Honda XL750 Transalp | 2023 Bike review

[@roadwarrior8560]

Put 19/17 cast wheels on with tubeless tyres, add cruise control and factory heated grips, heated comfort seat option as well and you've got a real winner, Also increase the fuel tank to 22 litres.

[@TheSquirrelSam]

That is what I want! Now have an NT1100 but an "NT750" would be ideal for me.

[@IdealBike]

In the end you described perfectly who this motorcycle is for and I've recognised myself. I've ordered it in November and it will arrive in June... Until then nothing to do just watch all the reviews until mine...

[@roadwarrior8560]

@@MagicAyrtonforever ur oul arse

[@anxiousappliance]

If I was to travel the world on a bike, the names Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda come to mind. Of the three, Honda looks very good to me (with some tubless rims - FFS).

[@soaruk3697]

If you choose this bike for a RTW trip then you don't really know what you are doing................ this is a road going tourer dressed up as an adventure bike.. very limited off road/rough road capabilities......and its far too heavy, complex and expensive for a RTW bike - KISS principles apply to a proper RTW bike. This reviewer is spouting bullshit.............

[@GCTO239]

Great review, mate! Great bike! You have described everything that I look for in a bike. I like riding bikes under all circumstances. The Transalp is bang on!

[@craigcooper8810]

top review mate im getting mine at the end of this month :)

[@cpuuk]

"as long as I was smooth with my right wrist" LOL

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

owners will be used to that!

[@filipepaninho6558]

If they made it with 19"/17" tubeless wheels...

[@derhiob8493]

21/18 is the choise for bad roads..

[@jackk8422]

​@Der Hiob good thing it's not a strict road bike!

[@CommonLoon]

A lot of people say this thing is ugly... I couldn't disagree more, I think just a stunner. Eye of the beholder, and all that. If I can find a white one in stock somewhere, then I thunk im pretty much sold. Shame about the tubed tyres, and lack of cruise control though, but not a deal breaker.

[@davidmallia628]

Tubeless tyres, and cruise control, sadly missed. Otherwise, the ideal bike for most, would be adventure tourers. Me included!

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Plus a front end redesign - If they do that on the facelift I might be interested (I have a 20 Africa twin and had the previous transalp (2008))

[@wakatipi]

@@MagicAyrtonforever so what's wrong with your africa? to heavy or....? 2020 was a good change for her

[@davidmatthews3093]

I really don’t understand the attraction of cruise control.

[@davidmallia628]

@@davidmatthews3093 you would certainly want cruise control on long highway trips, otherwise it has no use.

[@TheChindoboi]

@@davidmatthews3093 helps you ride longer with less fatigue on your wrist.

[@hal511bm]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@aapa3732]

That transalp 750 is much unlike any Honda. Very rarely does Honda tune engines to 120hp/litre. Usually below 100hp/litre. This bike is just as powerful as the 790 adv and it also has a lighter wet weight. If an adjustable rear shock like the Tenere's KYB is fitted instead of the 'No-Showa', this transalp is a winner!

[@peterturner830]

Most people who buy Adventure bikes do not go anywhere near using their potential and therefore in my opinion are wasting money when all they will be traversing on is gravel roads and bitumen. Same for ladder frame chassis 4wd’s. If primarily gravel and black top better off with something like the Transalp which perhaps is an SUV equivalent…

[@intipunku8281]

They are buying into an image. Same as most so called adventure riders. Most ADV bikes in the UK will never see dirt. But if it gives them hours of fun then good luck to them.

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

I ride a BMW F850GS not for off-roading but for all kinds of roads with comfort and fun at the top of the list.

[@soaruk3697]

@@intipunku8281 Most of them won't take them anywhere remotely adventurous and if they did they would realise all these overweight, over complex, overpriced , pieces of shit marketing men have dubbed adventure bikes' are just not 'adventure bikes' go get an old DR650 or the like............

[@baldandbiking]

It looks like a great size of bike, not too big and heavy but still lots of power, that's great, but they appear to have stripped down anything extra. There are no luxuries at all on this bike. It's very basic, naked. Some may like that, less things that can fail, but most potential buyers are going to put their bucks into DCT transmissions, Electronic suspension, power windshields, cruise control, Tubeless tires, Better LCD screens, electronics and other things like that. Put all these things on this bike and you would have a winner.

[@moreorlesdone1497]

There already are other bikes out there with all that stuff. They weigh 20 to 30kgs more and cost a heap more such as the Africa Twin Sport. The Transalp isn’t for everyone such as yourself, but it fits me perfectly and at a great price.

[@johnt1937]

You didn't give us anything... We want your impressions on the engine etc not the scenery. This bike is so hyped that everyone has memorized every part of it except how it is to ride.

