To hear someone laughing while riding a motorcycle has to be a huge statement about the bike. I think big rock moto also giggled during his ride. Well done sir.
Interesting to hear your initial impressions of the bike. Yes, it is a very easy model to own, and your description of it as a "friend" is apt. Six months and 10,700 kms in on mine here in South Australia, and I can confirm that this bike's easygoing nature is a reality over the longer term. The clutch lever takes up a fair way out, as you found, but the actual take-up is quite sublime. I have never stalled this bike, and am never likely to. Handy in a tight spot off-road. But its all-round ability is its virtue, with many dirt roads in this area, and you're right - this bike is the perfect 'foil' to a mad sports bike. Says he, after 50+ years of Ducatis... Better for the licence to do most of my riding on this one. It 'plays to my sensible side' without being boring. Yes, those few omissions - I think the lack of an ambient temperature is an oversight - and it is in some respects intentionally less than the Africa Twin, but its simplicity and lighter weight are its features: it doesn't need DCT as it is better being light weight. The different positioning of the horn/blinkers also annoying for those of us fortunate enough to own more than one bike, the headlight not that good at night, but let's face it - this is a lot of motorcycle for the money. It is smooth, remarkably economical, and can head down any unknown road you choose. 400 kms (250 miles) is a handy fuel range. A bit mystifying that you found the rear brake lacking as it is one of the better rear brakes I have encountered! Useful on loose surfaces. You will enjoy yours if you get it. They get smoother and 'sweeter' as the miles go by.
Im glad to read your comments. Im in NZ and thinking or trading my cbr500 on one. I love my cbr but i dont like the riding position on long trips and i would like a bit more power. Hopefully the transalp is good around town. The alternative is a better sports bike but as you say its not license friendly and i dont trust myself 😂
The Transalp being 'a good all-round bike' includes being very easy in town. I don't go to the city (Adelaide) very often from here if I can avoid it, but this bike is much easier than my others in city traffic. Good fuelling and no heat on the rider help. The bike does everything right so you can concentrate on the traffic.
Great little insight there thanks mate, I’m thinking maybe to get one in a few years time when they will be more affordable to me on the used market, but I’d happily have one now if I could justify it!
Very much enjoyed that, just ordered a new TA this week. Very much looking forward to it. You really should wear earplugs, save your hearing. Would have eliminated all the wind rush noise on your test ride and made it even more enjoyable 👍
@@jfro5867 It’s a superb package, does so many things right, have taken delivery of it yet? I do generally wear plugs but sometimes for local journeys or reviews I don’t, as it can make it hard to talk at an appropriate volume and it’s also nice to hear all the finer sounds of the bike sometimes
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Yep, got it. Been out on it quite a lot actually, more so than many bikes I’ve had lately. It’s a lot of fun. Think it’s the mid sized engine tbh because you can use more of it more of the time, unlike bigger engines where you just can’t anymore. More engaging perhaps. It’s light and very agile too. Your review captures the ‘feel’ very well IMHO.👍
A real fun bike! At least here in the states. I sold my crf450rl to get one. Great decision. I didnt do much off roading with the crf so what i need to do i can easily do with the TA
I just bought a TA yesterday...pick it up from the dealership today. The test ride blew me away because it was so fun to ride. I'm not sure that I plan to ride it off road that much, but it is nice to know I can, if I want to. Thanks for the video--liked and subbed!
I rode the NX500 at the weekend, same problem with the screen noise/buffeting, shame but it put me right off. Brilliant, enjoyable review, well done Warrior. I have an XSR900 and a 650 VStrom but am chopping the Suzi in on a 500 Hornet for commuting.
Best bang for buck and trumps any middleweight adventure bike, 1090 Adventure. Picked one uo last year for 6k, installed a cruise control, and quickshifter. No electronics to go wrong. In 12k miles, I've not had one single issue. 125hp, 230kg. It's the perfect blend of power, comfort, and reliability(even with it being a KTM, lol).
