Great review. The front wheel is actually 21” not 19 and I think that helps with giving a plush ride on goat track roads we have around Sydney. I think the handling is amazing for a bike with such big wheels.
Honda have really nailed these 750’s. Yes, its really just a cb750x - but the cb500x sold absolute gangbusters and this seems to be everything owners of the cb500 have been asking for. I’m heavily weighing this up. I love the Hornet, I’m just thinking of all those times you head out for a ride, hit some twisties, go on a bit and… classic Australia hit an unsealed road. Honda need to release a cbr750 on this platform tbh, it’ll likely be a better street bike than the r7
100%, this was so well balanced I'd be happy owning one instead of the Hornet, even though it's not quite as sporty, just for the flexibility (and of course better two-up). A CBR750 would be amazing too, it's really an ideal engine for the same treatment as the 500, in a big range.
Thanx for a decent review with some valid points allthough not very critical & in depth. Have test ridden this legend in My home area Scandinavia. Was hard to find s dealer with available demo bikes but got lucky in the end. Dealerships only got between 3-6 machines and seems they are sold even before they arrive. A fun & capeable machine that it true to its heritage. A Classic ready for the digital age its been a long wait. Nice name it could only be XL 👍 the 4th generation and the best one yet. Positives: Overall apperence(Tricolour option) 21/18 wheels 6speed Fully led lights Weight Robust suspension Adequat suspension travel Adequat ground clearence Engine & sound Power Gearbox Enough electronics Handling Comfortable & nimble Accessable seatheight Economical Self cancelling blinkers Hasard breaking lights Blinkers as driving lights Plenty of aftermarket original accesories & gadgets. Negatives: No Wingbadge (The wing stickers screams budget bike) Low & ugly muffler To naked out the box No easy adjustable windscreen No adjustable front fender No spring loaded gear & break lever. No easy adjustments of suspension. No cruise control. No tubeless. No Gps mounting bar. No temperature indicator. No milage to empty indicator. Airfilter access (under the fueltank) Welded Subframe Cost & price of this machine is an issue due the crazy taxes here…Ready with all nesssary accessories approx 200,000NOK & will probably not even stop there. Conclusion: I will still keep My warhorse Transalp XL650V from 2005. The Power Of Dreams ❤️
I think the lack of the cruise control and filter access would be the big points there in my mind. Ugly exhausts and many of the mods are pretty universal, so it's hard to count that against the bike.
Alleluia ... somebody finally let slip where the airbox is👏👏👏!! I took one of these for a ride in QLD 3 weeks ago and loved it ... but not even the dealer could tell me - the bike was their first, and had only arrived 2 days before. They had no service data yet!! Being in Australia I am genuinely amazed that airbox access isn't one of the first questions to be asked, because it's going to need servicing lots!! Have you any idea how many minutes/hours/days this job would take?? This stuff is deal breaking territory for us ... 😑😪😪
I'll see if I can find out from the dealer. Lifting the tank shouldn't be a big issue, even if it's not the easiest access. Obviously it means five minute side of road style swaps are less likely though. @@pigmeal2224
Great that you describe and demonstrate the ergonomics when you are seated, so few reviewers do this. It would be fantastic if you actually tell us your height so that we have a point of reference though. Always enjoy your videos mate, keep up the great work.
Thanks Kris. I’ve been waiting for your thoughts on this one. Would also like you to test the CFMoto 800 MT (if you haven’t already) as I’m thinking about both for a similar reason.
How does demoing bike like this work? Ring up and book in a test ride? and you get 30-60min? Anyway you can do a days test ride? Different brands do it different?
I don’t know anyone that’ll let you have It for a day, for that you might be best off waiting until someone has one available for rent? But if you’re in Melbourne the best Honda dealer I know of for test rides is A1 in ringwood. For Yamaha it’s Yamaha city down in Docklands. PS, TM are pretty crap for test rides tbh.
