FANTASTIC REVIEW! As to the vanilla reference, and this ties in to your anecdote re: Mongolia experience; vanilla really is a good flavor, and if you had to pick a flavor to eat for all occasions, and every day for all the while, it would have to be vanilla over moose tracks or rum raisin, now wouldn’t it? In essence, an exciting bike for the mountain logging roads and washboard hills of the desert would NOT be very polite on a sunny morning commute on a freeway, nor would your neighbors like you very much at 5 am.😂 A bike that ticks the most boxes and still has some very real adventure chops is a beautiful thing. There’s no magic bike, just the same as there’s no magic car. You can’t seat 4 in an MX5, and a Toyota Prius is going to be shite on the Nurburgring…but an LS 600 will do both just fine.
About the best real world report on this bike I’ve watched. No bullshit, wide ranging and shows your riding ability to be at a high level. You couldn’t ride those trails and at those speeds unless the bike was capable. Like you, I have a lightweight bike (ktm500) which is great fun to ride. I’m 67 and my riding friend is 72 and we have no intention of stopping, although as you say, it’s 7/10 ths for obvious reasons these days.
@@TheFastphill might be good idea to raise it on this vid. You've got good things to say, and it is pretty much inaudible. Quality seems OK, must just be a slider adjustment.
I disagree that there's no unicorn bike... While I agree that no bike can do everything equally well, that's not my definition of a unicorn bike. To my way of thinking, a unicorn bike does everything - that I want a bike to do - reasonably well. By that definition, I think the Transalp XL750 could be my unicorn bike. I should also add that I can't afford to own multiple motorcycles, nor is there room in my garage for more than one bike. So I don't have the luxury of owning a dirt bike, an ADV bike, and a touring bike.
@@TheFastphill I own a CB500X, so the Transalp is comparatively only a few pounds heavier than what I'm used to and also lighter than the majority of ADV bikes. Both the CB500X and the Transalp are capable of doing it all, but the Transalp just does everything I want from a bike a little bit better than my CB500X.
A great review, and of course totally relevant to older Australian riders. You have done a few more kilometres than I have (mine about 5,500) and are just a few years younger than I, so your test is about the most pertinent to my ownership (in SA) I have come across. Excellent delivery of your points; understated and honest. A degree of humility conveyed, even though you obviously ride well, and fairly hard for 'an old feller'. Thanks for the test, and your forthright style. I have just fitted a bash-plate (B & B), Pirelli STRs, bear-grip footrests and the wind deflectors to mine. These last two included in the purchase price, sealed at the end of July, as I believe I was the first to put the $$ down here in South Australia. Although I only got the bike in mid-September, and the optional extras yesterday... But I am very much 'on the same page' as your impressions, as the bike continues to win me over. I bought it with reservations, and still intend further lightening and suspension improvements, but it really is a useful and versatile machine. I replaced the (heavy, bulky) rear rack with a lighter and narrower one I made, and intend improving the bike as I go, as I have done with my bikes for... - well, a very long time! Well done with your test. I hope you have more planned as I really enjoyed it!
Great review of the bike, just brought one and am keen to get it set up for more off-road riding. I remember seeing you at the Open Roads rally at Rydal, was very impressed with how well the bike went in those conditions
Its good to see you are pushing the bike to its full potential regardless of all the nay sayers. I have a CRF1000L those clips can take a beating and are good for many uses. If not there are cheap ones on ebay. With the gopro, I use a her9 and a hero 12, with a usb c "PD" charge cable to a anker power bank in my jacket and can run it all day long on a gopro.
Great review Thank you for taking the time to put this bike through its paces and tell us about it. I have considered trading my22 890 adventure r for the transalp You've proven to me that it's a pretty capable bike. I really love the wicked power on the 890 and the suspension is more than adequate for my off-road needs I'm in northeastern part of the United States extremely rocky . I only concerned with the transalp would be the suspension. This all leads me to as the mileage increases on the 890 am I going to have other issues that a lot of 890s have had. Right now I have none and haven't had any but you know how it goes
Forgot to mention. I'm based in India. So, this for touring (lightly load or sometimes 2 up) through pot-holes, no-roads, city traffic and whatever else the journey throws at you. I've ridden both. Here are my impressions. Transalp: + Light, Nimble, Fast, Reliable, VFM Maintainance, Cool Engine, 5 Year Warranty - Ground Clearance, Suspension, Tubed Tires 🐯 900 RP (2001 - 5K Kms - Loaded Accesories) + All Round Champ, Creature Comforts, Built for the Beating - Higher Spares/Maintainance Heating🔥🥵 is the Primary Concern and the reason holding me back!
@2WheelsMoveTheSoul I have ridden in India if you have the money new bike are all ways better Noone has messed with them I have not ridden the Tiger 900
@@TheFastphill Well, in terms of specs, components and fit-finish - the Triumph Tiger 900 RP is way superior in terns of specs, components and build. It's 2 years old but has been sparing used (5K kms) and well maintained. The engine heating and higher maintenance costs (compared to Honda) are the only red flags. Could you please clarify whether the stock suspension and GC of the Transalp is sufficient to handle Bad Indian Roads (think the Himalayan mountain rough stretches)?