I used to work with a man who was a zesty wofter. He has since moved away with his new husband. 😂 i myself have a cb500x and I said I would never part with it . That was until yesterday when I went to Honda and sat on one of these . I’ve booked a test ride for a couple of weeks time. I used to own a crfl 1000 which was an awesome machine but just to big and heavy to live with on a daily basis. The transalp seems to be the perfect balance of performance v weight. If I do buy one it will be used with accessories that someone else has paid for.
Really enjoyed you laughs and dialogue. Most street bikes I find have pathetic rear brakes. I do not need earplugs at highway speed. I am a thin 180 cm (5' 9") tall. 1st bike I have ever experienced this on. No wind turbulance for me under 70 mph. Riders say adding the side deflectors that go on the side of the windscreen make a good difference. The wind deflectors that can go lower do nothing.
Can't decide whether Zesty Wafter is one of David Bowie's children or a small town near Munich
Місяць тому
Luved the narration, bruv! Had me @ zesty wafter, as I've been described as 1 meself. U can collect commission from Honda as I'm starting to save up right now...
Nice vid. 👍 Screen noise is solved with one of the cheap £15 extenders off Amazon. I posted a video talking about my thoughts on the bike recently after 4k miles including a trip to Slovakia. Your comments are pretty much spot on to what I think of the bike, we even decribed the suspension the same; "plush", although I spent more time wondering if it should be described as "more plush" or "plusher" 😄
Ahh that’s good to hear, someone else mentioned a taller screen too. May I ask how the finish is holding up after 4k miles? I’ve heard a few people say that Honda’s build quality may not be what it once was? That being said, my Husqvarna has been far from perfect in that regard and that’s supposed to be a premium brand!
@@TheRoadWarrior96 I've avoided the salt this winter but apart from some gravel rash on the sump which is to be expected given how much it hangs out in the breeze below the bike, mine continues to look like new after a good wash. I've had most of the panels off it to fit various electricals and the quality of the fit across the whole bike feels good and "very Honda". The only thing I would say is the dash is not particularly great quality as I've managed to scratch it just by looking at it!
@@darren-lewis Thanks for taking the time to reply, nice to hear good things for a change as it’s often just the horror stories that stand out. Hmm a screen protector would be a must then, you’d expect something that lives on the outside of a motorbike would be built tougher, but at least the info it displays is nice and clear.
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Could have told you so. The type of rubber fitted to start with should given you a clue the 701 is not a big touring / adventure bike made to withstand UK Winters!
Just got one a week ago. Only complaints are the tc comes on too strong if you don’t turn it off and no mileage range readout is a bit strange and very annoying. I think it’s a keeper.
Hello, 1st time here, the vid popped up in my feed. I did own the old Transalps, got 3 of them in late 90's to late 00's.. The bike's the beast feature is the bad roads long rides.. The touring road bikes are comfortable on bad roads, more offroadie bikes are not comfortable on long longs .. So, this is something in the middle .. The Yamaha T7 is a bit more offroadie feel to it.
A test ride on the new transalp would be very interesting for you as you have had so many of the originals! It’s a shame we lost the V twin but Honda really did a great job on their new parallel twin (and that’s coming from a p-twin cynic!)
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Everyone is replacing their old V-twins or 180° parallel twins twins with the new 270° .. The T7 has it, the Africa and the new Alp too.. V-strom 800 too .. KTM have similar engines in their 700-900cc stuff. Huskies too, the Northern 901. Even some X-4 cylinder model have shrunk down to 270° P-twins .. But the last is more to emissions standards. p.s. I am not super interested in the new Alp.. I've sort of moved to different type of bikes after years.. I ride maxi scooters mostly this days.
Well you know I've been fighting the Husky's corner in our chats, but that was a resoundingly positive review. If the worst issue is the screen noise, which I bet would be resolved with a little adjustable clip-on addition, you'd have to be a zesty wafter to turn that bike down.
I genuinely thought that was a frog hopping along infront of your bike. 😅 18:57 Next year I'm gonna get me a Transalp too. In gray. Only bought my current nx500 6 months ago.
I'm in the same boat as I was with the yamaha tenere 700. One dealership would not let me sit on either one for fear of scratches etc. I would sure like to ride a transalp before buying but I might not get to.
