2023 Honda Transalp 750 / XL750 Review

[@patkennedy1]

Thanks for your calm discussion of this interesting model. I actually bought one (yes, in white!) here in South Australia, and at just over 5,000 kms in, I am quite impressed with it. I find it goes about its work in an understated and 'friendly' way, and I am finding it better than I expected, given its price, and my 50 years of Ducatis... I too had the Average Consumption problem, at about 4,000 kms, where mine (expressed in litres per 100 kms) suddenly changed from 4.3L/100 to 299.9L! 3L per kilometre? I don't think so. But the bike continued to function perfectly otherwise - fortunate, as I was hundreds of kilometres from home - and the shop (Moto Adelaide) corrected the issue for free, and 'on the spot'. They thought the electronics may have been confused with the various options of trip meters, even though I hadn't ever used those. It would appear that the gauge TFT might have a small brain trying to collate too much information, but it is fine again now, and the little brain returned to the average of 4.3L/100 within the 100 km ride home from Adelaide. No other functions were affected. But I can reassure potential owners that the bike actually gets better as you go, as the vibration periods reduce or even disappear! At least mine have. Also the engine noise becomes sweeter over time, with some of the 'zzh zzh' gear nose reducing over the miles. The suspension will be in for some work, and of course (after 53 years of working on motorcycles) I knew that in advance. I have made a more functional (and lighter!) rear rack, and fitted Pirelli STR tyres, and a bash-plate. I also reversed the handlebar risers, which have a small offset, which made the steering feel more natural. I suspect I will be doing a lot of miles on this bike, after two and a half months ownership, with warmer weather approaching in the southern hemisphere! It is very easy to cover miles on, and the fuel cnsumption is remarkable. Far better than my 28-year-old Cagiva Elefant 750; smoother, faster etc. (but a bit heavier and taller, so there is always a price). I will be taking further steps to reduce its weight, just because I am obsessed with light weight on my bikes. I did a couple of 700 km days with ease on a recent trip, over some rather sketchy (ie bumpy!) minor roads. Yes, it is affected by gusty cross winds, which are a function of its height and light weight, but these aspects are virtues in other settings. We need it to be light in some circumstances, so being affected by wind is part of the deal. It will always be lighter to manage, and to pick up, than an 1100 - 1250cc bike. Like you, I don't find it lacks torque at low revs, even though my road bike makes buckets more low-rev torque. The 'gentle' delivery of useable torque down to very low revs is actually rather pleasant and useful on loose surfaces, and as you say - if you want more, you only need to rev it! Whereas its torque delivery feels gentle, mine has never stalled, ever. The clutch function is very helpful in this, even with my 61 years of riding experience. If you are in the market for this type of bike, don't be put off by some of the detractors - it is a better 'all-round bike' than you might expect. Given the price, or the criticisms.

[@BikingChap]

Hi Pat, thanks for your kind words, I have to say they look the best in white! I'm glad to hear you're loving it so much and sorry to hear that you're getting the same weird fuel consumption figures, it was exactly the same on the Hornet i reviewed a few weeks back, very odd. As with all things bike everyone got a different view but the slight vibes I felt wouldn't be a deal breaker and as I said the metal footpegs (as in no rubber inserts) were the main culprit I think. Noise wise I think it sounds glorious and very un Honda like albeit not in the Ducati class I guess lol. Interesting to hear your list of mods you've got lined up, I think you tend to come up with that once you've got a few km under your belts and lets face it, it's easier to upgrade the suspension than try and improve an engine that not doing what you need. I certainly feel this sector will be booming soon, there are so many riders who 50+ now I don't believe they're going to be wanting to ride 250kg+ monsters forever and inevitably they'll be looking to downsize, in honesty the power of the Transalp is ample for anything I could come up with and the lower weight is welcome. As you say the whole 'lack of low down grunt' you see pushed out in the press is largely nonsense imho, sure the KTM 790 pulls harder lower down but my test was how often I felt the need to change down to find more power and that simply didn't happen so it gets an enthusiastic thumbs up from me. I hope you contunue to have as much fun with yours as i did with this review. All the best, Jon.

