Honda Crossrunner almost here

The 782cc V4-powered Honda Crossrunner has been confirmed for a mid-July arrival in Australia, priced at $14,990 (not including on road costs) and we'll be at the launch to bring you our first impressions of the new motorcycle.

The unusual new model is touted as a 'crossover' bike that blends several classes into one, making use of extended front suspension travel for light off-road duties but with roadbike ergonomics and power characteristics.

Honda claims peak power of 100hp (75kW) at 10,000rpm and 73Nm of torque at 9500rpm from its VTEC engine, which should be more than enough shunt to move the bike's 240kg mass relatively rapidly.

The Honda Crossrunner has also been gifted with a 21.5-litre fuel tank to increase its cruising range.

The Crossrunner motorcycle certainly pushes the envelope in terms of visual design and takes its cues from the VFR1200F's book of 'how to dress'. Alongside the tried-and-test V4 powerplant, the upmarket design of the motorcycle is likely to be the Honda Crossrunner's biggest asset; the unorthodox lines and unique styling cues should ensure it stands out in a crowd.

"A rugged adventure bike with added excitement and flexibility," is the official description from Honda HQ, and it's likely the design will polarise the motorcycling fraternity; some will love it, others won't.

Honda will offer the new bike in two colours, Graphite Black/Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic and Candy Blazing Red/Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic - or black/silver, red/silver if you will.

It's difficult to categorise the Honda Crossrunner - strictly speaking it's not a road bike nor an adventure bike - and as such has the potential to compete against a broad spectrum of motorcycles from the likes of Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha and even Ducati.

Honda calls the Crossrunner an "adventure-tourer" and it can be optioned with a range of different kit that seems to fit that bill, including a centrestand, 29-litre panniers, a 31-litre top box, and a high windscreen. It's not yet clear if heated handgrips will be on the options list.

Wider than normal handlebars are designed to improve rider control, while the chassis should also help - an aluminium alloy twin-spar frame "provides excellent rigidity" according to Honda, while 43mm cartridge-type front forks prop up the front, with a Pro-Link rising-rate linkage system and gas-charged HMAS damper propping up a nice looking cast aluminium swingarm.

Antilock brakes will be standard fitment with the Crossrunner, along with a combined braking system, while the instrument cluster is a "floating" setup, with digital readouts for the speedometer, a tachometer, and pretty much everything else, including twin trip meters, a coolant temperature gauge, an ambient temperature indicator and a clock.

2011 HONDA CROSSRUNNER SPECS

DRIVETRAIN
Clutch Wet, multi-plate with coil springs
Clutch Operation Hydraulic
Transmission Type Constant mesh 6-speed
Final Drive O-ring sealed chain

FRAME
Type Diamond; aluminium twin-spar; pivotless

CHASSIS
Dimensions (L x W x H) 2,130 x 799 x 1,243mm
Wheelbase 1,464mm
Caster Angle 25° 45'
Trail 96mm
Turning Radius 2.8m
Seat Height 816mm
Ground Clearance 140mm
Kerb Weight 240.4kg  (F: 115.2kg; R: 125.2kg)

SUSPENSION
Type Front: 43mm cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload adjustment, 165mm axle travel
Rear: Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper, 7-step preload and stepless rebound damping adjustment, 145mm axle travel

WHEELS
Front: 6-spoke cast aluminium, 120/70 R17
Rear: 5-spoke cast aluminium, 180/55 R17

BRAKES
Type Front: 296mm dual floating hydraulic disc with 3-piston calipers, ABS
Rear: 256mm hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper, ABS

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