Motorcycles

Honda announces 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner

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The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner in Candy Arcadian Red livery
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner has a new exhaust system
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner has improved low and medium power and torque
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner with optional storage box
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner is the latest in the X Crossover series
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner has a beakier front
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner right view
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner left view
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner right view
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner oblique left view
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner showing rear detail
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner as sump protection against debris
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner comes in three color schemes
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner in Pearl Glare White
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner has a 782 cc engine
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner headlamp view
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner detail
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - LED headlamps
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner headlamp detail
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - LED rear lamps
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner display
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner front suspension
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - self-cancelling signals
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - heated grips
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - matte black wheel trim
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner - standard ABS brakes
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner radiators
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner grip detail
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner with logo
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner in Candy Arcadian Red livery
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner optional side panniers (open)
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner side panniers (closed)
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner optional storage box
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner installed
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner accesory pacakge
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner accessory stand
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner foglights
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner foglights
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner with accessories
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner with Akrapovic exhaust
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner mainstand
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner at the Intermot Motorcycle show
First public display at Intermot Motorcycle Show with Yoichi Inayama
First public display at Intermot Motorcycle Show
First public display at Intermot Motorcycle Show in red livery
First public display at Intermot Motorcycle Show
The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner
View gallery - 51 images

Introduced in 2011, the Crossrunner motorcycle marked Honda's attempt to square the circle between grungy off-road machines and the exquisitely polished garage trophies of the urban market. The latest version of the premium adventure sports tourer has now been revealed at Intermot – and it warrants a closer look.

The latest version of the Crossover “X” range of multipurpose motorcycles based on a sports touring platform and an upright riding position, it takes cues from the 2014 VFR800F, but with a greater emphasis on the Crossrunner concept with a focus on performance. Honda also took the opportunity to tweak the styling with a more beaky front cowl contrasting with the short front mudguard. The livery includes light silver mechanical parts, matt black engine cover and wheels, and a choice of three color schemes.

At the heart of the VFR800X is its liquid-cooled, electric-start, four-stroke 16-valve, 782 cc, DOHC 90° V-4 engine with PGM-FI electronic fuel injection. It’s also tricked out with Honda’s HYPER VTEC system with a refined two to four valve transition, depending on engine rpms; a new 4-2-1-1 exhaust system; and smaller, denser dual radiator units set in front of the engine for a slimmer look. The takeaway from all this is 104 bhp (78 kW) and 55 ft-lb (75 Nm) of torque, with more of both available in the low-to midrange.

The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner right view

Behind the powerplant is a constant-mesh six-speed gearbox and Honda's Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system that senses an imminent loss of rear wheel traction and reduces torque enough for the tire to retain its grip.

Holding all this in place is the diamond triple-box; aluminum twin-spar frame with a revised subframe that Honda says is stiffer and lighter, while retaining the visuals of the VFR800F. In addition, there’s a sump guard to protect the engine underside from road debris. Since comfort was one of the design specs, the seat is adjustable with two height options.

The 10-spoke die-cast aluminum wheels are backed in front by a 43-mm HMAS cartridge-type suspension using a telescopic fork with stepless preload. In the back is a pro-link suspension with gas-charged damper, 35-step preload, and stepless rebound damping adjustment. ABS brakes are standard.

The 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner display

Meanwhile, in front of the rider is a redesigned LCD instrument display including fuel meter, fuel consumption, water temperature, gear-position indicator, ambient temperature, and clock. In front of this is the X signature LED headlamp, and on either side are the five-stage heated grips. Automatic turn signal cancelling is also featured.

"For this development of the VFR800X Crossrunner we wanted to create a premium motorcycle with a ‘ready-for-action’ feeling, for customers to use with maximum enjoyment everyday," says Yoichi Inayama, Large Project Leader (LPL) VFR800X Crossrunner. "The styling demanded beautifully functional parts, and light proportions with minimal fairings. We wanted an upright position giving great visibility and agile handling so the rider can attack any corner with confidence. And refinements to the V4 engine had to deliver responsive and enjoyable power. Our new VFR800X Crossrunner has fulfilled these goals and follows the VFR tradition: it has an array of advanced technologies including LED headlights, our Honda Selectable Torque Control system and automatic turn signal canceller."

Source: Honda

View gallery - 51 images
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3 comments
Dave Weinstein
I've owned two VFR's in the past, and I'm not thrilled about the styling changes with this bike.
Catweazle
Off-road machine eh?
I wonder how the styling will look after it has gone end over end half a dozen times at 60MPH or looped at the top of a 200 ft semi-vertical climb, because all my off-road motorcycles suffer from such minor incidents quite regularly.
Ozuzi
I think the style is more for crappy and dirt roads with those tyres, the new seat position would be easier to drift. Looks like you could get Oggy Knobs on it now also I toured on a mate's and had to change down three gears into warp drive to overtake each time, so the changes to the power could be good. The 'sump guard' with a big chunk of engine hanging down behind it is an 'interesting' idea, and there's no mention of weight or cost which could be crucial to its success. Love the VF shaftie type dash