I gave my Transalp new suspention and catrige kit from YSS and now it is the Best bike i have ever ridden! Now, it is 3cm higher, significantly more stability, ground clearens and for harder offroad ready. Fenominal!
Ah top stuff, look I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better all rounder than the Transalp. In saying that the Suzi is also a good mount albeit a bit heavier, the T7 is better off rd by my brief time on the Yam but it’s horses for courses. It comes down to what you’re going to do the most of and of course only you know that. The Aprillia is bloody awesome off rd but is way more expensive and if you’re looking for the resale down the track the Jap stuff is the only way to go. Cheers mate and glad you enjoyed the review 👍
Just had a look at the Transalp video, and then I discovered that you’ve done aviation videos as well! I’ve been riding the trails of the Australian Safari and other routes on the Yamaha Spirit of adventure tour in 1991, and then I proceeded to become a pilot- I realised that subscribing to the channel is a given. Great memories!
Agree. I’m an old man that traded my CTX1300 for the TransAlp and I am having the time of my life exploring the gravel and dirt roads of Western North Carolina.
Thanks for this review. You have confirmed the feeling I had when I tried out this bike yesterday. I ordered it today and I don't think I will regret it. Have a nice day! 🙂
Love my Transalp took it across Texas to New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, South Dakota and back to South Texas for one month trip. Now i ride it for work purposes. Awesome all round bike. I put Veridian cruise control on her before my big trip.🍻
An enjoyable, 'matter-of-fact' video - good to see a test in my local area. I got my (white) TA from Moto Adelaide also - I think I was the first to order - and can recommend them. I got the 'winglets' included, and they do help a little with the wind. The good news is, the engine becomes even smoother as the miles go by, mine now at 17,500 kms, almost a year in. I also got the 'bear grip' footrests, which are slightly lower, and DO transmit a little more 'tingle', but the engine becomes uncannily smooth after around 5 - 6,000 kms, particularly in top gear between 90 - 110 kmh. The air filter IS a pain - it took me almost 2 x hours(?!) taking my time - and involves TEN panels, and about 50 x fasteners! I couldn't believe it. The only good news being that it doesn't appear to dirty up that quickly, having a fairly convoluted intake passage. Mine now has a K & N, as I do quite a lot of dirt miles on the southern Fleurieu (most days) although not often following anyone.. Just a couple of corrections - it only has one camshaft (Unicam) which bears directly on the inlet valve buckets, with rockers to the exhausts. And just the front brake lever is adjustable, the clutch is not. I found an improvement in steering feel, and ergonomics, by reversing the handlebar risers, which sets the 'bars just 20mm further forward, takes away a slight 'tiller feel', and is better when standing. I am just shy of 5' 10", but CAN 'flat foot' it if I sit well forward when pulling up. But I agree with almost all your reflections - you did well to notice and collate all that on a short stint. The lack of an oil window I found disappointing, in 2023, which is tedious (and has the potential for dust to enter when checking) as is the lack of an ambient temperature gauge, but have forgiven these shortcomings as I really enjoy the bike (and will add a thermometer). It is understated, but surprisingly capable. And is quite acceptable off-road with coarser tyres - in my case Pirelli STRs (even though they are made in China and Indonesia, and still have Italian pricing...). I get about 6,000 kms out of the rear, and 11k from the front. Yes, the TC is ridiculous, but better if left in Sport, where TC is minimal. But it turns into a beastie off-road with it off! But this bike has an ease of use, and remarkable economy. If filled right up, the tank can easily do 400 kms at that 3.9L/100 km consumption (which is my average at mainly 100 kmh travelling). Doing dirt roads at 80 - 85 kmh it gets down to 3.1! The seat IS firm, but is good over a longer distance. I enjoy the easy clutch operation and take-up; I haven't stalled it ever in this mileage, and - like the whole bike - it is just EASY. This is a bike which is better than it first seems, and 'grows on you'. And despite over 50 years of Ducatis, I too found its road manners surprisingly good, in spite of its 21" front. As to the Aprilia comparison mentioned below, yes, the Aprilia is a great machine, and undoubtedly better off-road, but isn't anywhere near as good on the road, and is much dearer in this country. The Aprilia feels much smaller, but taller, and revs much higher at open road speeds, and isn't much lighter. I too deleted the Suzuki from my choice due to its weight, and will do further lightening on the TA over time. I already made a lighter rear rack, and removed a few grams elsewhere. Thanks for your test.
Thanks so much for your comment & detailed run down of ownership, I did wonder about fuel consumption. A couple of times over the wk I had this bike I saw 3.2 and even less at one point but wondered if I was miss reading it, your figures confirm what I saw. I think as an all rounder the TA is probably pretty hard to beat, it’s also priced reasonably compared to the immediate competition. If ever you go down the track of aftermarket cruise I’d love to hear your thoughts, ride safe & enjoy that machine. 👍
I love my Transalp. On my third now and after 40 years in the saddle and owning many bikes in between I truly know what a dependable and thoroughly good friend means. No dramas, no fuss. It really does have a wild side compared to the previous generations. Minor gripes? That seat. 45 mins and my arse is numb. Hopefully, it will break in. Seat/arse either or. Rear shock? Very wallowy power down on a bumpy road or two-up. I wouldn't have minded paying a few more pounds sterling for better suspension. Future upgrade no doubt. Low speed throttle is a bit twitchy in my opinion also. Otherwise, a truly fabulous motorcycle regardless of tubed tyres and lack of cruise control. At that price point those things are forgiven. Bravo Honda!
Fellow transalp owner with 5000kms , the twitchy throttle can be tamed in commuting situations, or all situations by using it in rain mode. Yes the power is about 30 per cent stifled , but it is a very steady and laid back mode to ride in , if you are in low speed traffic .
Yes mate. He's speaking accurately. I'm an owner with 8000+klms on mine. It does everything from road touring to jumping third gear erosion mounds. But if you jump it, you'll need heavier springs and a re valve. If not it's perfect.
