I went from a 2017 GS TE Exclusive to a CT DCT and don’t regret it for a moment. The GS was ridiculously unreliable despite all the bells and whistles. The CT by comparison is just effortless and very very capable. My 3 hour commute to London from middle England is just eaten by the CT and the DCT box makes life even more enjoyable. The difference in scope between the GS and the CT isn’t that great but the biggest difference is that the Honda is in an order of magnitude better in terms of build quality and reliability. I can happily live without the GS toys in the knowledge that I will be able to get where I’m going and back again in comfort. Great bike.

I have one & I can say I just love it, I know when I go to Europe for a Tour I can just put the panniers on & away I go knowing I will return without any problems due to the Honda reliability & that alone is a great piece of mind .🏍🇬🇧

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the delay in replying...Thanks for your comments. I've now bought a new bike and you might not be too surprised!!!!

@marklloyd4153

5 жыл бұрын

ian gardner how do you feel about the weight ?when is the weight more of a factor? I found one for $10700 U.S. dollars marked down $5200 dollars for a new 2017 . I was thinking of getting it to replace my 650 V Strom . For me the biggest plus factors for the VFR seem to b the shaft drive ,seating position , the motor,& being marked down a 3rd in price seems great . Can you give me your perspective on some plus’s & minus’s. Much thanks .

@addicted2baseballrgd21

4 жыл бұрын

@@marklloyd4153 did you get it? I've also seen one marked down, but I really like the Kawasaki Versey 1000.

I would like to compliment All the Bloggers for information on every bike , Thank You.

Thanks for an excellent review, and also for sharing the petrol station nightmare. I had a similar side stand horror moment with my brand new CB1100 and when it's past a certain angle there's just no stopping it! Luckily I had people with me to get up again but I wince every time I think about it - the shame of it! Hope you enjoy the coming season...

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes the petrol station incident was embarrassing as well as an expensive mistake - cracked the engine case cover on the left side. £350 to replace - ouch! Luckily people came to my rescue too. I felt a right idiot! You too, ride safe.

I disagree with you , you see your used to a sports bike which would give you some excitement but the Honda is a tourer and for me it’s very exciting.

Good, practical review from a likeable biker.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Peter, many thanks for your kind words and glad you liked.

Great review thanks 👍

@MiddleagedRider

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Enjoyed the review. Just bought a new one. My favourite road bike has always been the ST1100 and I reckon this is going to be an excellent replacement. V4 engine with 25bhp more, 10 kg less weight, very similar riding posture, shaft drive, heated grips, and a 6th gear, honda build. All boxes ticked. My ST handled really well and I never got left behind. Think you probably have to be a certain age to appreciate the qualities of a bike like this. Done the sportsbike thing...........

@MiddleagedRider

5 жыл бұрын

Lol - I'm still have a sportsbike, but the CT is my go to, every day bike for exactly that reason. If you get someone who knows what they're doing and have the suspension fiddled with it makes it even better handling and takes out a bit of the soft wallow that comes with it in stock set up. I can keep up with most things on it.

I spent Saturday checking a leftover brand new 2016 and will find out Tuesday if I get to go and pick it up. Keep your fingers crossed and send up a collective prayer for me if you will my Biker Brothers & Sisters!

I like your idea of considering this bike as a second hand buy. Here in the U.S. they launched with high expectation but I just don't see many on the road.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

I would seriously buy one second hand for the right price. My dealer has a 2015 model with only 3,000 miles on the clock for £8500. That's a lot of bike for that money and at that price you can overlook some of the bike's failings.

@marklloyd4153

5 жыл бұрын

To and Fro I agree . I don’t think they r going to offer it anymore here . I don’t c 18s or 19s in the stores . I found a 17 model for &10700 out the door marked down about a third from $15999 price.

Great review and it looks like you've succumbed to the VFR in your Christmas / 2017 review video. Also recognised most of the roads your on (local knowledge)😀.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks - and judging by your YT name I bet you do know the roads!!! Some fun riding to be had round those parts. Indeed I did and I have a video coming soon(ish) to reveal and why I ended up with it - just need to find some editing time!

