Honda Transalp 750 Suspension and Cruise Control Upgrades + Snowy Field Test

[@DorkintheRoad]

Find Paul and his suspension expertise at www.evooregon.com Viridian Cruise Control for Honda Transalp 750: veridiancruise.com/discount/DORKINTHEROAD?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fpre-order-honda-xl750-23-transalp (affiliate link)

[@EvoOregonSuspension]

For clarification purposes, there are dual front springs already in the forks, but there are parts out of the stock 300L fork along with revised valving.

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

Assume it was a split function fork? Rebound on one and compression on the other?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah what he said

[@NunyaBusiness...]

@@DorkintheRoad according to what flicked on the screen, twas actually she that uttered it. 😁

[@Baconator1990]

I know this is a business and you have to showcase new bikes but I do hope you keep the TA around for a bit and have content with it for a while going forward. It’s one of the things I appreciate most about your content, I get a better idea of living with a bike long term from your content as opposed to videos like Ians where he builds it out does a couple videos and moves on (nothing wrong with his style, I also find value from his videos). I really am loving the TA content and would like to see how it treats you long term and in camping situations. Thanks for the awesome videos Ben!

[@advmike]

Totally agree about suspension setup being critical. Took me a while to understand how much that changes the bike. And finding someone like Paul you can trust is huge!

[@addictedtobedrock5282]

Paul did my suspension on a CRF450L and was the best money I have spent other than the Vortex ecu. It changed my bike to an amazing machine, wishing I did it in 2020 when purchasing it. Thank you Paul and thank you Ben for telling us about him. 👍🏻

[@DorkintheRoad]

100% agree

[@SKgeostrat]

Good episode Dork! Good practical advice. There should be more of this, because every rider is different and if you can adjust the suspension inexpensively, most riders will benefit!

[@DuffersMcDuff]

Always love flash up inuendo .."That's what she said!" Enjoying the TA content.

[@DorkintheRoad]

I'm glad somebody finally noticed it

[@TheDervMan]

Loving the Cruise Control, I had no idea there was an alterntive to MC Cruise!

[@chrisbjohannsen]

I've heard it said that you should do the suspension before any other farkles you add. Recently had the KLX done in a similar "cheap" fashion and it made a world of difference on and off road

[@MCGMB]

Nice video. Useful. Can't tell if you've improved the recording process or there's something on my end, but the video image quality was wonderful compared to some of your other stuff.

[@thomassterns7120]

I'm with you on this winter - don't know why but it has seemed SOOO long. I'd just about dropped the Transalp from my wish list but maybe following your lead it might just work for me. I do need to see how you are going with the KTM though. Thanks for the work you do I really appreciate it.

[@scottk.8494]

The best thing I did to my DR650 was install a Cogent Mojave rear shock, new fork springs, and fork springs with DDC valves and preload adjusters. That alone completely changed to bike into a completely different animal. It can handle aggressive riding, but it still provides comfort for touring. For my XT250 I just did springs front and back with DDC valves in the fork. Suspension doesn't change how cool a bike looks when compared to other mods (there are some exceptions), but it should be one of the first things people do in a lot of cases. It's money well spent, and IMO can make a bike more safe to ride with better handling. Fork dive is no joke under panic or emergency breaking. The bike gets all twitchy, and the weight distribution becomes severely biased.

[@warrenrecoskie5456]

Been patiently waiting for this!!

[@advredbikes]

That is why I watched your channel, thank you Ben for showing us that you can change suspension and springs. I did not know that if I have that problem in the future, I know who to look up in my local area the cruise control looks like it works really well, I saw Ian dismantle his trans out Christian and swearing behind the scenes and showing how much time it took so if I happen to have one, I would get someone to do it for me.

[@SkufMcGruff]

Appreciate that discount code for Viridian. Just picked up my TransAlp today, just ordered the cruise control. Tomorrow I'll be taking it up to the Tail of the Dragon.

[@markstanton4186]

Love your videos, Ben. I just picked up my new TransAlp last week after watching all of you and Ian’s videos about the bike. Cruise and the suspension adjustment will most likely be my first changes and this video really helped! Thanks for all of your opinions.

[@ne-adv]

The vest, one pocket could be for things you want on you when you go down hard, like the water, like a tourniquet, magic marker for writing the times for the tourniquet, pressure bandage, a flashlight, space blanket, maybe a food bar of some sort. I carry a trauma kit, but if you get thrown or if your MC is down an embankment, and you have an arterial bleed, or a bad bleed, and that trauma kit is fifty feet away, it may be unreachable. And even if the Inreach or whatever is activated, it may be a while before help gets there.

