Why I Bought A 2024 Honda Transalp 750
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- I bought 2024 Honda Transalp xl 750. If you are in the market, be sure to comment below if you think I was wrong to pick this over the Africa Twin, KTM 790 Adventure, Aprilia Tuareg 660, Yamaha Tenere, or Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE or RE.
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As a Transalp owner as well, I think it was a nice purchase, I would like to keep the bike for all my life :)
That's my plan.
Spoke wheels mean, if I get tired of adventure bikes, I can always re-spoke 17 rims and have a honda SMT
An interesting and different view - well done. Past 15,000 kms here in Australia on my (also white) Transalp, and can assure you this bike only gets better as you go. I have been riding since 1962 (not legal initially back then!) and have had mostly Ducatis, and my old (Ducati powered) Cagiva Elefant 750 over this time, and have done A LOT of miles. (And worked on bikes for my job for many decades, and have owned several Hondas over that time). I had reservations when I test rode and later bought my TA, but have not had reason to regret it since, apart from the tedious air filter replacement (now K & N equipped). That took me much more than 20 minutes...
But you made many good points I largely agree with: the lack of engine heat (good) the lack of an oil window (bad) the oil capacity and lower compression etc. All true, and not often mentioned on TH-cam videos. I was also disappointed at the lack of an ambient temperature gauge, which is a bit odd in this era of so much electronics. I disagree about the headlight, which not only lets down the look of the bike to my eye, but which I find is a pretty poor light. So much less light than my 29 y. o. Cagiva it's not funny. Perhaps they want to sell more over-priced accessories, like the extra lights/crash bars etc.
But the TA is a bike that gets better as you go, and you are right that the engine becomes smoother (and sounds smoother) once it is run in. It is 'adequate' on dirt roads (as against rough trails) and its far cheaper price in this country allows for some suspension work. This Honda was $15,740 on road here, compared to the Suzuki DE at $18,500, and the Tuareg around $22,500 on road.
The Honda represents the 'sensible alternative' to the potential parts and reliability issues of KTM and Aprilia, and the extra weight of the DE Suzuki, and its suspension can be improved for those who want to. But it is a bike that grows on you, and its ease of operation, with the clutch take-up and forgiving engine, make it the one I use the most of my few bikes. A lot of dirt roads around here, and my Transalp has done thousands of dirt miles. But the TA is a better machine than it seemed at first, and its sales figures reflect this. It really is an 'everyman' model, and the savings allow for some lightening and suspension improvements. The Honda accessories are too expensive, but many aftermarket alternatives available as the Transalp becomes a sales success.
I hope you continue to enjoy yours, and that your daughter's education achieves her/your ambitions. Strange that you can't get test rides on Japanese bikes in Japan! That was never a problem here. I really enjoyed my test of the Aprilia, but its price, and its more off-road focus, slower parts delivery (and higher seat) ruled it out for my use, but it is also a great machine. I didn't end up test riding the Suzuki as it was clearly much heavier in comparison to the Honda and Aprilia, just standing it up from the sidestand!
Great content as usual mate. Totally agree with not letting youtubers get in your head - and to get out and ride. I had an MT07 and really didn't enjoy it despite everyone on TH-cam telling me it was a great bike - worst gearbox in my opinion, and relatively crap suspension for the roads I ride. Perfect example of not to go by other peoples rants on forums and online. Also, like you said - impossible to test ride pretty much all the Japanese bikes at dealers here. That leaves BMW and Triumph that'll actually let you put a leg over a bike and make up your own mind.
Alas, I test rode a Scrambler 1200 and fell in love - traded in the MT07 a week later for a 2019 Scrambler 1200 XE. That bike is the perfect bike for me on chill rides on the back roads of Nagano/Yamanashi/Gunma etc. while still having plenty of grunt.
I then made the great decision to test ride a hyper naked hooligan bike and fell in love again ;-) Speed Triple 1200 RS joined the staple a few weeks later - most fun I've ever had on a bike period, smiles for miles. But it's not a mile muncher, the scrambler does that just fine. I really enjoy both bikes.
My point is that you have to rent a bike in Japan to test ride one unless it's a Triumph or a BMW (to my knowledge - at least that how it is around here Nagano/Yamanashi) - at Kawasaki they'll let you rent one WTF.... Honda stores look at you like you are just a nuisance..... a lot of the shops treat you like crap and don't even warrant a smile when you walk up.
Ok, that turned into the story of why I now own and love two Triumphs ;-) Don't even get me started about Japanese makers not letting you put another pipe on the bike if you want it serviced etc.....
Credit where is is due.
Even in japan. Ktm, bmw, and triumph are always happy to get a no questions long test ride. They win for customer service even in Japan.
we know from history - this is a life bike, as you say you would change out of want and not need
Buy the bike that makes you happy. Don’t begrudge others purchasing decisions.
Nice video with candid thoughts. Completely explains the purpose of going with Transalp750. I was very eager to purchase this bike in India but it very costly in India as it is imported in CBU form which subjects it to huge Customs Duty and some other taxes making it expensive. But it is a very nice bike for sure. Meanwhile I happen to test ride Himalayan450 which fulfills my purpose at almost one fourth the price of Transalp and so I immediately bought it. Anyhow, you have made a brilliant choice.
wow, you get the 450 for 25% or close to the Transalp? Wow - no brainer choice and the 450 is a sweet bike anyway
Having some backbone issues, I bought my TA last year mainly because it's lighter on paper than all its direct competitors.