[@byahetyovlogs9362]

nice big bike :) very mascular bike!

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

🙂Not.

[@MrAndrew1953]

A lot of it comes down to your budget. The KTM 890 Adventure is still the benchmark bike for me - a lot of money with optional extras packs. Also the Triumph 900 GT PRO.

[@francescoporcari8597]

At the Transalp price level you can get the new 790 adv, with more power more torque, cornering ABS and Tubeless tires

[@roadwarrior8560]

Just make sure you keep the breakdown number handy when riding your KTM.😆

[@alphajed7700]

That's a shame that you only have limited time to test such bike, you could have shown it's full potential. Looking forward to make a proper shootout between that Transalp vs. V-Strom 800DE vs. T7 vs. Tuareg.

[@Adventure_blac]

Touareg and t7 have MUCH more off road chops. Not sure that comparison would make sense. Maybe just transalp vs. Suzuki?

[@gsm_liv8980]

@@Adventure_blac more like Transalp vs Tracer 7 vs Tiger 660 and Suzuki vs T7 vs Tuareg

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Suzuki would be my choice - Heavier but probably better quality.

[@davidmallia628]

​@@Adventure_blac yes the T7 is more off road bias, but the bikes you mention all attract the same customer base, and most will never do extreme off road.

[@Adventure_blac]

@@davidmallia628 that’s actually makes a lot of sense.

[@simulacrae]

The biggest issue is that the transalp is a large cb500x and not a small Africa Twin. At least BMW and KTM will give you advanced features even in the middle weight category. How can a bike made for touring not have cruise control?

[@Alexanderpaal67]

The legend is back. Great looking machine But sadly no Wingbadge. 1. Where is the airfilter & battery located ? 2. Where do i fit My Garmin gps ? 3. Quality of Honda accesories ? 4. Does it provide 12v usb socket out of the box ?

[@cyprn6600]

Wish i could buy it this summer but no information on availability in Canada. With spring at our doors i might go for a Tiger 850.

[@TheSquirrelSam]

Saw it at EICMA and a very pretty bike. Just like the old Transalp not an adventure bike. I will keep my CRF300 Rally for adventure. I now want an "NT750" for road touring!

[@davidmatthews3093]

I disagree, most people who use adventure bikes stay on road for the vast majority of their time with short excursions off-road. It looks to me as though Honda have judged this just right.

[@ShortInterestFilms]

Slick film… there was some really nice edits in there 👍

[@bitterlifes]

Everything it's fine, this Honda looks realy awesome, as usual for Honda bikes! But in this case a true all rounder definitely it seems to be Suzuki V-strom 800DE, among all competitors on midweight segment, in terms of: price, quality, reliability and capability.

[@steveelliott5643]

thanks,looks good,but here in NZ,all these adv bikes so bloody expensive

[@adamnichol6761]

There's much I like about the Transalp, but I wonder if Honda have limited what they can do because their range is so compressed (in the UK at least). BMW/KTM have a 3 bike range spanning 300cc to 1300cc (give or take). Honda have a 4 bike range from the CRF300 to the Africa Twin. Thus, the Transalp has some bits to promote it over the 500, but no cruise or adjustable screen to prevent it cannibalising Africa Twin sales. Perhaps there needs to be a Super-Africa-Twin to give the Transalp more space....because there is a big challenge between Transalp and a nearly new 850GS or 890. Oddly cruise is missing from the v-strom also, so maybe its also a sacrifice for the pricetag

[@kawabungah20]

Artful and enticing review: nice. Looking forward to your review of the new V-strom for comparison.... Can't wait to test ride one of these Transalp bikes in California! Many thanks!

[@csehmarian1157]

As a naked/supersport fan, now that I am getting married and I need a bike for constant 2 people, I look at the transalp with excited eyes.

[@martinrea8548]

What do you think of the Hornet? I find it hard to choose between the two 750 siblings. The Transalp looks good and very versatile while the Hornet is a fair bit cheaper. Tough call, eh?

[@csehmarian1157]

@@martinrea8548 hi, the hornet looks like a really impressive machine, there are many reviews of it, if you are not planning any moderate offroad use then the transalp in my opinion only offers wind protection compared to the hornet. The best you can do is try both of them.

[@tomasjurman]

Best review, thank you!

