Australia here - 20,500 kms (about 12,500 miles) on my '23 Transalp, and still loving it. Well, liking it... The HISS system is the Honda Integrated Security System I seem to remember (I too struggle with the too-many acronyms) and is simply a recognition of your key, using (I think) radio waves. My '07 Ducati has a similar system, and it means another key which might suit the mechanical form of your key (and fit the key lock) will not start the bike, if it's not matching the radio signal. It is 'alive' if the red light flashes every now and then on your dash. I haven't really had any issues with the system on the Ducati in 104,000 kms. My reflections on the model match yours fairly closely, although mine has more dirt road use here in rural South Australia, and I am enjoying the bike's versatility in being capable at both bitumen and gravel roads. Yes, it will get some suspension upgrades, but it isn't that bad as delivered. I too had some 'trinkets' thrown in, being the first purchaser in this state - wind deflectors and 'bear grip' footrests - and both have proven worthwhile, which is easy to say when I didn't pay extra for them! But the footrests are slightly lower, wider, and far better when standing, and the deflectors do help a little with the wind. I also reversed my handlebar risers, which moved the 'bars slightly forward, which I found feels more 'natural', plus I rolled them forward a little as well, which also (with the footrests) was better when standing. But yes - a stiff frame, with 'long' steering (rake and trail) which is surprisingly good on the bitumen, and quite forgiving in the rough. As is the sublime clutch take-up, which has meant the bike has never stalled. Remarkable economy, a smooth engine (that becomes smoother as the miles go by) and a sense of ease about riding it. A good all-round bike that is easy to live with, and doesn't tempt me to speed so much. Thanks for your test - I too intend keeping this bike - a bike I enjoy more than I expected to.

Good video and a great bike. Your audio is spot on especially considering you use an open face helmet. Shag system do you use ? Cheers.

Love my Transalp too. For me, it truly is in that sweet spot for a motorcycle. My only niggle is the quality of the rear shock. It's OK but a lack of adjustment particularly rebound damping frustrates me sometimes. Can't complain too much though when you consider the price point. Will be upgrading that shock soon and no doubt it will make the bike even better.

Bought mine in August. Absolutely agree with everything you said. Love this bike.

Is that the standard screen ?

Enjoyable video! Great bike - always good to take a trip into town :-)

I’ve just bought a used transalp with only 1000 miles on it for a very good price of a very nice fellow whom is giving up biking due to ill health. I test road one at a dealer it had the standard screen and I found the wind noise unbearable so wasn’t sold on it . I then test road a Suzuki v strom 800de which was a well put together machine but the screen was absolutely garbage. And it was way too heavy. So I bit the bullet and bought the transalp . After today which was my first proper ride out . I can say with all honesty this is the best bike I’ve ever owned I absolutely love it . I’ve owned an Africa twin crfl1000 and the transalp is way better in every way I’m so glad I bought it. I’m also glad that I bought a used one for way less than a new one . The dealer offered me £1500 Less for my part ex than it would retail at. I would rather sell it to a person who wanted to buy it for a cheaper price than let the dealer have it for that price .

To each his own. Ride your ride. Good luck

I've recently discovered your channel. Our situations are similar as I'm a new rider (2 years since I got the license - here in Oregon USA). Looking to upgrade from my Royal Enfield Classic 350 to something like the NC 750X or the Transalp XL 750. I might wait to see if Honda decides to bring the NT1100 to the US. Your comparative videos between the 3 were very well made. Thank you! Subbed. Ride safe👍

150 miles.

