Switching from BMW G650GS to Honda Transalp 700 - Was it worth it?

In this video my friend Guillaume will be sharing with us his thoughts about moving from a BMW G650GS to a Honda Transalp 700.

[@muckytrails323]

Just bought one being delivered in a few days looking forward to it thanks for the reviews 👍🙏

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Welcome and good luck with it. You won’t regret! 👍

[@zzzpip]

thanks guys,im in the process of looking at a middlewight like this.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Good luck with you search. Hope you find one!

[@enggokhan]

Thank you for your honest and sincere explanation

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Welcome! All the best!

[@ragmop356]

I switched from a BMW 650GS to a BMW1150RS to a Honda700XL Transalp. The only downside I've found is the Honda is a bit of a gas hog, low MPG. And the BWW's had and switch to turn ABS off, which is important off-pavement, my honda is ABS full time. Otherwise, the Honda wins. I love this bike!

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hey Robert. You correct! Would be nice to have a button to turn off the abs and the 650gs is better on the Mpg. What I found though when I was off-road was that the abs worked so well that I did not even noticed. Also with the proper tyres you have more control when off-road. But again a switch to turn off would be nice. Thanks

[@ragmop356]

@@44degreesmotorcycleadventures You are correct about the tires. On the GS I ran two sets, One for when I was doing mostly street, and another when backwoods fooling around. Depending on the aggressiveness of the tread, the abs seem to react accordingly. Sometimes you just need to lock it up :) I've only had the same Metzeler touring on the Honda. So I just change pressure.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

@@ragmop356 I am using mitas e07 and e07+ and they do a great job on road and off road. I know they won't last as much as my old anakeen 3 but just to have the freedom to leave the pavement any time make it worth. Thanks.

[@professorvoluck9311]

Why not a F800GSA?

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

@@professorvoluck9311Well there could be many reasons... Not saying that F800 GSA is not a good bike or is a better than the transalp or vise versa. Every bike has its goods and bad points and what is a good thing for one is not necessarily good for another. In my option price could be the main factor for many. Maintenance cost another. Short riders also could be put off from a f800. In a market where so many adventure bikes are pop up all the time it's hard to decide. One could also say why not a African twin? But at the end reliability goes a long way. And one cannot beat a motor engineering with more than 30 years in the market. 😎

[@alainremi267]

Thanks! I drove a BMW Scarver 650 & I confirm its 650cc Rotax engine was a dream. It's the same engine as the GX but with carbon/kevlar belt instead of a chain. It was my 3rd bike with a belt & I don't understand why belts are not more widely used ?

[@tremorflow3614]

Belts have to been changed often, Ducati also uses them. Has to be changed every 2 years or approximately every 15,000klms.

[@maalmiksa7409]

Hi change the spark plug caps as honda ones are troublesome.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hi Maal. Thanks for the advise. I will keep that in mind for next time I am due for a service. 👍

[@hondapilot395]

I have the same bike and i am happy with it! A good choice!

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Glad to hear that. It would be hard not to be though. 😁 Legendary machine. I just hoped they bring them back to production again some day. All the best!

[@dougieweitz8885]

it is a gret bike i own one have no problems with it, yes it can use a 6th gear but overall a great bike have no problems on the dirt comfortable to meanuver mine is 2010 model 36000km and still going strong.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Thanks Dougie. Yes it is. 6th gear would be great but not necessarily. These engines can go a long way 👍

[@frankcox3408]

@@44degreesmotorcycleadventures Hi. I went up one tooth on the front sprocket. It makes the gears longer and makes a difference on the cruising speed. Also gives it a bit more time in first gear. (Transalp 2009 ABS)

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

@@frankcox3408 thanks Frank was considering this when I was changing my sprockets but could not find anyone who did on a Transalp. Now I know for next time. 👍

[@MrDEANOSCOOLVIDS]

I'm from killarney in Kerry, I'm thinking about one I have a fazer 600 buts it's too sporty and I'm going too fast on it haha

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hey Dean. I also had a fazer 600 before the Transalp. I found that the fazer was really good for smooth roads but when I took it to the back roads and the passes in Kerry it was not so good. I would have kept it if I could afford two bikes though. The Transalp on the other hand is not a fastest machine, but it can take you almost anywhere with comfort. Lots of low tork and if you get it a pair of mitas 07+ tyres you can even go off-road. Most people complain that it should have a 6th gear, to be honest it would be great but it is not something that let it down a lot. Hope you have a chance to try one to see. Just keep in mind that the transalp 700 is a bit of big Mama weighting 220 kg before you add any accessories but very stable on low gear and you can barely notice the weight once it starts moving. All the best and hope you get your hands on one. Take care.

