2023 Honda Transalp | Final Thoughts
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- Опубліковано 17 лис 2023
- Living With The 2023 Honda Transalp
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5'8" with 30" inch inseam. - Авто та транспорт
Thanks Dan. I have the taller screen on mine and it was invaluable when a suicidal pheasant flew into it and then bounced over my head! With the smaller screen the impact would have been my face.
Oof, silly pheasants are everywhere here too at the moment. Ride safe!
Funny how fast the $10k middle weight happened....
I’m a 73kg rider and find the stock suspension and factory preload settings nice and comfortable for me.
The bike is simply a great all round option. It’s a more powerful and tarted up CB500X so while it may not excite you it just all the tasks without any problems. Utterly dependable. 👍
one thing I have about big ADV bikes is trying to sit on them in a show-room.. the floors are typically a slick linoleum or some sort of tile... and I always feel weird trying to do the right-leg first method of getting on tall bikes because I am now putting 200lbs additional pressure on this tiny piece of metal on a slick floor... it never kicks out but it doesn't stop the fear I might smash a really expensive bike (and me) onto a hard surface...
Oh yes, also if it's been raining and you have wet shoes! The fear is real!
Thanks for the video Dan! Can't wait for them to bring more than one color option here in the US :)
Thanks for watching! Hope you get the colour you want soon!
Thank you for another very good review. I did scan to see if you answered my question but, didn't see it. So at 5'8 were you looking over the optional tall screen?
I got mine about a month ago. Great bike and lots of fun
Enjoy!
Thanks for the review.
It helped to confirm decision to get a TransAlp.
Glad it helped, enjoy the Transalp!
nice review, thanks for the work.
Thanks Mark!
Cracking review Dan, really covered everything.
Personally, I love the TransAlp, just a couple of things put me off, the 2 things you covered, no CC and tubed tyres. As well as being a brand new bike, no after market luggage options at the time of launch, just the ridiculously priced Honda luggage.
I ended up buying a KTM 890adv. Which had all the things I wanted plus had the same after market options as the 790adv, so had plenty of options.
I will be checking the TransAlp in 2026, hopefully, as you say, there might be CC and tubeless options available by then.
Thanks Rich!
4,000 miles on my vstrom 800de in 4 months and love it but will certainly love the transalp as well. However, the transalp ought to be in the classic white color. I have not ridden the transalp but what I love about the vstrom the most is how comfortable it is. I can easily, and I am no exagerating, ride the the bike until it needs gas without stopping. 200 plus miles and I enjoy it so much that I don't even want to stop to take a pic. It is super comfortable and entertaining. It could be lighter and use regular fuel. However, it is pretty perfect for my use.
Those V-Stroms do comfort very well!
That would be fantastic bike if not:
- weight (230kg)
- tub tires
- heat emission
- engine vibration
@@podunkman2709 do you own it? Have you seen the reviews? Spec sheet warrior? Its an awesome bike. There is a reason why even with some flaws it still wins comparisons and buyers. Not only the vstrom but the naked version using the same engine. There is no perfect bike.
@@podunkman2709 I actually have one, points 1,3 and 4 are non-problems, trying to figure out what people are talking about…
@@podunkman2709 One thing I would say, don't get hung up on specs. Ride it and see how it feels. Weight is fine once the bike is rolling.
Thanks for the excellent review. I have been waiting for this ever since Transalp was released. Can we significantly compare Transalp and Vstorm 800 SE (instead of DE)? That is the closest competitor; it has reduced kerb weight compared to DE and road-focused suspension. Let us know
Also very keen to know how different is the riding style of Vstorm 800 compare to it's younger sibling Vstorm 650, this is parallel twin and 650 V-twin which in my books has a separate fan
base among the hardcore riders. Please include that while reviewing. Thanks 😃
I don't consider the RE/SE and the Transalp as being competitors, due to the obvious differences in what they are set out to do. So it's more about what is the best bike for your needs? If you want a more road-focused bike, the RE/SE is probably a better purchase. If you still want that 21" and long travel suspension but still have a fun road bike too, the Transalp is my pick.
Mccruise will have a aftermarket cruise for this by early 2024.
I have it on my other. Ike and it works great where the oem failed us
Good to know, thanks!
I like Suzuki 800de more but because of the weight I will choose Honda Transalp because of my small build. Having test ride both you can certainly feel Honda is much much east to handle.
Now i know a genuine cruise control kit can be bought from McCruise, I'll now be picking one up to use as my everyday/winter bike.
Good choice!