$16k for the Transaclp vs Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT at $14k and 800 DE at $18.6k does seem to make it a good buy. Weight shows the Transalp about 8kg lighter than the 650 XT but over 20kg lighter than the 800 DE(!). Some of that will be fuel with the Suzuki's having bigger tanks. However, the Transalp has greater power than those two...don't know about the torque curves. At the end of the day you go with something you like and lets you do what you want to do. The bike that's right for you is the one that puts a smile on your face.
I'm interested to see how the 800 DE stacks up to be honest. Just on the two-up consideration the extra power over the 650 XT makes the bigger bikes a winner in my mind, although obviously for many new or one-up riders the 650 XT is a great choice. The engine in the Transalp is just a really nice thing, so I want to see what Suzuki have in that V-Strom 800 (and the GSX-8S).
How tall are you and what inseam? Do you think someone 5'9' 2ith 30 inches can flatten it. You should give a test with a pillion....a way tot distinguish your review since no one seems to bother....
I don't think you'd be both feet flat, but one foot should be possible. I'm 180 cm/32 inch inseam for comparison. Would have loved to test with a pillion as that's what I'd be thinking buying one, but it's normally just me solo doing all the reviewing.
Yea I really like it, the engine is great and it covers everything I'd want. Something like a Norden 901 would be great too, but I honestly think the Transalp for me is more then enough, and obviously far more affordable.
i between transalp and vstrom 800 re.i wont do hardcore off road,so this new vstrom with the 17/19 cast wheels and the punchy engine ,i think it ll be better.but,damn i dont know...i dont have the opportunity to test ride them. i ll go to the dealer to see from close and sit on this new vstrom.i ll like the looks of the transalp more.i dont know...@@MotoJournoKris
Yea that's a hard choice, although honestly, I don't really think you can go wrong with either. I'm hoping to get to test out the V-Strom 800 DE at some stage. The RE looks like a good proposition that's a bit more road orientated in comparison.@@thodoris3790
The 750 is light compared to something like the Suzuki, but pretty normal overall. My bigger point was that it's a good light adventure, which isn't about weight, but the focus between road and off-road features.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see that! A much more serious scrambler would be ideal built off the engine, and it'd be nice and torquey for a cruiser too. It does seem like the ideal engine to get the Honda 500 treatment. A bike for every class!
Muffler, or headers? A sump guard is a must. The muffler definitely isn't as high as on some of the harder nosed competition, but it's similar to the V-Strom 800.
The Transalp has arrived in North America now. My bike has been a disappointment for a few reasons. Rear Suspension is jarring my back. Engine needs torque NOT horsepower and the Metzlers are screamers at highway speed. After watching so many positive reviews I was perhaps expecting too much. In any case, I won't be keeping mine, my old GS is a better bike.
Weird, can't say any of that was an issue for me, particularly the torque which was great. Suspension will obviously vary much more greatly rider to rider though. Apparently the US gets a less powerful version, which seems to be a strange trend on new models heading to North America, but that shouldn't really impact torque much.
Will be really interesting to see if we get an up-spec model with the features many riders are clamoring for, or if we just see a whole bike update like you say in a year or two.
Whilst I’ve said a few times this is really a cb750x, I do think it was a mistake to base the styling on the cb500x and not the africa twin. Tbh I’m half with you - this bike ticks all my boxes but the front is still rocking that ugly honda design language they’ve had across nakeds and the cb500x/NC750 for like 15 years. If it looked like the africa twin it’d be an Insta buy for me if I’m honest. They made the same mistake with the hornet too making it look like the cb500f, which was always unnecessarily ugly (I had one for 4 years, it never grew on me). But yeah I know what it is and I do understand why they made this decision. Honda have sold well over 100k units of the 500 platform - and that was a couple of years ago, sales do not appear to have slowed much since they announced those numbers! So their data is saying we love those bikes. One thing honda know well is that sometimes they make a bike they think everyone will love and nobody buys it, and other times they do something like reluctantly ship a grom to a dealer in the US and start an international sales craze against all market research reason. So I think for them the 500’s sold absolute gangbuster units so these bikes are getting styled on those bikes because Honda’s getting the impression we bought them for the looks, when for the cb500x and f especially, it was mostly in spite of them… that’s just not showing up on a sales spreadsheet. But yeah.. if this looked like a mini africa twin… oh boy
Great review. The front wheel is actually 21” not 19 and I think that helps with giving a plush ride on goat track roads we have around Sydney. I think the handling is amazing for a bike with such big wheels.