This is not a bike for off-road.Not adjustable suspension ,short travel and no steering handles stabiliser.Seat is pure construction .For on road it is shaking on shifting and very bad vibrations to hands causing numb fingers.Power is good and looks good but tank is small for long distances and no cruise control.So do not listen to this ken-guru
This review just adds more confidence to my opinion that the present Transalp is a bit more powerful, a tiny bit more capable, than a pre-2020's V-Strom 650. It's a Honda, so you can bend it straight and wrench it. I am curious as to how well the airbox avoids sucking dust, with the filter being shoved under the tank, like the aforementioned V-Strom. IMO, when the manufacturer puts the filter under the tank, they intended for you to stay on pavement, with occasional groomed gravel.
FANTASTIC REVIEW!
As to the vanilla reference, and this ties in to your anecdote re: Mongolia experience; vanilla really is a good flavor, and if you had to pick a flavor to eat for all occasions, and every day for all the while, it would have to be vanilla over moose tracks or rum raisin, now wouldn’t it? In essence, an exciting bike for the mountain logging roads and washboard hills of the desert would NOT be very polite on a sunny morning commute on a freeway, nor would your neighbors like you very much at 5 am.😂
A bike that ticks the most boxes and still has some very real adventure chops is a beautiful thing. There’s no magic bike, just the same as there’s no magic car. You can’t seat 4 in an MX5, and a Toyota Prius is going to be shite on the Nurburgring…but an LS 600 will do both just fine.
@bravofighter as luck would have it i just put a little vid of Mongolia up
Ps i will get the the Ring some day lol 😂
About the best real world report on this bike I’ve watched. No bullshit, wide ranging and shows your riding ability to be at a high level. You couldn’t ride those trails and at those speeds unless the bike was capable. Like you, I have a lightweight bike (ktm500) which is great fun to ride. I’m 67 and my riding friend is 72 and we have no intention of stopping, although as you say, it’s 7/10 ths for obvious reasons these days.
@MrEtnorb Thanks for the comments i also what to Keep riding the travel new places and being outside is so Great
What he said! 58, hoping to last to 70 riding…
Nice one mate, especially the rally footage..great to watch.
Just bought a Transalp and am happy for my mild offroad use.
@tremorflow3610 thanks for the comment
Thank you for that nice summary with good detail.
@elgringoec thanks for the comment
Nice video. Please turn up the volume a bit for us older riders. 😀
Visual part is great to see.
@human1513 yes i still learning to use the editing software i keep that in mind next Vid thanks for watching
@@TheFastphill might be good idea to raise it on this vid. You've got good things to say, and it is pretty much inaudible. Quality seems OK, must just be a slider adjustment.
Thanks Phil. Great review.
@dereksonego440 thanks for watching
Nice video. My Transalp almost all the time moven on paved roads sofare. Living in Germany, I seldomn get a chance to go in gravel roads....
@stefanjepp6612 so far its been a great bike on or off road
How has your friends ktms reliability been? Cheers
That Bike good so far
another mate not so good
Hey Phil has the Transalp got a low centre of gravity, a rode a Tuareg 660 and that had great balance but I like my Honda,s
@user-xe6qq9zi8s i remember looking at the tuareg 660 at the Ozi GP thinking they would be a great bike
Nice review. Cheers. Volume was a bit low.
@thorstentrapp274 Sorry about that still learning the editing software lol 😂
I disagree that there's no unicorn bike...
While I agree that no bike can do everything equally well, that's not my definition of a unicorn bike. To my way of thinking, a unicorn bike does everything - that I want a bike to do - reasonably well. By that definition, I think the Transalp XL750 could be my unicorn bike.
I should also add that I can't afford to own multiple motorcycles, nor is there room in my garage for more than one bike. So I don't have the luxury of owning a dirt bike, an ADV bike, and a touring bike.
@alanosborne1888 i like the Transalp a lot it but for some riding its Big and Heavy
@@TheFastphill I own a CB500X, so the Transalp is comparatively only a few pounds heavier than what I'm used to and also lighter than the majority of ADV bikes. Both the CB500X and the Transalp are capable of doing it all, but the Transalp just does everything I want from a bike a little bit better than my CB500X.
A great review, and of course totally relevant to older Australian riders. You have done a few more kilometres than I have (mine about 5,500) and are just a few years younger than I, so your test is about the most pertinent to my ownership (in SA) I have come across. Excellent delivery of your points; understated and honest. A degree of humility conveyed, even though you obviously ride well, and fairly hard for 'an old feller'.
Thanks for the test, and your forthright style. I have just fitted a bash-plate (B & B), Pirelli STRs, bear-grip footrests and the wind deflectors to mine. These last two included in the purchase price, sealed at the end of July, as I believe I was the first to put the $$ down here in South Australia. Although I only got the bike in mid-September, and the optional extras yesterday...
