Honda Transalp 750 | Unveiling the Pros and Cons

[@thodoris3790]

i dont understand why people have so big expectations for off road driving from this bike.its a transalp goddam.a transalp...and this one is the best translap ever made.its perfectly fine for green lanes.not hardcore enduro

[@Marcepan455]

The Transalp has strange configuration . Tubed wheels like for typical offroad, but not the suspension which is shitty, without adjustment. Its is not satisfying in the offroad (although it is sufficient for tarmack ), but.... comes with 21/18 wheels in a typical off-road size, which provide less agility and stability on road. In my opinion, Suzuki has launched its new adventure with a better configuration than Honda. It released the 800de model with very good suspension and large suspension travel for people who actually want to go off-road, and the cheaper 800re model with a 19-inch front wheel in a tubeless system and a larger windshield for people who prefer to ride on road and occasionally light gravel. When buying a Transalp, you know that it will perform worse off-road than the DE and on the road worse than the RE. The only reason for not installing a good suspension on the Transalp is Honda's fear of cannibalization of the sale of the Africa Twin.

[@thodoris3790]

i gona buy one@@RogerTernyak

[@thodoris3790]

you are right.if vstrom800re was nicer looking i would go for it.but its ugly,,very much.i cant stand this cyclops duck looking front.also i d like to do some easy off road from time to time,so i ll go for the transalp@@Marcepan455

[@NoTengoIlusiones]

Absolutely. Transalp means road and I like it 😊

[@Hookmeister]

I’ve had my Transalp for six weeks and am loving it.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Whoo hoo. Excellent. Glad you're enjoying your new bike!

[@BillySBC]

Great street bike.

[@lawrencearabia9345]

Nice, looking forward to future reviews. This bike is on my radar to add to the stable. Great channel!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Lukebigrig]

FYI I picked up some parts at T Rex racing in dallas TX and they had a transalp 750 in the shop doing R&D. So keep you eyes out for there skid plate. I really like the one I got for my NC700 Honda, and they had a combo for my bike to get the skid plate and crash bars together you get a discount. Very nice experience with T Rex for me.

[@DirtyDovi]

Great crew and Great products! I went with them when doing the crash cage & skid plate on my Honda NC700X

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

I love my TA it’s really good on the road and Honda nailed it on the ergos and riding position. I only weigh around 150 so the suspension is not an issue for me I just wish the switch controls were backlit and a better headlight that shines out farther but it does good with side to side coverage

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

@@RogerTernyakyeah the high beam isn’t an issue but when you have traffic coming in the opposite lane the low beam kinda sucks lol I think I’m gonna put some aux lights on it

[@Rbj4525]

Eric and Chris your opinions matter to me because of what you guys do on the daily for many years now. It's more credible review to me.

[@NoTengoIlusiones]

Love this bike ! I'm a tarmac guy, no off road 99% asfalt . Just good to know if I want to do soft trails it's possible. Spot on .

[@garybesaw3809]

Great video! Thanks guys.

[@johnroethel5527]

Merry Christmas Eric and team. All the best in the New Year

[@RIDEAdventures]

Likewise, thanks for the note!

[@stevencarter7031]

The T 7 is $4000 dearer than the transalp here in Oz

[@Marcepan455]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention the weak suspension in the disadvantages, which is especially troublesome when driving off-road. Generally, I notice in reviews from the USA that the love for the Honda brand is so blind that the choice of a motorcycle is biased. I bought a new adv last year. Before I made the decision I tested Honda, KTM (890s), DesertX, T7, 800de.I most wanted to buy an Africa Twin. While riding, Honda AT seemed clunky and too heavy for me, the ktm890s had too weak suspension for offroad(I'm talking about the APEX version, the R version with XPLOR would be much better but too expensive for me and I was afraid of lack of durability in ktm), the Desert X great, but also too expensive and change of air filter...... The T7 has a high center of gravity and I didn't feel comfortable driving, especially in heavier offroad. There was also a new Suzuki, but on paper it was so heavy that I didn't even want to test it. However, I decided to test drive it and I was shocked, the suspension is fantastic, the center of gravity is low, it is agile and light like 20kg lighter and not heavier than the T7. What I want to say is that the objective test showed something completely different than I expected. In many tests of the new Transalp from the USA, I see something different. The motorcycle was bought only because it is a Honda. It's a pity, because with an open mind you can buy something better. The corporation likes followers, but it is better for us to be a conscious consumer.