@@TheRoadWarrior96 : safety item, why do you get a signal below 4 degrees in every car ? Because the ground could be frozen and slippery. The bike has a motormanagement system, so the ambient temp sensor is already there. Why Honda is not showing this on the dash is a complete puzzle for me.
@@TheRoadWarrior96 I get that, I miss my old thundercat for the same reason, if you want something road only I definitely agree you can't beat an inline 4, both for the sound and the way they pull harder and harder as the revs get higher and higher
You seem to be tall. Taller oem honda screen would auit you and would push air above your helmet. This bike has the most power ar around 7.5k rpm, thats when its really angry. Need to try it. I always rode sporty bikes and not sure how will it feel after mt07.
Should be quite familiar being a parallel twin, but perhaps with a bit more of that Honda refined feeling. It’s also tuned more for top end than the Yamaha cp2 engine from what I’ve heard
Bear in mind I’m no expert so I could be talking nonsense, but for me it feels a little less communicative at the front, you sort of just have to trust it more that it will grip, rather than knowing it will because you can feel it. And this could be to do with the tyres, but it also feels like when you hit a certain lean angle the bike suddenly falls over even quicker which did scare me the first time 😅
have had mine for two days now. i love it! but i now know why everyone is complaining about the lack of cruise control. god damn the bike needs it and bad!
So,you test rode the new transalp and finally you decide to go for a used ss,while your bike is husqarna supermoto....ok.why the hell im waisting my time?
@@TheRoadWarrior96can i ask you...did you find it lacking pull at low revs,in the point it is annoyng?ok,i dont expect powerwheelies with 3rd,but also not get in my nerves until the powere come
Came for the transalp. Subscribed for the British commentary.
Hehehehe 😊😊 +1
To hear someone laughing while riding a motorcycle has to be a huge statement about the bike. I think big rock moto also giggled during his ride. Well done sir.
I took mine, in matte grey, with urban pack plus, 12v socket, hand guards and engine guard. Amazing moto vehicle.
Highly entertaining my good man
@@RayBrown-e3s Thanks, I’m glad
Just watching this and realised this is my bike ! Bought it a few months back ex demo
Glad you liked the bike.I love mine. I bought a Yoshimura exhaust and it really sounds great plus it runs a bit better in mid to upper range.
Interesting to hear your initial impressions of the bike. Yes, it is a very easy model to own, and your description of it as a "friend" is apt. Six months and 10,700 kms in on mine here in South Australia, and I can confirm that this bike's easygoing nature is a reality over the longer term. The clutch lever takes up a fair way out, as you found, but the actual take-up is quite sublime. I have never stalled this bike, and am never likely to. Handy in a tight spot off-road. But its all-round ability is its virtue, with many dirt roads in this area, and you're right - this bike is the perfect 'foil' to a mad sports bike. Says he, after 50+ years of Ducatis... Better for the licence to do most of my riding on this one. It 'plays to my sensible side' without being boring.
Yes, those few omissions - I think the lack of an ambient temperature is an oversight - and it is in some respects intentionally less than the Africa Twin, but its simplicity and lighter weight are its features: it doesn't need DCT as it is better being light weight. The different positioning of the horn/blinkers also annoying for those of us fortunate enough to own more than one bike, the headlight not that good at night, but let's face it - this is a lot of motorcycle for the money. It is smooth, remarkably economical, and can head down any unknown road you choose. 400 kms (250 miles) is a handy fuel range. A bit mystifying that you found the rear brake lacking as it is one of the better rear brakes I have encountered! Useful on loose surfaces.
You will enjoy yours if you get it. They get smoother and 'sweeter' as the miles go by.
Im glad to read your comments. Im in NZ and thinking or trading my cbr500 on one. I love my cbr but i dont like the riding position on long trips and i would like a bit more power. Hopefully the transalp is good around town. The alternative is a better sports bike but as you say its not license friendly and i dont trust myself 😂
The Transalp being 'a good all-round bike' includes being very easy in town. I don't go to the city (Adelaide) very often from here if I can avoid it, but this bike is much easier than my others in city traffic. Good fuelling and no heat on the rider help. The bike does everything right so you can concentrate on the traffic.
