2023 Honda Transalp launched

[g00ner]

Is that yours now Arsey or the demonstrators. It looks good

I think it will also take sales from many who may have looked at the Tenere.
Unless they were buying the Tenere to primarily use off road, the Transalp looks a much better buy with another 18bhp , better handling yet much cheaper.

I think you’re right. The Tenere is too tall for me. The Tuareg I took a good look at is very nice but it would need a fe quid spent to make it how I’d want..the sump guard is just cosmetic and there’s no grab handles or rack to aid moving it about. It’s also balls of the feet only.

From that angle it mimics the AT profile a bit. The Twin I really like but that TA is significantly lighter

 

[Clifton]

I do like the looks, and the road biased handling and performance fit my needs, but using inner tubes and not having cruise crosses it off my list. I bought a T7 in 2020 and it's the last new road bike that uses inner tubes for me.

 

[Arsey]

Is that yours now Arsey or the demonstrators. It looks good

Neither. Pinched the pic off facebook from a guy who’s just collected it.

I do like the looks, and the road biased handling and performance fit my needs, but using inner tubes and not having cruise crosses it off my list. I bought a T7 in 2020 and it's the last new road bike that uses inner tubes for me.

I know what you mean but i wouldn’t rule a bike out if tubed and no cruise.
I had an AT in 2016 which had neither and I rode it all over Europe.

Fitted a simply Atlas Throttle Lock for £90 which was pretty good.

Same on my ATAS in 2018, though I did buy tubeless rims for that which proved to be more trouble than they were worth.

I’m hoping to try my local dealers’ demo next week when I get home as its on its way.

 

[Deleted account 230523001]

That colour does it no favours.

 

[Adventure Boy]

Still no news on my white one !! I can still get it in grey if I want, but I dont so im thinking give it a week if no delivery date ill cancel it and go and get a V85TT in Red and white !!

Rob

 

[r1200rt]

Still no news on my white one !! I can still get it in grey if I want, but I dont so im thinking give it a week if no delivery date ill cancel it and go and get a V85TT in Red and white !!

Rob

v85tt?

maybe read this first!

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/602216-Moto-guzzi-v85-tt

 

[Clifton]

I wouldn't let a couple V85's with a FD leak and one leaking somewhere around the sump put me off. MG did have a problem with some FD's leaking but it was addressed with a different seal and slightly lowering the fill capacity. BMW had the same issue and addressed it the same way. No motorcycles are perfect but Guzzi V85TT's have experienced very few problems and most of them were in the first year or two.

 

[Jazbee]

I wouldn't let a couple V85's with a FD leak and one leaking somewhere around the sump put me off. MG did have a problem with some FD's leaking but it was addressed with a different seal and slightly lowering the fill capacity. BMW had the same issue and addressed it the same way. No motorcycles are perfect but Guzzi V85TT's have experienced very few problems and most of them were in the first year or two.

1100 miles on my GdO now, running very sweet, no issues at all

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[SteveT]

Well, yesterday I actually got to oggle and fondle a new 750 Alp at Ecosse in Aberdeen. It was still in the process of being built up, but they'd wheeled it out of the work shop so they could actually do some work 0n customers machines.

1st impression - looks to me like its been built to a price. The paint finish wasn't that great and the panels felt flimsy. It's a matt grey paint finish on their demo bike - maybe the gloss white paint scheme will show off the bike better . . . but the panels will still be flimsy!

The rear shock has to have pre-load adjusted by your faithful "C" spanner (hopefully supplied with the bike in a tool kit). How much would a remote pre-load knob have cost in money terms and weight penalty - not much would be my guess.

All the identifying decals are just stickers on top of the paint, no laquer in site, so easy to pick off. Even my 2020 CB500x had laquered over decals on the tank!

The rear brake reservoir is under the rear wheel arch (behind a crud/splash guard admitedly) - what a right pain thats going to be when fluid change time comes around! I couldn't even see the mounting bolt that holds it in place.