[@thodoris3790]

two questions,how much do you weight and finally did you bought the transalp?i ve noticed too that u.s. reviewers are not so critical with transalp as europians.and after all transalp bikes was never ment to be real off road bikes

[@Marcepan455]

@@thodoris3790 86kg(190lbs) I bought a vstrom800de, changed the tires to Mitas E09 at the rear and TKC80 at the front. I rode about 3000 km on TET (Trans Euro Trail). It's good that the Transalp specification is changed in the US. in Europe it has over 90HP, but during tests people complain that the engine is weak, that you don't feel it, there is a lack of torque in the mid-range. Perhaps reducing power in the US will improve the mid-range performance.

[@marktunstall4577]

So what would be the "something better"? What did you eventually decide on?

[@Marcepan455]

@@marktunstall4577 I decided on vstrom 800de. suspension with a large travel (only 1 cm less than desertx), fully adjustable. Which came in handy because I increased the compression at the front. At the back I increased rebound. Without it, the front bumped and the rear catapulted during fast off-road driving. Another advantage is access to the air filter. In the summer, when driving on sand, it requires cleaning every day, and in the Suzuki you only need to remove the seat. I was also surprised by the traction control in Gravel mode, it works very well off-road, just like the Rally mode in the KTM. It allows you to drive sideways and, surprisingly, it works in sand. However, there is a new motorcycle on the market that I would also consider: BMW GS900, 2024 version with a plastic tank. It may have better off-road properties (like the 890R) but with better reliability

[@marktunstall4577]

@@Marcepan455 thank you for your detailed reply. I am 5 foot 10, having feet on the ground is paramount. My riding would be predominantly Road oriented however I do want to have that off road capability should it arise. The air filter placement/accesability on the Transalp is discouraging though for my usage I "think" I could live with that. All your other points noted. Heart not completely set of the Transalp. Posts like yours open the mind. Safe riding.

[@seabaker9966]

I love this bike. I just rode one for three days. But only black available in the USA is a big disappointment.

[@RIDEAdventures]

We like the color but more color options would be nice for sure.

[@richardcasey7521]

I bought one and it’s more bike than I’ll ever be able to use. I removed the luggage rack mount on mine too. I kept hitting my knee on it. I reinstalled the bolts which are now bungee cord hooks.

[@Bill3558]

I traded my portly Honda CTX1300 for a TransAlp. It’s opened up a whole new world to me. I’m an old fart living in Western North Carolina. It’s motorcycle heaven here.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Excellent, Bill, thanks for sharing. We also love not having to wonder where that random dirt road goes on the way home from work. Indeed, you've got slice of moto heaven there. Have fun with it.

[@stevencarter7031]

I ride a 2018 CB500X and have just ordered the Transalp..we'll see how I go..

[@RIDEAdventures]

Enjoy the new bike and curious to hear your thoughts

[@sandrider1406]

A lot of comments that the Transalp is just a road bike, well technically every bike is a road bike as you can ride it on the road. The adventure name can mean ANY bike that takes you on an adventure. Adventures are on and off road. Some people need to take off their blinkers to this bike and the meaning of adventure. I ride a Husqvarna FE501 and I class the Transalp as the same genre of bike. 😮

[@alozborne]

It would be super helpful to see how Eric fits on the Transalp, as I'm a similar build to Eric (a little more leggy, but the same height).

[@RIDEAdventures]

We'll try to post some footage (I haven't ridden it much yet) but until then, I'd say .... The TransAlp fits me just fine, but if I'm picking a TransAlp for a ride, it must be because I'm carrying a bunch of luggage for a trip and such. In which case, I'd rather be on an Africa Twin or ATAS. Down in the middleweight category (say 400-500lbs), I'd choose a middleweight for a 1 or 2 day ride without a ton of luggage......but in that middleweight category, my choice would be a T7, over a TransAlp. Assuming I'll be riding closer to single or two-track type of stuff. --- Hope that helps. Thanks for watching. - Eric

[@alozborne]