Good review, swapped out rear suspension unit for a Hagon shock, it’s transformed the bike. Just about to convert the rear wheel to tubeless, you cannot convert the front as it has no bead retaining rim, but on the road you’re less likely to get a front puncture.
Can you buy an aftermarket front wheel?
@@judge831 VRX may do one....
Are you sure about that because if you watch big rock Moto, he bought a tubeless kit and did both tires so I would double check
Thanks David, Hagon make amazing shocks!
@@TheZakkmylde You can convert the front wheel to tubeless but it has no retaining rim on the inside to keep the tyre on the rim, so its not recommended. you run the risk if the tyre punctured it could come off the rim. TBH its not a problem as I have only had 2 front wheel punctured in 50 years of biking. I do however carry a spare front tube.
it mindblowing when compairing v-strom and trans alp no one is talking about ho ugly the vstrom is. its rare to find a good looking european or jananesse bike and trans alp is one of the few
I crack up the way Dan makes himself laugh :D
If you can't make yourself laugh, life can be a bit dull eh! Thanks!
Too true! Thanks again for all the videos and hard work! 😊@@Englishbikerdan
This motorcycle has couch springs instead of suspension. But the biggest disadvantage is the tube tires.
They say that to replace the air filter you have to send the motorcycle back to the factory 😅
You must sit on some hard couches! :D
What gloves are they? Thanks
Richa Cruiser 2.
The V Strom 800 DE (230 kg) is 22 kgs heavier then the Transalp (208 kg)
Are you having any issues with the throttle and uneven response?
My brother had one and was saying it would be inconsistent when cornering Honda denying any known issues but he has seen on forums a few complaining of similar. He has sorted his taking excessive slack out of the cable but literally had to take the whole assembly apart.
No issues at all on multiple Transalp's that I've ridden.
@@Englishbikerdan good to hear but it is an issue for some
is the tire good enough for road use? or should switch to ture which more focus on road use
Absolutely fine for the road.
LOVE that helmet! Which model HJC is that?
Thanks, it's the RPHA 11.
@@Englishbikerdan cheers.
How is the seat height? Do your feet touch the ground ok?
I was on the balls of my feet, it's not a short bike.
How does it compare with the vstrom 800 RE ?. That looks like it should be a better road bike due to 19 inch front, no inner tubes, no spokes to clean and radial brakes from the 8S naked bike.
Sadly neither bike has cruise control which would be a deal breaker for many. Wonder if Honda will copy Suzuki with a road focused variant minus the 21 inch front, no inner tubes etc.
Maybe honda are seeing how popular the re is first. If I were buying the re I would probably just get the 8S it's cheaper and lighter and has proper tyres for the road,
I see the 800RE as in a different segment really. More comparable with the Tger 850 Sport.
Its funny how a lack of cruise control has now become a "deal breaker" on new bikes. You could always fit a Atlas Throttle lock, if you feel the need.
@Englishbikerdan 800re and tiger sport 850 are very close in terms of price, weight, power, wheel sizes.
Hi Dan, how do you fix the tire if you get a flat? Since it is non-tubeless and no center stand? Thanks!
You call the breakdown company! :D
Find something to jack it up a log or whatever lift it up on the side stand Put another tube in , I always have at least a front spare tube , not very often you get a flat , you can ride with a flat ( slowly if you have to) .
be careful those metzler tyres arnt to good in the wet!
Nice review as always! I have a beautiful Tiger 800 xc with very low milage at 10K. You own a 850 Tiger, which has a little less character than the "old" 800 based on engine performance. Ever owned or ridden a 800 Tiger? Would you replace a Tiger 800 with the Transalp? I do not care about the rider modes, only performance and feel. Thanks!
Original tiger 800 all day for me transalp is really overrated if you ask me.
Thanks for the question! It's been a long time since I rode a Tiger 800, I found the engine fun but a little less engaging. My pick would be the Transalp. It's light, that engine is so much fun, and very punchy. You can do some decent offroad stuff with it too. But like anything, we all have own preferences so I'd say test first and make an informed choice from there. Thanks!
@@Englishbikerdan Thanks
@@chrishart8548 Why do you think it's overrated? Have you ridden one? If so what didn't you like?
@@Englishbikerdan I just think people are getting far to exited about a 750cc twin adventure like it's a panacea of transportation. I only meant if it was between the T800 and the TA I'm not keen on either of them. The t800 the headlights are to big and the TA the headlight is to small.
would you buy the transalp 750 or KTM 790 Adventure?
Transalp.
@@EnglishbikerdanWhy? It’s bare bones in comparison to new 790 and you need to take bike with dash apart to replace air filter…
No cruise control is the deal breaker for me - it’s meant for touring?
