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Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:38 pm
by Suzsmokeyallan
Take most of the old VFR800, hang some new clothes on it and you get this. Now to see if the new V-Strom follows this trend of engine size and styling cues.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2011_Bikes/Hon ... _Intro.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:29 pm
by Scorch
Wow, that's not a bad looking bike, even though it has more bodywork than I care for. Still chain driven, though. Supposedly, the Strom (or whatever) will be revealed tomorrow. I went by a Suzuki dealer today, they had no idea what I was talking about (of course), but they did give me a cool pack of Suzuki playing cards!

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-new ... 18264.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:52 pm
by Suzsmokeyallan
From the Crossrunner photos at that link I posted the general styling is pleasant to the eyes. Especially the fit and finish of the parts around the handlebars,and rear bodywork.
Notice theres no large gaps etc in the panels and theres also a very compact and tidy look to it around the controls and levers as well.
I'm very impressed by the attention to detail on the way the parts fit, its as if they are one molded piece.
As to your requests, shaft drive is very good for ease of maintenance but you can't change final ratios if the need arises, so it has its drawbacks. Then theres the way it 'feels' when under power and braking, some people loathe that sensation while others love it.
So you got Suzi cards huh, :D I'll have to see if my place I deal with got any such items as promo material.
I am beginning to think the new Strom will be either a 750 or an 800 sized motor as well.

Re: Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:37 am
by Scorch
Suzsmokeyallan wrote:From the Crossrunner photos at that link I posted the general styling is pleasant to the eyes. Especially the fit and finish of the parts around the handlebars,and rear bodywork.
Notice theres no large gaps etc in the panels and theres also a very compact and tidy look to it around the controls and levers as well.
I'm very impressed by the attention to detail on the way the parts fit, its as if they are one molded piece.
As to your requests, shaft drive is very good for ease of maintenance but you can't change final ratios if the need arises, so it has its drawbacks. Then theres the way it 'feels' when under power and braking, some people loathe that sensation while others love it.
So you got Suzi cards huh, :D I'll have to see if my place I deal with got any such items as promo material.
I am beginning to think the new Strom will be either a 750 or an 800 sized motor as well.

Yeah, Honda makes good bikes, no doubt.

I do love me a shaft drive, and I'm always pretty content with the ratios the engineers who design, test, and create these bikes for a living come up with. One tooth more or less is not even worth a shrug to me (my own personal take). As far as the infamous "jacking", "squatting", and other "horrendous" handling traits the shaft creates, well, let's just say I have a REAL STRONG opinion there, lol. Ok, I have to say it. :oops: Sure, a shaft may make the bike handle a little differently but I've ridden thousands of miles on both chains and shafts (Madura, GSX1100G, Intruder) and I swear, the effects are insignificant. Maybe, just maybe, if I were going balls-out on a race track, I would say the torque effects were not favorable. But on the street, when ridden by a normal human being and not some jackwagon, magazine writer, Rossi-wannabe, the shaft is fine. Honest to god, I think those goofy magazines brainwashed people. Pfft, who care if it squats a little more than a chain when you grab a hand-full of gas, that's actually a preferable posture for accelerating.

The main thing: with the shaft, I can ride more and fuss with the archaic, Henry Ford era chain drive less (as in not at all). Clean, quiet, and easy, and only for a few more pounds and a couple HP...

Ok, opinion mode off. :wink: Yeah, you should get you cards. I was surprised, I thought they were going to give me a single promotional playing card that gave me a chance to win some swag, They gave me a Suzuki deck. Pastranni was not the joker, though :wth:

Also snagged a Suzuki multi-tool when I ordered my V-Strom Service Manual. I'm a sucker for crap like that.

Re: Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:03 am
by Suzsmokeyallan
I'm hoping I can get some of those cards for my Suzuki collection, apparently only the sales guys got them, so hes going to check for me.
The multi tool looks to be a nice piece, but isn't that just a decal on the handle?

Re: Honda Crossrunner/ possible revamped V-Strom lookalike

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:40 am
by Scorch
Yep, it's only a sticker.