It’s not long until the 2015 Honda VFR800X Crossrunner goes on sale in the UK in early December 2014. The original VFR800X launched in 2011, using the 9-year-old VFR engine in a more dual-sport and adventure package of parts.
For 2015, the Crossrunner obviously proved successful enough to deserve some tweaking. So you’ll now get more low and mid-range power and torque, a lighter subframe and an aluminium swingarm.
The 17-inch aluminium front wheel accepts you’re probably going to be having more adventures on A-roads and country lanes with a Tarmac-friendly 120 front hoop, and a 180 rear. And you get a Selectable Torque Control System, adjutable seat, 5-stage heated grips and self-cancelling indicators as standard with new LED headlights.
Rescogs opinion:
From the specs and pictures, the Crossrunner is still a nice, sensible bike for Honda’s ‘nicest people’. If you want something that will tour around with all the refinements, and makes you look as if you could manage a sedate country lane, then you’re sorted. It’s not going to take on heavy off-roading – for that you’re better off with a BMW, KTM or a sadly-discontinued Suzuki DR (DR Big, DR400, depends on the distance required).
It’s lighter, and the power and lower seat height make it more accessible, which is good. But it’s not radical or interesting enough to really get us going.
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