‘120,000KM, SERVICED ONCE’
My 2012 Crosstourer was an ex-honda press fleet bike that I got when it was a year old and had only done about 10,000km (and I never really knew why it didn’t have an mph speedo). When I sold it last year it had 120,000km on the clock. It got an oil change every year when it went for an MOT, but it only ever had one proper service. I changed the brake pads when they were almost down to the metal (and once after). Nothing ever went wrong, and it handled OK on tyres that were almost bald too. I think it was still on the original battery. It was a brilliant workhorse. I used it like a two wheeled van. And because it was dirty I’d leave it at any airport bike park for weeks and it would still be there, and start on the button, when I got back to it.
It was almost ridiculously comfortable, with a fantastic, commanding riding position and the engine was brilliant. I loved the simplicity of it, with minimal electronics. It was just a really honest bike. I got offered a deal on a new bike and sold the Crosstourer, but I do miss it. The new bike’s got loads of extra buttons and electronics, but all that seems a bit pointless when you compare it to the 1200.
At a Donington photoshoot Steve Plater rode the Crosstourer (which then had done over 100,000km) with a camera on the back. He had to slow so the Blade we were filming could keep up. Riding through Wales with Freddie Spencer on an Africa Twin was a highlight. I sold it to a guy who was taking it back to Poland. He’ll probably do another 120,000km on it before it needs servicing again.