Good catch! Yea I was amazed at how well it handles to be honest, as not all ADVs carry their weight so well!
I just bought mine and it’s perfect for what I wanted.
Very nice, which colour did you get, and any mods/accessories yet?
Honda have really nailed these 750’s.
Yes, its really just a cb750x - but the cb500x sold absolute gangbusters and this seems to be everything owners of the cb500 have been asking for.
I’m heavily weighing this up. I love the Hornet, I’m just thinking of all those times you head out for a ride, hit some twisties, go on a bit and… classic Australia hit an unsealed road.
Honda need to release a cbr750 on this platform tbh, it’ll likely be a better street bike than the r7
100%, this was so well balanced I'd be happy owning one instead of the Hornet, even though it's not quite as sporty, just for the flexibility (and of course better two-up). A CBR750 would be amazing too, it's really an ideal engine for the same treatment as the 500, in a big range.
Thanx for a decent review with some valid points allthough not very critical & in depth.
Have test ridden this legend in My home area Scandinavia. Was hard to find s dealer with available demo bikes but got lucky in the end.
Dealerships only got between 3-6 machines and seems they are sold even before they arrive.
A fun & capeable machine that it true to its heritage. A Classic ready for the digital age its been a long wait.
Nice name it could only be XL 👍 the 4th generation and the best one yet.
Positives:
Overall apperence(Tricolour option)
21/18 wheels
6speed
Fully led lights
Weight
Robust suspension
Adequat suspension travel
Adequat ground clearence
Engine & sound
Power
Gearbox
Enough electronics
Handling
Comfortable & nimble
Accessable seatheight
Economical
Self cancelling blinkers
Hasard breaking lights
Blinkers as driving lights
Plenty of aftermarket original accesories & gadgets.
Negatives:
No Wingbadge
(The wing stickers screams budget bike)
Low & ugly muffler
To naked out the box
No easy adjustable windscreen
No adjustable front fender
No spring loaded gear & break lever.
No easy adjustments of suspension.
No cruise control.
No tubeless.
No Gps mounting bar.
No temperature indicator.
No milage to empty indicator.
Airfilter access (under the fueltank)
Welded Subframe
Cost & price of this machine is an issue due the crazy taxes here…Ready with all nesssary accessories approx 200,000NOK & will probably not even stop there.
Conclusion:
I will still keep My warhorse Transalp XL650V from 2005.
The Power Of Dreams ❤️
I think the lack of the cruise control and filter access would be the big points there in my mind. Ugly exhausts and many of the mods are pretty universal, so it's hard to count that against the bike.
Alleluia ... somebody finally let slip where the airbox is👏👏👏!! I took one of these for a ride in QLD 3 weeks ago and loved it ... but not even the dealer could tell me - the bike was their first, and had only arrived 2 days before. They had no service data yet!! Being in Australia I am genuinely amazed that airbox access isn't one of the first questions to be asked, because it's going to need servicing lots!! Have you any idea how many minutes/hours/days this job would take?? This stuff is deal breaking territory for us ... 😑😪😪
I'll see if I can find out from the dealer. Lifting the tank shouldn't be a big issue, even if it's not the easiest access. Obviously it means five minute side of road style swaps are less likely though. @@pigmeal2224
Great that you describe and demonstrate the ergonomics when you are seated, so few reviewers do this. It would be fantastic if you actually tell us your height so that we have a point of reference though. Always enjoy your videos mate, keep up the great work.
Sorry about that, I always forget! I'm 180 cm and a 32 inch inseam.
