholes and the poorly maintained roads that are the new norm.
JasonB says
Chris- you’ve nailed it, your comments make a lot of sense and rationally sum up the discussion here to my mind.
Steve says
akaaccount:
“The Honda, however, is a decent motorcycle in general.”
At the price Honda wants for their bloated 1200’s ‘decent’ isn’t good enough.
akaaccount says
I’ll give you that – I didn’t say I had any desire to own either one.
Bryan S. says
I’ll let you know what I think of it in 5 years when I buy it used at a better price. With cash.
Sledgecrowbar says
This bike reminds me of a Harley dirtbike conversion like Roseanne Bar reminds me of Keeley Hazell. Honda was looking at BMW when they made this bike. Give the picture a sideways glance and tell me the first bike that comes to mind is a Sportster. I dare you.
If you want to buy a spoke-wheel, beak-fender, pseudo-Dakar bike, load it up with enough gear for the rest of your life, and never ride it on anything worse than a dirt road, this and the BMW are your bikes. Or, you could just buy a touring bike that would be meant for that.
If you really want to “ride the world”, you’d buy an actual dual sport that had suspension travel and light weight, like a V-Strom or KLR. Not to say that Kawasaki or Suzuki are better brands, but those models come to the top of everyone’s mind when thinking of *capable* dual sports.
Thom says
Things have REALLY digressed if you think the V-strom is a capable off-road bike. A really good rider may be able to ride one off road, but they’re not meant for it. Just like this Honda, they’re “Adventure bikes.” The v-strom is just smaller.
Gary says
Exactly, I’ve ridden Stroms and several friends own or have owned Stroms. While good and stable on a gravel road, passable on a firm packed two track (properly shod) they do NOT have the suspension or geometry OR ground clearance to even remotely be called an ADV bike. They are a good, reliable, and versatile motorcycle but Sukuki’s Dual Sports are of the DR prefix
Big D says
Chop off a couple of cylinders and cut the weight down to around 450 Lbs. and I might be interested. Looks like a nice bike to ride to Starbucks but I would hate to stick that pig in the mud. When is the Ameican consumer going to figure out that bigger isnt always better?
Scotduke says
If I was going to ride round the world, something like a Yamaha 600 or 660 would do the job. They aren’t that expensive secondhand, they can handle highway speeds, they aren’t that heavy to pick up and are able to cope with the occasional low speed drop. The engines are well proven too and have the edge on the competition in that capacity class if you ask me.
If I ever get to do that Chilean coastal trip I’ve been dreaming about for years, a Yamaha is what I’d choose to ride. I’d take a few spare brake and clutch levers of course.
Marvin says
I have a XT600 if I didn’t have a job a wife and kids then I would be happy to take it round the world.
Tin Man 2 says
These big ADV bikes serve their owners well, I suggest they make more sense than a 186MPH crotch rocket. There is room in the world for every bike style, from ADVs to Harleys to Crotch rockets and Dirt bikes. Its all Good!!
Carlos says
Whats a crotch rocket?
Hooligan says
It’s an exclusively American term. That no one outside of the borders of the USA understands or uses.
Zippy says
Who cares what people outside of the United States use or understand?
Carlos says
I didn’t mean to start an argrument, I am just wondering what it is. I have been told it is just a regular sport bike, but I have also been told it is a derogatory term. Just curious
Carlos says
I didn’t mean to start an argrument, I am just wondering what it is. I have been told it is just a regular sport bike, but I have also been told it is a derogatory term. Just curious the term does conjure up an amusing image. I do find motorcycle language entertaining
Nicolas says
Nobody cares. That’s why a lot of the best bikes in production never get imported to the US.
Hooligan says
I care and being English the old adage about two nations divided by a common language applies here. I don’t hate the rest of the world. I am interested in other parts of the world. I try and have a open mind.
Carlos says
One thing is for sure, you learn a lot more than about motorbikes on this site. You guys are really interesting
akaaccount says
Yeah, tell somebody in the US you ride a bike and they ask whether it’s a crotch rocket or a Harley because apparently that’s all there is.
joe says
All these style of bikes are made for long haul riding with the occational gravel track or fire trail etc.If you take them into sand ,mud or loose stone river beds you need a team of guys to get you through.They are heavy,wide and unweildy,totaly unsuited for any serious off road work which they were never intended for.
dylan says
i like it. i dont want to ride it accross mongolia, though
Chris R says
I realize this is the new market the manufacturers are creating, but from the looks of this Honda, it would be a bit top heavy for dual use. But I can’t really say since I like to be low in the saddle with my feet forward, not tucked behind me (aka european style tour/sport). If it says Honda on it, people will buy it.