[@ABRmagazine]

Thanks Tom glad you enjoyed it

[@Coolhand99au]

I have a 2018 Africa Twin. I wouldn't mind changing down to a lighter mid ADV bike But not the Honda Transalp it's very dissapointing. Its a road bike with ground clearance. poor suspension. I think the Honda CB500X has more going for it

[@Ridesfar]

So, just like my 2021 Triumph Tiger 850s, Honda has decided to add a service needed notification that pops up on your display when it needs service. On the Triumph, I had to purchase Dealertool to reset the light myself without taking it in for them to clear it. I do my own service so don't want to take it in to clear that. I am interested in the Honda but was pretty disturbed about the same issue being included on this bike. It's like the Dealers have worked it out with the manufacturer to ensure you take the bike in to them for service. Someone please tell me Honda has made it easy to clear that without some device I have to purchase or take it in.

[@orhankoc6856]

Honda zaman ilerledikçe seveceğiniz makineler yapar😢

[@Marcoguzzi1969]

From a v twin to parallel twin ? Why? Cheaper to produce? The V twin was a fantastic engine.

[@TS50ER]

Yes, cheaper. All the manufacturers telling you the parallel twin is better than a V-Twin, and we all know it isn't.

[@droflivelife]

Wait 12 months for the cruise control update

[@freesoul85vis]

Would be nicer to have tubeless tyres on cross spoked wheels.

[@mostlikely...]

🏁🏆

[@renatosalles1163]

With a 23 liter tank, and tubeless tires, Honda would get my nomey.

[@fixento]

Not the gut acceleration of the African Twin at 100 hp and the Transalp XL 750 at 90.5 hp. Strange, the power to weight ratio is greater on the Transalp 750 than the African Twin. The African Twin wins out on torque, but to weight it's about even against the Twins heavier models. My issues is that the Transalp suspension is adjustable for preload only and it lacks traction and a cruise control options. You want a gut wrenching acceleration, ride a Pan American with 150 Hp and 30 percent more torque that weighs the same as the ES sports African Twin models.

[@francescoporcari8597]

Well, one thing is the top-end power and another is the power delivery at low-mid revs. A typical marketing trap: they want you to believe they are basically giving you something similar to the AT 1100. The AT, while weighting 8% more than the Transalp, delivers 40% more torque at 1000 rpms lower than the Transalp (6250 vs 7200). That's an incredible difference. Furthermore, please note that the AT 1100 max power is delivered at 7500 rpms. Here's the reason for the described difference

[@alexey_menshikov]

отличный мотоцикл! HONDA как всегда большие молодцы!!!

[@rvail136]

It's a shame they aren't selling this in the US

[@Boleh888]

Honda Transalps real competitor is Kawasaki Versys...

[@danmac0]

After putting on a bash plate to protect those pipes it will have the ground clearance of a NC750X

[@passionandcommonsense]

Thanks for the effort. Will Honda offer tubeless spoke wheels as an option?

[@GCTO239]

Nope

[@nfineon]

We wanted a baby Africa Twin, this isn't it. Missing cruise control, DCT option, standard quick shift, tubeless tires and it's $2,500 more expensive than the Hornet with the same engine (hornet is much better design and packaging). This is an upgraded cb500x. If you spex this out for off-roading youve exceeded the price of and get less features than a base Africa Twin, bravo 👏 back to the drawing board

[@Marcoguzzi1969]

The original transalp was a V twin . What happened? Cheaper to produce the parallel twin ? Or any other reason?

[@9LB.hammer]

That and because of the 270 crank. Sounds like a v twin, delivers linear power like a v twin, lighter, easier to work on, cheaper to maintain, and not hot on the crotch.

[@furiousdoe7779]

Who was that tall guy at the offroad start gathering at 05:12 (grey sweater ) .. do you know if he did ride too and have a review... from a long guy standpoint instead all of you short guys.

[@DDLovett]

I'm getting less and less enthusiastic about this bike every time I see it. Shame really as I was very excited before it was launched.

[@MrEtnorb]

Agree, it’s really dull looking. What does it add to this overcrowded overhyped adv market?

[@Milan-yw6rm]

Trust me, almost entire motorcycle community share your opinion. This is indeed biggest dissapointment in 2022. No DCT, very dull/ugly looking, no tubeless tyres, no CC....While one could say it has a decent price, note that it doesn't come with Qshifter (just as optional), no dash plate (optional), no handguards, etc. Its a naked bike with 21" front wheel. :) Highly anticipated and missed oportunity. Still believe that Tuareg 660 is the best buy in adv.segment.

[@intipunku8281]

That exhaust is just waiting to be damaged. An ADV needs a higher exhaust. I'll stick with my modified crf300l. Maybe one day Honda will make a proper 450 version but I doubt it.

[@markgiles8527]

As of March 2023 Honda Australia still not providing a price for the Transalp, $NaN. The Husqvarna 901 Expidition it is then. You snooze you loose, Honda.

