500 mile review... Honda Transalp 750

[@patkennedy1]

Yes this is 'a bike for all seasons'. Not too heavy, pleasant handling, a bit of power, but importantly - it feels 'happy' at almost any speed. Enjoyable going slowly, with a great sense of stability and a very easy clutch action, checking out the scenery, or revving it a bit, and enjoying the surprising on-road manners at speed. The fuel economy is legendary - down around 3.1 - 3.4/100 kms at about 85 - 90 kmh on dirt, and 3.9 - 4.1 at open road speeds (100 - 110). The economy more about range than cost, and mine easily does 400 kms/tank, when filled right up to the cap. And be aware, those that haven't read the handbook, that when the last fuel bar starts flashing, it still has 3.7L left, which will do 80 kms or 50 miles. Handy to know. And the 'T' on the dashboard is for Traction Control - a function which I find very intrusive on loose surfaces - and can be switched off (along with rear wheel ABS) for rougher terrain. Switching these two 'aids' off creates a more serious and capable off-road bike, although as we all know, the suspension is a bit 'low-rent' for anything too ambitious. I leave mine in Sport for the most part, which minimises the TC, but TC off is better in loose stuff. But as it comes, this is a surprising machine, and I am enjoying mine more than I expected to. I will continue to improve it with a bit more lightening, and some suspension upgrades, but there is no urgency - the bike is pretty good as is. I have added a bash-plate (B&B) and made a lighter rear rack, added bear-grip footrests and wind deflectors (these last two 'thrown in with the deal' as the first buyer here in South Australia) and have run Pirelli STRs (1 x front and 2 x rears) and now have the coarser STR Rallys on there. These are more grippy off-road, but feel heavier and stiffer after the base STRs, which I might go back to as the best compromise of both uses - dirt and bitumen. But if you're not worried about looking like you've just ridden the Dakar, this is a very useful bike. Better than it seems at first, and grows on you over the miles. I reckon it's a keeper, and I ride mine most days. I have had it just over 12 months.

[@thelonewolf666]

lovely bike mate-- probably my next

[@stephendempsey6673]

Really liked your Transalp review as I resemble almost everything you said! I have a Tracer 9GT, but as my age approaches my weight (in Kg of course) I find myself less likely to twist the throttle in an exploration of growing triple digits on the Speedo! I also ride a first generation Vstrom 650, so I am thinking of selling both bikes and buying a Transalp - two for one seems about right these days, and based upon your review the Transalp would seem to have a bit of a “Swiss Army Knife” personality. Similar to you, on my bikes I always change out the “meep-meep” stock horns for Stebel ones and put on trail lights….I want to be seen and heard - especially on the twisty coastal roads in Nova Scotia! Thanks 😎

[@jfro5867]

Had mine about a month, also just about to get the first service done. Been riding myself over 30 years and had many larger engined bikes. This is a 750 twin so people need to remember that. Compared to my previous 750’s (VFR x 2, VFR800) this TA an engine is a peach and equally as pokey. IMHO it’s got plenty of torque and revs very keenly. The TA a is a harmonised package. For road riding you don’t need any more poke, you just don’t. Love it.

[@veljkovic92]

You described it well. I love Transalp as a bike to do it all. Coming from many different bikes in the past, found it to be great in many use cases.

[@brianholland8290]

I test rode the transalp its an amazing ride loved it. the only reason i didnt buy it was the tubed tyres and no cruise control otherwise its an amazing machine

[@loeder4048]

Your decision making process is very familiar 😅👍

[@Spectator182]

what a great bike this is tho I have chosen VStrom800DE

[@jessemarshall7176]

Had mine for four months. 12k miles so far. Upgrade the seat. If your tall get a new windscreen otherwise the bike is fantastic!!!

[@shaunoregan1218]

I really appreciated your review as I hope to get this bike as well. Looking good Fit Bones from a kiwi now living in Australia.

[@FitBones]

It's possible I may end up in Australia as nothing is fixed

[@davidsandilands1285]

Nearly 10k completed on mine, its a great road bike, 21in is perfect for the uk poor roads. Changed the rear shock to a Hagon, complete game changer, only limit now is the tyres.

[@FitBones]

It's true the 21 inch is just right for current crap road. I may have to look at rear shock change, I'm going to reduce the pre load and see how that is.

[@davecarrera]

Once you get your first service, pop the TA in SPORT. Made me giggle on mine ;-)

[@moulin680]

Good review! Waiting for the 2025 model to arrive, than will trade my 690R in…. Cheers

[@thodoris3790]

They will change someting for 25?

[@FitBones]

I'm hoping its only minor

[@andybiker2236]

Hi thank you for sharing I am still trying to find time to ride my transalp your video was excellent .I will try to ride more I look forward to the next video God bless

[@FitBones]

Thank you

[@johnmatthews9293]

Where did you get the bracket holding your ram mount to the handlebar clamp?