Given that no bike is perfect (f.eg range on display ?! Come on Honda) but I still haven't stopped grinning each time I fire it up here in northern Italy.
My second choice would have been the Vstrom 800 but I wanted a change from my previous V-Strom 650 XT (great learner bike)
I believe that tubed tires can be handled with a foam cannister (fingers-crossed)
Cons: adding all Honda optionals I wanted turned out to be spending closer to the €13k.
However all in all, fun factor ensured.
Ride safe.
New subscriber. Japan is an interesting country. I'd love to visit. But riding on the left side of the road would be hard to get used to.
Does have that hard of a time. Cars you deal with everything being wrong.
Bikes are the same controls, just follow the flow.
Visiting usa now and it feels wrong😅
The most responsible financial move would have been sticking with the MT! I'm curious to see if you can resist the urge to get another bike in two years. I wonder how long I'll stick with my bike.
Smart man
Your text did ask for a Dad Joke, so here we go;
What's the nicest thing you can offer your redhead friend?
Chemotherapy.
I like the objectivity that you showed in the end,very mature thinking. Btw is the yellow jacket you are wearing a biker jacket?
It's a rain coat I'm wearing over my pandomoto commando aaa.
This is the yellow coat👇
www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/aw/d/B0BXBXYJ8T?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
Love the bike but can't stand its headlight. I'll just wait til Honda changes it in the next generation.
I didn't like it earlier, but in person I am a fan. And it's a very good headlight as far as throughing light at night.
I am very close to getting a Transalp, but the fact that its tires are not tubeless is really concerning me. It feels like a deal-breaker. Is it normal for me to be so hung up on tubeless tires? I need your advice. Thank you.
I'll add tubeless rim tape next month.
Hate tubes
I'm not sure about buying Transalp anymore mainly because of tubed tires. Heard some crashes happened from fast deflation of tires after puncture. Not sure if I want that risk for me and my wife onboard.
That fact really disappointed me and now I'm thinking of going Tracer 7 GT for that similar price.
Was really excited for Transalp. 😑
I'll put tubless tape on my rims next month.
I've never heard of tubes deflating faster than tubless.
I went with the a T7 but if a person is going to be on the road then the Transalp is a better bike, or if a person is shorter than me. I'm 5'8" 30.5-31" inseam. Or if someone feels they need the higher tech... though I don't understand that after the failure of my Pan America's electronics.
Aprilia Dealership is 3.5 hours from me, and there are reported issues when the 660 is ridden lots of miles with harder off-road thrown in.
I'm glad the T7 is what it is. I'm selling my 890 Adventure today. Like the Transalp the 890 is a superior road bike to the T7 but it stops there. I want to go back to simplicity.
Next bike for me to move on is my Husky 501, probably for a DR 650.
Yeah, some of us just want simple bikes.
All that said, the Transalp will be a great road bike, mid-size ADV bike because Honda's electronics aren't as suspect as Harley/KTM Etc...
The Suzuki 800DE is a better adventure bike than the Talp. The Talp is a street bike/commuter and Honda already has better options. The Talp off road is unbearable, Honda lost me with the mid size Adventure option and Suzuki gained me.
Nah , D.E doesn't even have the right size rear tire , heavier , and slower .
@MotoCampAdv Nah, the rear tire size is fine and the real world torque is so much better than the Talp. The Talp has a high Rev engine, precisely what you DON'T want off road. Nah! Non adjustable suspension on the Talp, nah! Jerky throttle, nah! Taking the tank off for filter like a street bike, nah! Oil sump and exhaust almost dragging the ground, nah! Fragile plastics, nah! BigRockMoto put $7k into the Talp to make it off road worthy, and quickly sold it, because it's not off road worthy. Nah!
Lol. Cope and seethe
the competion is called chinese...and i m glad,cf moto,qj motor,voge,benelli,kove,zontes...and it very strong.and it will force japanes to make cheaper bikes.in my country first bike in sales until now in 2024,its the voge ds525,this ugly heavy thing.secong is cb500x/nx500 and third tracer9.transalp unfortunately,is below even tenere.i think couse its too "naked" for the price.500 euros less than tuareg and vstrom800,which vstrom,its not selling at all.i would never bought chinese
Force jap and EU to make cheaper bike = Low quality, and not long term approach so not sure it will be the solution.
Ktm and aprilla are not better....they are not reliable
They are better,try it yourself .
@@klausmlmpeace of mind is better. I've owned both KTM and Aprilia and they have known issues don't be fooled.
@@MotoCampAdv But,not Tuareg 660,isn't it?
Is a different and beautiful machine.
Please try one,is better than most middleweight runners.
@@klausmlm There are reported issues in the T 660 that are actually ridden lots of miles and with plenty of off-road miles.
@@pinkiewerewolf There are so.many Tuaregs with minor or none issues,you know that?
Including mine...
And Honda are bulletproof?Or any brand in these days?
Not...and in that circumstances ,Aprilia made big improvements,it's a brilliant machine.
Ride safe and enjoy your bike like we enjoyed ours Tuaregs,Hellas and Africa Eco Race winner!...not Yamaha or Honda ,or other brand...,just the"weak" and "unreliable"...Aprilia.