Big Mick says
Guys, it’s a big, fast, comfy looking bike with lots of luggage space and pseudo offroad styling. Guzzi Stelvio, Aprilia Capo Nord, Suzuki V-Strom. Get over it!!!
And if you think that a bike like that is unsuitable to ride on unpaved roads, you should check out ADVRider.com and see everything from a C90 to an Electra Glide ridden everywhere you can think of.
On the subject of dualsport converted Sportsters, have a read of this. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681994&highlight=doug
WARNING! It’ll take a couple of days to read that report.
Cheers, Mick.
robert says
Here Here EdRadio, I too grew up on the farm 25 miles up from Montana, pretty much the same experience. Biking now is for the “just add water” instant biker, they bitch and complain …and have all the answer… but do they ride in the mud, rain, snow? No sure but probably not! Keep the black side down and the shinny side up,! This a a cold Cunnuck waiting for warmer times and his 250 yamaha that he left in Jamaica last winter! Take care in warm Vegas!
'37 Indian says
Seems most of the manufacturers are coming out with this sort of bike. If you took a V4 Interceptor, put shaft drive on it, oversized dirtbike suspension, a big tank and radiator, touring hardbags and trunk, a big fairing, a skinny windshield and spoke wheels , then throw in a bunch of doo-dads, you’d have something like this. It might actually be fun to ride, but I’d rather have a dirtbike for the dirt, and a streetbike for the street.
todd says
Honda can probably count on one hand how many VFR1200’s they’ve sold, they’re likely hoping this will help pay for some of their losses on that. I see 750 and 800 VFR’s everywhere I go – it is still such a popular and revered bike. Honda pretty much flubbed on that thinking these bikes would continue that success.
I think an Africa Twin or Transalp competing against the immensely successful Vstrom would have sold plenty of bikes, helping offset the costs associated with the Deauville in the US. Aren’t all the new 800’s selling better than comparitive 1200’s?
-todd
Russell B! says
The most anusing bike I’ve ever owned was a Harley Sportster “bitsa”. ’69 XLCH engine in a C & J flat-track frame, high pipes on the right side, knobbies, Preston Petty fenders, and long-travel (for it’s build year of 1977) Mulholland shocks and forks. Scaled @ under 400 pounds wet.
Couldn’t ride it for more than 45 minutes without your hands/arms going numb or something falling off due to vibration. It nearly popped the knee of a guy who I loaned to when the kickstarter popped back on him-Google the phrase “Sportster knee” sometime. Would I trade another 100 pounds for the rubber-mounted civility and reliability of a current Sporty? Probably, but why should it be mandatory? Pollack/Mule has it right, just at price tag too high for me.
I think there may be a market for the Honda, but not a large one, and not me. I want the Motus V4 in a naked standard.
jeffrey j says
I agree with some of the posts….every body and his brother is trying to break into the dual sport market…most look the part but could be handful in a real dirt situation….I think if you keep that in mind and realize the limits of these machines you would be better off in the long run….the KLRs fit the dirt very well and handle luggage quite well…I’d hate to blast on the freeway for 8 hours on one…..I saw the Brits battle the 1200adv bikes around the globe (long way round)..it shows that you can eventually get used to anything….I’ll stay on the streets, back roads and lanes…but that’s just me…I ride German bikes because that’s what I like…ride what you like..if don’t like what you got get rid of it and find the one you want…don’t just polish the dam thing ride it!…ride smart and safe….maybe I’ll see ya on the road next year…regards, JJH
Les says
There doesn’t seem to be any lust for this package in the comments.
It’s a bike that no one is asking for except the honda marketing department who probably built this as a result of surveys 5 years ago.
I’ve owned hondas all my life. Remember when honda used to lead? Now they make monstrosities like this and the Fury. Please honda, fire the marketing squids. Specifically; the one who decided one of the best bikes in the world (vfr750-800) should be replaced by one of the worst.
That’s my opinion anyway. I don’t have anything to say about the harley comparison. It seems very out of left field. Apples and oranges. At least harley builds bikes that people actually lust for.