Honda VFR800X Crossrunner 2nd gen (2015+) Maintenance

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner released in 2015, an update to the earlier 2011-2014 version.

The Honda VFR800X Crossrunner is a quasi-adventure motorcycle with a V4 powerplant. It is powered by the same engine in the Honda VFR800, but packed into an upright chassis. It’s a charming engine, a 90-degree V4 with 782cc displacement, twin overhead cams (in each blocks) with an over-square bore and stroke of 72.0 x 48.0 mm that lets it rev quite high.

The 2015 Honda VFR800X Crossrunner is based on the updated 2014 Honda VFR800 8th gen, and got a few extra niceties like traction control and standard ABS, as well as much updated styling. In some markets, it’s still available for sale.

The VFR800X Crossrunner motorcycle has a wide-barred, upright riding position that lets you ride comfortably for hours… if not days.

Red 2nd gen Honda VFR800X Crossrunner 2016

Red 2015 Honda VFR80)X Crossrunner on centrestand with full luggage

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What you need to service your Honda VFR800X Crosrunner 2nd gen

The Crossrunner, having a V4 engine and a degree of fairings, can be slightly annoying to service the first time. But you get faster at taking the fairings off once you’ve done it a few times! A couple of hints — don’t pull too hard on anything, and try moving things backwards and forwards to disengage locks. Don’t assume things are “pressed” in — you might break them.

Most VFR800X Crossrunners come equipped with a centre stand, which makes chain maintenance easier at least.

So here’s what you need to maintain your VFR800X Crossrunner 2nd gen.

Part	Honda VFR800X Crossrunner spec
Oil	Honda’s manual calls for SAE 10W-30 JASO T 903 standard MA, which is a pretty universal standard for motorcycle oil. You can use Pro Honda GN4 to stay on brand, or go for another well-regarded oil like Motul 7100.
Filter	The schedule calls for replacing the oil filter every time you replace the oil. Use a Hiflofiltro HF204RC (which works for all years).
Spark plug	You need an NGK spark plug of type IMR9D-9H (four of them).
Coolant	You can use any ethylene glycol-based coolant, but Honda recommends Pro Honda coolant.
Clutch and brake fluid	Use Honda DOT 4 clutch and brake fluid.
Air filter	Use the drop-in replacement air filter HA-8098 from K&N. It’s the same for all year models of VFR800X Crossrunner.
Chain	Use a Motul chain care kit or at least Motul chain paste to service the chain of your VFR800X.
Grease	Always good to have lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the bearings, kickstand, and centrestand.
Brakes	Many Crossrunner owners use EBC brake pads for added bite, less fade, and longer life. Use part FA390HH for the front (you need two pairs), and FA488HH for the rear.

Maintenance parts for the Honda VFR800X

Honda VFR800X Crossrunner Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner 2nd gen. It’s much the same as for the VFR800F 8th gen, as well as similar to the earlier 2011-2014 VFR800X.

Maintenance Level — Honda’s manuals have a suggested difficulty level for maintenance. (But we know you’re here because you’re going to do it all!)

X: Intermediate. We recommend service by your dealer, unless you have the necessary tools and are mechanically skilled.
XX: Technical. In the interest of safety, have your motorcycle serviced by your dealer.

Maintenance Legend

I: Inspect (clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary)
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean

Notes:

*1: At higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
*2 (Air filter): Service more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
*3 (Fluids): Replacement requires mechanical skill.

Items		Pre-ride Check	x 1000 km	1	12	24	36	48	Annual Check	Regular Replace
			x 1000 mi	0.6	8	16	24	32
Fuel Line	X				I	I	I	I	I
Fuel Level		I
Throttle Operation	X	I			I	I	I	I	I
Air Cleaner2 (HA-8098*)	X					R		R
Spark Plug (NGK IMR9D-9H)	X					I		R
Valve Clearance	X					I		I
Engine Oil (Pro honda GN4)		I		R	R	R	R	R	R
Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC)				R	R	R	R	R	R
Engine Idle Speed	X			I	I	I	I	I	I
Radiator Coolant3 (Pro Honda Coolant*)		I			I	I	I	I	I	3 Years
Cooling System	X				I	I	I	I	I
Secondary Air Supply System	X				I	I	I	I	I
Drive Chain (Motul chain care kit)		I								Every 1000 km (600 mi): I L
Drive Chain Slider					I	I	I	I
Brake Fluid3 (Honda DOT 4*)		I			I	I	I	I	I	2 Years
Brake Pads Wear		I			I	I	I	I	I
Brake System				I	I	I	I	I	I
Brake Light Switch					I	I	I	I	I
Headlight Aim					I	I	I	I	I
Lights/Horn		I
Engine Stop Switch		I
Clutch System					I	I	I	I	I
Clutch Fluid3 (Honda DOT 4*)		I			I	I	I	I	I	2 Years
Side Stand					I	I	I	I	I
Suspension	X				I	I	I	I	I
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners	X			I	I	I	I	I	I
Wheels/Tires	XX	I			I	I	I	I	I
Steering Head Bearings	XX			I	I	I	I	I	I

Honda VFR800X maintenance schedule

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner

The Honda VFR800X Crossrunner has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard. It ships with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tyres, but people fit sportier or more touring-oriented tyres typically.

Wheel	Tire size	Tire pressure
Front	120/70R17M/C 58V	225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm2, 33 psi)
Rear	180/55R17M/C 73V	250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2, 36 psi)

VFR800X Crossrunner tyre sizes and pressures

About the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner

The VFR800X Crossrunner 2nd gen was a significant update to the earlier 2011-2014 1st gen in every aspect other than the engine.

Which isn’t to say the engine didn’t get an overhaul. It’s fundamentally the same donk — a 782cc 90-degree V4 that’s liquid-cooled and with dual overhead cams. But it got a tune for more midrange torque and even a tad more top-end power.

The VFR800X Crossrunner 2nd gen is based on the more highly specified VFR800 8th gen. This means that the 2nd gen Crossrunner gets a few niceties like

43mm forks that are preload and rebound adjustable
Two-level traction control
Standard ABS
Heated grips
Really nice paint
And an updated LCD that looks really nice at night time.

The Honda VFR800X Crossrunner’s engine is … lovely. Making over 75 kW or around 100 hp, it has a smooth rush of progressive, linear power with abundant torque throughout the rev range. It’s quite precise to control — despite VTEC and people complaining with earlier VFRs that it was like a turbo suddenly coming on, it’s quite easy to manage the transition point.

So the VFR800X feels like a sportbike but has the grace and easy rideability of an adventure tourer. In that sense it’s quite like the Tracer 900 — just not as light, or powerful, or… fast. (The Tracer 900 is awesome.)

The 43mm cartridge forks give great front wheel control and rider feedback, while the rear wheel’s Honda Pro-link rising-rate linkage system and gas charged HMAS damper gives excellent contact and adjustability.

The brakes on the Crossrunner are great, too. Twin 296mm floating discs, grabbed by six-piston calipers, mean sportbike-level braking. The rear disc is also fine (though as with most rear discs, you mostly use it for stabilising).

One big difference with earlier generation VFR800s is that the crossrunner (and later-generation VFRs, too) don’t have under-seat exhausts. While this means it doesn’t look as awesome, it also means that the pillion seat doesn’t heat up to an uncomfortable temperature. The exhaust sound doesn’t suffer, either.

The 2nd gen VFR800X Crossrunner was updated slightly in 2017 for Euro4 compliance, but it also got a 12V power socket and an adjustable screen.