The sump has a huge carbuncle of a protrudence on its bottom, with a large flat face facing forward . . . and the bike doesn't come with a sump guard of any sort as standard, but £400 will get you a Honda one

.

It's tall, like F800GS tall - I was on tip toes, just like I am on my F8GS. Only a problem for normal sized folk - you leggy feckers would be bovvered by it

Ecosse reckon on it being available to test ride in about 10 days - didn't ask what the delay would be, cos I'm honestly not that interested in trying it out.

Note to anyone thinking of getting one - check the chain tension. The chain on this one was near bow string tight

. The label containg the chain tension info said between 50 + 55mm on what looked like the top chain run

. Obviously the tech at Honda thought they knew better

Roll on a real person doing a test ride report on one - maybe it rides OK

SteveT

 

[Arsey]

Well, yesterday I actually got to oggle and fondle a new 750 Alp at Ecosse in Aberdeen. It was still in the process of being built up, but they'd wheeled it out of the work shop so they could actually do some work 0n customers machines.

1st impression - looks to me like its been built to a price. The paint finish wasn't that great and the panels felt flimsy. It's a matt grey paint finish on their demo bike - maybe the gloss white paint scheme will show off the bike better . . . but the panels will still be flimsy!

The rear shock has to have pre-load adjusted by your faithful "C" spanner (hopefully supplied with the bike in a tool kit). How much would a remote pre-load knob have cost in money terms and weight penalty - not much would be my guess.

All the identifying decals are just stickers on top of the paint, no laquer in site, so easy to pick off. Even my 2020 CB500x had laquered over decals on the tank!

The rear brake reservoir is under the rear wheel arch (behind a crud/splash guard admitedly) - what a right pain thats going to be when fluid change time comes around! I couldn't even see the mounting bolt that holds it in place.

The sump has a huge carbuncle of a protrudence on its bottom, with a large flat face facing forward . . . and the bike doesn't come with a sump guard of any sort as standard, but £400 will get you a Honda one

.

It's tall, like F800GS tall - I was on tip toes, just like I am on my F8GS. Only a problem for normal sized folk - you leggy feckers would be bovvered by it

Ecosse reckon on it being available to test ride in about 10 days - didn't ask what the delay would be, cos I'm honestly not that interested in trying it out.

Note to anyone thinking of getting one - check the chain tension. The chain on this one was near bow string tight

. The label containg the chain tension info said between 50 + 55mm on what looked like the top chain run

. Obviously the tech at Honda thought they knew better

Roll on a real person doing a test ride report on one - maybe it rides OK

SteveT

Built to a price ? Of course it is which is why undercuts all of the opposition.
Maybe it rides ok ? I’ve yet to read a review saying it’s anything other than brilliant .

Hers a real person testing one

 

[SteveT]

Still ain't worth £2.5k more than the 750 Hornet, just like the new Strom 800 ain't worth more than the GSX8S

 

[Arsey]

Still ain't worth £2.5k more than the 750 Hornet, just like the new Strom 800 ain't worth more than the GSX8S

Be sure to let Honda know of their impending sales flop !

 

[adventuredon]

