2023 Honda Transalp launched

[Arsey]

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

I think it is perception and this place doesn’t help.
How many on here just have to upgrade their GS every three years yet barely venture beyond the nearest cafe ?
Admittedly I don’t think the Transalp would be great for two up touring but I reckon it would be great for a solo trip.
I would happily take it to the Alps etc.
Infact I will IF I get one.
It might not have the wind protection of a GS, but I prefer a smaller screen as would rather have clean air over the torso, than turbulence around the helmet etc which many larger screens cause.
The OE screen on the GSA12 was so bad that I fitted a Desierto 3.
But screens and wind blast etc is obviously rider dependent . Obviously torso length will determine how you sit in the airflow, but many seek out the perfect bubble of still air, which IMHO is a mistake as it’s rarely achieved and if it is then the rider may well end up with lower back pain as there will be now airflow to help counter this.
Many of us are no longer spring chickens.
Larger twat bikes such as the GS1250 weigh around 250 kgs wet. The Transalp is a good 40 kgs lighter than this so the 40 ish bhp power deficit is not going to mean much in the real world.
Plus the Transalp will be so much easier to push around the garage etc.
I’d much rather be in the twisties on a Transalp than a GS. But then again I’d rather be on pretty much anything than a GS.

 

[Arsey]

, with a GS is the stable.

Is that where you keep the blinkers hanging up ?

 

[craigholt]

Is that where you keep the blinkers hanging up ?

I know you're a despiser of everything GS and agree with some points you harp on about, but let's not start a how many bikes in the garage conversation.

It is a very capable bike, but would it be my only one - never.

 

[Arsey]

I know you're a despiser of everything GS and agree with some points you harp on about, but let's not start a how many bikes in the garage conversation.

It is a very capable bike, but would it be my only one - never.

Utter bollox as usual . Had a GS in my garage until last year . Not often been without one .

 

[craigholt]

Utter bollox as usual . Had a GS in my garage until last year . Not often been without one .

Stop typing then if you know it comes across as utter bollocks.

Glad to see you are not blindly boring the fuck out of us all with your GS bashing, whilst we are completely opposite and refrain from taking the piss out of your goddamn ugly current selection.

 

[paddy]

Just had a ride on one, liked the engine and seating position. Didn’t like the gear leaver seemed too small hard to get my foot under, tyre noise off the metzlers. Dash nice and easy to read. Lovely exhaust note. But overall bike felt small. So maybe an Africa twin needs to be given a ride out.

 

[Arsey]

Stop typing then if you know it comes across as utter bollocks.

Glad to see you are not blindly boring the fuck out of us all with your GS bashing, whilst we are completely opposite and refrain from taking the piss out of your goddamn ugly current selection.

Go clean out your stable . This is the Honda section .

 

[adventuredon]

Just to be clear and not put anyone off. I never rode it on a motorway...On the nationals it's hard to get up to 70 when on a test ride in a group and the guy in front is a bit nervous. Dual carriageway included as they want to keep the group together. So I can't even say that at 70mph there is or isn't wind. At the steady 60 and small blasts where I could ham it, wind blast was very well managed. The small screen does a great job. And I really liked the extra it keeps giving past 5000rpm. I never even had the chance to red line it, it had that much go. It was really fun and I'm sure as a commuter cum scratcher its a hoot. I'd love it. But just the thought of a bike at 4500 revs at 70 puts me slightly off. Go and ride one, nice and exciting bike. Much preferred and better acceleration than the AT. No need for the bike to feel large. The fact that I am still thinking of it says a lot... and there's fuel economy as well...so don't let my own perceptions or might be's put anyone off. Its a good overall package and I cant see many issues with it

 

[Arsey]

Ive just arrived in UK and dealer messaged me to say the Transalp has arrived .
It’s the demo but I could have it if I want .
BUT it’s matt black, supposed to be a white one !!!
Oh well . That’s £8k I’ve saved

 

[Arsey]

Just to be clear and not put anyone off. I never rode it on a motorway...On the nationals it's hard to get up to 70 when on a test ride in a group and the guy in front is a bit nervous. Dual carriageway included as they want to keep the group together. So I can't even say that at 70mph there is or isn't wind. At the steady 60 and small blasts where I could ham it, wind blast was very well managed. The small screen does a great job. And I really liked the extra it keeps giving past 5000rpm. I never even had the chance to red line it, it had that much go. It was really fun and I'm sure as a commuter cum scratcher its a hoot. I'd love it. But just the thought of a bike at 4500 revs at 70 puts me slightly off. Go and ride one, nice and exciting bike. Much preferred and better acceleration than the AT. No need for the bike to feel large. The fact that I am still thinking of it says a lot... and there's fuel economy as well...so don't let my own perceptions or might be's put anyone off. Its a good overall package and I cant see many issues with it

I’m away on my ADV350 and at 80mph it’s doing 7500 rpm.
But it’s a Honda.
Still returned 70mph.
Did 158 miles and put in 10 litres and that was mainly fast motorway .

 

[Clifton]

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...

If the bike is otherwise dialed in with comfortable egos, smooth throttling, nice handling, I wouldn't worry too much because gearing can be relaxed and the uncomfortable seat remedied, all relatively inexpensively. I had the same concerns with my Tenere 700 that was spinning over 4,500 at 60 mph (more like a 500cc motorcycle), and the seat was only good for 30 minutes. A one tooth larger countershaft sprocket lowered RPM down to 4,150 at 60 which is perfect for me and it doesn't affect 1st gear much at all, $20. Seat Concepts seat kit for $250 made the seat all day comfortable.

 

[Arsey]

Tried the Translapper today

First impression is it’s very comfy but built to a price .

I like the display modes

Riding position is very natural . I’m 6’1” and 33” inside leg and could flat foot but still not cramped .

The exhaust note is fabulous .
Gear change a bit notchier than I was expecting .

Fuelling pretty good but slight hunting between 2-3k revs.

It’s very smooth and absolutely flies above 5k with a 10k red line .

Quite high geared .

Lovely handling despite the 21” front and Dunlops.
Those that turn up with Metzlers will be even luckier .

To sum up , it’s a great bike and will sell loads but it didn’t wow me .

Loads of poke but I’d rather a tad more mid range and less top end .

I’ve saved £8k

 

[adventuredon]

What I said....


It’s very smooth and absolutely flies above 5k with a 10k red line .

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

 

[The Other PaulG]

Thanks again guys - I take far more notice of GSers riding and reporting on new bikes, than the multitude of 'experts' on Youtube.

 

[Littledumptruck]

I’d struggle to choose which one of those displays. Nice idea though, shame there isn’t an old school version with three simple round dials.

 

[adventuredon]

The displays change as you select different modes, so it is very easy to see how much torque/performance orengine braking is in each mode. This then helps you when you want to create and save your custom map. I think its very simple and brilliant at the same time. You can easily see what each segment is doing and then realise what you want to change

 

[Northern jock]

Interested in the feedback and opinions, I'm going to get a test ride when I can. Less weight but decent power are good, the screen and gearing comments don't bother me as you can change both to suit. Just need to find out if it feels right.

I would want to attach my Magadans and a tankbag and head off on the ferry south, happy to head down any wee road I see.

 

[Posh Pete]

Had a wee look today but test rides not available (at TW Edi) for a couple of weeks. It does look like its been built to a price in the paintwork and the clutch/brake levers in particular. |t feels relatively light to lift off the stand (no centre stand) and comfortable when stationary at least. I could flat foot it quite easily but getting the leg over the pillion seat proved a challenge! More in a couple of weeks ...

 

[Jazbee]

RocketMan likes his new Transalp