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2023 Honda Transalp launched
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Arsey's favourite. Mark Pulling Teeth 
I just watched this and actually thought he did a pretty good review overall. A few things I noted were;
He said he rode in "sport" mode which gave full power and that "standard" mode gave less power. This seems odd as generally "sport" gives quicker throttle response while "standard" softens it but still provides full power. So I question him on that but if he's correct I wouldn't want to have to ride in sport mode to have full power available.
He said 6th was nice and tall with the engine just turning 4,000 at 70 mph. (I like that!) But later he said at 60 mph the engine's turning just under 4,000 so which is it? If 70 = 4,000 then 60 should be more like 3,500.
Overall I'm liking what people who've ridden the bike are saying; great motor, light handling, excellent display, and comfortable, with no mention of poor throttling. If I didn't have a T700 I would probably place my order for a Transalp, but as it is I already have panniers and the seat fixed, so I'm not sure 23 extra HP (mostly at the top), a larger petrol tank, and nicer display justify me trading.
He said he rode in "sport" mode which gave full power and that "standard" mode gave less power. This seems odd as generally "sport" gives quicker throttle response while "standard" softens it but still provides full power. So I question him on that but if he's correct I wouldn't want to have to ride in sport mode to have full power available.
He said 6th was nice and tall with the engine just turning 4,000 at 70 mph. (I like that!) But later he said at 60 mph the engine's turning just under 4,000 so which is it? If 70 = 4,000 then 60 should be more like 3,500.
Overall I'm liking what people who've ridden the bike are saying; great motor, light handling, excellent display, and comfortable, with no mention of poor throttling. If I didn't have a T700 I would probably place my order for a Transalp, but as it is I already have panniers and the seat fixed, so I'm not sure 23 extra HP (mostly at the top), a larger petrol tank, and nicer display justify me trading.
Yes it does seem to be a winner, lot of bike for not a lot of money. I was seriously considering one, not had a Honda since my CB1300 about 13 yrs ago.
I was looking for a mid size roomy tourer and eventually bought my V85TT and very happy with that. Never owned a Guzzi before but always admired them. The Transalp has a few more horses than my Guzzi and seems a lively motor. However my Guzzi has more torque and delivers it all at 5,000 revs, 82nm. The Alp has 75nm at 7500 revs
The Transalp will be very popular, seems an excellent choice for a mid size adv tourer
I was looking for a mid size roomy tourer and eventually bought my V85TT and very happy with that. Never owned a Guzzi before but always admired them. The Transalp has a few more horses than my Guzzi and seems a lively motor. However my Guzzi has more torque and delivers it all at 5,000 revs, 82nm. The Alp has 75nm at 7500 revs
The Transalp will be very popular, seems an excellent choice for a mid size adv tourer
Transalps 20kg lighter mind. In real world riding I bet there’s nothing to choose between them. Both still on my radar, but not until I’ve had enough of the Tenere.
I won't argue with your decision to choose a V85TT because I certainly enjoy mine. It'll do everything a Transalp will plus it comes with tubeless wheels, shaft drive, even larger tank, and cruise control.
I did cancel mine, and then last Tuesday decided to go again and order one, I collected it on Saturday with every extra in the book fitted Doble once again came through for me and I was delighted with the deal I got on the RS
I did not go with the V85TT in the end due to the lack of dealerships around me, the Tranny so far and only 200 miles I know seems to be a really good bike does everything I need handles well, goes well looks nice, theres a host of factory extras that are all guaranteed by Honda, its good on fuel, the insurance is cheaper than the RS and I am enjoying riding it so its a keeper, for at least a month
I did not go with the V85TT in the end due to the lack of dealerships around me, the Tranny so far and only 200 miles I know seems to be a really good bike does everything I need handles well, goes well looks nice, theres a host of factory extras that are all guaranteed by Honda, its good on fuel, the insurance is cheaper than the RS and I am enjoying riding it so its a keeper, for at least a month
Let me know when you find the midrange
.Part ex it for a Vstrom 800 RE.
U P G R A D E
Enjoy your new bike
Seems to be very popular and I see loads about on the roads in Yorkshire
Tried the NX500 a few weeks ago, but it didn’t inspire or excite me
Must try a Transalp
Give one a try JB It wont set your world on fire but its a lot quicker than the NX but after an hour youll get what its all about !!
Thanks I bet you are right
Lots of riders I talk to, are raving about theirs
Tried the new Transalp recently .
A .Nice motor +
B .Good brakes +
C .Good ergonomics ( for me) +
D .Suspension woeful -
E .Tubed tyres -
By the time D & E are sorted out ( £3800 approx ) - it is almost into premier bike money .