But I am very much 'on the same page' as your impressions, as the bike continues to win me over. I bought it with reservations, and still intend further lightening and suspension improvements, but it really is a useful and versatile machine. I replaced the (heavy, bulky) rear rack with a lighter and narrower one I made, and intend improving the bike as I go, as I have done with my bikes for... - well, a very long time!
Well done with your test. I hope you have more planned as I really enjoyed it!
@patkennedy1 thanks for the comments Pat i hope to get to SA to ride so day
Great review, did you say 61? Good riding
@mishka1318 yes 61 thanks for the Comment 😂
Great review of the bike, just brought one and am keen to get it set up for more off-road riding. I remember seeing you at the Open Roads rally at Rydal, was very impressed with how well the bike went in those conditions
@crfhoon Thanks for the comment i hope to do a road book ride in the Snowy next year
“This is the bike you have. You have to learn to ride this bike.” This will save you a lot of money and a lot of coveting.
@papajeff5486 yes thats right
Excellent review by very experienced rider - listen carefully the nuggets go by quickly
@bobbennett2075 Thank you
Its good to see you are pushing the bike to its full potential regardless of all the nay sayers.
I have a CRF1000L those clips can take a beating and are good for many uses. If not there are cheap ones on ebay.
With the gopro, I use a her9 and a hero 12, with a usb c "PD" charge cable to a anker power bank in my jacket and can run it all day long on a gopro.
@traverse_adv Thanks for the info yes i have run a power pack in my jacket pocket for the Sena
The unicorn bike could the ktm 790/890 with its racing frame.
@lewiss66 i have ridden the KTM 890 yes good bike but i a bit scared of KTM reliability
Great review Thank you for taking the time to put this bike through its paces and tell us about it.
I have considered trading my22 890 adventure r for the transalp You've proven to me that it's a pretty capable bike.
I really love the wicked power on the 890 and the suspension is more than adequate for my off-road needs I'm in northeastern part of the United States extremely rocky .
I only concerned with the transalp would be the suspension.
This all leads me to as the mileage increases on the 890 am I going to have other issues that a lot of 890s have had.
Right now I have none and haven't had any but you know how it goes
Bravo! really good, real world report, Thanks.
@corykilik4079 thanks for the feedback
Nice review, thanks. What tyres did you go for?
@scrambledpegs2202 Motz Desert and the front and I check the rear it's a motor as well
Motz Tractionator Adventure on the rear150/70 by 18 Front Motz Tractionator desert H/T
Thanks cobba
No worries
Good honest review
@wayde4192 yes for most people Ego dictates what ever you have brought Is the Best
Transalp XL 750 vs Tiger 900 RP (used)?
Forgot to mention. I'm based in India. So, this for touring (lightly load or sometimes 2 up) through pot-holes, no-roads, city traffic and whatever else the journey throws at you.
I've ridden both. Here are my impressions.
Transalp:
+ Light, Nimble, Fast, Reliable, VFM Maintainance, Cool Engine, 5 Year Warranty
- Ground Clearance, Suspension, Tubed Tires
🐯 900 RP (2001 - 5K Kms - Loaded Accesories)
+ All Round Champ, Creature Comforts, Built for the Beating
- Higher Spares/Maintainance
Heating🔥🥵 is the Primary Concern and the reason holding me back!
@2WheelsMoveTheSoul I have ridden in India if you have the money new bike are all ways better Noone has messed with them I have not ridden the Tiger 900
@@TheFastphill Well, in terms of specs, components and fit-finish - the Triumph Tiger 900 RP is way superior in terns of specs, components and build. It's 2 years old but has been sparing used (5K kms) and well maintained. The engine heating and higher maintenance costs (compared to Honda) are the only red flags.
Could you please clarify whether the stock suspension and GC of the Transalp is sufficient to handle Bad Indian Roads (think the Himalayan mountain rough stretches)?
This is not a bike for off-road.Not adjustable suspension ,short travel and no steering handles stabiliser.Seat is pure construction .For on road it is shaking on shifting and very bad vibrations to hands causing numb fingers.Power is good and looks good but tank is small for long distances and no cruise control.So do not listen to this ken-guru
You spelled “tires” wrong. lol
Strayl ja mate
@loganurquhart11 bloody English language 😂 😂
Tyres 👍🇬🇧🏆🤣
This review just adds more confidence to my opinion that the present Transalp is a bit more powerful, a tiny bit more capable, than a pre-2020's V-Strom 650.
It's a Honda, so you can bend it straight and wrench it.
I am curious as to how well the airbox avoids sucking dust, with the filter being shoved under the tank, like the aforementioned V-Strom.
IMO, when the manufacturer puts the filter under the tank, they intended for you to stay on pavement, with occasional groomed gravel.
@ne-adv i just got a after market air filter i try to make a vid showing the install and the condition
thanks for watching and the comment