VFR1200F (edit: now VFR800X)

[esullivan]

I'm test riding one on Saturday -- a demo at a dealer, so a 2015. What are they like to own long-term? What breaks?

Ergonomically, the upper-body seating position seems fine for me (from what I can tell on my brief periods sitting on one), but the pegs are much further back than I'm used to. What's that like on an all-day ride?

Are they costly to run?
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[ADSrox0r]

Dogshit ugly (hence the nickname Shamu), cumbersome and not very fuel efficient. Majority of VFR owners agree this thing should never have been given the moniker of 'VFR' as it can't decide what it's trying to be.

Smaller luggage and tank capacity means it's not a serious tourer. Stick your fancy transmission up your arse thanks. And yes the footpeg position is not well placed for long distance, commonly noted.

Oh and the killer? WAAAAY overpriced. If I was spending that sort of money it would be a ZZR1400.

Bah.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Polarbear]

Not Honda's best offering. I test rode one and really disliked it. Bland and ugly.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[esullivan]

In the end, the wife hated it. The pillion seat was expansive, but the pegs are so far back and high that she was sliding all over the place, with no leverage to stop herself. Within five minutes of the hour-long test ride, she was already asking when we could head back...

I gave it a decent run on several different types of roads, with some some filtering. I found the pegs fine, but I was leaning a bit too far forward for me. I had to consciously lift myself up by my legs at all times or my wrists starting hurting. I only noticed the weight a couple of times when I nearly stalled it joining main roads from side roads, as I put my foot back down to steady it.

The dealer also has a 2014 Crossrunner pre-reg that he's trying to get off the floor (it literally had dust all over it) that I'll try tomorrow. I could just about buy that one in cash, so it probably would be better.

The Crossrunner is basically an old VFR800 VTEC with new clothing. So, good engine, but ye olde fuel economy (40mpg if you ride like me). Big-ish tank, though, so the range isn't too bad. 150-180-ish, depending on how brave you are.

Next Saturday, I'm test riding a BMW F800GT, which is well out of our budget and would need financing. We'll see.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[P.addy]

Why not try something bigger rather than the F800. Have you contemplated either an older Tiger 1050 or the newer one? Even the ZZR1400 recommendation is a good one.

[Supermoto_Fan]

[esullivan]

[doggone]

I'm coming around to the looks of this recently.
Like the riding position.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=VFR800X+Crossrunner

https://www.morebikes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Honda-VFR800X-Crossrunner-001.jpg

[ADSrox0r]

The Crossrunner is actually a very good compromise, and you get the legendary V4 'howl' to boot!

My only small reticence would be that it's not a popular model so parts (Not talking engine obvs) aren't as abundant as the 'normal' 800. But if that doesn't bother you, let it roar.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[ScaredyCat]

*cough* V-Strom 1000 *cough*
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Doomsnite]

If you're looking at the crossrunner, what about the Tracer? Sat on them both at mcn and seemed to me like competing models but tracer £2k cheaper and just looked better! No idea how they ride tho sorry!
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Triumph Street Triple-R
Sold: Honda Hornet CB600F-Y / Yamaha YBR125

[esullivan]

[esullivan]

I really, really liked the Crossrunner. The one I looked at is the 2014 version -- narrower, with a split radiator on either side -- rather than the 2015, more Charlie-and-Ewan-style one. It looks like this -- same colour and everything.

Apparently, the older 2011-2014 one was considered ugly by some, but I like it better than the restyled one, which I think is too wide at the front. It sits considerable higher than my NC (I'm even with van drivers, instead of looking up at them), the mirrors are excellent, the engine extremely smooth and the bike is very well balanced and easy to handle at low speeds, despite being 30Kg heavier than the NC.

It's a pre-reg that the dealer is trying to get rid of. It had (before I test rode it) just a mile or two on it, but for that I get three grand off of the retail price. With the part-ex, it's just a tad outside of the amount of cash we have on hand, but if I don't eat for a week or two...

Oh, and the wife liked it too. We test rode it for well over an hour and she said she could have done much more. The seat is wider than the NC's, but roughly the same cushioning.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Shaft]

I seriously like the Crossrunner, the idea of the big trailie riding position with that engine, would make it almost irresistable, if they hadn't put a poxy chain on it
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[Serendipity]

[Doomsnite]

Couldnt you just take the guards off?
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Triumph Street Triple-R
Sold: Honda Hornet CB600F-Y / Yamaha YBR125

[aceofhearts]

Not sure if you have seen my other thread on here but have recently looked at similar bikes to you. The Crossrunner was great (i rode the new 2015 one though) but was expensive and the girlfriend wasn't very comfy on the back. VTEC was great fun and the free Tomtom and top box was a nice touch. As said MPG not great though and expensive big service!

I also tried the Tiger which again was excellent but seemed very expensive, but handled 2 up well and the engine was fantastic. Was not massively sold on the styling though. The nail in the coffin was the ridiculous 14.9%APR deal triumph offered me though

I have ended up with a Tracer which I picked up on Friday and am currently only 80 miles in but loving it so far. Ticks all the boxes (bar possible factory luggage but Givi and Kappa are selling it now) and I am really enjoying it. Just as comfy as the other two but for me more fun and better looking (and a lot cheaper!)

[Rogerborg]

[sidewinder]

Vstrom thou is a lovely bike
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[sidewinder]

Vstrom thou is a lovely bike
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[gorillaonabik...]

Nearly bought a used one.

It's not a bad bike to ride. Looks are kinda growing on me and let's face it, with my missing teeth, scars, missing hair etc... I'm no male model. Used ones depreciate so I figured I'd get a bargain due to Honda's build quality.

What killed it was insurance. I live in zone 1, have lots of years no claims, am over 40 and no insurance company would touch me for TPFT. I literally had 100% refusal as it would have to be parked on the street.
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[esullivan]

I went for the Crossrunner (a 2014 VFR800X). I put a deposit down yesterday and will pick it up sometime next week, once they've installed the "touring pack" (top box, panniers, heated grips, taller screen and centre stand). They also threw in some R&G crash bungs and a 12V socket under the seat.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=95322

My reasons were simple:

• I could afford it, without PCP or other tricks. I could sell it in a year without complications if I don't like it, and because it is a pre-reg, I'll take less of an immediate depreciation hit.
  
• The engine is completely different than my NC's, so I broaden my experience.
  
• I like it and my wife liked it. We got on with it pretty much immediately. I think it will be even better than the NC for commuting -- better visibility and very stable -- and it carries the two of us with power to spare.
  

Downsides is the fuel economy (reportedly 35-45mpg in the real world, compared with 70mpg-ish for the NC) and the chain, but both look manageable. The range is fine (bigger tank) and the chain is on a single-side swing arm and adjusting it involved loosening only one nut and then turning some cantilever thing. I'll put an oiler on it too.

The reasons I didn't go with the alternatives:

• I can't afford the BMW. I would have had to finance it, the servicing costs are higher and the accessories are dear. Even the used one were just out of my reach and were missing things that I would have had to add (like luggage).
  
• The V-Strom 1000 was just a bit too big for me.
  
• The Yamaha felt a bit plasticky to me and the nearest dealer is a soul-destroying hour-and-a-bit ride on the M25 and M4.
  
• The Tiger 1050 was heavy, overpriced and the wife didn't get on with the pillion seat. The nearest Triumph dealer is also a long way away.
  
• The VFR1200F taught me that I probably wouldn't get on with a sports position (which eliminates some other alternatives) and the wife hated it.
  

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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.