I wanted to have one ,,,and probably will when I can find a pre loved one at money that makes it sensible to add the Tubless wheels and decent boings bits .
Meantime I bought this with 40 miles on it - for not a lot of wampum and will sort it out to do what I need for a while till the news Japanese midweights are developed a bit further .
The guy delivering this on Sunday said he has had 7 broken down BMW,s in his van in 2 weeks - I recon I am out with BMW - which is a shame as I have had good service from the Air/ Oil heads ( 5 of) over the years
A .Nice motor +
B .Good brakes +
C .Good ergonomics ( for me) +
D .Suspension woeful -
E .Tubed tyres -
By the time D & E are sorted out ( £3800 approx ) - it is almost into premier bike money .
I wanted to have one ,,,and probably will when I can find a pre loved one at money that makes it sensible to add the Tubless wheels and decent boings bits .
Meantime I bought this with 40 miles on it - for not a lot of wampum and will sort it out to do what I need for a while till the news Japanese midweights are developed a bit further .
The guy delivering this on Sunday said he has had 7 broken down BMW,s in his van in 2 weeks - I recon I am out with BMW - which is a shame as I have had good service from the Air/ Oil heads ( 5 of) over the years
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Can't be much longer before @Arsey joins this thread and Slaaaaaaaaays the TransAlp!
Vstrom 650 is fabulous.
Everybody on our Gran Canaria trip last year rode the 650 plus Honda NC750/DCT.
We all bagged a go on their new Transalp for one day and all agreed that the Vstrom was much better . The Honda was awful in the mountains. No midrange and always hunting for the right gear . Canary Motorcycle Tours had planned to get a few more,but going on customer feed back cancelled all orders and got more Vstrom 650s whilst they still could.
They also have a new Vstrom 800 DE which is fabulous but the 650 is a better two-up bike .
Ill agree on some points
Mid range its no GS or RS that's for sure but its enough to rip passed almost any car at 70 so overtaking is not willy shrinking but easily achievable,
Suspension to be honest I don't find it that bad I've would the rear preload to max but left the front as is for the time being seems ok, its not a R1 so im not treating it like one
Tubed tyres bit of a faf if you do get a puncture I may do the tubeless conversion that I did on the Africa twin that worked well enough,
No Cruise control !! all the jurno's slate it for no cruise control !! FFS a £5 you can get a gadget that clamps over the throttle and sits against the front brake lever that's what ive got and it works well, don't look great but it works,
I think the bike is nice to ride, enough real world speed to get you there and back, much quicker than the V85TT I test rode and people are taking them everywhere, its a whole lot lighter quicker and will with doubt have less rust issues than a 1150GS and look where they have been taken, all over the world and back, its not supposed to ne a R1, a 1300GS or KTM690 enduro it is what it is and for that exact reason is why I am enjoying it (for the Moment) LOL
Mid range its no GS or RS that's for sure but its enough to rip passed almost any car at 70 so overtaking is not willy shrinking but easily achievable,
Suspension to be honest I don't find it that bad I've would the rear preload to max but left the front as is for the time being seems ok, its not a R1 so im not treating it like one
Tubed tyres bit of a faf if you do get a puncture I may do the tubeless conversion that I did on the Africa twin that worked well enough,
No Cruise control !! all the jurno's slate it for no cruise control !! FFS a £5 you can get a gadget that clamps over the throttle and sits against the front brake lever that's what ive got and it works well, don't look great but it works,
I think the bike is nice to ride, enough real world speed to get you there and back, much quicker than the V85TT I test rode and people are taking them everywhere, its a whole lot lighter quicker and will with doubt have less rust issues than a 1150GS and look where they have been taken, all over the world and back, its not supposed to ne a R1, a 1300GS or KTM690 enduro it is what it is and for that exact reason is why I am enjoying it (for the Moment) LOL
A good ,objective resume
And I will acquire one at some point - - just because , I have had 3 of the previous “ Alps “
There are ( I think ) 2 cruise control after market kits available at not a lot of ££ for those that deem it a must have ( it ain’t for me - only had it one one bike , and didn’t find much use for it )
I have seen a kit for the Tranny at around $300 I did and do find it useful when stretching my throttle hand and did use it on the RS quite a bit during our French tour this year, however the most thing I miss is the Hill Hold I found that a real god send !! but I suppose thats what the back brake is for LOL
I've read all the class reviews, as well as the experiences of some of our most prolific testers here and I know the Transalp never tops the group. However... if I was in that market (and will be one day!) it's the bike I'd choose. I still believe in Honda quality, I like the lineage I don't need any more 'shove' than that, if it makes its power higher in the rev band, that's where I'll rev it and I love the way it looks. That's more than enough for me.
Plus, I can be in Romford in about 50 minutes from home... 
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