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah I need to take a wilderness first aid class and then once I know how to use that stuff that will make perfect sense

[@ne-adv]

@@DorkintheRoad Honestly, you should carry it anyway. Even if you don't know how to splint, or pressure bandage or use a tourniquet or QuiKlot, the person who finds you might or someone with you might, whether to use on you or someone you find on the trail. Lots of field expedient ways to do first aid, but having what you need, store-bought, in an emergency. on hand, it's a win. And most of that stuff doesn't have an expiration date. If Travis had a spiral break and it took out the artery, he'd be dead by the time the EMS had arrived, without someone taking action. Thing about a tourniquet, if you don't know how to place/use one, don't try to stop the bleeding. Let them trickle a bit. Blood flow means loss of limb unlikely, and bleeding out time has been extended.

[@ne-adv]

@@DorkintheRoad That would make an informative video. You and yer live streaming partner could go together.

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

THANK YOU for explaining how affliate links work better (said cookie) because I was feeling guilty about my drunken, way too expensive, Revzilla purchase helping no one. Now I get top notch German touring boots I have been debating for months and a minor bump to you instead of just a hangover!

[@DorkintheRoad]

You mean in addition to a hangover lol

[@jgm9927]

I used to be a logger. You are right, what you were describing along the trail is called a " clearcut". The practice has been largely stopped around the country unless they want to re-seed and area.

[@DorkintheRoad]

It was a joke. I know it's called a clearcut. I grew up in a logging town ;)

[@jgm9927]

@@DorkintheRoad LOL! I guess I should have realized that from listening to you previously.

[@alainmichaud6747]

Interesting video , I did this on my Ryker 3whell , change the shocks to Elkas 3 for both front wheel and Elkas 4 on back well ...change the riding , nice to get info on the Transalp Alain & Yellow

[@kostasPapadakis]

The new Vortex Air Flow Duct mechanism is giving "power" to the engine and the air filter has the difficult position as a result. The Honda Mechanics made a bike for all purpose not an on off bike. They have a gravel mode, not an on off one. But I find your modifications interesting. I personally bought a transalp for the long run.

[@metalpolishshop]

Used your link to get some Cyclops Aurora 2 lights. They were well aware of you 😅. Trying to support you in my small way 😊

[@StoltHD]

In Norway we call that type of cutting down forrest for "flathogst" = "flat felling"... It's a really bad way of foresting.

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

It is still common in the US but less than 50% now. Here is "clear cutting" and the laws on government owned land require replanting...but it usually ends up a monoculture regardless of what the original forest was. Private lands usually have financial encouragement from government agencies (tax breaks or downright cash) to do selective harvest and replant.

[@StoltHD]

@@michaelkrenzer3296 Thank you for the info... I learned something new today. :-)

[@human1513]

It is called, "Clear cutting." On the Transalp have you found that to do an oil & filter change you have to remove the Hepco & Becker skidplate? I have not done my 1st oil change yet.

[@DorkintheRoad]

The joke . . . . Your head 😂

[@cogentdynamics]

I agree working on Hondas often. BMW is worse. Don’t need to work on a Honda too often I’ll say that from my perspective. Nice videos man, nice work.

[@OldArmy-vc6rd]

What would be interesting is comparing the Suspension on your Transalp Suspension at about $1000 vs what Ian did at 5 times the cost.

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

That would be tough as the purpose of setting up for an individual rider's, um, dimensions is a huge part of it. Ian and Ben have different measurements. At least on street bikes my example would be my VFR that was set up for the original owner at 140#'s and I push 220# in gear and always carry at least 25#'s of stuff...both damping and springs were changed but same manufacturer (cartridge forks work a bit different on valving).

[@OldArmy-vc6rd]

@@michaelkrenzer3296 I agree that one of the factors in setting up a suspension is weight, but there are many other factors, such as what type of riding you’re doing and how fast. Each mfg. Whether its Racetech, Coegent, progressive or others they all feel a little different. Even with the weight difference you could tell the difference in handling. A good example would be A KTM 890 Adventure R vs the 890 Rally. They are both setup for about a 165-187-pound rider, but handle differently with a 220 lb. rider. The purpose of the comparison would be is the rebuild suspension close to the suspension replacement for the average rider. YMMV

[@jamesonpace726]

Useful stuff, thanks....