[@patkennedy1]

Yes, the shop admitted they had heard of 'the odd problem' with the Average Consumption function, but it is sounding like more than the odd one, if you've encountered the problem on both models. But now at almost 7,000 kms mine has behaved perfectly since, and has even improved consumption, from 4.3 down to 4.2L/100 kms. A sunny summer day for us in South Australia, so I'm going riding again! 😊

[@BikingChap]

@@patkennedy1 it's weird isn't it? I guess it's a firmware glitch or setting but both of them showed the same problem. Very jealous of your South Australia weather, next few days forecast to be around freezing and that it's broadly the warmest part of the UK, roll on spring!

[@rwalto99]

I have one and have just been to the Picos in Spain and it is perfect for this 😀 Although mine has developed more of the hunting at low speeds not sure why but very annoying 😩

[@BikingChap]

Oh I should imagine it’s an absolute blast, sorry to hear about the hunting though, might be worth checking the chain tension, if it’s ’slackened off’ it *might* just amplify the hunting. Just a thought.

[@PeterVred]

Good analysis of the grunty but fun factors of the TA. Some days it’s exhausting if I’m not in the mood to have to “hang on”.

[@BikingChap]

Hi, thanks for dropping by and the feedback, much appreciated, I still think it's a great bike but, and I never thought I'd say this, I really think a softer tune would suit the Transalp character better but is it a deal breaker as it is? No way :)

[@PeterVred]

@@BikingChap I agree again. I went out today after reading about keeping the revs up on the XL750, and took various back road blacktops, keeping it above 4K rpm, and up to 5.5 - 6.5K, and had a LOT of fun really winding it out in 3rd and 4th gears! I realized I have been riding like an old man, and I am. I'll bet this bike, like my AT, like to keep the revs up. I've also been experimenting with turning the throttle down to 2 bars, EB at 2 or 3, and TC on a bit as well, like the Gravel Mode, and it's great on level gravel roads, way better then I'd previously thought. But when a steep and rutted dirt/gravel hill came up at the end, I did stop and turn off TC. Loving this thing more every day.

[@BikingChap]

@PeterVred that's great to hear, I came to the conclusion that there's enough grunt there if you're not in the mood but wind it out and it really flies and sounds so good. Glad you like it too!

[@tiago_tojeira]

great review! your calm style of presenting is very charming. i'm not in the market for this type of bike, but seeing these videos with beautiful country is always fun. cheers

[@BikingChap]

Hi @tiagotojeira5848 , thank you for the feedback and kind words, the riding was around this area on the south coast of the UK - maps.app.goo.gl/WJPvc2EFwQisuYuE9?g_st=ic

[@PeterVred]

@@BikingChap That looks nice!

[@cliftonsr]

Love your video and great review on this bike

[@BikingChap]

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback!

[@keithallan8200]

Really useful review BC. I like the idea of a more cushioned ride, but as we've discussed before my 29" inside leg and appreciation of low revving engines probably means I won't be swapping myNC750X DCT for a Transalp. I'm going to address the suspension on my DCT in the next few months with lower rated springs in the forks and a different shock set up for my lighter weight. K

[@BikingChap]

Hi Keith, I think that's absolutely the right thing for you from what you've said. The motors are very different in character and if you love the relaxed and low revving feel of the NC, the Transalp motor may well feel a bit lacking and fussy (even though it's pretty good low down when you consider how much shove it has higher up the rev range). Let me know how the mods go, I'm sure many others would look to do the same. :)

[@keithallan8200]

Will do 👍🏻

[@cliftonsr]

I definitely had to go with the taller windscreen as well, I’m 6’1”

[@BikingChap]

Glad it wasn't just me, at least it's an easy and cheap fix :)

[@adam-qf2vz]

I like the look of the bike and especially the dash....... I agree with you on the tubeless tyres but i suppose its just having a can of foam handy. I have just bought a Himalayan as a winter ride.......Its a plodder but lets be fair.....new bike for £4k....cant go wrong! The styling of the Transalp is nice but lots of plastic to break in a drop with no protection?

[@BikingChap]

Hi Adam, I tend to agree, great bike but i can't imagine many ever actually going on road so, much like the Africa Twin, it's a road bike that's compromised by off road styling. Interesting to hear about the Himalayan, the new 450 launched today, prices looks, um , interesting...

[@davi961000]

What are the tyres like in the wet

[@BikingChap]

Hi, really good question, I found them very neutral and confidence inspiring, certainly much better than many of the OEM tyres Hondas come with. Suffice to say If I had this bike I'd be happy to replace these OEM Karoos with another pair when it came time to replace them. Hope this helps!