Yeah it's a bit of an oversight. Mind you, I am sure people would complain about the extra cost if it had CC.
Atlas throttle lock works perfectly for me on my Versys 650GT
Veridian have a cruise for it already. $299 USD. Plug and play.
how is the fueling at this bike?
A little sensitive on the throttle at low engagement. Takes some getting used to.
Just can't get past the headlight.
Can't see it when you're riding it though. :)
@@Englishbikerdan But it would haunt me every time I do the admiring look back thing.
I beg to differ. I believe off the bat, the Transalp is more road focus with the inability to actually have a proper “gravel” mode and also the TC OFF and ABS mode OFF that keeps reset the moment you turn off the ignition.
I believe Honda is not commited in a genuine “off road” biased but more towards road bias with the 21inch front.
So the proper right comparison are actually the Suzuki 800 RE and also the Triumph Tiger 850 (the one that you own now)
So, may I know whats your actual take if this 3 bikes are in comparison ?
I’m in a crossroad now figuring which of this 3 is the right bike for my next long term ownership. Coming from the CB650R which i’ve clocked 65k kilometers. Same motorcycle as you previously 🌝
The RE and Tiger 850 are vastly different bikes to the Transalp due to suspension travel and wheel choice. The 800 DE is absolutely the correct comparison. What I will say is I had way more fun riding the Transalp than I did riding my own Tiger 850. The 800 RE is a great road bike for sure, but again, 19" front is the reason why it's more suited to tarmac. You need to decide what's important to you, road ability or offroading potential. My opinion the best of both worlds is the Transalp, but if you want a more road based machine then the 800 RE wins. Hope that helps!
@@Englishbikerdan thanks for the reply ! Looks like the RE seems to be the next sensible choice then !
I was previously leaning towards the Transalp but due to the cumbersomeness of replacing a flat tyre on touring, it made me think hard.
@@aaronng8844 try to get a test ride on the Tracer 7....sub 200kg fully fuelled and a peach of an engine. No pretensions to be anything but a sports tourer/commuter :) Maybe not as planted as the RE for long distance touring but if you only do that once a year and spend most of your weekends hooning around british B roads with no luggage, the Tracer will be more fun IMO.
@@billyb6043unfortunately the Tracer 7 is not launching in Malaysia. We had 1 Tenere700 launched but the price is similar to Tracer 9GT, which of course does not make sense if you don’t take T9GT instead. 😀
But we have VStrom 800 RE launching pretty soon in another couple of months.
I do at least 200km/week. And on some occasion, 600km/week inclusive touring around. Probably 800RE will be more ideal
Just bought mine. With that wind deflectors I believe your are badly mounted. They should be should in the back of the windshield. If they are mounted like in this video... almost zero deflection. They are inline with the windshield. Why I bought it ? 80/20..90/10 road biased. Exactly what I want !
The upper deflectors are mounted in the standard position, which is in front of the screen. They offered good protection for me.
@@Englishbikerdan thank you for kind reply. I order mines, but just looking to the installation position they look so aligned with windshield.
For an 'upright' allrounder that will be almost exclusively ridden on road I reckon the Tracer 7 or the Vstrom RE are a better bet, while for considerably more off road capability, the Tenere or Tuareg. If the Transalp is essentially a CB 500 X on steroids, it'll be a great bike for sure, but I'd be reluctant to take it off road without throwing more money at it, which adds to the weight and chips away at the 'bargain' factor.
But does it NEED to have money thrown at it to be adequate off road? I'd argue for most normal riders, no. So it sits very well as a do-it-all road and off road machine. Which is exactly what the original was and this is a really good update.
@@Englishbikerdan Hi Dan...I'd say it would need proper barkbusters and a decent bash plate as a bare minimum due to the sump and cat, but for the type of rider who is going to be taking a serious look at this bike, I think you're right. I'd love one but can't afford to change at the moment!
@@billyb6043 A bash plate is an absolute must for sure. That sticky-out sump is just asking to be sheared off!
Transalp or Tiger Sport 850?
It's 888cc (900) vs 752cc (750) and cast wheels vs 21/18 spokes. Also get the 900 tiger same bike and cruise control is available. Got to decide what suits your needs
I know all the technical facts. I’m more interested in Dan’s experiences as he has (or had) a Tiger Sport 850 for reasons he explained in another episode. It would be nice to get his comparison.
All I'll say is I had more fun on the Transalp in the 3 weeks I rode one, than 2 years on the Tiger 850. Transalp all day long. 👍
Tube tyres are a deal breaker for me. As with the Africa Twin the next model will have tubeless spoke rims.