Great review! I've owned mine here in the states since June 2024. Everything you commented on is absolutely spot-on. I'm enjoying every mile. The only complaint I have about the bike is the seat. My butt gets sore after approx. 2 - 3 hours in the saddle. I must admit a part of the equation is probably my bony backside - not much padding back there. Other than that it's proving to be everything I expected it would be. The engine is happy in the upper rev range for sure. It just wants to go - and go fast! It was the right decision for me, no regrets at all.
Great review. I have had my Transalp for about 3 months and 1600 miles and I absolutely love it. You are spot on assessment of the qualities and negatives. This is a great bike, and Honda did a excellent job on design for the price. For my weight and height 180 lbs and 5' 11" the suspension and seat height are perfect. I am adding an aftermarket cruise control $300.00 USD, other than that I cannot find a lot of faults. Thanks for the good review.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review and confirmed my thoughts on the Transalp. It’s always great to hear from owners that live with bikes I review on a daily basis, if you look back through the comments there’s also a solution to the oil filter dripping on the exhaust while changing that I thought might be an issue. Thanks for your input and let me know how the aftermarket cruise goes when you fit it.👍
Hi lads, brilliant review mate! Just one thing, regarding noise while riding, that is the tyres, switch to dunlop, it makes a huge difference. I'v been riding TA for a few years now... cheers.
Sorry, a bit late to the party here. Had a test bike out for 3 hrs.(don't think the dealer was happy 😅). As a road based senior rider, still prefered my NC750X. Maybe I'm biased. NC more torque up to 4000rpm. Low centre of gravity. 17" road tyres(better rolling affect on seal,hence, better fuel consumption and smoother ride). Fuel consumption great. And that ever handy "frunk". Keep up with the great videos. Cheers from NZ
Cheers mate thanks, yes the NC is a pretty hard to beat machine for sure. The Transalp is also a great bike but more focused on being a road trail, something it does very well. Great to hear from riders over the ditch 👍
Thanks for your feedback, not sure when you did your swap but would be interested in your comparison. I have ridden the Suzi and loved it but my ride was only brief. I’m yet to review the 800 properly. Great to hear from France, Merci.
Thanks. One of the best reviews on this bike I have seen. It's on the short list. I, for one, would be happy if you dedicated a video on how to use the different options. I'm quite 'old school' and the TFT screen looks a bit busy - and who wants to read the manual anyway :)
Hi Paul, unfortunately I’ve returned the bike you see in this video but will see what I can do. It is pretty straightforward compared to some I’ve reviewed though, see if your local dealer will let you have a play with one. One thing I will say if you go ahead with the Transalp get the Honda heated grips, the scale is integrated into the standard dash. Cheers
I’ve got a TA but not yet got a Smartphone so you can see how much I like tech! It’s easy to navigate the TFT. Love the bike. It’s not perfect, no bike is, but it’s pretty damn close for what it is, the price, the spec. Proper all rounder 👍
Great review! I just went on a test ride with one, and it felt amazing. I'm really considering of buying one, but the lack of cruise control is quite a deal breaker. Other than that, that engine and quickshifter are simply awesome. Such a pitty that they refuse to add some nice options that you get as standard on the bmw bikes, I for sure would have loved to pay and have all the premium options on this great tuned bike, it's perfect for commuting and awesome for trips on and off the road in the weekends.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review. Yes I think the cruise was definitely an oversight & sadly would have lost many sales for Honda. On the positive side I’ve heard from quite a few riders that some descent after market c controls are available.
I got the MCCruise for my Transalp when I first bought it, it took me 3-4 hours to get it installed myself and it honestly works just as good as a manufacturer cruise. It’s made and sold by some guys in Melbourne but is the higher of the 2 options on the market, the Viridian cruise is half the cost but not Aussie. The MCCruise intercepts a few wires as this is an electronic throttle bike, basically just brake/speed sensor/throttle sensor/engine RPM and clutch operation (I think)
Regarding oil changes and getting oil on the exhaust, I found that the header pipes will happily hold a 3" spill saver multi-purpose funnel (inserted from the right side of the bike) to catch and redirect the oil over to the left side to drain into your pan underneath. Don't get a single drop on my head pipe.
Superb review and thanks for it. One thing which I keep hearing about this bike is v the engine heat, any feedback on that during your ride and appreciate any comments from the rider/owner community as well. Thank you.
I had heard similar but certainly didn’t find it a problem at all while reviewing , even doing a lot of slow sand exploring. I think maybe it was an issue with the earlier generation. As you say hopefully some owners of this model can comment. Cheers.
Greetings from South Africa, i curious to know if any of you experienced unwanted vibration in the foot pegs, seat or handle bars, a very irritating trait of some of the 270 deg crank engines IMO (since i am often doing long tours). I immediately noticed this when i took the new Triumph Tigers on demo rides. I have heard that the Africa Twin has one of the best balanced engines in the large ADV bike category with very little engine vibration anywhere in the rev range, would like your comment on this.
I really like my Transalp but I’m dreading the air filter service. Also I wrap aluminum foil around the exhaust for oil changes and it keeps the pipes clean
Yes it’s certainly not a five minute job apparently, however a couple of owners I did talk to said once you’ve done it a couple of times it becomes much easier & faster.
I haven’t took mine apart yet but I’ve heard there is some tabs on the plastics you can cut off the first time and then you don’t have to take everything off just the side and tilt the tank and supposedly turns into a pretty quick job lol 🤞
I've done mine multiple times now. Couple of tips for you to turn it into a less than 30 minute job without raising a sweat. When you first do it, clip off the locating tabs on the sides of the inner cowl. That enables you to tilt the tank without having to remove the inner cowl and the dashboard. Turns a problem child job into something fast and easy.
P.S. use some grease on the groove that locates the filter into the airbox. On first air filter change, I had dust get past the filter and had lightly coated the bell mouths.
@@jonwoodworker Gday Jon, yes I’m looking forward to spending some time with & reviewing the Suzi, have only had a short ride so far. I’ve owned many Suzuki’s over the years (still have 2) and they’ve been good to me. Just have to convince a dealer to throw me one for a week or so.