Great little insight there thanks mate, I’m thinking maybe to get one in a few years time when they will be more affordable to me on the used market, but I’d happily have one now if I could justify it!
good vid mate I've just put the larger screen on from Honda and it solves all the buffeting issues :)
Very much enjoyed that, just ordered a new TA this week. Very much looking forward to it. You really should wear earplugs, save your hearing. Would have eliminated all the wind rush noise on your test ride and made it even more enjoyable 👍
@@jfro5867 It’s a superb package, does so many things right, have taken delivery of it yet?
I do generally wear plugs but sometimes for local journeys or reviews I don’t, as it can make it hard to talk at an appropriate volume and it’s also nice to hear all the finer sounds of the bike sometimes
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Yep, got it. Been out on it quite a lot actually, more so than many bikes I’ve had lately. It’s a lot of fun. Think it’s the mid sized engine tbh because you can use more of it more of the time, unlike bigger engines where you just can’t anymore. More engaging perhaps. It’s light and very agile too. Your review captures the ‘feel’ very well IMHO.👍
Great honest review. I test rode one recently. I want one. You nailed it with the commentary. Bike sounded great when you gave it some Pasty.
Really enjoyed that review, subscribed on the back of it, keep em coming
Thanks, that is much appreciated 🙂
A real fun bike! At least here in the states. I sold my crf450rl to get one. Great decision. I didnt do much off roading with the crf so what i need to do i can easily do with the TA
Sounds like a wise move 👌
Good take on the bike. I love mine.
I just bought a TA yesterday...pick it up from the dealership today. The test ride blew me away because it was so fun to ride. I'm not sure that I plan to ride it off road that much, but it is nice to know I can, if I want to. Thanks for the video--liked and subbed!
Awesome, thank you!
Buy a Transalp! Trust me you’ll never regret it.
I might have to, such a versatile machine!
I’m definitely looking very deeply into this one to replace my VStrom 650.
I did and you're right...talk about bang for your buck...
Na, il take a tracer 7
tracer is a better bike for road use only, no doubt
Honda's biggest market is India, where the horn is used a lot more than the indicators :)
If this bike had the DCT and the electronics of the Africa Twin, it would be a dream bike!
Add tubeless tyres to that list and I’m right there with you! But they never would make such a bike alongside the africa twin
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Yup forgot the tubless but it’s a must as well! 🙏🏼
I rode the NX500 at the weekend, same problem with the screen noise/buffeting, shame but it put me right off. Brilliant, enjoyable review, well done Warrior. I have an XSR900 and a 650 VStrom but am chopping the Suzi in on a 500 Hornet for commuting.
Thank you 🙂
Best bang for buck and trumps any middleweight adventure bike,
1090 Adventure. Picked one uo last year for 6k, installed a cruise control, and quickshifter. No electronics to go wrong. In 12k miles, I've not had one single issue. 125hp, 230kg. It's the perfect blend of power, comfort, and reliability(even with it being a KTM, lol).
I used to work with a man who was a zesty wofter. He has since moved away with his new husband. 😂 i myself have a cb500x and I said I would never part with it . That was until yesterday when I went to Honda and sat on one of these . I’ve booked a test ride for a couple of weeks time. I used to own a crfl 1000 which was an awesome machine but just to big and heavy to live with on a daily basis. The transalp seems to be the perfect balance of performance v weight. If I do buy one it will be used with accessories that someone else has paid for.
Great review of the TA I really enjoyed it. 👍 Liked and subscribed...
Really enjoyed you laughs and dialogue.
Most street bikes I find have pathetic rear brakes.
I do not need earplugs at highway speed. I am a thin 180 cm (5' 9") tall. 1st bike I have ever experienced this on. No wind turbulance for me under 70 mph.
Riders say adding the side deflectors that go on the side of the windscreen make a good difference. The wind deflectors that can go lower do nothing.