Yeah they are not great for us road focused riders!
Nor with the down to Tesco's then around the World GS riders.
Never , ever been to tescos on my GS, never been round the world either. Each to their own, eh!
@@EnglishbikerdanThere are few situations where tubeless tires are justified (someone going to Bolivia can always take tubes with for tubeless tires). And if you take into account that the Transalp is mainly a road bike, Honda has done something strange. It was probably about costs and it is irritating that they explain savings in a weired way.
@@podunkman2709 Yes pros and cons I guess. I don't quite understand how the likes of Moto Morini, RE and CF Moto can offer spoked tubeless wheels on much cheaper bikes and the big guys can't or won't. It's actually starting to irritate me a bit haha.
Why do I always read it as Tran Slap?
Besides being about 50 lbs too heavy for my liking, this seems like the perfect bike for me. Compared to the competition, it seems like the best option for 90% on road riding like I do
50lbs too heavy?!?! What kind of unicorn/unobtainium bike are you talking about? If they made an ADV with this much power and 50lbs lighter they'd have to use all kinds of fancy, lightweight materials and it would put the price way out of reach as a middleweight ADV.
I already bought cb500x which you recommended.. stop selling me another one :P
Now all I need to some commission from Honda! :D
So weird that some people think the vstrom looks better. I think its hideous to the point that I cannot possibly consider it.
Is it though? We all like different things.
@@Englishbikerdan I agree, its just really eye opening how different tastes can be. It's good to have options though and something that would fit everyone. I would be in heaven if I had the Africa twin looks, with Transalp Dimensions, but as is, Transalp is good enough 😀
Agreed! Reviving that late 70s angular, squared edge look is like reviving glam rock short bell-bottom jeans and squared off wheel arches (like Elon's Cyber truck): utterly hideous. The transalp is kind of conservative-sporty looking, but at least harmonious. Neither come close to the Triumph 1200 scrambler which is competitive off-road and has grin-inducing torque.
Nah honda won't do tubeless tyres on this bike mate would ruin Africa twins sales
honda never want to make a bike people really need.
Not many know that Dan bought this bike so he can make more videos with pervert jokes, what a sigma.
If I can't make perv jokes, who am I? :D
I much prefer a hard setting in the morning too 😆
@@alanbarnes2920 Hahaha, love it.
If
Only DCT
funny - I think Transalp looks better and Suzuki sounds better XD
Goes to show we all like different things! It would be boring if were all the same. :)
@@Englishbikerdanall in all I AM in for this one 😊
LOL. "Who wants to ride for more than 2 hours?"
I have ridden up to 18 hours and then got home and asked a friend if they wanted to go for a ride. I was on a sportbike! And not a young person.
When I go for a ride if I do not do 250 - 300 kms (180 miles) I feel like I never went for a ride.
The world is making quite a few whimps. They even want cruise control. Get a car!
Also I want to feel some of the wind. It is a motorcycle! Not a couch, sofa, armchair,..
I have one on order and will replace the tubes with heavy duty tubes and apply baby powder on the tubes and inside of the tires, just like the dirtbke riders do.
Baby powder is slippery so the tubes do not rub the tires inside and get chafed and worn though over time. This also helps to keep the tire and tube a bit cooler on highway runs so they last longer and do not over heat. So they run closer to tubeless tires.
We're all different and want different things, so I try not to judge others. But here's your hero medal. :D
He means 2 hours without a short break 🙄
I’m afraid to say I had to stop watching your videos and unsubscribe because it hurts to hear an Englishman saying “inseam”. My, the TransAlp has one hell of a fine windshield though and all that space in the trunk, well it’s something else, so I’m gonna go on ahead and order myself one of those fine machines. Save British English! If we need to use American English to be understood then we might as well give up.
If that really bothers you Graham, you must have a trouble free life and I'm happy for you. BTW you might want to unsubscribe from yourself, Trunk is American English too fella. Cheers old bean!
@@Englishbikerdan English teacher I’m afraid, hence saving something which matters to me. The latter was my attempt at sarcasm but I see it didn’t register. Never mind. Great channel but “inseam” belongs firmly in the USA.
@@grahamhiggins1 I tend not to get upset about what language people choose to use, so your sarcasm flew over my head a bit! Thanks for watching, I've been using inseam since I was a kid, even my nan used it and she was as cockney as could be.
Why do you have to wave your arms when talking? I don't know anyone who does that.
Why not. 😂
@@Englishbikerdan... you're on a bike and you're not italian 😂😂
@@stopper90004 Bibbidy bobbidy!