[@HoratioBunce503]

I’m so happy to hear you whine about this long long winter! We had a nice 4-5 day stretch of blue sky, and now, back to grey drizzle and base layer gear. It was a nice lick of the ice cream cone tho. Spring is just around the corner :) Longer days too! Getting stoked. I’ve been twisting wrenches on the TA. Outback Motortek bash plate and crash bars. Pannier racks on the way.

[@Rigrroll]

You got it right when you called it CLEAR CUTTING

[@dstubby82]

Still waiting for someone to put out the skidplate clearance once you add bags and rider. 😊

[@DorkintheRoad]

It's as much lower as any other bike is when you add those things compared to when it doesn't have them

[@dstubby82]

@@DorkintheRoad 😄🤙

[@Eds_PanAm]

I just purchased a husky 701, and I had the dealer lower the bike for me because I'm vertically challenged at 5'7, he said it for my weight and how much luggage and stuff on it I think I might be carrying for camping

[@ALinthePacificNW]

Hey Ben- Love the TA content, please keep it coming....thank you. wondering what your on trail tire puncture plan is. i tried removing my factory metzlers in a trail "dress rehearsal" with no luck. Aint no way those tires were coming off the rim with hand tools. was kind of a shock to my on trail puncture plan with the CRF... I have all of the tire repair accessories but if i cant get the tire unseated or off the rim then no can do. Preventative sealant? ---Al

[@DorkintheRoad]

It just takes practice and even then it still sucks you just get faster at it. Another option is to just run rim locks. You can ride out on a flat in some circumstances but you will probably ruin your tire.

[@danielmoreno3413]

Does anyone have the link to the video where the GPS screen system was installed?

[@MrFurious1993]

Hey Ben, what GPS unit is that on your TA? Can't tell if it's a phone or tablet based unit or if it's a Garmin Zumo. Not a big fan of Garmin from past experiences, and from what I've read they've gotten even worse in recent years so I'm looking into other options. My two current Garmin's won't connect to any satellites for whatever reason even after updating the firmware on both, but they're also a good 10-15 years old at this point.

[@DorkintheRoad]

Zumo XT2

[@SomewhereInside]

Ride your new bike stock , use your body to adapt to its limitations , loosen your grip , let the bike float , subtle movements of the body . Forget giving these accessory companies your hard earned money . To avoid bottoming out stand up and look ahead on the trail , you can avoid most big rocks and holes , ruts by looking ahead .

[@gronno]

Re springs on the stock bike, i think honda do it to widden the show room appeal. Stock bike sags alot with any rider weight which means yoyr average joe says hey i can get both feet down, maybe i can have this adv bike after all.

[@williamparson9915]

What did he do to the forks other than a respring? Just got a tail tidy from alibaba and a radiator shield that looks the same as Hondas. Tying to find some decent pegs that dont cost a fortune..

[@EvoOregonSuspension]

Revalved front forks and added some new parts to give it more positive dampening. Simple revalve of the rear. Plus springs of course

[@TJ-oi5qe]

Yeah man, winter sucks this year!

[@Cyeber]

In 2024 the Sweet Spot for Adventure Bikes seems to be the 400cc 40hp Bikes with light weight, more than enough power for anything/everything & reliability. I would be very interested to watch a review of the best Bikes in this range for 2024, including models such as the Royal Enfield 452 Himalayan (although probably the heaviest bike in this range). I don't see any other good bulk reviews in this category as yet. Any Trail/Dual Sport/Adventure/Enduro bike bigger than 40hp is a waste of money when you're in the bush on your own 👍

[@davidgraves6]

Where’s the ktm ? Looking forward to your comparison between all of the other bikes you have, or have owned. 😊

[@tezz4480]

Insta360 review coming! Perfect - looking to buy one so need the input - thx

[@DorkintheRoad]

Short version: I dig it

[@waynecmcdonald]

How comfortable is the stock seat?

[@jessemarshall7176]

I’m waiting in my veridian cruise. The wait is killing me

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

1) Why did you sell your 450? 2) If I had a TA, I would want to disable the rear and front ABS by pulling the ABS fuse, but I heard that pulling the fuse will disable the speedometer and odometer; do you know if that’s true? Thanks!

[@SmokedBiker]

hey man Nice video! I've bought a transalp a few months back and i'm wondering what you use for navigation? I see that you mounted a gps on there is that a garmin? are you statisfied with it? my plan is to go touring in the future and every chance I get I put between 100-150kms on it :)

[@tylersmyth8861]

Hey Dork👋, I heard you mention the trail max raids. I just ordered a set for my DR650(first adv/dual sport). Do you think I made the right choice for BDR type riding?