TA is excellent off road with a minor suspension upgrade. I only ride adventure and dirt. TA easily goes anywhere the DE does and vica versa. The extra nearly 30 kg's put me off the DE even though I also have the 8S and love the engine.
@@jonwoodworker I disagree, I almost exclusively use mine offroad. It excels if you’re able to flow at high speed, if it gets too technical it’s not the best but even in these terrains I‘ll still take my Transalp over the Suzuki which is like 30kg heavier
I do get comments of, "That is a good looking bike." Not sure why that one & mine have Matte paint as I had to learn not to use any soaps with wax in them. Cannot use wax, polish, window cleaner,... nor most auto type soaps. I easily found Matte specific cleaner by Maxima and a variety of Matte specific washing soap. It has 1 overhead cam & 4 valves per cylinder. Love the gas mileage when not pushing it hard. I got similar L / 100 kms. as you. Those Metzeler Karoo Street tires are the craps in a bit of sand and in any wet spot I found. The front end will take on a mind of its own. So I will be going to same Motoz tires. The front forks are like a small boat in sea swells bobbing up and down to the point of being near not safe unless excess preload is wound into it. They need some rebound badly as they only have preload adjustment. The rear shock is not as bad. They put cheaper suspension on it to keep the price down. I will be replacing the shock and do something with the forks over the coming winter. I do a complete oil & filter change without removing the Hepco & Becker skidplate and lower crashbar that I installed. I am sure I can do it if it had Honda's skidplate.
Good useful information for owners with the matte paint, yes if your doing more serious riding the suspension could do with some upgrades. Overall for the price Honda offer this bike compared to the direct competition makes it a pretty solid package. Ride safe 👍
everyone except HONDA think the oil collector is in danger lol Edit for the oil change - One comment I saw from a supposed owner was that they took tin foil and wrapped around the exhaust pipes when changing the oil. Then when done they just pull the foil off and throw it away. Made sense to me.
Ooooo sounds a bit harsh but I can’t dispute it as I don’t get involved with the internals now days. I will say I’ve got a couple of 30 year old Hondas that still run perfectly 👍
I wanted to buy one a year ago but I was not willing to spend so much money on a new one, so I ended up buying a 2017 Africa Twin for less than half that price but I will be looking for a fully kitted out black one in the used market in the near future as a second bike
Ok, hadn’t heard about that. There’s a lot of people who would like the cruise, so many riders I ran into while reviewing this bike noted the lack of cruise as a standard fitment.
@thodoris3790 strong rumours say it will. As an option. Apparently global bike sales are falling on all makes. Suzuki has dropped their RRP to match the Honda and Honda need to reply with better value. Let's see what happens. Maybe, maybe not.
Yes it says to check the chain slack with it on the side stand. But a few days ago I compared the slack to what it was while on the Honda centre stand that mine has. The slack was 100% the same on the side stand & on the centre stand with the rear wheel in the air.
Hi there!would you say the quality of rear shock is acceptable?couse many say it sucks.i dont ride ofter with my wife(me 85,wife 70),and i dont will do hard off road riding,just passing some dirt roads here and there.if you tighten the preload some clicks things get better?the one i test road,i dont know what they have done,but preload must have been to the less level.the bike was so low and soft.i was standing upright and put my feet both on the ground,and my ass didnt even touch the seat!and im not that tall,i m 5.11 with 32'' leg.i m asking couse i have to calculate the priorities in the expences i ll do for the bike...
Hi, yes all valid questions. I would say the preload was on about quarter, I certainly didn’t find a problem with the type of riding I was doing. I didn’t actually wind it right up & have my wife on the back, for me it was fine. I don’t set my bikes up hard anymore as I find after a full day riding the old joints start to get a bit sore, I guess it depends on what reviewers are comparing it against. For general day today riding and hitting the trails on the weekend I think it would be fine, if you were looking for a more aggressive rear shock I am sure there would be dozens of aftermarket ones available by now. That of course beggars the question how much do you want to spend after the initial purchase cost? I guess you need to use the old percentage rule and work out what the majority of riding is that you will be doing, the ideal of course would be to have a rear shock with the remote hand adjustable preload. I think the only way to be sure would be to ask your dealer to wind the preload up and let you have the bike for an hour or so and try it with the extra load, whether they would be prepared to do that or not is another thing I guess. Let me know how you go. Cheers.
@@standupmoto thanks.i wish my local dealer had one for test ride available.i still have a few months until I buy it. then I'll come back and let you know my thoughts
Hi, if you Google “Fogy Garage” (only one G in Fogy) their catalog of gloves is there. They are excellent retro gloves, you purchase online. If you tell them you saw them in one of my videos they may give some form of discount. Cheers.
I can say one thing about my new (3000) KM Honda Transalp 750 XL,2024. Expensive peace of crap.My testicles and panis are molested after 20 KM.My fingers gat numb after 10 KM of ride under 4000 RPM. It is strong and looks nice,sound is OK but rear brake is week and seat is made like Chinese,not Japanese.
Thank you. I can't afford a Transalp so can you do the Himalayan 450 next? If you can find an Adelaide dealer that will let you have one for long enough. As a fellow Adelaide man would love to know where you go off road for these Vids. Cheers!
Hi Scott, I’ll see what I can do. I have a mate with one he bought a couple of months ago but but he hasn’t ridden in yet as he’s been crook but I’ll see what I can do. Have you had a look at the CFMoto 450? It looks like a good thing also, sorry can’t help with the riding location as it’s on private property & I’ve been sworn to secrecy.🤫
Have you ever had little crosswinds? On the highway over 100km an hour it gets unstable, you will be blown off the road. I bought a brand new one with topcase and sidecases, after two weeks sold it, I lost €1500, it was a worse nightmare this transalp
Wow ok, I had the bike in this video for over a week and rode in some pretty average conditions wind & rain wise but certainly didn’t find it any different from any other bike of this type in the wind. I didn’t have any boxes on (panniers or top box) but it felt fine, it almost sounds like tyres or pressures. I’d be interested to hear from other owners to see if they have had any issues in this area, thanks for your feedback.