[@cliftonsr]

I guess I have a longer 32” inseam because I’m flatfooted with my knees bent and I’m 6’1” and I have the rear shock set to almost the most preload setting for my weight, I maybe too heavy at 260lbs

[@BikingChap]

Hi @cliftonsr I have to say i didn't check the preload setting on the bike and maybe it felt unusually soft due to the rather poor NC750X suspension I'm used to. I guess, as i said in the video, it just seemed a bit of a mix of approaches, a soft and cossetting suspension setup with a peaky / sporty power delivery.

[@johndavy8801]

I’ve been hoping you would do a review on this as I’m thinking a swapping my NC750X DCT after nearly 4 happy years riding it,this Transalp is on my radar as it’s a natural replacement for the NC. Your excellent review did not disappoint BC but I noticed the review bike had a number of options fitted,firstly the quick shifter- did you actually use it as it sounded like you mostly changed gear using the clutch? The foot pegs were the all-steel off-road type minus the rubber inserts so I understand the vibes felt through your boots. It looks like the standard screen had the optional deflectors fitted but being tall like myself you still experienced helmet buffeting. Also a Shame i didn’t see a cut scene of you sat on the bike as I’m curious to see how much legroom you had. Lastly for me personally the tubed tyres are a letdown as in the past on other bikes I’ve punctured and had to be recovered after many hours hanging around for the rescue van. Hoping Honda might address this when the midlife update comes along. Not sure if the NC will be going just yet. Keep up the Good work- JD.

[@BikingChap]

Hi John, thanks for your kind words, much appreciated! Thanks for picking up that the quickshifter is part of one of the additional packs, I'll pin a comment about that. As to using it, yes I did try it but I found it a bit crude if I'm honest and certainly wouldn't specify it unless dirt cheap as it might help at resale time. Yes, the vibes were exacerbated by the rally pegs, again I think they're more for looks that for any use on the road so I'd stick with the standard rubber inlaid pegs. The wind deflectors are a bit of an odd thing to offer as an optional extra, I obviously couldn't test them without them fitted but they didn't seem to cause any issues. The screen itself is worse than the NC effort however and for anything other than local commuting I'd think I'd look to change it. I'll take onboard the point re a cut scene showing me sitting on the bikes, I can add that going forward. Suffice to say once sitting on it the seat is plenty low enough and the pegs are also low enough to allow a relaxed angle at the knee, certainly less cramped than the NC. That said throwing a rather aged leg over the Transalp is a little more tricky than the NC because the pillion seat 'kicks up' more significantly. With regard to the tubed tyres, I'm of the same mind I have to say. And this is the frustration. I like the styling of the Transalp, but not the £2,000+ price premium over the identically engined and better road manners of the Hornet but for anything other than Sunday morning blasts I'd find the Hornet cramped. I guess what I'd really like is more of a CBF750 so less cramped than the Hornet but without the 21" front wheel and tubed tyres of the Transalp. Apologies for the rather long winded reply, I bet you wish you hadn't asked now! Lastly I have a brief comparison of the NC750X and Transalp to edit for either this Friday or next where I cover much of this, it might be of interest! Thanks again, John.

[@johndavy8801]

@@BikingChap I really expected the quick shifter to be super smooth with a seamless up shift & blipper assisted down shift,very much like the DCT on the NC. I was hoping that the clutch lever would only be pressed into action starting or stopping, I guess I need to have a ride on a Transalp demonstrator & satisfy my curiosity. Thanks for the reply BC.

[@johndavy8801]

No need for any apologies my friend as it’s all interesting & very constructive,I’m really looking forwards to the final part & for me the most important bit of your review- ‘is the Transalp worth the extra cash to upgrade to from the NC’

[@BikingChap]

@johndavy8801 I think it's a very personal thing John, personally I think it's very different from the DCT in many ways, the QS doesn't work so well in the lowest gears or at lower revs and only really comes in to it's own at higher revs when you're 'going for it', there again others swear by it. Definitely worth a test ride I think :)

[@BikingChap]

Heh, without pre-empting the next video I'm a firm believer that bikes aren't often worse of better than another but simply worse or better at matching your list of priorities. Prefer for a degree of fence sitting but with a personal view on what I might choose next... ;)