2023 Honda Transalp XL750 - First Ride

After owning the original 1991 HONDA TRANSALP XL600V I was really curious to try out the new Transalp. After many years the Transalp name is back on the market, worn by a bike that has nothing to do with the original and it's all the better for that. Starting with a fresh sheet of paper the engineers and designers of the XL750 kept nothing from the old generations an truly made a Transalp fit for the current day.
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[@dw5523]

This is why I put a deposit down on one of these things last week. Thanks for the great review. I love that it's just a regular guy on a bike enjoying a ride. It feels clean, not like I'm being sold a product (and I mean the review).

[@RideWithAlex]

Thank you! 😁

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

I’m lovin my Transalp. I keep mine in User mode with full power,min engine brake, off road abs and tc turned down all the way. The quick shifter is a lot of fun but that new engine is really good and it rails corners even after coming off a CBR f4i and a supermoto and if you turn off abs and tc it’s a wheelie machine 😂. It really likes being above 4k when it really starts to come alive. It’s really good on gravel too the front end is ridiculously stable. I’ve been considering going up 2 teeth on the rear.

[@KubaDusza]

Man, ur enthusiasm is contagious 🏄‍♂️😀. I’ve bought Transalp last year. Love its lightness off road, and also love its charakter and sound on road ❤.

[@silverfoxinoz]

Hi Alex and thanks for this glowing report on the Honda Transalp. I love mine and have discovered exactly what you mention: it’s NOT low on power, it handles roads like a sports bike, it can go anywhere, and it looks GOOOOD while doing it all. Ride safe friend. Geoff in Tasmania

[@2wheelswings]

Iam loving and loving mine! And engine superb

[@redsorgum]

The obsession with horsepower and speed by so many bike riders is annoying. 90 horsepower is a lot for something that is much lighter than a car. I like single and twin cylinders, parallels have some advantages, they usually have a higher rpm than a v-twin. ✌️

[@RideWithAlex]

The obssesion is nothing new, I just didn't like have the transalp was received by the general public and how many on transalp owners groups were calling it not a real transalp. Like the old one was somehow a gem of a motorcycle when in reality it was an entry level adventure bike and you could feel it.

[@BuckingFastard]

Were you born yesterday? People have always wanted more horsepower. They always will. It’s why I sold my tenere, as well as all of my other friends, it was so damn slow on the road I couldn’t stand it.

[@astrostrotch]

Having ridden the old and the new, i agree with so much you say. Why are so many people stuck in the past. I don't particularly like electronics, but this is a great bike.

[@RideWithAlex]

I guess it's nostalgia, and i know "they don't build them like they used to" but objectively this is a much better bike then any of the previous generations.

[@Kevin97587]

@@RideWithAlex I own the new transalp in white, very happy with it. Do i prefer a v twin over a parallel? I do, but this is still a great engine. Its fun, its fast, it has plenty of torque and it sounds great. The overall package of this motorcycle at that price is the best value for money u will find and for someone like me who rides on the road 95% of the time its perfect.

[@jfro5867]

I’ve just put money down on one, get it next week. Think Honda have nailed it with this bike. Enjoyed the review 👍

[@RideWithAlex]

Thank you! 😁

[@michael37570]

Very good review. Nice to see you on a descent road for us to see how she handles, also it makes a great sound!

[@RideWithAlex]

I do what I cand with what I have :))

[@Sweeedy1]

@12:47 Hahaha. I could tell you really liked it.

[@Stefan_trekkie]

Virtually all manufactures are replacing the old V-twins with 270° crankshafts parallel twins. The new engines are good because still have a bit characteristics of a V-twin. Yamaha pioneered that type of engine with the old Super Tenere in the late 80's. And most old parallel twins now are converting to 270° .. Even Royal Enfield super meteor has the same 270°. I also had the old Transalps, BUT never had the original 600 engine version. I had two very rear 400cc versions /the same as 600 but with smaller engine/ end spend 5 years on them .. No vibrations, very economical /3 to 4 L per 100km /and very good bike, love it at the time. Years later tried the 650 but did not keep it for long.. They they have changed something in it and did not like it. The engine was very good with close to 60 hp. But it's the same engine overall, 80's design. The new ones must be very good. I will tell you what I don't like in the new one.. I looks too naked down around the engine, like it is missing something. I liked the feet protection very much, keeps you dry and warm .. Sure, they did that to get more money after you buy the bike.. You will need center stand, hand guards, the 'down' spoiler and sump guard and many other stuff for ton of money. Most manufactures do that this days to keep the base price low as possible, I believe. Thumbs UP overall from me, ex Transalp 400 and 650 rider with 5-6 years on the old bikes, back in late 2000's

[@RideWithAlex]

Yea the accessory game is one I also don't like but when all manufacturers are doing it it's hard to fault Honda for it :/

[@anxiousappliance]

Only non cruiser manufacturers with V twins are Ducati, KTM, Guzzi, and Suzuki. Only V-twin replaced is the multistrada, but replaced by a V4.

[@Stefan_trekkie]

@@anxiousappliance Suzuki replaced the v-strom with 270° parallel twin too. Honda replaced on small in line fours and all-v-twins. KTM has just one and will replaced it sooner or later and. Guzzi's engine is a iconic thing and won't be replaced.