[@Fredrikk2]

How you liking the puig clip on? Cheers!

[@ne-adv]

Yeah, a lot of things about the Transalp just don't make sense on paper. But having the paper air filter under the tank makes perfect sense, in real life. It's sort of Honda Engineer code saying "Yeah, they market this thing as offroadable, but just don't. Just don't often or far or deep or hard or dusty." That, in case you missed the obvious first warning not to go too off road, the ventral oil sump "fin".

[@DiveTrainerDan]

What are you getting after the 450L? How is the transalp vs the KTM 790 so far?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Just leaning into the 300L Rally for now. Haven't had the KTM out enough yet to really say but it's a blast so far.

[@rodrigoespinha]

You mention ground cleareance, is it possible to measure it?? How much improves compared to 210mm stock??

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah I meant to measure it and never got around to it. My guess is it kind of gains you back what you lost adding the skid plate

[@jonpeters5194]

dampening or damping ?

[@joeweismann7257]

Damping

[@GregLanz]

Definitely damping

[@ne-adv]

If it scares the pee out of you, and that gets it wet, then dampening. If it's dissipating an oscillation, then it's damping. If it steamy and German, it's dampfig.

[@DorkintheRoad]

I feel like you already know the answer or you wouldn't be asking. 🙄

[@jonpeters5194]

you are correct sir @@DorkintheRoad

[@rockdock65]

9:19 it seems like you missed a "vest-pa" joke opportunity.

[@artwallace5925]

Honestly, money I've spent on suspension for any of my bikes has been the best investment-IMO

[@SomewhereInside]

We need a comparison between a stock Transalp and a stock KLR 650

[@Diabeekei]

Hey dork! I’m thinking of trading in my 2023 Sportster S for the 2023 PanAm Special. I’ll look through your videos after this comment, but was wondering if you think it’ll be a good trade in? I do have other bikes and just wanted a comfy tourer/adv off roader. Thanks brother and ride safe!

[@home4lunch]

What GPS mount do you have?

[@jbrown386]

Can those guys service a crf1100 ES suspension? Not upgrade.

[@DorkintheRoad]

He's mostly a dual sport and adventure guy but if you reach out and he can't do it he'll know who can

[@jbrown386]

@@DorkintheRoad thanks

[@TheWanderingGeezer]

Putting the cruise control controls would be better mounted on the left hand side.

[@soggywuffles882]

What gps mount are you using? I was considering the SW Motech but it’s rather pricy.

[@DorkintheRoad]

This is a crappy Amazon one and I'm taking it off and buying the motech version

[@soggywuffles882]

@@DorkintheRoad update, recently installed the SW Motech mount, it’s worth the money. Very little vibration, easy to install.

[@Romenet310]

Just curios if you plan on keeping the Transalp. Seems like most motor bloggers are only in it for the content and then move on.

[@lophophorawilliamsii9740]

Laughs in Arizona

[@michaelm6009]

Once you factor in all the expenses and time to upgrade the Transalp wouldn’t it have been worth buying a Tiger 900 Rally Pro instead and getting everything you added to the Transalp plus more features?

[@martythompson6509]

Honestly, I think you may be mechanically challenged. I didn't find pulling the fairings off or raising the tank to be that big of a deal. I think for those who are used to working on bikes, they'll find it simple enough. I also think you mounted the cruise control switch on the wrong side. If you mounted it between the left grip and switch block, you'd be able to activate it without needing to remove your hands from the bars.

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah gee I've only said I am a terrible mechanic like 400 times over the last 7 years but you know thanks for pointing it out.

[@martythompson6509]

@@DorkintheRoad it's an absolute pleasure. But I was more giving those with some mechanical empathy information which may encourage more than discourage either purchase or service work on the TA. I wasn't having a crack at you. It's just facts. Everyone is at varying levels of knowledge and experience. I started with less knowledge and skills that you currently have. It's where everyone starts. It wasn't till I was at least twelve that I could do as much as you currently can. So don't feel picked on please.......

[@tomg6284]

Lol, you think that install was hard, try the KTM 390 AD. Veridian on it was almost impossible due to no room to put the little box. 5 pounds of sh!t in an 8 oz container.

[@ericfradenburg754]

😂That's what she said. Lol nice one!