@thewinnershracer8870

6 жыл бұрын

I got my bike from Hatfields, Martin is very helpful. I'm currently doing my IAM, how long did it take you from your first observation to going to your test?

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, the whole team at Hatfields are great. Always looked after me and love the small family run feel as opposed to big dealer just interested in sales. Total time was about 16 months, but I had some gaps between observed rides and I really wasn't in a massive hurry. If I had've pushed it harder I could've done it in under a year. At the end of the day when both you and your observer feel ready that's the time to do it. Try and get as many rides with other observers too. I found that really helpful. So much of the "system" is like the law - open to interpretation and personal judgement - the more experience and views from others you can get, you can then filter and apply to your own riding.

@thomaselliottdolby

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks middle aged rider! Me and my family have all bought bikes from Hatfields, and I just bought a secondhand manual crosstourer the other day. Delighted with the bike, hell of a machine! After many years with the VFR800 the CT ticks all the boxes. V4, Beautifully made, reliable, fast, practical. A gladiator of a bike

really, and i mean really, nice picture quality.

I'd love a DCT bike which the CrossTourer is available with. However, like you mentioned, there's just too much missing from the CrossTourer, there's no LED headlight or cruise control. I really believe if Honda offered these options they'd sell a lot more of them. I'm interested see what the 2018 model offers. Interesting point about a used buy as you can get proper electronic cruise control and a LED headlight conversation for these bikes....... Great review, thanks for sharing.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you enjoyed. I'm not a huge fan of the DCT box - see my recent Africa Twin review for my thoughts!!

@felixlechat1780

Ай бұрын

The only reason why there’s no cruise control is because there's no throttle-by-wire either

@TheDervMan

Ай бұрын

@@felixlechat1780 that's not strictly true as all the modern Honda's are RBW yet none of the more affordable bikes have cruise (X-ADV, NC750, NX500). It stinks of a marketing ploy. 🥲

Have you tested BMW r1250 gsa ? Do you find CT better?

Interesting review, I currently own a VFR1200F but having spent the winter riding my CRF I’m debating whether I’d prefer the upright riding of the X. I found the Africa Twin too underpowered (not keen on going back to a chain either), will be interesting to test ride an X and see how I get on.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

I rode the AT and Crosstourer back to back and I didn't notice much difference in the riding position. The Crosstourer was a bit more comfy but that's not saying I found the AT uncomfortable. Bit like comparing comfort levels between a Bentley and a Rolls Royce, both very comfy but one might just edge it! I found that the AT had enough power for a single rider without luggage. I've heard others say that loaded up that's where you might feel under powered. Interestingly I found the AT more fun to ride and to have "character" or "soul" which is missing on the CT. I do love not having to worry about a chain though! Thanks for watching.

@anthonyjarvis522

4 жыл бұрын

you will not regret it a peach of an engine y do people buy a GS because they think it will give them credibility yyyyy

Coming off those roundabouts in 3rd or even 4th and using the grunt makes for a much more satisfying ride. I suppose that's the difference between the CT and the Blade. I've had my CT for about 17k now.

@MiddleagedRider

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, two very different bikes. CT is all about low down grunt, the Blade is top end rush! I've just had my 16k service on the CT. It's my everyday workhorse and it's so well suited to that.

Have you rode the 1200F to do a Comparison? I’m thinking of swapping mine. Also you mentioned the front feeling light at speed, is that an issue and or dangerous? Thanks.

Yes but that bmw Gs has problems with the electrics so for reliability the Honda every time for me and it’s half the cost of the bm .

Ok so what bike that is comfortable but not a sports bike should I look at? To me the fact that it does everything so well is a huge plus because I have been through the years of riding fast. Don’t want to anymore. Come on , you found the power rather fun out of the corners. Nice review.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the delay in replying... LOL - yes the power and engine are the best bit. I have now got a new bike which you can glimpse in my Review of 2017 video and a more detailed what I bought and why is still to come... maybe it won't be a surprise!!

