HONDA CROSSRUNNER 800 (2011 - 2014) Review

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £300

A superb all rounder, the low speed handling/maneuverability at walking pace is especially good, ideal for slowly working your way to the front of a queue.

Buying experience: From a dealer, but the bike had literally just arrived as a PX so it was in the dealer's showroom for a matter of minutes before I bought it

Version: X

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £100

After 6 months of ownership I can say personally, it's a lump of a thing. Well balanced and very capable of going any distance, anywhere, on the road. It's fairly rapid but not quick. It's thirsty, but you'll forgive it. I can't say I love it, but it's growing on me and it's getting harder to think of part exchanging it.

Buying experience: Bought from a back street trader at £3995, got it for £3625 15k 62 plate. Had been dropped on its side stand but hardly noticeable. I was happy to do a deal.

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £1,100

Best features....I've owned 50 bikes over the past 32 years of riding. I'd say torque and comfort. Usability in any situation. Worst features... Handling badly effected by worn tyres. Gets blown about by mild side winds. Needs another 25bhp really. But yes. I'd happily recommend it to a biker who's had loads of bikes, but needs something else to calm him, and take him touring in comfort.

Buying experience: Bought a from a trader on Facebook locally as I'm not one for travelling miles to look at tatt. I've done all that in the past. It has FSH and I had a mechanic give it looking over. Warranty isn't worth the money. Dealers will fleece you in my experience of 33 years of riding and 60 bikes.

Version: Australia

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £200

Comparison with ‘09 gsxr so maybe biased to that bike (which was amazing!) Forks are not awesome, they are OK. Engine is mint. Torque is spot on. Have a GR Moto tail pipe which came with the bike. Sounds great (bit loud for my missus and neighbors at 4am, don’t care that much). Maybe worth remap to bike, it’s a commuter. All in all, very happy with the bike.

Buying experience: Irrelevant

Version: 2017 VFR800X

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £150

I would recommend people to try this bike before you commit to a Tracer, Versys or baby Multistrada because it is much more than the sum of its parts suggests. Looks are a personal thing and the only thing I can fault is the exhaust clamps rust. You get great value purchasing one of these.

Buying experience: I tried many bikes at many dealers and eventually got the service I required from Thunder Road. The buying experience and after sales has been great.

Version: 2015 VFR800X updated version

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £500

The newly updated version, looks more pleasing to the eye and is now accepted as a proper contender in an ever growing field of adventure/touring bikes. The newer version is much better looking and more acceptable to the previous doubters, this bike does it all and more; tour, scratch, ride to work. The VTEC gives it that extra punch. Don't tell your friends though as they will want one!

Buying experience: It's a Honda, most owners keep these a long time as they are a very underrated bike. Not may people regret buying these and there a keeper.

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £250

The Honda Crossrunner vfr800x.. A very underrated bike, may look quirky but once ridden you will change your mind.

Buying experience: private - belle isle motors ..top team

Version: Camo

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £150

I usually swap my bike every 2 years because I like the dealer backup when touring but just cant bring myself to part with this one its great at everything.

Buying experience: Bought from a Honda dealer who couldn't have been more helpful. (Twowheels) Edinburgh. Actually made me feel like there most important customer.

Year: 2012

Ok it's a little quirky looking and certainly draws option. But it's a great bike does everything I want, marvelous engine, well balanced, great for commuting, touring and for zipping around A roads. I Changed from a CB1300, also great bike, but a bit of an old lump compared to the Crossrunner.

Buying experience: Bought from Tippets Honda, all round good service. Bought for 5k.

Got my Crossrunner 2 weeks ago and already it's my favourite bike (and I've had a lot of bikes!) I'm glad so many people are negative about it. It will put off the droves from buying one thus keeping it exclusive for the few of us who know better. This is such a capable bike for all purposes, a mixed blessing badge often associated with hum drum bikes with no soul. Not so in this case as the Crossrunner has real presence on the road and has that special something that gives pride of ownership and an overall satisfaction I have found to be lacking in almost everything else I have owned. If you're reading this you must be interested in buying one having decided you like the styling. I can think of absolutely nothing that should stop you. Get one and enjoy it's many attributes, exclusivity and that elusive completeness that I've found to be lacking until now. Don't tell too many people though.

The knocker comments have helped keep the 2nd hand prices down and I reckon this brilliant bike could be a sleeper

It's a brilliant bike in my opinion. I'm a big bike newbie but tried a lot of bikes for size and this fits me to a t. I bought mine second hand with 13000 km and I think it's very good value. It came with an Akrapovic slip on, a Ventura rack and bag and has now got a K&N filter installed, with a Powercommander soon to be fitted. There seem to be a lot of negative tire-kicking comments on forums about this bike by people who've not tried the bike, which reminds me that 'there's nothing as queer as folk'. Countering all that hate are the many positive, well-informed views that I mostly agree with - I reckon it's a proper wolf in sheep's clothing - it's goes like stink, handles and brakes with brilliant stability, is ultra-reliable, finished beautifully and built like a tank. I've a riding buddy with an 04 R1 and I'm pretty close behind him in the twisties. So my opinion is to try it first, knockers and for those who consider the Crossrunner unfashionable, get over yourselves.

I bought mine nearly a year ago and wanted a bike i could ride comfortably into London and take on longer rides. Did a ride from Hertfordshire to Portsmouth and back of nearly 200 miles on one tank a few days ago. It never excites me, but never lets me down and i havent found anything better for a long time. All in all, a great reliable bike

There's no denying there's a lot of hate for the Crossrunner - too ugly, heavy, expensive, cramped etc. Well, I like the 'jetski' styling, but the covered bars and gaping dash chasm were a lost design opportunity. It hides its weight well on the road, and is very stable at all speeds. The RRP is pricey and certain essential extras are stupidly expensive, but just drive a good deal, or buy used with the bits already included. The official luggage system is fantastic, it's great for touring, but the Crossrunner can give you a big smile even on just short runs and the twisty stuff. I find it economical, averaging 50+mpg, and the engine is one of the all-time greats, despite being pricey to maintain. As always, Honda got the spec and pricing wrong, but at the right price and with the right kit added this is an absolutely superb choice for real-world bikers.

Honda have apprantly confirmed Crossrunner top speed is 123mph - get your act together MCN and change the data (in heading) above so nobody gets misled.

MMMM - Just read in Bike mag that Crossrunner has Electronic Restriction to 123 mph.Wos news to me. A bit less happy with every step. £10k bike limited to 123 mph - weighs 240 kilos plus 16.5 litres weight of fuel - mmmm! But I still love riding it and there isn't anything else out there better.Just galling that the 100bhp lump does not do what you expect it to do at top end.

Traded in 10plate Suzy GSX1250FA for a new Crossrunner today.Wos looking for a more upright but not topheavy ride and found the Crossunner perfect.Suz has done me proud over £16k miles including Alps tour but I want something a bit more wacky/fun and the Honda is just that - would have been great to swop over to it when riding the mountain passes in Austria. Looking forward to more enjoyable riding round countryside - took me a bout 100 yards on test ride to realise that I really had found what I was looking for - and it goes pretty well when you want to get a rush on!!

Great all rounder master of none but very good bike at every thing.