It wouldn't be hard to confuse these spy shots of the upcoming Honda VR4 Crosstourer adventure sport bike with a guy going to work somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. It's just that on a mule of an adventure bike, everything sort of looks like weather protection gear.
But make no mistake, this guy isn't off on some adventure with his tiny leather man-purse, he's riding a prototype for the Honda VR4 Crosstourer. This concept was shown at the Milan Bike Show and announced as the "world's first V4 Adventure Tourer."
The Crosstourer features the same V4 engine and dual clutch transmission as the VFR1200F we first rode back in July. The engine's good for 170 horsepower @ 10,000 rpm and 95 pound-feet of torque at a nice, low 8,750. The transmission (a $1,500 option on the VFR) is a six-speed auto-clutch unit with three modes -- Drive, Sport and Manual which is operated by a paddle on the left handlebar. The DCT adds 22 pounds in VFR trim, no reason to think it would be any different here.
Comparisons to the Ducati Multistrada, BMW GS and Yamaha Super Tenere will abound, but so far, the Honda transmission and V4 engine are unique.
How is it that Honda is doing such cool, if oddly styled, things with bikes these days, but that the Civic Si (and the 2012 Civic range) is so boring and disappointing?
streetsidestig says:
07:39 AM, 05/20/11
That's way cooler than Honda's other Crosstour.
rsholland says:
09:09 AM, 05/20/11
"How is it that Honda is doing such cool, if oddly styled, things with bikes these days, but that the Civic Si (and the 2012 Civic range) is so boring and disappointing?"
This is not new, as I've been asking that same question for decades.
bankerdanny says:
09:13 AM, 05/20/11
And like the current Multistrada this bike a poser. I'm in the middle of the Amazon jungle I don't want a super high tech computer controlled bike that requires a computer engineer to diagnose and repair.
Fuel injection and ABS (defeatable) are ok. But spare me the DSG and other complex gadgets.
bankerdanny says:
09:19 AM, 05/20/11
Oh, and the answer to your question is that the MC market is more competitive than cars. Look at the Civic's competition. Except for the new Elantra, they are all shades of boring. And really, isn't that what 90% of US compact car buyers want anyway, inexpensive, reilable, fuel efficient cars?
The sport, sport touring, and adventure bike markets however, are highly competitive. If Honda wants to stand out they have no choice but to be innovative.
altimadude05 says:
09:28 AM, 05/20/11
Looks a damn-sight better than the Accord Crosstourer!
desmolicious says:
02:39 PM, 05/20/11
Honda really isn't making cool stuff in the bike world.
This bike is going to be beyond bland once it reaches production. You sure it is not powered by the VFR800 motor? That's been bounced around for a while and has been shown in concept forms at recent bike shows.
Their VFR1200 is a sales dud. $16K MSRP now being sold at $12K at many shops. Fugly looks, driveline lash, small gas tank, less features (apart from an auto box that makes slow speed manouvers dodgy AND reduces power in lower gears to prevent 'box damage) does not help.
Their $16K scooter DN-01 (known to dealers as Do Not Order One) is an anchor. Selling them now at $8K.
New CB1000R, based on the 150 hp motor from the 2 gen ago CBR1000RR. But in their wisdom detuned to 105hp... Kawi 1000 Ninja, Triumph S3, Duc StreetFighter, Aprilia, Tuono V4 all kill it.
New Honda Goldwing 1800. All it got was new shaped saddlebags and a supposed re-tuned fork. Which in actuality did not happen, just got a new profile front tyre. 12 years old basically unchanged. More expensive than the much more impressive all new BMW K1600GTL.
CBR 600. 3rd in its class now.
CBR1000RR. Still an excellent bike, held back by bland styling. Owned by the BMW S1000RR.
Most probably their best new bike is the CBR 250...
Yeah, Honda's bike division is as sorry as the car division.
v8vader says:
06:25 PM, 05/20/11
170hp on a crossover?! i'd consider that.
mce63 says:
07:49 PM, 05/20/11
To follow on what desmolicious said:
Honda Motorsports has the same bland, out to lunch reputation as their car division. Every Honda fan is like Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Come new model year announcement time, everyone waits for the rumored game-changer to be announced. When that doesn't happen, they all yell, "why" and, "wait 'til next year". Of course, after four or five years of that nonsense, we learn that they have completely hosed up the best thing they every had. The VFR is a classic example as is the ST1100.
Honda's long new product lifecycle always leaves them out of step with the market. If this had come out as Triumph was urbanizing the Tiger, they would have had a winner. But as usual, they are just trying to keep up.
with says:
07:24 AM, 05/23/11
"How is it that Honda is doing such cool, if oddly styled, things with bikes these days, but that the Civic Si (and the 2012 Civic range) is so boring and disappointing?"
Well, Honda was a bike company before an Auto company. Educate yourself before you write such drivel.
morrisg2 says:
03:40 PM, 05/23/11
Whoa guys! McGrath is just reporting on a spy shot of a new motorcycle. Try a little less hate on the messenger.
Yeah, I too have had my fill of waiting on Honda to "get it". My most recent disappointment was on the car side, the new CR-Z. So I understand where you're coming from. But Honda products won't change until the upper management changes its collective mind, allowing different vehicles for different market segments. Everything doesn't have to be the same completely across all the product lines of the company. But that's not the way Japanese management thinks right now. I'm sure they will be able to change their minds after the Koreans put a world of hurt on them in the marketplace. The new Korean cars are striking out in interesting ways, innovating in both engineering and styling to attract new customers to their different product segments. So maybe Honda management will start to get it as their competition shows them what works in the marketplace.