Enjoyed the trip into Soho - Do enjoy a bit of the Uxbridge Road :-) Good photos - Fiddling with Light Room was enough for me without splashing the chemicals around. Have a good week

Dude, you’re too old for this kind of tent you gotta get yourself something a little more comfortable to get in and out… Of course, that means spend a little more money, but so be it

Currently on a similar journey to yours in terms of deciding what next Dave. I'm finding my current NC750X DCT is hard to replace with what's available at the moment. Love the DCT and the frunk and the lazy nature of the engine. The NT is the only bike that comes close but I'd have to overcome the loss of the usefulness of the frunk, which I've found increasingly indispensable. I don't like panniers as an alternative and I have a Honda top box on the NC currently, which is just enough capacity with the frunk. The Transalp was a contender, fleetingly, but with no frunk, no DCT and a more frantic engine than the NC and the original 600/650/700 Transalp from back in the day, I've ruled that out. So that leaves the NT1100 DCT. Your comments on the test ride of the NT previously were useful, particularly the seat comparison of the NC and the NT, which I find uncomfortable on my '23 NC. I've got around that by adding a seat pad, but that isn't without its issues. A pity about the insurance thing for you but give it a few years and that won't be such a problem. Unless something else more brilliant and useful than the NC DCT comes out I only have one serious contender to replace it at the moment and that's the NT. I feel a test ride is in the future for me 😃. Thanks for putting it on my radar!

Quick notes: I have bought two extra batteries for the camera meaning I will have four so around 4 hours video / ride time in future. The Tarp Tent is the name of the other style of Tarp tent I was trying to remember and I will go practice setting it up in my local park. Which will raise an eye brow or three lol The picture in the gallery at the end of the straw bail stack and partridges was taken of video and I nearly dropped the TA as I had the kick stand down but to high and it leant over the other side. With long forgotten ballet skills I managed to get off and keep the TA upright. Have not had my leg up that high in a very long time lol Starting the PhotoMotos earlier as doing a full day and then filming one is not very clever. But I have to say, doing the random Calimoto round trip was great fun and we all saw areas of England I and I assume you have never seen before. Planning the next one very very soon and thank you for the support of my new channel.

Good trip - Mud, mud glorious mud! I think it was a plough, but not 100%. You soon found some great green lanes pretty close to London (well does a lane with grass growing on it count as green?)

I have a v-strom 650 XT 2021, but I am considering a transalp, not a big upgrade, but I need more upright seating , hands and back are killing me , it is not tnat a v-strom is not upright but transalp is mora than v-strom, kinda like versys 650, very upright seating.

I bought a second hand Africa twin 17 plate dct. I didn’t want a dct and had never test road one. But the bike was an absolute bargain. And to be honest I absolutely hated the dct . I kept it for 2 years and due to the Covid bullshit and shortages of bikes I got more than I paid for it 2 years earlier off a Honda dealer not even in part ex just a straightforward sale. It had 4 modes drive which was awful. Sport 1 2 3 . I permanently rode it in sport 2 and 3 . I had previously test road a manual Africa twin and absolutely loved it . The dct ruins the bike as far as I’m concerned and wouldn’t ever buy another one. Why when you can get a quick shifter.

Park Cameras!!!! I would triple check that camera as I've never had a camera from them that wasn't faulty, four purchases!!!!!!

Not getting on with the Insta360, so may sell it and get another DJI action 3 or stretch to the newer 4. Thank you all for the continued support so far and as always I wish you well and safe journeys.

Not come across Hasselblad before. Looks like an enjoyable camera system 📸😄

Howdy Dave, nice video and chat. Camera lost focus from time to time - Low light level struggles? Would 50 miles to be a reasonable Calimoto trip? I made a purchase from our mutual friends too NC750 but a DCT 🙂

Love my NC750X DCT ! Great alround machine .Unbeatable fuel economy, more than enough power and comfortable. Frunk just seals the deal😊

Ahh, the TA. 👍. I’ve had mine approaching three weeks and am just about at first service mileage. My bike has definitely run in well and is smoother now. I am delighted with it tbh and have no plans to change anything on it. I got the QS, heated grips, centre stand and lower bash plate. That’s all I wanted. I’ve been riding about 35 years now and my fully comp was £106 so hang in there, it does come down!

200 miles a day for 3 days = run in then service & enjoy.

Ahhh man ... thats a bummer on the insurance for the NT. Still, you got a sweet new bike .. a little too tall for me, hence why I went for the NT. Really hope you enjoy it, sure you will - they are lovely machines 😊

No quick shifter/blipper?

