Er, I've this mate right....

[fatjohn]

...Honest.

And he's thinking about getting a Honda Transalp (as I, oops, he can't afford a GS) Any one here had any experience with a Transalp? Good bike/bad bike etc.?

Ta.

 

[AndyT]

Transalp is a corker

The Honda Transalp is a superb bike unless you want to go in the outside lane of the motorway all day long. It's a perfectly good tourer but a bit small for 2 up over long distances. It's great round the lanes and has more off road potential than the GS. The seat is also a dream compared to the GS. I can't rate them highly enough.
I took mine down from Scotland to Andorra last Spring and it never missed a beat.

You will have gathered by now that I like them.

Have Fun
AndyT

 

[THE PICT]

Ive known a few folk with the transalp and aint heard anyone say a bad thing about them.Reliable,comfy etc.I know a despatcher from London who took his round the clock with no reliability probs at all.I think there great bikes.

 

[Adrian B]

I have ridden one around Scotland, new model transalp, and would agree with the previous views. Comfy, reliable etc but underpowed when either two up or with full luggage.
As an everyday bike, very good and at present they can be had new for just over 4 grand ! Discount, a word not known to GS owners, is available from all Honda dealers.

 

[fatjohn]

bl**dy hell!!

£4k new?? Wow! Thanks (as always) for all the feedback. With luck I should be able to get one before the summer's out, fingers crossed.

Is it all right if I still drop in here though?

 

[snodog]

Honda Price Drop

This would be a great time to buy a new Honda as the company have just announced price cuts across their entire range ( every bike apparently including the exotica)
Word is that up to a grand will be cut off some bikes.

 

[Spanish Bob]

the transalp is hugely popular in Spain and despite most of them being left outside all year round subjected to very high temperature they seem to last damn well.

In terms of finish - have my doubts about the plastic bits, but anyway, can´t be bad. Does depend on what your want to do with it though.

whatever you get enjoy it.

 

[AdventureCleverly]

had one a few years ago, rode it all around europe (I was living in Germany at the time) and did a bit of gentle off roading back in the UK. Crashed it twice, both times it was a simple, pick it up, straighten mirrors and carry on. The motor is absolutely bomb proof, before the advent of the Honda Bros they were, along with the VT500 from which the motor is derived, THE despatchers weapon of choice. Not a lot of power but a cracking use and abuse all year round option.

 

[judge]

Is it all right if I still drop in here though?

NAH, FEKK OFF to Honda's own shite site ya Jap crap lovin eeeedjit!!!

Regards,

Andy
'01 Honda ST1100Y

 

[Gecko]

Once upon a time I had a Transalp (600cc not the 650cc) It wobbled like a tank slapping jelly at above 70mph so accelerating was always exciting - decellerating was simply terrifying ! I drove it from Jersey in the Channel Islands to Holland and when I had done about half the trip (+/- 250 miles into a 500mile trip) I could hardly walk anymore. It vibrated my body down to the bone marrow. On the return journey I purchased some 6 inch think foan rubber and duct taped it over the seat top try and have some relief. I could never seem to maintain the drive chain tension , it kept tigthening itself to a dangerous level , of course the Honda dealer said it was fine but it was so tight after a couple of hundred miles it was more like a guitar string - you could strike a C chord on it , oh yeah... and it went through back tyres like no bike I have ever owned. Having owned if from new I sold it after 8 months and was never so relieved to see that back of a motorcycle in my life. Maybe they have improved it these days but I can say with all honestly it was the single most unpleasant bike I have ever owned....but it never let me down in the short time I owned it.

 

[AndyT]

Mr Gecko (were you in the film Wall Street with Charlie Seen....!!). It sounds like there was a fundemental problem with your TA. You are the first person I've known who has owned one that doesn't rate them up with the best.

Here's a pic of mine last April in Northern Spain near Andorra.

Have Fun
AndyT