[@Corey-pd3mi]

The cc is too close to the kill switch, imagine accidentally hitting that kill switch at speed when attempting to set the cc

[@cloud9847]

ok, I just need Paul to move to my city....

[@vaerenbergh]

What the hell is honda doing??? They could put the best suspension in there bikes and not up the price. Wel at least they did in the past, nowadays they delete a whole spring???? The crf300l/rally also has that setup. How did we get here???

[@carls.2071]

Each year you get older the less tolerant to the cold. At least that's what's happening to me being 57.

[@darrylpaterick3108]

I hear you! 58, 3 years from retirement, don't plan on seeing a Canadian Jan/Feb. after that. Trailer the bike down south right after Christmas, and tour around in the warmth.

[@ILCARB2]

Looks by factory but invalidated The warranty 😅

[@sandwaves5642]

So you SEE ??!! - I'm NOT just another shit-thrower. WHY couldn't Honda install this CC AND give a BETTER suspension ??!!??!! - because they are STINGY ! - can't emphasize - how much i HATE all these GREEDY SHITTY companies, that release HALF BAKED bikes - to force the customers to UPGRADE - either to more expensive bikes, or like you did !

[@burddog0792]

The air filter access really kills this bike.

[@D.E.X]

Any air filter that requires the tank to be removed to change or clean is screaming I'm not for off-road. That's what's so confusing about the Desert-X. And Honda knows better, so they really don't think this should be in the dirt much. Look at the DR650, easy access, and the older true "V" Twin V-Strom's, under the tank.

[@burddog0792]

@@D.E.XI mean it's dumb even if it stays on the street all the time.

[@danielklopp7007]

Let's try this one more time; dampen to to get something wet; damp is to slow or reduce a movement. The proper terminology when dealing with suspension (unless your are getting out the garden hose) is DAMPING (not dampening). As a university degreed physicist (and a practicing design & development mechanical engineer), this is one of my pet peeves...

[@DorkintheRoad]

Yeah this is how I feel when people don't use the correct 'your' but common nomenclature doesn't care about proper nitpicky pronunciation.

[@danielklopp7007]

@@DorkintheRoad You've touched on another pet-peeve (you're vs. your). Here are some others on my list: their vs. there (and the associated theirs (possessive) vs. there's (contraction)) ; dual vs. duel (when I see this in the description of a used motorcycle, I think to myself, "Is the bike challenging some other bike to a fight"?); brake vs. break (when I see "new breaks" in a description of a used motorcycle, I think to myself, "What don't they fix what's broken on before they sell the bike"?). I could go on, but you get the point... Keep up the great work, Ben!

[@WinifredMulvey]

Huh what ????? 300L fork springs ? The 300L is @310lbs.. the Trans Alp is @460lbs and your body/gear weight ?…wow… severely under-sprung…or did your suspension guy use significantly heavier fork springs? I hope he did… as for the cruise control..$300 + @ 3 hours at $150/hour… say $700 for the non mechanically inclined? Ouch…

[@Lanolin410]

One some bikes, only one leg has a spring…

[@DorkintheRoad]

He doubled the spring by adding them in the other side. The stock springs are still there.

[@EvoOregonSuspension]

We used some bits from 300L forks to help with the dampening, and different aftermarket springs.

[@alozborne]

​@EvoOregonSuspension You've given me hope that a Transalp XL750's suspension can be affordably tweaked to ride better for bigger riders. I'm a little over 6'-3" and about 235 lbs, so I know that the stock suspension is going to be too soft... For that reason, I have been leaning towards buying a V-Strom 800DE as it has a better stock suspension. It's encouraging that, if I can find a suspension tuner in Vancouver, BC that the Transalp XL750 could still be my next bike!

[@jonwoodworker]

Another $1k spent on the TAlp and you still can't adjust the suspension. Just say'n.

[@DorkintheRoad]

It's not for everybody. But it's perfect for some people

[@jonwoodworker]

@@DorkintheRoad I knock on the TAlp far more than I should...I waited 2 yrs for it to be what I wanted it to be, and it wasn't. Luckily the 800DE fit what I wanted perfectly. IMHO, I feel they are different motorcycles. They have different characters; you should get one to understand what I mean.

[@KH2bornot2b]

That’s what she said… 😂😂

[@braaaaaaaaaaap]

Air filter location is a dealbreaker.

[@user-oe7jh1ee4o]

Don't have to buy all that ... with the KTM !!!

[@DorkintheRoad]

KTM does not have adjustable suspension