I got the chance to ride one at the MCN festival this weekend. I wasn't looking for a bike to go around the world or do the TET on. I looked at it purely from a commuting, scratching and on road touring point of view. Most of what the video says is true. Roads were dry, nice B roads, some dual carriageway and some narrower lanes. I'm 167, 30 inside leg. I could tip toe it. Enough to feel secure as its lighter and I know I wont be off roading much if I were to buy it. It revs freely. Sounds a bit AT at start up. Steering and clutch is light. I felt very comfortable seat position wise. Similar seating ergonomics to my GS of old but more confident with the lighter, more direct steering and balance at slow speeds. It reminded me of being on a bicycle with its precision steering as we left the parking compound. Smooth, light, balanced. As we left the showground with pedestrians and bike all over it was slow going, but its smooth enough you can trundle along in 2nd or 3rd and still give it a squirt if you fancy. It really had a easy manner about it. On the roads, the only real mode is sport. It goes well till 5000 and then as the saying goes "it lifts its skirts". Wow, what an engine. We kind of ran out of straight road, or you ran into newbie test rider on a fireblade who couldn't go faster so you had to brake. Speaking of which, the braking is just great. No intrusive ABS, sharp without being harsh, linear in application. I tried a few times to get them activated and never once made it kick in. I did feel some vibes around the bars and the seat was a bit hard even on the 45 minute ride. I'd need that addressed, as well as handguards, heated grips. Screen worked surprisingly well for its size. Visibility over it was easy but would I ride 4 hours on a motorway on it...probably not willingly. But I'd happily ride 6 hours of good A roads to get to the same destination. At slow speeds its really easy to do tight turns and not feel nervous as its well balanced and the stering is very responsive to input, no tipping in. Wow that engine was like just pin me and hear me roar.....I haven't ridden any other middle weight so nothing to compare it to. The quickshifter looked a sad bolt on tough and only really worked at speed. Maybe they only do, who knows. Never ridden a bike yet with a QS. Overall, I was very impressed. A lot of fun in the twisties, nice sound, surprisingly quick with enough low down torque to cruise through villages and not have to change gears all the time. Very surprised. I think this is the bike that Honda were wanting the At in 2017 to be..

 

[Arsey]

I got the chance to ride one at the MCN festival this weekend. I wasn't looking for a bike to go around the world or do the TET on. I looked at it purely from a commuting, scratching and on road touring point of view. Most of what the video says is true. Roads were dry, nice B roads, some dual carriageway and some narrower lanes. I'm 167, 30 inside leg. I could tip toe it. Enough to feel secure as its lighter and I know I wont be off roading much if I were to buy it. It revs freely. Sounds a bit AT at start up. Steering and clutch is light. I felt very comfortable seat position wise. Similar seating ergonomics to my GS of old but more confident with the lighter, more direct steering and balance at slow speeds. It reminded me of being on a bicycle with its precision steering as we left the parking compound. Smooth, light, balanced. As we left the showground with pedestrians and bike all over it was slow going, but its smooth enough you can trundle along in 2nd or 3rd and still give it a squirt if you fancy. It really had a easy manner about it. On the roads, the only real mode is sport. It goes well till 5000 and then as the saying goes "it lifts its skirts". Wow, what an engine. We kind of ran out of straight road, or you ran into newbie test rider on a fireblade who couldn't go faster so you had to brake. Speaking of which, the braking is just great. No intrusive ABS, sharp without being harsh, linear in application. I tried a few times to get them activated and never once made it kick in. I did feel some vibes around the bars and the seat was a bit hard even on the 45 minute ride. I'd need that addressed, as well as handguards, heated grips. Screen worked surprisingly well for its size. Visibility over it was easy but would I ride 4 hours on a motorway on it...probably not willingly. But I'd happily ride 6 hours of good A roads to get to the same destination. At slow speeds its really easy to do tight turns and not feel nervous as its well balanced and the stering is very responsive to input, no tipping in. Wow that engine was like just pin me and hear me roar.....I haven't ridden any other middle weight so nothing to compare it to. The quickshifter looked a sad bolt on tough and only really worked at speed. Maybe they only do, who knows. Never ridden a bike yet with a QS. Overall, I was very impressed. A lot of fun in the twisties, nice sound, surprisingly quick with enough low down torque to cruise through villages and not have to change gears all the time. Very surprised. I think this is the bike that Honda were wanting the At in 2017 to be..

MCN must have paid you to say that
They are in the pockets of the manufacturers. I read it here !