Cool mate. Thank you so much for that info, makes so much more sense now, and much more relatable.@@MotoJournoKris
@@MotoJournoKris half metric/ half imperial ? Give us both please.
Front forks are adjustable for preload.
Thanks Kris. I’ve been waiting for your thoughts on this one. Would also like you to test the CFMoto 800 MT (if you haven’t already) as I’m thinking about both for a similar reason.
Cf Moto? Seriously?
I'd be keen to test one of those 800 MTs out, they look like a good package for the price!
@@NakaNakaDerkaDerka Absolutely! Why is it an automatic no for you? I’m curious…
@@marcusgeorge1825 it’s pretty clear
@@NakaNakaDerkaDerka Not really. Please elaborate.
Top Video!! THX Greetings from Germany! I love this bike...and i have one in Black...
Thanks! It looks great in the black, any mods so far?
@@MotoJournoKris Quickshifter, Main
Stand, Handguards from my dealer. Engine protection in black and Crashbar in red...i love it
How does demoing bike like this work?
Ring up and book in a test ride? and you get 30-60min?
Anyway you can do a days test ride? Different brands do it different?
Just depends on the dealer really, as to what they allow. Demo days and events are worth looking out for too.
Tell them you have a TH-cam channel called Moto Journo Chris and they'll allow you to take it for as long as you like 😜
Haha it does help. Might need a Mission Impossible mask to make it work though. @@dubski_01
I don’t know anyone that’ll let you have It for a day, for that you might be best off waiting until someone has one available for rent? But if you’re in Melbourne the best Honda dealer I know of for test rides is A1 in ringwood. For Yamaha it’s Yamaha city down in Docklands. PS, TM are pretty crap for test rides tbh.
$16k for the Transaclp vs Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT at $14k and 800 DE at $18.6k does seem to make it a good buy. Weight shows the Transalp about 8kg lighter than the 650 XT but over 20kg lighter than the 800 DE(!). Some of that will be fuel with the Suzuki's having bigger tanks. However, the Transalp has greater power than those two...don't know about the torque curves. At the end of the day you go with something you like and lets you do what you want to do. The bike that's right for you is the one that puts a smile on your face.
Damn aussie gets the transalp for cheap!! Here in NZ the Honda is 19.5k, and the suzuki 800 is 19k
I'm interested to see how the 800 DE stacks up to be honest. Just on the two-up consideration the extra power over the 650 XT makes the bigger bikes a winner in my mind, although obviously for many new or one-up riders the 650 XT is a great choice. The engine in the Transalp is just a really nice thing, so I want to see what Suzuki have in that V-Strom 800 (and the GSX-8S).
Husky Norden 901 Expedition.
Great bike, but getting close to double the price of something like a Transalp.@@lukefish7562
@@lukefish7562 Here in Sweden the standard Norden 901 is now priced almost the same as Transalp 750.
How tall are you and what inseam? Do you think someone 5'9' 2ith 30 inches can flatten it. You should give a test with a pillion....a way tot distinguish your review since no one seems to bother....
I don't think you'd be both feet flat, but one foot should be possible. I'm 180 cm/32 inch inseam for comparison. Would have loved to test with a pillion as that's what I'd be thinking buying one, but it's normally just me solo doing all the reviewing.
Question, Why did you blur out the TFT display while riding this bike?
I love punishing myself with trying to get the Davinci Resolve tracker to work, without almost frame by frame corrections.
you have ride so many bikes.you really decide it for your new bike?
Yea I really like it, the engine is great and it covers everything I'd want. Something like a Norden 901 would be great too, but I honestly think the Transalp for me is more then enough, and obviously far more affordable.
i between transalp and vstrom 800 re.i wont do hardcore off road,so this new vstrom with the 17/19 cast wheels and the punchy engine ,i think it ll be better.but,damn i dont know...i dont have the opportunity to test ride them. i ll go to the dealer to see from close and sit on this new vstrom.i ll like the looks of the transalp more.i dont know...@@MotoJournoKris
Yea that's a hard choice, although honestly, I don't really think you can go wrong with either. I'm hoping to get to test out the V-Strom 800 DE at some stage. The RE looks like a good proposition that's a bit more road orientated in comparison.@@thodoris3790
Does this bike come with Flash-to-Pass light switch?