Have a 52 L top box , no panniers on my TA, so far have felt no effects of wind on motorway , have ridden bitumen backroads ( saving up for bash plate , radiator guard , crash bars for dirt ) and had 35km/h wind gusts felt nothing untoward , have the Taller Honda tour screen and at 5ft8 wind noise is good , I also have AirPods Pro 2 s in each ear , with a balaclava and then a hoodie under my helmet , I can listen to podcasts , music even at motorway speeds, without blasting my ears , the AirPod pro2 s have pretty good noise cancelling . Have fitted the Honda low seat ( 20 mm lower ) , has made hill stops better for my short legs , but to be honest I would like to have the TA lowered to about 810mm. Had no issues with the bike at 5500kms but , sometimes the clutch does appear to be a bit clicky at the levers on some down changes . It hits neutral also when giving it the gas in first gear to second , don’t have quick shifter. Have a Versys 650 23 model , comfort wise for my body size the Versys is about 10 per cent more comfortable . The transalp handlebars and levers require a longer stretch for shorter armed riders . The lack of remote preload , that the Versys 650 has is a bummer, I dial it soft on the Versys going through traffic , to lower the seat height ( more sag ) and dial it a few turns stiffer for the back road twisties ect…on the Honda you need a tool. With the prices quoted in this video looks like I will need to spend over $2000 just to go off road 😮. But it is what it is .
Got one this year and have put 6500 miles on it. Interstate riding in crosswind seems no different than any other 500 lb bike to me and I have Givi hard bags and top case. I’ve owned over 20 motorcycles.
How about engine heat coming thru the seat? The old transalp was terrible on that aspect…making really uncomfortable riding in traffic in the summer……boiling in the bag was a comment.😮
No engine heat issue for me on mine. My most recent ride was a few days ago on pavement, dirt and gravel roads, and trails over 12 hours and 690 kms. (429 miles).
I took for a ride a 790 ktm during the summer time here in greece crete Island and the heat on my legs was unbearable... this one is way way better for hot climates I can insure you that ...
Yes undoubtedly it is, it’s an off rd focused bike. The Transalp is a dual purpose 70/30 motorcycle, and much more affordable-at least here in Aus. The Aprillia is a wonderful off roader but the question does have to be asked if you spent the extra $6000. (the price difference in Aus between the two) on the Honda upgrading the off rd ability how would they compare then? It would be an interesting experiment, hopefully someone will. Thanks for your thoughts 👍
@@standupmoto I didn't know of the price difference in Australia. That's impressive! In Europe they cost more or less the same. I wouldn't call the Transalp a 70/30 off-on.
@@standupmoto yeas the OEM. If the weather is really windy, the wind still hits you from the sides. It ain't a car. But compared to the smaller shield it feels like one.
@@JuNe-uk6iv Thanks for the info it helps owners of the Transalp going down the road of extra wind protection, especially those setting it up as a long distance adventure machine 👍
In regards to tall Honda windscreen , I agree it helps wind noise , also fitted the Honda lower seat ( 20mm lower ) and it now even better in relation to wind ( I am 5ft 8 ) and is better for touching ground with feet . Only issue with taller screen is visibility off road when looking through the screen if you are shorter like me. The taller wind screen appears blurry if you are looking through it a short distance ahead when navigating off road potholes ect. Always a trade off . Just a side note I swear when using wet weather gear when it is not raining quietens wind noise also. Could be that there is less wind ruffling ..but it does feel quieter and more serene .
I gave my Transalp new suspention and catrige kit from YSS and now it is the Best bike i have ever ridden! Now, it is 3cm higher, significantly more stability, ground clearens and for harder offroad ready. Fenominal!
Great job, yes I’ve heard with some minor suspension mods they become extremely capable off rd.👍
So even you are higher-up is still more stable?? Whoa thats great! Did you change frond and rear as well?
Probably the best Transalp video I've seen.. and I've been obsessing for a week now. Great work! From another South Australian 👍
Ah top stuff, look I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better all rounder than the Transalp. In saying that the Suzi is also a good mount albeit a bit heavier, the T7 is better off rd by my brief time on the Yam but it’s horses for courses. It comes down to what you’re going to do the most of and of course only you know that. The Aprillia is bloody awesome off rd but is way more expensive and if you’re looking for the resale down the track the Jap stuff is the only way to go. Cheers mate and glad you enjoyed the review 👍
Cheers mate thanks 👍
Has been my dream bike for awhile. Your review confirmed this.
Hang in there, when it eventually comes along it’ll be well worth the wait 👍
Just had a look at the Transalp video, and then I discovered that you’ve done aviation videos as well!
I’ve been riding the trails of the Australian Safari and other routes on the Yamaha Spirit of adventure tour in 1991, and then I proceeded to become a pilot- I realised that subscribing to the channel is a given. Great memories!
Great stuff, AUS Safari routes-great rides. Glad you enjoy the channel, hopefully putting up plenty of videos in the future on both.👍
Agree. I’m an old man that traded my CTX1300 for the TransAlp and I am having the time of my life exploring the gravel and dirt roads of Western North Carolina.
Great stuff, perfect for that type of riding. Be safe 👍
Thanks for this review. You have confirmed the feeling I had when I tried out this bike yesterday. I ordered it today and I don't think I will regret it. Have a nice day! 🙂
Congratulations, you’ll love it. Ride safe.
Love my Transalp took it across Texas to New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, South Dakota and back to South Texas for one month trip. Now i ride it for work purposes. Awesome all round bike. I put Veridian cruise control on her before my big trip.🍻
Great stuff, and that cruise control would have been awesome. 👍
Easily the best review for this bike. Great job!