 

[adventuredon]

If Only...it really is a good ride. I was very pleasantly surprised. I guess at 10k its a maybe, at 8k I'd do it! True test for me though is it a bike I can ride on the motorway with if I had to...and in that regard no. Bit like a himi on a dual carriageway...it can, but only just..

 

[Arsey]

If Only...it really is a good ride. I was very pleasantly surprised. I guess at 10k its a maybe, at 8k I'd do it! True test for me though is it a bike I can ride on the motorway with if I had to...and in that regard no. Bit like a himi on a dual carriageway...it can, but only just..

It is 8k for me so I’m tempted .
I’m sure it’s fine on a motorway, but it depends what your prepared to put up with .
I did 680 miles in a day on my Husky 701 with about 600 of that being autoroute.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Thanks Don for that first hand report, very interesting.

The bike clearly has plenty of go, but you mention twice that you wouldn't fancy it on a motorway. What soecifically makes it lacking for motorway use?

Cheers, p

 

[adventuredon]

Thanks Don for that first hand report, very interesting.

The bike clearly has plenty of go, but you mention twice that you wouldn't fancy it on a motorway. What soecifically makes it lacking for motorway use?

Cheers, p

I just felt that it might be a bit windy and high revving at 70 mph for sustained periods. I guess I am used to my 1150 with the overdrive gearing. Oh and that seat....its hard...The vibes through the bars were also at the back of my mind, but unless a test ride is taken and specifically used on a motorway I wouldn't know for sure. But I get it wasn't built for motorways. The iron test might be if someone said, "righto, we're off to Scotland or France tomorrow2 would I want to make such a long fast ish motorway type journey on it? I don't know, its got the poke and smile factor and a good sound, but I just can't see it in the same way as a larger tourer. I feel the same about the VT 85, Versys 650, The baby suzuki and I haven't ridden all of them. Maybe its just my own perception. Sure they could all do it, but would I choose to do it on them..Just like a deauville on the twisties wouldn't be my preference

 

[craigholt]

I just felt that it might be a bit windy and high revving at 70 mph for sustained periods. I guess I am used to my 1150 with the overdrive gearing. Oh and that seat....its hard...The vibes through the bars were also at the back of my mind, but unless a test ride is taken and specifically used on a motorway I wouldn't know for sure. But I get it wasn't built for motorways. The iron test might be if someone said, "righto, we're off to Scotland or France tomorrow2 would I want to make such a long fast ish motorway type journey on it? I don't know, its got the poke and smile factor and a good sound, but I just can't see it in the same way as a larger tourer. I feel the same about the VT 85, Versys 650, The baby suzuki and I haven't ridden all of them. Maybe its just my own perception. Sure they could all do it, but would I choose to do it on them..Just like a deauville on the twisties wouldn't be my preference

That's spot on and albeit we will see the 'I rode a gazillion miles on a 701' sentence again and again, I used a Tenere and loved it, alongside a GS1250, but given CHOICE, never chose to take it on a European tour, with a GS is the stable.

TET etc - maybe, but that would more likely be a van and some 250's.

Horses for courses

 

[The Other PaulG]

I just felt that it might be a bit windy and high revving at 70 mph for sustained periods. I guess I am used to my 1150 with the overdrive gearing. Oh and that seat....its hard...The vibes through the bars were also at the back of my mind, but unless a test ride is taken and specifically used on a motorway I wouldn't know for sure. But I get it wasn't built for motorways. The iron test might be if someone said, "righto, we're off to Scotland or France tomorrow2 would I want to make such a long fast ish motorway type journey on it? I don't know, its got the poke and smile factor and a good sound, but I just can't see it in the same way as a larger tourer. I feel the same about the VT 85, Versys 650, The baby suzuki and I haven't ridden all of them. Maybe its just my own perception. Sure they could all do it, but would I choose to do it on them..Just like a deauville on the twisties wouldn't be my preference

Thanks. Yes, that makes perfect sense.