It does, I'd mentioned it but that section got cut out, as I rambled on a bit unnecessarily!
Awesome! Good to hear. Can't wait for this bike to arrive stateside. @@MotoJournoKris
why is a 750 described as lightweight you could say anything over is heavy weight
The 750 is light compared to something like the Suzuki, but pretty normal overall. My bigger point was that it's a good light adventure, which isn't about weight, but the focus between road and off-road features.
To bad honda is ignoring the US.
I had to go KTM.
Honda hates the dollar, what a shame.
Did they ever confirm if you'd get the Transalp? I know not getting the Hornet seemed weird.
Seems like its a decent bike. But looks forgettable to me.
I think it's fair to say that - like the Hornet - it rides better than it looks!
Can I hv a CL750 or Rebel750 with this new engine? Honda😂😂😂😂😂
I wouldn't be surprised if we see that! A much more serious scrambler would be ideal built off the engine, and it'd be nice and torquey for a cruiser too. It does seem like the ideal engine to get the Honda 500 treatment. A bike for every class!
exhaustv too low will get hit
Muffler, or headers? A sump guard is a must. The muffler definitely isn't as high as on some of the harder nosed competition, but it's similar to the V-Strom 800.
The Transalp has arrived in North America now. My bike has been a disappointment for a few reasons. Rear Suspension is jarring my back. Engine needs torque NOT horsepower and the Metzlers are screamers at highway speed. After watching so many positive reviews I was perhaps expecting too much. In any case, I won't be keeping mine, my old GS is a better bike.
Weird, can't say any of that was an issue for me, particularly the torque which was great. Suspension will obviously vary much more greatly rider to rider though.
Apparently the US gets a less powerful version, which seems to be a strange trend on new models heading to North America, but that shouldn't really impact torque much.
Too many CONS with this introductory model. Maybe in a year or two.
Will be really interesting to see if we get an up-spec model with the features many riders are clamoring for, or if we just see a whole bike update like you say in a year or two.
I find it rather unattractive. If I was in the market for this type of bike, it would be the T7 I bought. Nick J
Gotta buy a bike you like the look of! The T7 is a weapon too. But a very different focus, despite sharing the same category broadly.
@@MotoJournoKris I won't be buying any of them, but if I did...
Oh gotcha, I read that as you bought one, my bad.@@1990-t1j
@@MotoJournoKrisI didn't make myself clear, Kris. My fault.
Whilst I’ve said a few times this is really a cb750x, I do think it was a mistake to base the styling on the cb500x and not the africa twin. Tbh I’m half with you - this bike ticks all my boxes but the front is still rocking that ugly honda design language they’ve had across nakeds and the cb500x/NC750 for like 15 years. If it looked like the africa twin it’d be an Insta buy for me if I’m honest.
They made the same mistake with the hornet too making it look like the cb500f, which was always unnecessarily ugly (I had one for 4 years, it never grew on me). But yeah I know what it is and I do understand why they made this decision. Honda have sold well over 100k units of the 500 platform - and that was a couple of years ago, sales do not appear to have slowed much since they announced those numbers!
So their data is saying we love those bikes. One thing honda know well is that sometimes they make a bike they think everyone will love and nobody buys it, and other times they do something like reluctantly ship a grom to a dealer in the US and start an international sales craze against all market research reason. So I think for them the 500’s sold absolute gangbuster units so these bikes are getting styled on those bikes because Honda’s getting the impression we bought them for the looks, when for the cb500x and f especially, it was mostly in spite of them… that’s just not showing up on a sales spreadsheet.
But yeah.. if this looked like a mini africa twin… oh boy