Thanks mate 👍
An enjoyable, 'matter-of-fact' video - good to see a test in my local area. I got my (white) TA from Moto Adelaide also - I think I was the first to order - and can recommend them. I got the 'winglets' included, and they do help a little with the wind. The good news is, the engine becomes even smoother as the miles go by, mine now at 17,500 kms, almost a year in. I also got the 'bear grip' footrests, which are slightly lower, and DO transmit a little more 'tingle', but the engine becomes uncannily smooth after around 5 - 6,000 kms, particularly in top gear between 90 - 110 kmh. The air filter IS a pain - it took me almost 2 x hours(?!) taking my time - and involves TEN panels, and about 50 x fasteners! I couldn't believe it. The only good news being that it doesn't appear to dirty up that quickly, having a fairly convoluted intake passage. Mine now has a K & N, as I do quite a lot of dirt miles on the southern Fleurieu (most days) although not often following anyone..
Just a couple of corrections - it only has one camshaft (Unicam) which bears directly on the inlet valve buckets, with rockers to the exhausts. And just the front brake lever is adjustable, the clutch is not. I found an improvement in steering feel, and ergonomics, by reversing the handlebar risers, which sets the 'bars just 20mm further forward, takes away a slight 'tiller feel', and is better when standing. I am just shy of 5' 10", but CAN 'flat foot' it if I sit well forward when pulling up.
But I agree with almost all your reflections - you did well to notice and collate all that on a short stint. The lack of an oil window I found disappointing, in 2023, which is tedious (and has the potential for dust to enter when checking) as is the lack of an ambient temperature gauge, but have forgiven these shortcomings as I really enjoy the bike (and will add a thermometer). It is understated, but surprisingly capable. And is quite acceptable off-road with coarser tyres - in my case Pirelli STRs (even though they are made in China and Indonesia, and still have Italian pricing...). I get about 6,000 kms out of the rear, and 11k from the front. Yes, the TC is ridiculous, but better if left in Sport, where TC is minimal. But it turns into a beastie off-road with it off!
But this bike has an ease of use, and remarkable economy. If filled right up, the tank can easily do 400 kms at that 3.9L/100 km consumption (which is my average at mainly 100 kmh travelling). Doing dirt roads at 80 - 85 kmh it gets down to 3.1! The seat IS firm, but is good over a longer distance. I enjoy the easy clutch operation and take-up; I haven't stalled it ever in this mileage, and - like the whole bike - it is just EASY. This is a bike which is better than it first seems, and 'grows on you'. And despite over 50 years of Ducatis, I too found its road manners surprisingly good, in spite of its 21" front.
As to the Aprilia comparison mentioned below, yes, the Aprilia is a great machine, and undoubtedly better off-road, but isn't anywhere near as good on the road, and is much dearer in this country. The Aprilia feels much smaller, but taller, and revs much higher at open road speeds, and isn't much lighter. I too deleted the Suzuki from my choice due to its weight, and will do further lightening on the TA over time. I already made a lighter rear rack, and removed a few grams elsewhere.
Thanks for your test.
Thanks so much for your comment & detailed run down of ownership, I did wonder about fuel consumption. A couple of times over the wk I had this bike I saw 3.2 and even less at one point but wondered if I was miss reading it, your figures confirm what I saw. I think as an all rounder the TA is probably pretty hard to beat, it’s also priced reasonably compared to the immediate competition. If ever you go down the track of aftermarket cruise I’d love to hear your thoughts, ride safe & enjoy that machine. 👍
Best Transalp review that I have seen. Thx.
Cheers Mate,thanks 👍
What a nice video! What a nice review! What a nice bike! I'go for the tri colour ! Greetings from greece!!!
Σας ευχαριστώ glad you enjoyed it, nice to hear from Greece.
I love my Transalp. On my third now and after 40 years in the saddle and owning many bikes in between I truly know what a dependable and thoroughly good friend means. No dramas, no fuss. It really does have a wild side compared to the previous generations. Minor gripes? That seat. 45 mins and my arse is numb. Hopefully, it will break in. Seat/arse either or. Rear shock? Very wallowy power down on a bumpy road or two-up. I wouldn't have minded paying a few more pounds sterling for better suspension. Future upgrade no doubt. Low speed throttle is a bit twitchy in my opinion also. Otherwise, a truly fabulous motorcycle regardless of tubed tyres and lack of cruise control. At that price point those things are forgiven. Bravo Honda!
Great to hear you loving your Transalp & always good to hear from owners, ride safe 👍
Fellow transalp owner with 5000kms , the twitchy throttle can be tamed in commuting situations, or all situations by using it in rain mode.
Yes the power is about 30 per cent stifled , but it is a very steady and laid back mode to ride in , if you are in low speed traffic .
Great review👍👍very good bike for a good price, I have seen more reviews about this bike and all were very positive.
Cheers Alex thanks 👍
Great honest review!
Thanks mate 👍
I have one. Excellent review, you have described the bike very well. I am thoroughly delighted with mine.
thanks man.i ve seen dozens of reviews of this bike.so,its all so good as he says?
Thanks mate, great to hear your happy with yours 👍
Cheers mate thanks 👍
Yes mate. He's speaking accurately. I'm an owner with 8000+klms on mine. It does everything from road touring to jumping third gear erosion mounds. But if you jump it, you'll need heavier springs and a re valve. If not it's perfect.
Good job reviewing bike. This is my next bike.
Thanks mate👍
Thoroughly enjoyed your comprehensive review. Thanks
Thanks Shaun 👍
Great review! I've owned mine here in the states since June 2024. Everything you commented on is absolutely spot-on. I'm enjoying every mile. The only complaint I have about the bike is the seat. My butt gets sore after approx. 2 - 3 hours in the saddle. I must admit a part of the equation is probably my bony backside - not much padding back there. Other than that it's proving to be everything I expected it would be. The engine is happy in the upper rev range for sure. It just wants to go - and go fast! It was the right decision for me, no regrets at all.
Thanks mate and glad you liked the review, great to hear you are enjoying your Transalp. Yes that is one sweet engine for sure, ride safe 👍.
