Greetings from Yorkshire, UK

[Beratna]

Hi Everyone, I’ve found your forum to be really informative and enjoyable in the research for my next bike... You can guess which one I’ve a hankering for... ! So I’ll begin with a big thank you for all the information and advice I’ve read up on..... As for me, I’m a few years the wrong side of 50, and recently moved up North to Yorkshire, just as the Covid thing kicked off messing up everyones plans.... Happily I have enough money left to treat myself to a new (ish) bike.  I currently ride an 08 Triumph Tiger 1050 and even older Yamaha Fazer FZS 1000..  I am looking forward to finding a new steed worthy of Yorkshire’s great biking roads..!  I am already set on DCT, but am still to make a final decision between the Crosstourer & Africa Twin.. I am hoping you will help me decide... 

[navigator1946]

Welcome to the forum. I can tell you that the CT with dct is perfectly suited to the East Riding roads I ride frequently (I'm in Hornsea). But I would not dream of telling you which is the best bike for you. You'll go a long way before you find a better machine and better value for money that a Crossy.

[Dave56]

Hi there, and welcome.
I just thought I dip into the forum and read your intro and thought that this may be of interest to you.
Let me just say that I have absolutely no connection with the dealer it’s just that I can personally vouch for this bike as it use to be mine.
It’s in excellent condition and comes with all the accessories your likely to need, even has the Givi tank ring fitted.
If you want any more info then just drop me a PM. 

https://www.vertumotorcycles.com/used-motorcycle/2540958/honda-crosstourer-vfr1200xdce/

[Beratna]

Hi There, Thanks for the replies....  From my research I believe that the last, and latest variant of the X tourer came out in 2016, having a variable height screen and more modes on the DCT,  and leaner fuelling?. The Africa twin had new models in 2018, and 2020.. 

I’ve test ridden a manual X tourer and both manual and DCT ATs, (standard and adventure sport).  I liked all of them, but am sold on the DCT...  Of the ATs I preferred the standard over the Adventure sport, as the height was just right. I needed the medium seat in low position on the Adventure, and even then was just a bit too high.   Of the different models, the AT felt more fun and was surprisingly more agile than I thought it would be, and still planted at speed.  The X tourer by comparison felt more comfortable, grounded, smooth, and competent rather than fun...  But that V4 was in a different league the torque was awesome and super planted at speed, and seemingly more agile then one would expect...

I plan on doing a fair bit of two up touring with the Mrs, so the X tourer seems the best choice, and perhaps the best value for money..

[Beratna]

Originally Posted by Beratna

Hi There, Thanks for the replies....  From my research I believe that the last, and latest variant of the X tourer came out in 2016, having a variable height screen and more modes on the DCT,  and leaner fuelling?. The Africa twin had new models in 2018, and 2020.. 

I’ve test ridden a manual X tourer and both manual and DCT ATs, (standard and adventure sport).  I liked all of them, but am sold on the DCT...  Of the ATs I preferred the standard over the Adventure sport, as the height was just right. I needed the medium seat in low position on the Adventure, and even then was just a bit too high.   Of the different models, the AT felt more fun and was surprisingly more agile than I thought it would be, and still planted at speed.  The X tourer by comparison felt more comfortable, grounded, smooth, and competent rather than fun...  But that V4 was in a different league the torque was awesome and super planted at speed, and seemingly more agile then one would expect...

I plan on doing a fair bit of two up touring with the Mrs, so the X tourer seems the best choice, and perhaps the best value for money..

I should add that I don’t envisage doing much off road riding..

[navigator1946]

Good decision. For two up touring, the dct will be ideal. The CT is the much better tourer of the two, in my opinion. Dave 56 might comment on that???

[Beratna]

Finally... My X-tourer DCT has been delivered and I went out for my first ride yesterday late afternoon... I'd not actually ridden the DCT X-tourer before, but have tried a manual X-tourer and the Africa Twin DCT which I thought was great.... So first X-tourer impressions and is it everything I want it to be?  I am looking for comfort reliability,  and a tourer that is agile enough to have fun in the twisties.... Also ideally I didnt want to have to spend loads of extra cash on mods...  My 12 year Old Tiger 1050 that I have just part exchanged had a nitron shock (essential for 2 up) and rapid bike tuned engine maps.... And Yes I think I made the right choice... I found my X-tourer  really comfortable,  soft suspension but stable and planted, good feedback despite soft suspension and easier plus more fun on the twisties then I thought it would be. I used the Veejay settings though found eventually I didn't need to wind up the rear preload... The engine is sublime, purrs at low revs, and snarls at higher revs, and bags of torque seemingly anywhere in the rev range, and thus gets fast very quickly... I consistently found myself travelling much faster than I thought I was, about 20mph more and much of the time with the engine seeming to be placid and not really trying....  Thus in Drive it felt a bit boring, but in Sport 3 or manual it rocks, especially in the twisties... Sport 1 for town and Drive for plodding.... I suspect most of my time will be in sport modes.... Also that tiny screen is surprisingly good, and being adjustable is awesome... Seems to fit well... I am 5'10". So I am happy... Thanks to covid I have never spent so much money on something I had not actually seen other than photos, it's early days  but I think I have made the right choice... 

[navigator1946]

Welcome to the group.  As I mentioned above, I'm in Hornsea, where there is at least one other CT.  We're both dct lovers.

No doubt our paths will cross at Seaways sometime, where someone is bound to ask you "What is it??"

Incidentally, Steve at SW Bikes at Hutton Cranswick looks after mine now the warranty has expired and I know the other Hornsea CT has all his work done there.  Miles Kingsport at Hull (Mike in Servicing especially) are super Honda dealers and I can recommend them, both for parts and advice. 

Happy miles!

Martin