@@RIDEAdventures Thanks for your insights Eric! I'd definitely prefer to limit the weight of whichever bike I choose to well under 500 lbs, closer to 450 lbs would be ideal. I did a lot of touring last year, on my CB500X (about 5500 miles on a trip to Salt Lakes City and back), on a rented SV650 in Nova Scotia and PEI, and on a KTM 390 Duke in Kauai so I definitely know what lpng trips are like on a smaller bike. I just take a break every couple of hours. I figure the Transalp will be a significant step up from my CB500X. As much as the T7 sounds like a good fit for off pavement stuff, I don't think I would want to do multi-day road trips on one. If I get a Transalp, I will definitely do a Tractive suspension upgrade, after seeing Ian's (Big Rock Moto) YT video on that.

[@arijitchief]

have you had a chance to ride the NX500 yet? no reviews of that from anywhere around the world!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Not yet. Due in European markets in 2024 though. Not sure when it will come here to the US so we can ride it.

[@paulvandervyver4223]

In South Africa we get the 90 hp variant, but the quickshifter is not standard equipment, which sucks.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yeah different countries different requirements, rules and laws that dictate product designs.

[@dbmiller5881]

Great review guys! I had a 2022 CB500X - found it "not enough"... sold it and bought a 2020 Africa Twin - which I find intimidatingly big and heavy for off-road, but sure great for touring... (I'm also pretty short at 28 inch inseam) Is the the Transalp the perfect balance between the 2 ?

[@BillySBC]

It's a street bike, like all the bikes you've mentioned, they're not actual "adventure bikes" as they have too many points of failure you don't want in a remote place out in the bush. Radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat, water pump, fuel injection pump in the gas tank, fuel injectors, fuel injection wiring, if any of that fails on you then you are stuck wherever you are in the middle of nowhere. Not a problem if you're on the street, a tow truck and always come get you, but 100 miles from anywhere you're going to be sorry if you try to take this bike to a place like that.

[@markchoitz443]

nice work on the review, I've had a deposit down for 4 months, still waiting, where did you get TA? Bend? Back in September my delivery date was December 25th - I don't know if Santa can fit it in his sleigh though :) although I have been a good boy, you guys have a Merry Christmas!

[@easyfromtnbtw3555]

I walked in the dealership and bought mine about a week ago I’m in Tennessee but I’m sure they would ship it

[@RIDEAdventures]

I believe Chris bought it over in the Valley. I'll have to ask.

[@scldma114]

Tried riding it hard(ish) off-road. The suspensions are by far the biggest cons. Did you guys actually ride the bike? I did half an hour on rough terrain, I am no Toby Price, i weight less than 80kg and I ran out of stroke both front and rear at least 3 times. Then clearly it becomes dangerous because the rear especially has very little rebound control so it kicks and loose traction. You did not noticed that, but surely you noticed that the air filter is hard to reach? Wtf….

[@RIDEAdventures]

As explained on the video our instructor has about 200 miles on the brand new bike and has done easy offroad gravel carpet riding with zero baggage. Nothing to ultimately test the suspension to the degree it sounds like you did. We would also need to know weight and height as a good measurement on what rider the bike can handle. However, good feedback to know for future videos once we put in more time on the bike.

[@martythompson6509]

I disagree. I took it on a 200klm loop last weekend. All enduro tracks. Double track, erosion mounds, four creek crossings, three bogholes, a little single track, some steep rocky, rutted climbs. It sat behind the KTM 500 exc lead bike all day. It's plenty capable.

[@scldma114]

@@martythompson6509 capable of going anywhere an adv bike goes, sure. That is not a problem. If you start to push it the you get to its suspensions limit very quickly. I am not talking extreme as I am unable to test it at Dakar pace, let's say though that all it needs is a spirited (60 mph?) on a bit rougher gravel road to bring it to the limit. On deep sand it's even less capable but that is true for all standard suspensions on any adv bike i ve tested.

[@E_Clampus_Vitus]

People want a bike that excels just like a dirt bike off road and just like a road bike on road. Then when they aren’t riding it, they want to fold it up and put it in their pocket. 😂

[@engir63]

Why would you take that over a African Twin 750?

[@narrator-timothymckean]

Because an AT750 doesn’t exist.