Congratulations on New Bike Day! Enjoy that lovely beast.

man,nc's seat is worst than transalp's

I have the NC and the NT and love both bikes but for different reasons. There is no doubt the NT is from a different design generation (my NC is 2019). The modern design that has gone into the NT is superior to the NC and rides better in just about every department. However, the NC is such an easy going, forgiving bike with a great engine for short shifting that it is hard not to love. I have the DCT version of the NT and Sport is really the only mode to ride in as you discovered. Good luck with your choice and am sure both are correct for different reasons.

In 2020 I bought myself a Honda NC750X-DCT. I felt the DCT was made for the NC, but unfortunately it kept sticking in gear so I sold it. Nonetheless the NC won a special place in my affections purely because of how easy it was to live with. Fast forward 2 Hayabusa's and 2 ZZR1400's and I found myself hankering for another NC. Last year I bought myself a 2017 NC750X, but this time a geared model. I kept my ZZR, with the intention of seeing which of the two bikes I would "choose to use" the most. 12 months later and I can confirm the NC gets chosen 19 times out of 20. Sure, the ZZR is like your alcoholic uncle (great fun to spend time with, but you just cannot keep up the pace) but the NC is like your favourite pair of slippers. Ironically a few weeks ago I was giving serious consideration to part-exing the NC for a Transalp, but after a particularly good day riding the NC from Warwickshire all around Dorset (400+ miles) I reached the conclusion that 58hp is enough, and here's why: First off the NC deals with the motorways with aplomb. It will hold a steady 85 (not that I did obviously) and when you arrive in The New Forest it is so light that at no time did I feel like I was having to work hard to enjoy the ride. Furthermore the frunk is so useful for storing the crash helmet. On the way back the traffic was horrendous but once again the NC showed its agility in splitting the lanes filtering. Sure, the Transalp can do this too. But once the traffic cleared I got the NC up to its optimum cruising speed. With only 58hp this meant a speed that I obviously didn't do earlier on! It is at this point that the Honda is telling me "no more please dad", and so I settle into the rhythm that almost assures me I won't lose my license. Not so the Transalp or the ZZR. Both of those machines have enough capability that license-losing speeds are easily attainable. Then factor in the 100mpg+ the NC is regularly returning me and you might understand why I decided getting rid of the NC would be a huge mistake.

I bought myself a lightly used manual NT1100 a few months ago ... after riding nothing but naked bikes for the last 2 decades. The NT is bigger and heavier than any of my previous bikes, a very different kettle of fish indeed. Didn't take long at all to get used to it though as it's such a well balance bike and the weight is fairly low (especially compared to tall ADV bikes). I love my NT and have found it's pretty good all around .... comfortable, exceptional wind and weather protection, lots of practicality with the luggage and technology, it destroys long motorway journeys with ease and can also put a smile on my face on the back lanes and twisties too. For a relatively large and heavy bike it handles really well, turns quite quickly and is very stable mid corner .. suspension can be a little soft when really pushing on and riding aggressively though .. but thats easy to remedy (all be it at some expense). Never really saw myself as a touring bike rider .. but here we are .. and life on the NT is good!! 🙂

I ended up getting the NT1100 DCT and love it. The one tip the salesman gave me when I was taking a test ride was never ever put it in D mode. He said S1 was good for about town and S2 and S3 for some fun. I find S1 and S2 suits me best.

Enjoyed the video - the tease continues 😂Enjoy a fantastic break in Wales - hopefully the weather will be on your side

Just happened across this ….. I’ve just bought myself a Transalp, same colour, thoroughly delighted with it. It’s got that ‘whatever you want I can do it no problem’ feeling about it, (to me anyway). It’s not especially high tech or showy but I do think it’s a really good bike. Now you may have gone another way which is fine, we all like different things.

Look forward to seeing which way you go! I think you got more smiles from the Transalp but that power was winning you over with the NT1100. Great decisions to be making. Come what may keep up the blogs 🙂

Well done - twin appeal for me on the video; interested in the transalp and it's an area I know. Enjoyed your enthusiastic laughs as you did your test ride! Hope you find the right bike for you.