Great review. I have had my Transalp for about 3 months and 1600 miles and I absolutely love it. You are spot on assessment of the qualities and negatives. This is a great bike, and Honda did a excellent job on design for the price. For my weight and height 180 lbs and 5' 11" the suspension and seat height are perfect. I am adding an aftermarket cruise control $300.00 USD, other than that I cannot find a lot of faults. Thanks for the good review.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review and confirmed my thoughts on the Transalp. It’s always great to hear from owners that live with bikes I review on a daily basis, if you look back through the comments there’s also a solution to the oil filter dripping on the exhaust while changing that I thought might be an issue. Thanks for your input and let me know how the aftermarket cruise goes when you fit it.👍
Hi lads, brilliant review mate! Just one thing, regarding noise while riding, that is the tyres, switch to dunlop, it makes a huge difference. I'v been riding TA for a few years now... cheers.
Cheers, thanks for the info 👍
Sorry, a bit late to the party here. Had a test bike out for 3 hrs.(don't think the dealer was happy 😅). As a road based senior rider, still prefered my NC750X. Maybe I'm biased. NC more torque up to 4000rpm. Low centre of gravity. 17" road tyres(better rolling affect on seal,hence, better fuel consumption and smoother ride). Fuel consumption great. And that ever handy "frunk". Keep up with the great videos. Cheers from NZ
Cheers mate thanks, yes the NC is a pretty hard to beat machine for sure. The Transalp is also a great bike but more focused on being a road trail, something it does very well. Great to hear from riders over the ditch 👍
Liked very much my suzuki 800 DE for the engine,but trade it for the lighter Transalp!
greetings from France
Thanks for your feedback, not sure when you did your swap but would be interested in your comparison. I have ridden the Suzi and loved it but my ride was only brief. I’m yet to review the 800 properly. Great to hear from France, Merci.
Thanks. One of the best reviews on this bike I have seen. It's on the short list. I, for one, would be happy if you dedicated a video on how to use the different options. I'm quite 'old school' and the TFT screen looks a bit busy - and who wants to read the manual anyway :)
Hi Paul, unfortunately I’ve returned the bike you see in this video but will see what I can do. It is pretty straightforward compared to some I’ve reviewed though, see if your local dealer will let you have a play with one. One thing I will say if you go ahead with the Transalp get the Honda heated grips, the scale is integrated into the standard dash. Cheers
@@standupmoto Thanks. Actually my local Honda dealer is pretty good. I'm sure they would give me a 'tutorial'.
@@paulg9038 Yeah great, and like many of these new fandangle things after a while they get much easier to use. Let me know how you go 👍
I’ve got a TA but not yet got a Smartphone so you can see how much I like tech! It’s easy to navigate the TFT. Love the bike. It’s not perfect, no bike is, but it’s pretty damn close for what it is, the price, the spec. Proper all rounder 👍
Great review!
I just went on a test ride with one, and it felt amazing. I'm really considering of buying one, but the lack of cruise control is quite a deal breaker. Other than that, that engine and quickshifter are simply awesome. Such a pitty that they refuse to add some nice options that you get as standard on the bmw bikes, I for sure would have loved to pay and have all the premium options on this great tuned bike, it's perfect for commuting and awesome for trips on and off the road in the weekends.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review. Yes I think the cruise was definitely an oversight & sadly would have lost many sales for Honda. On the positive side I’ve heard from quite a few riders that some descent after market c controls are available.
I got the MCCruise for my Transalp when I first bought it, it took me 3-4 hours to get it installed myself and it honestly works just as good as a manufacturer cruise. It’s made and sold by some guys in Melbourne but is the higher of the 2 options on the market, the Viridian cruise is half the cost but not Aussie. The MCCruise intercepts a few wires as this is an electronic throttle bike, basically just brake/speed sensor/throttle sensor/engine RPM and clutch operation (I think)
@ Yeah couldn’t agree more, they are a great cruise. Fitted one to my STenere some years ago 👍
Great video and excellent presentation 👍
Thanks Mate 👍
Great review
Thanks mate 👍
Regarding oil changes and getting oil on the exhaust, I found that the header pipes will happily hold a 3" spill saver multi-purpose funnel (inserted from the right side of the bike) to catch and redirect the oil over to the left side to drain into your pan underneath. Don't get a single drop on my head pipe.
Great info, thanks for sharing 👍
I love my Transalp! Greetings from Germany! Like and ABO... ;-)
Danke 🤝
Very good review. Thanks.
Thanks glad you enjoyed it 👍
Thanks for sharing Mate from Ohio USA
Thanks Mate, great to hear from Ohio. Want to ride the Hanging Rock Trail over there one day, looks like a pretty trick ride.
Superb review and thanks for it. One thing which I keep hearing about this bike is v the engine heat, any feedback on that during your ride and appreciate any comments from the rider/owner community as well. Thank you.
I had heard similar but certainly didn’t find it a problem at all while reviewing , even doing a lot of slow sand exploring. I think maybe it was an issue with the earlier generation. As you say hopefully some owners of this model can comment. Cheers.
No engine heat issue for me on mine. Heat onto the rider I assume you are talking about. The engine temperature displayed on the dash is OK also.
Greetings from South Africa, i curious to know if any of you experienced unwanted vibration in the foot pegs, seat or handle bars, a very irritating trait of some of the 270 deg crank engines IMO (since i am often doing long tours). I immediately noticed this when i took the new Triumph Tigers on demo rides. I have heard that the Africa Twin has one of the best balanced engines in the large ADV bike category with very little engine vibration anywhere in the rev range, would like your comment on this.
Hi, certainly not something I found in my week with this one but would be interested to hear from owners with more time in the saddle.
I used to work for Cycle World magazine in the early 90's. Part of my job was testing bikes. Fun Job!!!
Gday Richard, I agree 👍
Great video
Thanks mate👍
For the oil change you can put a bit of aluminium foil on the exhaust to prevent the oil from coming in contact with it.
👍
Good video. Nice.
I'm happy with my TA ... Better than the AT i had before.
Never ride of road through
Thanks 👍
I really like my Transalp but I’m dreading the air filter service. Also I wrap aluminum foil around the exhaust for oil changes and it keeps the pipes clean
Yes it’s certainly not a five minute job apparently, however a couple of owners I did talk to said once you’ve done it a couple of times it becomes much easier & faster.