[@trucker-d4161]

Not even in the same class, you weren’t going to buy one anyway 🤷‍♂️

[@MLeitao]

With the price of the Expedition you can almost buy 2 of these.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

Spending £600 more will get you a Tiger 850 sport with tubed tyres and Brembo brakes with a more accessible 820-840mm seat height. Is this Transalp overpriced, the market will decide?

[@magaudion]

The Tiger 850 Sport is already overshadowed by the cheaper Tiger 660 ! I think the Transalp will blow the 850 out the water.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

@@magaudion until you get a puncture 😀!

[@magaudion]

@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff Had Africa Twins with tubes and rode all over Europe. Not one puncture.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

@@magaudion I had a 2016 Africa Twin and got 3 punctures in 18 months and a Tiger 1200 with three punctures in 18 months. Nothing for years before or after, it is random. But when it happens on a tube it is a lot more inconvenient.

[@gburleson321]

this review makes me want to go out and put a deposit down on one when it's available in the US

[@sunuk1915]

Great presentation 👏 Congratulations from Honda One Heart world's 💝

[@jonsmith9892]

Honda and Suzuki will have to face the reality that a long range touring bike must have factory cruise control. I have just purchased a CFMOTO 800MT/Ibex800t this spring. I would have definitely considered the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE or the 800 Transalp if either of those bikes had cruise control. I expect both will have standard cruise or at least optional cruise available on them for 2024...

[@wton]

Cruise control on a bike is the lamest thing ever. If you are riding, you are riding. If you want CC, drive a car.

[@yamkaw346]

I wouldn’t let something like that deter you from buying a motorcycle you want, that’s like not buying one because you don’t like the seat. You can change that with relative ease

[@slakk5093]

You can add aftermarket cruise control to both those bikes

[@captainamerica9353]

jon smith , "long range touring bike" sounds more like a GoldWing to me. But having cruise as an option might be a good idea in terms of sales.

[@zigpozema9955]

Unfortunately it doesn't look sexy as Africa twin. Play really safe 😢😢

[@briangc1972]

Honda knows the market better than most people. This is 40% less money than the KTM. The KTM has too much power for most people. The KTM is much taller and heavier. KTM has had quality issues. The Honda will last two or three times longer than the KTM and costs 40% less. The latest trend of 12" suspension and 110+ HP for an ADV is nuts. Honda did well by designing a more realistic suspension and engine combination.

[@andrewharris4922]

Still waaay to expensive bearing in mind it's a modified hornet. It's shame could have been a great commuter bike but it's just too expensive

[@andrewharris4922]

Waaaay to expensive not sure how they justify the massive increase over the hornet....shame

[@thodoris3790]

how tall is this guy?

[@ABRmagazine]

Hi Thodoris James is around 6ft tall

[@soaruk3697]

Another review all saying the same thing the answer is NO. Perfect tool to go ot and explore if you stick to tarmac - bad review talking b/s.

[@Lanolin410]

How about that “Honda Tax” though…

[@sandrider1406]

Is it just me or does this guy appear to be on the Honda payroll??

[@ocendo1]

Do not listen this drunk review.Bike is not gliding but shaking and it is a crap.Lost money and not small money.Honda Engineers manage to put engine without test on the road.It is shaking and vibrating.On shifting is shaking and on cruise is vibrating and hands gat numb.Shame on Japanese as they are good.This bike is a great headache.My i new XL 750 2024 and seller does not now what to say and it is such a disappointment from Honda maker. I waited for 37 years to get back in saddle ,payed 11990 Euros cash and now it is hard to watch this review

[@TempusFugit2K]

So many things wrong with this bike.... not an Off Roader, not an On Roader - Cheapened Suspension / Wheels = a Great Price yet you´ll need to buy 2 of the 5 Packs to make it a (less worse) On/Off Roader depending on your preference of use. Aprilia / Suzuki are going to profit with this accumulation of Mistakes on Wheels.

[@andyscooter5753]

Just a shame they didn't use the Nc 750 engine that they already have, and have DCT as an option. Silly mistake.

[@francescoporcari8597]

that engine is a bit heavy and it should have been redesigned somehow in order to deliver a bit more top-end power (at least 75 HP, up from the NC's 57 HP).

[@choppchop504]

"Honda has made a bike for RAIders"... Geez, this has to be the most useless review on the bike ever. Sorry but there's literally nothing helpful in making any sort of decision. The only hint would be that "there are more exciting bikes". Perhaps it's time to switch to writing books for kids and turn them into read with excitement audiobooks, and not motorcycle reviews for people who are seeking useful observation. It genuinely pisses me off to spend 10 minutes and leave with nothing taken out of it but a bunch of slogans...

[@trehanero]

Big fail the tube tyres. Why???