We're getting the bikes ready for duty. Changing oil and making sure everything is in order. We leave one week from today, and taking inventory of everything we need. Last thing to do is a good wash-down.
Honda eyes the 1200 adventure-touring market with the release of its V4 Crosstourer Concept at the Milan Bike Show. The EICMA debut announcement states the new “the V4 Crosstourer Concept will deliver all the fun and excitement of a road sports bike; but with the comfortable upright riding position and manoeuvrability of an adventure machine.”
The new ride shares the V-Four powering the VFR1200F, as well as Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission. Like its VFR sibling, the Crosstourer sources a shaft final drive.
Perking up its AT cred are wire-spoked wheels and tubular crash guards covering the upper fairing. Large panniers adorn the concept model, along with a tall windscreen and small beak-nose.
The new Honda looks production ready. And Honda certainly hints that there’s more V-Four models to come, stating: “The VFR1200F was the first model to utilize the new iconic V4 engine that signified the beginning of the new era in Honda’s engine line-up.”
The new Crosstourer is an intriguing design, and another bike to challenge in the 1200 adventure-touring category, where its engine configuration is unique. A design shot making the earlier rounds in the run up to the Milan was rumored to be a potential 800cc middleweight AT along the lines of Triumph’s new Tiger or BMW’s F800. When asked Honda brass seemed genuinely surprised about the photo’s origins. Whether an 800 AT will later surface, or it was actually a concept sketch of the New Mid Concept also debuted at EICMA, remains to be seen.
I don’t know if this thing is going to make it to the US, gang. Probably not. Why can’t they just give the US market the Varadero, or the Transalp?
If Honda has angered some of its loyal customers with a relative lack of new product in recent years, that might be about to change with this interesting, upright adventure/sport model that will be unveiled in production form at the Milan show. Expected to displace approximately 800 cc, the new bike should have the ergonomics of an adventure machine, i.e., completely upright with wide bars and a comfortable footpeg position, together with 17 inch wheels and street rubber. Here is a brief quote from Honda regarding the new machine.
“This mid-range machine is an exciting new approach – a crossover machine that represents the best aspects of two separate biking genres. It will have the flexibility and exciting attitude of a Naked performance machine, with the more comfortable upright riding position and design cues inspired by adventure bikes.
“With the low center of gravity of a performance bike it is great fun to ride, and because of its wide handlebars and upright riding position it is both easy to maneuver and comfortable.”
I knew ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) was highly over-rated. Listen to this guy from the mountains of North Carolina and his 115 mph 
wreck on his Harley Davidson 
:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyJz7zpWCqA&feature=player_embedded
Here is the official first photo of the new Triumph Tiger 800 XC.
It is equipped a dirt tires, 21-inch front wheel, skid plate, spoked wheels and two front fenders. There will also be a road-going version called the Triumph Tiger 800. It will have a 19-inch front wheel, tubeless tires and mag wheels. Both 800s are fitted with in-line triple Daytona 675 engines punch up to 800cc. They should produce about 100 horsepower and weigh around 400 pounds. Notice the very narrow gap between the fender and the front tire? You think that's going to fill completely up with mud?