I haven’t took mine apart yet but I’ve heard there is some tabs on the plastics you can cut off the first time and then you don’t have to take everything off just the side and tilt the tank and supposedly turns into a pretty quick job lol 🤞
@@easyfromtnbtw3555 Here’s hoping it’s relatively straightforward, let me know after you do your first clean 👍
I've done mine multiple times now. Couple of tips for you to turn it into a less than 30 minute job without raising a sweat.
When you first do it, clip off the locating tabs on the sides of the inner cowl. That enables you to tilt the tank without having to remove the inner cowl and the dashboard. Turns a problem child job into something fast and easy.
P.S. use some grease on the groove that locates the filter into the airbox. On first air filter change, I had dust get past the filter and had lightly coated the bell mouths.
So you have purchased one? Had mine for a year and loving it! Haven't ridden the Suzuki, but the T7 was disappointing after all the hype.
No mate but wouldn’t mind one, they’re a good thing 👍
The 800DE is way better for me as I actually ride Adventure and dirt. The Talp is a street bike and Honda has better options for that.
@@jonwoodworker Gday Jon, yes I’m looking forward to spending some time with & reviewing the Suzi, have only had a short ride so far. I’ve owned many Suzuki’s over the years (still have 2) and they’ve been good to me. Just have to convince a dealer to throw me one for a week or so.
TA is excellent off road with a minor suspension upgrade. I only ride adventure and dirt. TA easily goes anywhere the DE does and vica versa. The extra nearly 30 kg's put me off the DE even though I also have the 8S and love the engine.
@@jonwoodworker I disagree, I almost exclusively use mine offroad. It excels if you’re able to flow at high speed, if it gets too technical it’s not the best but even in these terrains I‘ll still take my Transalp over the Suzuki which is like 30kg heavier
I do get comments of, "That is a good looking bike."
Not sure why that one & mine have Matte paint as I had to learn not to use any soaps with wax in them. Cannot use wax, polish, window cleaner,... nor most auto type soaps. I easily found Matte specific cleaner by Maxima and a variety of Matte specific washing soap.
It has 1 overhead cam & 4 valves per cylinder. Love the gas mileage when not pushing it hard. I got similar L / 100 kms. as you.
Those Metzeler Karoo Street tires are the craps in a bit of sand and in any wet spot I found. The front end will take on a mind of its own. So I will be going to same Motoz tires.
The front forks are like a small boat in sea swells bobbing up and down to the point of being near not safe unless excess preload is wound into it. They need some rebound badly as they only have preload adjustment. The rear shock is not as bad.
They put cheaper suspension on it to keep the price down. I will be replacing the shock and do something with the forks over the coming winter.
I do a complete oil & filter change without removing the Hepco & Becker skidplate and lower crashbar that I installed. I am sure I can do it if it had Honda's skidplate.
Good useful information for owners with the matte paint, yes if your doing more serious riding the suspension could do with some upgrades. Overall for the price Honda offer this bike compared to the direct competition makes it a pretty solid package. Ride safe 👍
I used Mr Sheen spray on the Matt Black bonnet blackouts on a car I owned for years. Worked great. Was recommended by the fella who painted it.
everyone except HONDA think the oil collector is in danger lol
Edit for the oil change - One comment I saw from a supposed owner was that they took tin foil and wrapped around the exhaust pipes when changing the oil. Then when done they just pull the foil off and throw it away. Made sense to me.
Honda .. it’s got steel camshafts , unlike KTM that has cheese melts operating the valves
Ooooo sounds a bit harsh but I can’t dispute it as I don’t get involved with the internals now days. I will say I’ve got a couple of 30 year old Hondas that still run perfectly 👍
pas beaucoup de dégagement hors sol , how about handle bar vibration
Bonjour , ground clearance is not massive but adequate for light off rd riding. Handle bar vibration is very low.
I wanted to buy one a year ago but I was not willing to spend so much money on a new one, so I ended up buying a 2017 Africa Twin for less than half that price but I will be looking for a fully kitted out black one in the used market in the near future as a second bike
Sounds like a good idea, two bikes for the price of one! 👍
Holding out on the 2025 rumours of cruise and tubeless
Ok, hadn’t heard about that. There’s a lot of people who would like the cruise, so many riders I ran into while reviewing this bike noted the lack of cruise as a standard fitment.
Its not gonna happen.there africa for this
@thodoris3790 strong rumours say it will. As an option. Apparently global bike sales are falling on all makes. Suzuki has dropped their RRP to match the Honda and Honda need to reply with better value. Let's see what happens. Maybe, maybe not.
@@droflivelife maybe the chinese invation will help so japanese low the prices.i m thinking for this bike seriusly.i m waiting new colors at least
I believe, the Transalp 750 chain tension adjustment requires the bike to be on the side stand.
Hopefully an owner will answer your question, thanks for the comment 👍
I just use a rear stand on it
Yes it says to check the chain slack with it on the side stand.
But a few days ago I compared the slack to what it was while on the Honda centre stand that mine has.
The slack was 100% the same on the side stand & on the centre stand with the rear wheel in the air.
Hi there!would you say the quality of rear shock is acceptable?couse many say it sucks.i dont ride ofter with my wife(me 85,wife 70),and i dont will do hard off road riding,just passing some dirt roads here and there.if you tighten the preload some clicks things get better?the one i test road,i dont know what they have done,but preload must have been to the less level.the bike was so low and soft.i was standing upright and put my feet both on the ground,and my ass didnt even touch the seat!and im not that tall,i m 5.11 with 32'' leg.i m asking couse i have to calculate the priorities in the expences i ll do for the bike...
Hi, yes all valid questions. I would say the preload was on about quarter, I certainly didn’t find a problem with the type of riding I was doing. I didn’t actually wind it right up & have my wife on the back, for me it was fine. I don’t set my bikes up hard anymore as I find after a full day riding the old joints start to get a bit sore, I guess it depends on what reviewers are comparing it against. For general day today riding and hitting the trails on the weekend I think it would be fine, if you were looking for a more aggressive rear shock I am sure there would be dozens of aftermarket ones available by now. That of course beggars the question how much do you want to spend after the initial purchase cost? I guess you need to use the old percentage rule and work out what the majority of riding is that you will be doing, the ideal of course would be to have a rear shock with the remote hand adjustable preload. I think the only way to be sure would be to ask your dealer to wind the preload up and let you have the bike for an hour or so and try it with the extra load, whether they would be prepared to do that or not is another thing I guess. Let me know how you go. Cheers.
