05 GS650 OR Transalp 07

[Redrooster]

Hi all, i know you may be biased but which is a better bet for occasional two up travel up to 150 miles each way. The rest of the time solo.
Both with panniers the Honda with a to box. £250 DIFFERENCE IN PRICE
Atb

 

[Ogmios]

my heart is biased - but my wallet and brain aint.

Given the choice, the F650GS - but i'd get a topbox.

sooner or later i'd get mind numbingly bored with the honda and would sell or try to get it to do things it just is not designed for

hth

 

[Nico]

The transalp is a V-twin, much better for two up IMHO!

 

[manicmark999]

Hi all, i know you may be biased but which is a better bet for occasional two up travel up to 150 miles each way. The rest of the time solo.
Both with panniers the Honda with a to box. £250 DIFFERENCE IN PRICE
Atb

Try them both, for me I would go for the transalp (bullet proof) & a great bike.

 

[Redrooster]

Tried a Transalp a couple of years ago, highly underated bike.

Still the gs is tried and tested

aaarrrggghh

 

[peepingtom]

100% TRANSALP will definatly be better 2 up and also will be better be smoother for longer journeys. it will be totally reliable too, mine was. as someone said very underated bike in the UK. we are one of the few countries that didnt really get the transalp. it was mainly brought by commuters here.

As for the gs650 i did want to like them and i brought an 04 model then an 07 dakar but i had nothing but trouble and absolutly terrible time from bmw dealer cannons (worse than usless!)

to make it more confussing how about a v strom 650 or a kawasaki versys

ive ridden them all and have the v strom in the shed as it the most comfortable the roomiest great engine and good for 2 up

 

[jonnie comet]

Can't comment on the BMW, but I did own a Transalp.

Great 'bike....Lovely engine, that never felt stressed....would cruise flat out.
Brilliant on fuel, easy to live with and well made (new 700s not so...IMHO)
Tyre choice critical.....'Trailwings' are an absolute no no ....

Ride them both, but you won't have many day to day issues with the Honda........

 

[alphadog]

if you are going to do any sort of off road then the gs is way better, but if a little touring is your thing and most of it two up then the transalp is the one to go for.
the twin is more relaxed and suited to two up.both great motors but the gs is way better off road.

 

[Flipfly]

I have had a GS 650 and my wife has a Transalp.

We toured Europe and can only tell you my experience with these 2 machines.

GS 650 is a better handler imho, but the Transalp is way way better 2 up and for distance. It's like a magic carpet ride. It is less economical than the BM though.

The transalp handling is vague in comparison to the GS, but don't be fooled....if ya smooth then they can hustle.

Transalp is faster flat out and cruising at 80+ is soooooooo easy compared to the GS. It is comfier than the GS and is actually suprisingly good off road (although a Dakar will whoop the Transalp off road, the standard GS is probably more on a par with the Honda).

Personally I prefer the Dakar, simply because I can live with it's "character", but for 2 up I'd take the transalp without a doubt.

I rode back through Spain on the Transalp with my wife on the back and it was actually comfier than my 1150 GS

Put progressive springs in the front of the Tranny with slightly thicker oil, it does improve them quite alot IMHO.

 

[Ash]

I have had both and would go with the Transalp