Got one , for long distance rapid travel it is just a good bike, heavy it is but so is a big merc or bmw that also destroy miles quickly and comfortably. Bikes like this need to be ridden a long way to really appreciate what they are for. Honda reliability and build included hut yes a bit boring a bit bland if a Sunday thrash is your bag.

@MiddleagedRider

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed, exactly why I bought it. Wish it's fuel tank was a bit larger to give more range though. Thanks for watching.

what height and inseam are you? thanks also what bike would you recommend? I'm 6'1 32 inch inseam, fairly strong so well able to manage most bikes, not sure I'm mad about the spoked wheels, that's the only thing bothering me about the crosstourer really, that and the fact you say it's a bit boring.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

I'm 6ft1/6ft2 and have a 33in inside leg. I'm no 10 stone weakling either! About 15 stone! I can manage the bike fine on the move. It's moving it about stationary - it's heavy to wheel about. The spoked wheels are fine, in fact they help absorb some of the bumps along with the suspension to give a really nice ride. They also take tubeless tyres so no worries there either. As for the boring bit - it's a mega efficient and comfy mile muncher. The V4 engine makes it progress very rapidly and effortlessly so you are cosseted from the actual speed you're doing! There is no drama riding this bike hence it doesn't get the pulse racing, doesn't mean it's a bad bike. Best bet is to give one a try and see for yourself. My boring might be your excitement and vice versa. Thanks for watching.

@roadwarrior8560

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks I'll let you know what I think.

How heavy is really heavy bike ? 6'1", inseam ? VRF1200 to Honda Goldwing. Want a bike in between, I think, still not sure of one self on larger bikes. Got a CTX700DX for home use and travel around my community, graphically Seahawked out for our WA State Football Team, but want a bike not heavy on top as this small bike, except want a bike between 419 lbs to 600 lbs.

@kevinkeys1383

6 жыл бұрын

I'm 6'08", with a bad back, but riding is my freedom to travel an a chance to enjoy life.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

It's the heaviest bike I've tried but obviously some big touring bikes like the Goldwing will be heavier. Once riding it really doesn't feel that heavy and you *should* be able to get both feet on the ground which does help with a heavy bike. Go and have a sit on one and lift it off the side stand to get a feel, even before a test ride.

@Kurkess

5 жыл бұрын

My GSA feels a lot bigger and heavier than the Crosstourer. I'm seriously thinking about changing the GSA out for the CT

Middleagedrider, What inseam ? 6'08"ish, as time bloke we all get shorter. Your 6' ? My brother said he was 6'an a quater inch... Brilliant listening to you describe how fast, torque, seat, ect. Your height, inseam for us challenged lot or longer then others to know we can fit or not.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

I take a 33in inside leg in my jeans and I'm between 6'1"-6'2" in my motorcycle boots. Weigh about 15/16 stone. Thanks for stopping by

Middle aged rider, Shaft driven or chain on the 1200 Honda.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

The Crosstourer is a shaftie

I'm not watching you 'cause you iced the gauge

I wish bikers would act. Like men and not a bunch of soft sap's all I hear is dct this cruise control that led lights.iv got a 2016 CT with a proper gear lever and clutch.did 1600 miles in 4 days and didn't need or wish for any of the soft boy toys.what are you lot men or mice

@piotrobrochta6215

6 жыл бұрын

OMG what a stupid argument. So throw away your microwave and start cooking your meals on bonfire.

@MiddleagedRider

6 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the delay in replying...I don't disagree, but when the competition provides all this, sometimes you need to keep up to maintain sales.

@TheDervMan

6 жыл бұрын

Tim Wilson 🤣 Honda loose sales because they don’t offer this stuff. If you don’t want cruise control then don’t use it. LED lights are better in every way compared to filament based units, have you ever ridden at night using LED lights? I’m assuming you don’t like ABS either 🤔

@mikaellindroos1594

6 жыл бұрын

Tim Wilson horse and carry.😀

@cavscout62

4 жыл бұрын

DervMan - Loose sales? As opposed to Tight sales?