@@standupmoto thanks.i wish my local dealer had one for test ride available.i still have a few months until I buy it. then I'll come back and let you know my thoughts
What kind of gloves are worn in the video?
Hi, if you Google
“Fogy Garage” (only one G in Fogy) their catalog of gloves is there. They are excellent retro gloves, you purchase online. If you tell them you saw them in one of my videos they may give some form of discount. Cheers.
I can say one thing about my new (3000) KM Honda Transalp 750 XL,2024.
Expensive peace of crap.My testicles and panis are molested after 20 KM.My fingers gat numb after 10 KM of ride under 4000 RPM.
It is strong and looks nice,sound is OK but rear brake is week and seat is made like Chinese,not Japanese.
Thank you. I can't afford a Transalp so can you do the Himalayan 450 next? If you can find an Adelaide dealer that will let you have one for long enough. As a fellow Adelaide man would love to know where you go off road for these Vids. Cheers!
Hi Scott, I’ll see what I can do. I have a mate with one he bought a couple of months ago but but he hasn’t ridden in yet as he’s been crook but I’ll see what I can do. Have you had a look at the CFMoto 450? It looks like a good thing also, sorry can’t help with the riding location as it’s on private property & I’ve been sworn to secrecy.🤫
Have you ever had little crosswinds? On the highway over 100km an hour it gets unstable, you will be blown off the road. I bought a brand new one with topcase and sidecases, after two weeks sold it, I lost €1500, it was a worse nightmare this transalp
Wow ok, I had the bike in this video for over a week and rode in some pretty average conditions wind & rain wise but certainly didn’t find it any different from any other bike of this type in the wind. I didn’t have any boxes on (panniers or top box) but it felt fine, it almost sounds like tyres or pressures. I’d be interested to hear from other owners to see if they have had any issues in this area, thanks for your feedback.
Have a 52 L top box , no panniers on my TA, so far have felt no effects of wind on motorway , have ridden bitumen backroads ( saving up for bash plate , radiator guard , crash bars for dirt ) and had 35km/h wind gusts felt nothing untoward , have the Taller Honda tour screen and at 5ft8 wind noise is good , I also have AirPods Pro 2 s in each ear , with a balaclava and then a hoodie under my helmet , I can listen to podcasts , music even at motorway speeds, without blasting my ears , the AirPod pro2 s have pretty good noise cancelling .
Have fitted the Honda low seat ( 20 mm lower ) , has made hill stops better for my short legs , but to be honest I would like to have the TA lowered to about 810mm.
Had no issues with the bike at 5500kms but , sometimes the clutch does appear to be a bit clicky at the levers on some down changes .
It hits neutral also when giving it the gas in first gear to second , don’t have quick shifter.
Have a Versys 650 23 model , comfort wise for my body size the Versys is about 10 per cent more comfortable .
The transalp handlebars and levers require a longer stretch for shorter armed riders .
The lack of remote preload , that the Versys 650 has is a bummer, I dial it soft on the Versys going through traffic , to lower the seat height ( more sag ) and dial it a few turns stiffer for the back road twisties ect…on the Honda you need a tool.
With the prices quoted in this video looks like I will need to spend over $2000 just to go off road 😮.
But it is what it is .
Got one this year and have put 6500 miles on it. Interstate riding in crosswind seems no different than any other 500 lb bike to me and I have Givi hard bags and top case. I’ve owned over 20 motorcycles.
How about pillion comfort?
Only had a very brief try with a pillion , seemed pretty good 👍
How about engine heat coming thru the seat? The old transalp was terrible on that aspect…making really uncomfortable riding in traffic in the summer……boiling in the bag was a comment.😮
Definitely no issues with the heat on this model 👌
No engine heat issue for me on mine. My most recent ride was a few days ago on pavement, dirt and gravel roads, and trails over 12 hours and 690 kms. (429 miles).
I took for a ride a 790 ktm during the summer time here in greece crete Island and the heat on my legs was unbearable... this one is way way better for hot climates I can insure you that ...
I wish it was shaft drive.
The tuareg is way better offroad
Yes undoubtedly it is, it’s an off rd focused bike. The Transalp is a dual purpose 70/30 motorcycle, and much more affordable-at least here in Aus. The Aprillia is a wonderful off roader but the question does have to be asked if you spent the extra $6000. (the price difference in Aus between the two) on the Honda upgrading the off rd ability how would they compare then? It would be an interesting experiment, hopefully someone will. Thanks for your thoughts 👍
A Grom is better off-road than the Talp.
However it's an Aprillia.
@@standupmoto I didn't know of the price difference in Australia. That's impressive!
In Europe they cost more or less the same.
I wouldn't call the Transalp a 70/30 off-on.
i just bought the tall windscreen. it is like night and day difference.
Thanks for sharing, did you get the OEM extended screen?
@@standupmoto yeas the OEM. If the weather is really windy, the wind still hits you from the sides. It ain't a car. But compared to the smaller shield it feels like one.
@@JuNe-uk6iv Thanks for the info it helps owners of the Transalp going down the road of extra wind protection, especially those setting it up as a long distance adventure machine 👍
In regards to tall Honda windscreen , I agree it helps wind noise , also fitted the Honda lower seat ( 20mm lower ) and it now even better in relation to wind ( I am 5ft 8 ) and is better for touching ground with feet .
Only issue with taller screen is visibility off road when looking through the screen if you are shorter like me.
The taller wind screen appears blurry if you are looking through it a short distance ahead when navigating off road potholes ect.
Always a trade off .
Just a side note I swear when using wet weather gear when it is not raining quietens wind noise also.
Could be that there is less wind ruffling ..but it does feel quieter and more serene .