Dutch All-road rider has entered

[__Ray__]

Hey all.
I'm Ray from the Netherlands and i'm a boardmember of de VFR Ownersclub Netherlands.
Already ended up here a few times so now i decided to register and introduce myself.
A bit over 3 years ago i crashed my VFR VTEC witch i wanted to keep another year and then switch to a CT or CR but the universe didn't want me to wait another year to make the switch.
The choice between the CR and CT was more a choice between ergonomics and torque... toque won 
Every time when i get a new bike i say "this one is perfect as is" and that statement never lasted more then a week 
There are a few modifications. MRA Vario touring windshield, SW-Motech off-road suitable footpegs, Hyperpro front suspension (the back is still on the wishlist), Hepco & Becker crashbars, skidplate and paniers, ECC, and some other stuff.

It's called an all-road so i use it like that but it was clear that Honda San build the bike for the 98% who only buy this model for comfort.
One of the Honda mishaps brought me here to an older topic.

I'm riding 15 to 20k km's a year and if the Corona crisis ends in time i'm going on a 7400km Balkan road trip this September.

A picture says more than a thousand words so this is my ongoing project

[mzflorida]

I love what you did to that bike.  Are those stock forks?  Welcome to the forum. 

[__Ray__]

Originally Posted by mzflorida

I love what you did to that bike.  Are those stock forks?  Welcome to the forum.

Thanks.
The forks are stock but with Hyperpro springs and i put some protection sleeves over the inner tube.

[Red Boll]

Hi /Hallo Ray

[Wvvstar]

Welcome Ray!  I’m new here myself.

I also bought the VFR with the intent to do some “mild” off roading.  From the few times I’ve ventured off the tarmac...the tires seem to be One of the biggest drawbacks.   I’m curious about the tires you have mounted...how would you rate their street grip compared to the normal tires the bike has? 
90% of my riding with this bike is onroad so I wouldn’t want to compromise the street grip by much. 
Thanks!

Ron

[Dave56]

Hi Ray and  to the colleCTive, liking the look of your Crosstourer, especially your orange “Dutch” stripe. 

[__Ray__]

Originally Posted by Wvvstar

...  I’m curious about the tires you have mounted...how would you rate their street grip compared to the normal tires the bike has? 
90% of my riding with this bike is onroad so I wouldn’t want to compromise the street grip by much. 
...

Hey Ron.
If you're only doing mild off-road i would advise the Michelin Anakee Adventure, that is a 80-20 tyre with the on-road capability of a 90-10 (comparable with the Michelin Road 5 Trail) and the off-road capability of a 70-30.
The tyres mounted on my bike at the moment (the ones in the picture) are the Michelin Anakee Wild witch is a 50-50 tyre. I mounted this tyre because i had a TET (Trans Euro Trail) route planned but Corona made me change the plans. That ride will be done later on.
The Wild need a couple of hundred km's to wear in, just after mounting you get real regret of mounting them but bear with it and they end up as really not that bad on tarmac but they are knobby's and need a different mindset on-road.
The Adventures are real good on-road en will surprise you off-road. They come short in loose sand and mud and on rocks the front tyre can skid off due to lack of bite on the side of the tyre but on gravel and firmer sand they are real grippy.
If Corona is gone in time i will mount a fresh set of Anakee Adventures before i leave on the 7400km Balkan trip. I had them before this set of Anakee Wild's and they lasted 14000km with some profile left (about 2000km) so they are also very durable (and i don't ride like a grandma ).

[__Ray__]

Originally Posted by Dave56

Hi Ray and  to the colleCTive, liking the look of your Crosstourer, especially your orange “Dutch” stripe. 

Thanks. I panted it myself as i do about everything myself