[@anxiousappliance]

@@Stefan_trekkie The v-strom is still being made. Honda hasn't made a v-twin (non cruiser) in many moons. Do they still make the V4?And what KTM does is unknown.

[@onthepegs]

Finally someone is talking about vibrations! Would be nice to know how it is on the highway.

[@RideWithAlex]

I'm big on vibrations :)) if a bike buzzez at highway speeds I can't ride it.

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

I don’t have any vibrations on mine

[@martythompson6509]

Nor mine. Smoother than the BMW f900 I just sold. ​@@easyfromtnbtw3555

[@MrRatchaphruek]

Great video Alex Keeping it real as always. On a side note. You should be wearing a jacket. Safe riding 🙏🇹🇭

[@RideWithAlex]

I know, it was a quick test ride and.....well, you know do as I say not as I do =))))

[@hmoosawi]

Nice bike, Modern Honda makes are awesome

[@RideWithAlex]

Yep 😁

[@MotoCampAdv]

Couldnt be happier with mine

[@vikrantkumatkar]

Thank you for the great review! Cool gloves, where could we find them?

[@RideWithAlex]

Thank you, odinmfg.com is where I got my gloves from.

[@Adrian.B01]

So it took them 30 years to reinvent the Kawasaki's kle 500 with its ride easiness, soft clutch and parallel twin. It's good to see an honest review

[@thodoris3790]

I m sure you didnt see the video

[@RideWithAlex]

I think it's much better then the KLE500

[@carlosandleon]

I own a kle and cannot wait to upgrade from this piece of shit bike

[@user-mu8rj9cl2l]

Nice ride :) do u have the possibility to test the hornet? They have the same engine, but I would rly like to know how different they feel

[@RideWithAlex]

If I get a chance I'll film it :)

[@redbluedanielful]

Misto rau bicicleta, cred asta ti se potriveste perfect, la stilul tau de offroader. Apropo, cand incarci ceva filmari de pe Tranfagarasan/Transalpina? Sunt curios cum trage adx-ul pe urcare. Bafta!✌

[@RideWithAlex]

Weekendul viitor ar trebui sa incep sa pun

[@Jonathan-L]

2:24 ... no protective gear, no helmet, passenger is so bored she is only interested in her cell phone. Madness.

[@RideWithAlex]

=))), I thought I was bad without a jacket but I got outclassed

[@Jonathan-L]

@@RideWithAlex When you mentioned the couple not wearing helmets, I replayed the video, paused and then discovered she was on her phone. How she can see clearly with the wind blowing into her eyes just astonishes me. Whatever is on her phone is obviously more important than anything else.

[@adamful]

Great video, thank you! What about the wind protection? Helmet, arms, legs?

[@RideWithAlex]

For the legs it's very good and for chrst and helmet the wind screen does a good jobnfor the stock one and for arms you need to fit handguards.

[@domagojJugovic]

I have vstrom 650 xt, and looked Ng to what to change in a few years I am considering transalp and cfmoto 800

[@RideWithAlex]

Test ride them first and chose the one you like more.

[@domagojJugovic]

@@RideWithAlex Ooo definitely if I can arrange it, but hardly can do. Also I will definitely give the upper hand to reliability, and at first I would dismisss cfmoto because of KTM reliability issues, but it seems now but only time will tell , that cfmoto will be more reliable than KTM with their own engine (after reading a lot of forumes anegdotes etc tec)

[@jean-claude9979]

Ar fi fain sa probezi si modelul de la suzuki ,cel de 800 nou. Transmiti bn ce simti😂...by the way...R.I.P. r1100 gs😅

[@RideWithAlex]

Rip 1100gs mai ramane problema celor 11k euro pt un transalp nou 😂

[@matcharavind]

Can this bike be ridden as a daily ride? How is the heat management? Does one have to suit up every time to get on it?

[@RideWithAlex]

On my test I didn't feel any heat but I don't know in a city sitting at traffic lights.

[@BeniaminKis]

Sa vezi cum se simte cu quickshifter 😏 Apropo, ce drum e asta?

[@RideWithAlex]

E drumul de la pensiunea Râșnov pana la Părăul Rece si înapoi.

[@electricjamie]

wax poetic

[@RideWithAlex]

I thought there was something off with what I said.

[@badria2]

Nu degeaba exista vorba asta "Honda e Honda" 😂

[@RideWithAlex]

=)))))))

[@myownroad9278]

👍👍

[@rilson80]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RideWithAlex]

🍻🍻😁

[@puffybodie5282]

Answer to your question in title? Yes. Why? Because new VStrom 800DE is kicking it in the dust to the ground. And has nothing to do with history of previous Transalp version. Honda went too far with cost savings here

[@RideWithAlex]

Haven't gotten a chance to ride the new V-strom so can't compare them :)

[@puffybodie5282]

@@RideWithAlex I am quite sure you will love it once you have a chance

[@jhackett9482]

I have heard the 800 is better off road and definitely has some upgraded suspension but I sat on both and liked that the transalp. It felt lighter and less bulky to me. And since I live in Illinois where there’s not much off-road riding, some gravel and dirt roads only I bought the transalp. I made the right choice for me, I love it. Can’t wait for some trips to the Smokies this summer.

[@KalJoao]

Maybe you can get a hold of the 800RE!

[@puffybodie5282]

@@jhackett9482 Quality of the roads all around the world calls these days for off road bikes 😀 Enjoy the new TA of course ;-)