Can't decide whether Zesty Wafter is one of David Bowie's children or a small town near Munich
Luved the narration, bruv! Had me @ zesty wafter, as I've been described as 1 meself. U can collect commission from Honda as I'm starting to save up right now...
Nice vid. 👍 Screen noise is solved with one of the cheap £15 extenders off Amazon. I posted a video talking about my thoughts on the bike recently after 4k miles including a trip to Slovakia. Your comments are pretty much spot on to what I think of the bike, we even decribed the suspension the same; "plush", although I spent more time wondering if it should be described as "more plush" or "plusher" 😄
Ahh that’s good to hear, someone else mentioned a taller screen too. May I ask how the finish is holding up after 4k miles? I’ve heard a few people say that Honda’s build quality may not be what it once was? That being said, my Husqvarna has been far from perfect in that regard and that’s supposed to be a premium brand!
@@TheRoadWarrior96 I've avoided the salt this winter but apart from some gravel rash on the sump which is to be expected given how much it hangs out in the breeze below the bike, mine continues to look like new after a good wash. I've had most of the panels off it to fit various electricals and the quality of the fit across the whole bike feels good and "very Honda". The only thing I would say is the dash is not particularly great quality as I've managed to scratch it just by looking at it!
@@darren-lewis Thanks for taking the time to reply, nice to hear good things for a change as it’s often just the horror stories that stand out. Hmm a screen protector would be a must then, you’d expect something that lives on the outside of a motorbike would be built tougher, but at least the info it displays is nice and clear.
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Could have told you so. The type of rubber fitted to start with should given you a clue the 701 is not a big touring / adventure bike made to withstand UK Winters!
Just got one a week ago. Only complaints are the tc comes on too strong if you don’t turn it off and no mileage range readout is a bit strange and very annoying. I think it’s a keeper.
Also just brought one. Very pleased, but yet to try one of those semi-hard roll ons that you performed !
I really enjoyed the video. It looked like you had lots of fun and totally summed up the bike. Many thanks
Glad you enjoyed, I wish you many happy miles on your TA!
Hello, 1st time here, the vid popped up in my feed. I did own the old Transalps, got 3 of them in late 90's to late 00's.. The bike's the beast feature is the bad roads long rides.. The touring road bikes are comfortable on bad roads, more offroadie bikes are not comfortable on long longs .. So, this is something in the middle .. The Yamaha T7 is a bit more offroadie feel to it.
A test ride on the new transalp would be very interesting for you as you have had so many of the originals! It’s a shame we lost the V twin but Honda really did a great job on their new parallel twin (and that’s coming from a p-twin cynic!)
@@TheRoadWarrior96 Everyone is replacing their old V-twins or 180° parallel twins twins with the new 270° .. The T7 has it, the Africa and the new Alp too.. V-strom 800 too .. KTM have similar engines in their 700-900cc stuff. Huskies too, the Northern 901. Even some X-4 cylinder model have shrunk down to 270° P-twins .. But the last is more to emissions standards.
p.s. I am not super interested in the new Alp.. I've sort of moved to different type of bikes after years.. I ride maxi scooters mostly this days.
Came for the transalp, left with Jimmy Carr's laugh lol.
Well you know I've been fighting the Husky's corner in our chats, but that was a resoundingly positive review. If the worst issue is the screen noise, which I bet would be resolved with a little adjustable clip-on addition, you'd have to be a zesty wafter to turn that bike down.
Legend.
Yes it was an eye opener, that hornet engine really is a peach!
I genuinely thought that was a frog hopping along infront of your bike. 😅 18:57
Next year I'm gonna get me a Transalp too. In gray. Only bought my current nx500 6 months ago.
@@arnoutvanwijk4916 Where’s this so-called frog?? 😅
Nice mate, the NX500 seems a very good bike too but perhaps easy to grow out of
Im trying to talk myself into one instead of a Multistrada/1300 but no dealers will test ride and there aren't any for rent! Ugh
I'm in the same boat as I was with the yamaha tenere 700. One dealership would not let me sit on either one for fear of scratches etc. I would sure like to ride a transalp before buying but I might not get to.
@jsmith7013 not even SIT on them? Dang, thats so extra!