[@take5th]

I may be wrong, but both transalpine and t7 seem to be for the same rider. The difference would be, one mindset dreams of more off road capability, the other is happy with everything needed for the majority street, and happy enough with capability off-road. Be honest with yourself and you’ll be ok. I’ve ridden neither, prob. Would be disappointed in t7 off-road and use for street mostly, and so better off with Honda. They are the 80/20. 20/80 equivalents of dual sport/adv tire ratings.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yep, I'd say the TransAlp is a bit more preferred of those two bikes when on pavement.

[@hunczar]

why not make tubeless spokes an option . . . ?

[@E_Clampus_Vitus]

No, you must buy the wheels you don’t want first. Then you can buy aftermarket tubeless wheels. Always remember, we live in clown world. 🤡

[@milemilic4859]

What is this reduction of HP? Helo from outer space.

[@sebbwebbo7557]

It's interesting to see that everyone wants the Transalp to be more offroad capable but 99 % of the ADV riders stay just on tarmac anyway :D

[@Mightycaptain]

Quit showing these over macho dum dums how to cut traction control off. Rider aids are better than 99% of riders abilities to either stop without abs or their ability to maintain traction in slippery situations. The off-road traction control on my KTM is brilliant. Only in the most limited circumstances do I need that to be off. Rear abs off in off road is the only thing that makes sense 100% of the time.

[@Marcepan455]

Because the traction control in the KTM is very good, especially if you have Techpack, in DesertX as well, but the new Suzuki 800de also has fantastic traction control (Gravel mode, equivalent to the one in the KTM at level 6, allows controlled sliding and driving in the sand) However, what is in the Honda Transalp only works well on the road, people complain off-road. in Honda it's better to turn it off

[@toltod]

Ride a couple hundred miles in sand.... TC will get old really fast.

[@BillySBC]

No motorcycle with a radiator in it is an "adventure bike". Your "adventure" is going to come to a screeching halt the second a stick goes through your radiator in the middle of nowhere. The XR650L is an adventure bike. The DR650 is an adventure bike. This bike is a Street Bike.

[@sandrider1406]

The adventure is NOT the bike , it is the journey 😮

[@BillySBC]

@@sandrider1406 Yeah until the journey ends because of unnecessary junk on your bike.

[@sandrider1406]

@@BillySBC define junk

[@E_Clampus_Vitus]

Cover the radiator? I don’t think air cooled engines handle the long hours of road travel. I mean, they have aftermarket oil coolers for a reason, right?

[@BillySBC]

@@E_Clampus_Vitus The oil cooler is optional but nice to have, it just helps to cool the oil on hot days but it isn't necessary. The Honda XR650L doesn't come with an oil cooler. The engine is air-cooled as the air goes over the fins. Liquid cooling is superior as far as maintaining constant temperature, but the trade-off is it is more prone to failure. Same with fuel injection as opposed to a carburetor, fuel injection is superior from an operational standpoint, but it is more prone to failure. When you're adventuring into remote areas you want to keep your points of failure as low as possible, and you are willing to give up efficiency and fuel economy to achieve that.

[@jonwoodworker]

The Pro is, it's a nice tall street bike. The Con is, it's not a proper ADV bike. The question is, what category does it fall under? Possibly a hybrid or cross over of some sort.

[@Corey-pd3mi]

It does everything it was designed to do. People criticising it for what it’s not designed to do. It’s not a dirt bike, simple as that

[@RIDEAdventures]

Absolutely

[@stevemartinez4180]

;-)

[@RIDEAdventures]

haha :-)

[@Alexanderpaal67]

Some other minor irritations: Tech: No air temprature indicator No milage to empty indicator Others: No gps mounting bar No suspended gear lever & foot break pedal To naked out of the box: Should be at least a skidplate & handguard protection as standard like on the originals 600, 650 & 700. Doubtful quality on overprized Honda original accessories: Flimsy plastic side opening side panniers. Plastic handguards. Doubtful strength on crashbars.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good points. Thanks for adding some more info on your experience

[@richardcasey7521]

There is a temperature indicator… upper right corner of the screen.

[@Alexanderpaal67]

@@richardcasey7521 I meant no air temprature indicator. Thats the engine temprature indicator.