[@FitBones]

You know I can't remember. But if google '1 inch ball bracket mount for handle bars' there are a bunch of option. Better than my current one @ Ram or cheaper on Amazon

[@FitBones]

Oh, I just realised you meant the one fixed to the main handle bar clamp. That one was a left over from another bike long ago...

[@ocendo1]

thank you Yamaha for developing???

[@FitBones]

Wasn’t it the Yamaha development team that first came up with the 270^ crank layout in a parallel twin?

[@domagojJugovic]

I had a Yamaha XT from 1997, Versys 650, and now V-strom 650 XT (golden rims). I have tested many more bikes, and I test drove Transalp 750 for about 45 minutes, tried road up to 150 km/h, grawel, meadow, slow speed manover. Versys was a really fun bike, I didn't know that until you try other bikes because you are used to yours. Nothing is close, not even cfmoto 800 mt. My curent v-strom is realy great bike, suspension is much better than on old v-stroms, it is firmer, remote rear preload is a must (and transalp doesn't have it.) V-strom is more stable at hi speed, better for two up thatn versys. But, v-strom is much more boring. Transalp is more fun at leas in tahat short ride. Suspension is too soft, after going over speed bumps (we call it laying policemen or sleeping policemen in my country) rear wallows for at least three times up and down, it feels very creepy... (I weight 108 kg ) so if I would buy Transalp I would probably go for a change in suspension. Best thing in new Transalp for me is upright seating positions, because I really really miss that from my Versys, my hands and back are killing me more on a v-strom, and from test drive Transalp is a lot like versys in seating, so I am considering to buy Transalp. I tried all similar bikes, only didnt try new Suzuki 800 de, but from reviews and overlaid images it is seen that handlebar is more forward than on Transalp, so I am still for a Transalp. I really like Africa Twin more but it is too high for me , too expensive, and I do a lot of filtering daily and I can have only one bike. There is a low seat but it is hard, and still rear is at same height so it is the same problem for getting on the bike (Italians are shorter and I always see that low seat on parked Africa Twins with italian registrations ;). Kove 800 looks ridiculously small under me, and I wull take a wife on half of the rides so no kove, cfmoto 800 mt is a serious contender, a little heavy in the hands and corners, KTM have cam shaft issues, but I thing that engine used in cfmoto is better, I didn't found any reported cam issue with cfmoto 800 mt online. But I will stick to japanese for now. Cfmoto will probably become known and reliable brand.

[@FitBones]

I have not much experience with the Vstom, but I rented a Verys 650 and rode it around Nova Scotia 2 years back. There is a video of this you can check out under my videos section. The rear suspension is better now I have reduced the ‘Sag” but also I don’t very often take a pillion so everything is pretty well set up for single rider. I’m approx just under 90 kilos fully kitted with helmet etc.

[@LabModzso]

I have also test rode the bike. I missed some low end torque, I felt I always want to rev it, to have some fun. Also I'd do something with the suspension (probably the roads here in Central/Eastern Europe are much worse than there).

[@FitBones]

Agreed on the suspension, I will set mine up a little stiffer as I was out with some race bike guys the other night and the rear end was all over the place. The suspension is a soft ride.

[@LabModzso]

@@FitBones Sure, and don't forget to enjoy the bike! :)

[@ocendo1]

Any vibrations on the handles.My new Transalp 750 XL is vibrating a lot.My fingers gat numb after short ride.Avouid this bike

[@FitBones]

haven’t noticed any great vibration I must say. Kinda just normal stuff.

[@patkennedy1]

You will find the vibrations will reduce over time, and by about 5,000 kms (say 3,000 miles) the engine will feel smoother, and sweeter. Loving mine, at nearly 19,000 kms (not quite 12k miles).

[@ocendo1]

@@FitBonesI complained to seller and they provided another to compare.The same crap.Ovner of that other bike told me that he can not ride it.Bike is total dizaster.I am so disapointed and it is to much money.11900€ and not sutable for long rides.

[@ocendo1]

@@patkennedy1I like aperance and power of my bike but it is vibrating and I hate that.

[@FitBones]

@ sorry, difficult to understand your response. But I get the impression your not happy with the Honda... Very surprising, the bike has a very high reliability status.

[@thodoris3790]

I m between this and vstrom800de.and i cant deside.why did you reject vstrom?

[@FitBones]

The V- Strom is a great bike and has a very long pedigree engine in it. I just preferred the manners on the Transalp

[@thodoris3790]

I hadnt seen the video till the end.hiw old are you?man,i m 44.transalp is a bike for older people.i like to be more engage on a bike.i lean more to the vstrom.its motor is explosive.just a little ugly.thats my main problem

[@FitBones]

@@thodoris3790 Haha, I'm 70 year old so I guess the bike suits me more now. Mind you the Transalp can be ridden fast. I raced out with some young guys on their Gixxers and Hyabusa's and kept up on the country road. Back end bouncing a bit though

[@thodoris3790]

@@FitBones riding motorcycles keeps a man young.at least the spirit