It wouldn't power wheelie because the wheelie control is on. Put it into use mode and switch off the electronic controls. Different beast.
Ah damn, you’d think sport mode would allow it. Good to know though
Well it all depends how much of a zesty wafter trade in price they offered you for the husky!
Legend.
No tubeless, no skid plate , no handguards, if equipped like KTM 790 is going to cost like Africa Twin. Too bad! It’s great bike
The difficult maintenance, needing to remove the fairings just to change the air filter, is an issue for me. To bad really.
A bit of a faff but not worse than a lot of other road bikes, which I think is what the Transalp tries to be for the most part
The only adventure bike without an ambient temperature on the dash ??😢
May I ask why that’s important to you? I normally just check the weather on my phone 😅
@@TheRoadWarrior96 : safety item, why do you get a signal below 4 degrees in every car ? Because the ground could be frozen and slippery. The bike has a motormanagement system, so the ambient temp sensor is already there. Why Honda is not showing this on the dash is a complete puzzle for me.
If you're going 2 bikes I'd go Transalp and keep and un-supermoto the husky for thrills off-road/lanes instead of the sports bike
That would be a good way to go no doubt, although I am definitely missing the free revving nature of an inline 4
@@TheRoadWarrior96 I get that, I miss my old thundercat for the same reason, if you want something road only I definitely agree you can't beat an inline 4, both for the sound and the way they pull harder and harder as the revs get higher and higher
You seem to be tall. Taller oem honda screen would auit you and would push air above your helmet.
This bike has the most power ar around 7.5k rpm, thats when its really angry.
Need to try it. I always rode sporty bikes and not sure how will it feel after mt07.
Should be quite familiar being a parallel twin, but perhaps with a bit more of that Honda refined feeling. It’s also tuned more for top end than the Yamaha cp2 engine from what I’ve heard
@@TheRoadWarrior96 I agree with you after testing it yesterday. Was really refined and has nice induction noise. Liked it very much.
Hi, can you explain what you meant by saying that turning with the 21" wheels feels weird?
Bear in mind I’m no expert so I could be talking nonsense, but for me it feels a little less communicative at the front, you sort of just have to trust it more that it will grip, rather than knowing it will because you can feel it. And this could be to do with the tyres, but it also feels like when you hit a certain lean angle the bike suddenly falls over even quicker which did scare me the first time 😅
I am over here. Still waiting on mine lol. Traded in my 300 rally for it.
Oh damn, hope you get ahold of it soon!
So did you buy a Transalp?
I decided not to in the end, mostly due to changing circumstances rather than changing my mind about the bike itself
Zesty Wofter!
☝️☝️✅
Keep the Husky and get an old sports bike, makes perfect sense. Sell the Husky, you'll want it back a year later!
I do worry I’d miss it.. was thinking transalp daily + old sportsbike for pure thrill rides
Tracer 7
For me all the adv screens are useless.
I’ve heard that from others too, and on the street they are often seen with much larger aftermarket screens!
have had mine for two days now. i love it! but i now know why everyone is complaining about the lack of cruise control. god damn the bike needs it and bad!
Very true - there are some pretty slick aftermarket options now though, bigrockmoto has a video on one you may find interesting
So,you test rode the new transalp and finally you decide to go for a used ss,while your bike is husqarna supermoto....ok.why the hell im waisting my time?
Sorry I meant transalp + an older supersport maybe!
@@TheRoadWarrior96can i ask you...did you find it lacking pull at low revs,in the point it is annoyng?ok,i dont expect powerwheelies with 3rd,but also not get in my nerves until the powere come
@@thodoris3790 It’s not lacking, but the engine is definitely at its best higher in the rpms. I’ve heard the V-Strom 800 is more torquey down low.
A zesty wafter
Legend.
how tall are you?
Just a smidge over 6ft
Don’t use word f… so offten, it’s so f… rude😅
Woops, I get very sweary when I’m passionate 😅
@@TheRoadWarrior96 joking , I don’t care. Nice bike and nice review!
I love intermittent profanity as I routinely engage in it myself!!
Properly British profanity is effing awesome!