[@pistolpete938]

I bought one of these new in 2009 and had it for 6yrs,it was ultra reliable but the frame and forks really suffered if you rode it in the winter. The only other thing was the poor quality seat that split on the left side where my inner thigh rubbed,it split after 3 weeks from new but Honda replaced it under warranty.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hey sorry to hear that you had issues with your ALP. I have mine now for three years and so far I Didi not have these issues. Winter here in Ireland is mild and not much snow. Since the production of the 700 moved from Japan to Spain a few people claim the quality is not the same. 👍

[@mosesodell2930]

I just got a transalp xl400. I am new to the bike thing and living in East Africa, I'd need help with parts etc. can anyone here be kind enough to help. thanks

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hello Moses. Hope all is well. I am afraid that I would be no good to you when it comes to XL 400. Check this forum transalp.org. there you may find someone to help you. Good luck and ride safe.

[@justice528]

Review the bike sod the weather forecast

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

You are probably living in California !!

[@connorrobert5348]

Its an Awsome bike, i commute to Uni everyday and then do alot of touring Here in south africa. If you have the Money, Its really worth upgrading the springs in the Forks and Just putting on a higher Pro Taper bar, really Transforms the bike off-road, can ride it like a motocross bike. Really does everything really well. Another thing i did for off-road was just change the Pegs. But Getting ready to do a trip to namibia soon hopefully

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hello from Ireland Connor. Thanks for comment. Yes progressive springs is on my list of upgrades. Pegs as well as I could not find a suitable peg in Ireland. Good luck to your trip to Namibia hope on day visit your country. Take care.

[@timpilmer3972]

Can you tell me what footpegs you replaced with as I wish to replace mine.

[@uubee4443]

Hey Bro, I'm based in SA too...looking to buy one...can you share more with me about your experience of the bike. Also need it as a daily. Many thanks

[@connorrobert5348]

@@uubee4443 it’s not the fastest bike around, but they really reliable and extremely comfortable. I have taken mine through some rough stuff and never been let down It’s just a honda It will outlive us as long you look after it The front is alittle soft so if you have the money I would upgrade the forks But other than that It’s very easy to ride Very well balanced and handles excellently Very well rounded bike

[@uubee4443]

@@connorrobert5348 hey Connor, thanks for replying...I got an 06 model and I love it!!...I'm based in jozi...might bump into you somewhere in SA

[@handleby]

I'd be interested to see more videos about this version of the Transalp. I think this is the XL700 and ABS was available for it. I always liked the Transalp and had the opportunity to buy one of these but, after I sat on it I didn't because it felt too big. I'm a beginner and this would have been my first bike; not sure how good is it as a first bike. Was also concerned on how much maintenance it would need, being over 10 years old. I would like to spend the short motorcycle season riding the bike, not doing maintenance on it :)

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hello Eby thanks for watching. There was two versions of the XL 700 one with abs which is the one that I have. You can see in one of my videos and a non abs. Yes indeed this is a big bike as a first bike and heavy as well but once is moving is very stable. Transalps are very reliable bikes and if well maintained it can last for a long time. Maintenance is the usual oil, filter , air filter spark plug s etc not much difference than any other bike. The only difference is that all that fairings have to come out in order to do so. Not a big deal once you get used to it. Hope once you get more experience you will have a chance to try one. All the best. You can watch the review on my one kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGqZn6FjmcuCoac

[@handleby]

@@44degreesmotorcycleadventures Thanks, I didn't know you already had a review on it, thought it's new. I hope to start soon on something, maybe the cb500x or vstrom 650 xt.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

@@handleby Those are two good bikes as well. Try them both if you can. The vstrom XT would be my pick. 👍

[@bentyndall3953]

I bought a transalp xl700va as my first bike 6 months ago. I regretted it for a while because of how huge and heavy it is but already in use to it and very glad I got it. Almost 12 years old and needed the typical stuff. Tyres, oil, air filter, chain, valve clearance, ect but no issues. I once heard of an older model being picked up from a warehouse by the seafront where it had sat for 10 years and being rebuilt requiring all new parts for for the engine which was still operational ( might be the back story behind the transalp cobra). The xl700va almost has more on common with the rd03 and rd04 africa twins than the new africa twin does and those bikes were legendary.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

@@bentyndall3953 Hi Ben. Glad that you stuck with the Alp. Yes as i said on my previous review (link below) the 700 is quite a big and heavy bike at the beginning. Specially if it is your first bike or you moving from a smaller one. All the best. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGqZn6FjmcuCoac

[@Corpsealive292]

Hey mate! Nice video and bike! Could you inform what hand guards are these on the grey xlv700?

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hey there. Thanks. The handguards are Bark buster from sw motech on the gray and Kobra SW motech on my one.

[@Corpsealive292]

@@44degreesmotorcycleadventures Thanks a lot !!

[@andrewmedd7320]

I got a transalp. Good all rounder, but hates low revs.

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

Hey Andrew. Thanks for sharing. I do not have this issue with mine. I read a while ago, that it could be that it needs a adjustment on the valves. Have you tried that?

[@jamesmccann8127]

Same problem with my bike. Very jumpy under 3000 rpm.

[@MtbPoland]

Yep, Honda is reliable :-)

[@44degreesmotorcycleadventures]

You betcha!! 👍