Coming from a crf450rl to a transalp, im amazed with it. It feels like a cadillac and is a lot of fun. That being said, i mainly ride back roads and rarely got on trails. Its also really nice to be able to get back on highways. Nothing in your list is unable to do all of that, but i just liked this bike.
You're pretty on point as far as the Suzuki goes. I got to see the Suzuki 800de and the TransAlp sitting side by side on the showroom floor.. I went with the Vstrom because I felt like I had more room on it, plus better suspension and the TA oil pan and exhaust is absurd. The Vstrom is a sleeper bike. Generally, it's not going to top any lists but it will be middle to higher end of the pack in all categories (except maybe weight which is hides very well).
The vsrom 800de is more popular than people think.. i own one and its a great bike for the money.. its more than the transalp because it has far superior suspension comes with hand guards and a skid plate.. not to mention its been in the USA 8 months longer than the transalp and suzuki has sold every single one of them and now have a waiting list also just came out a more road focused version for less than the transalp
The problem with extra this extra that, the price will bump and Honda don't want to compete with the AT. The Transalp is a great all around/ADV/transcontinental mid size machine for the right price (besides buy AF, BMW F900gs or even a KTM 890) buy cheap and use the rest of the money to travel. What I don't really like in the Transalp is the welded subframe and that's why.... I'm going for the Zuki 800de. I already saw some promotions in South CA dealers, price will go down in the end of the year or if they overstocked. I like your content, +1 in your reviews.
I just rented a Transalp for 2 days in Chiang Mai and a Vstrom 800 DE for 1 day. The Africa twin was quite comfortable and easy to live with. Just a little boring. The 800 DE seemed way faster but it vibrated my hands too much. I was glad I only tented it for a day. I had to wear earplugs because of the turbulence: I’d rather have no windscreen at all. Also rented a Honda 300L and was able to take it off road. It was a lot of fun on single-track in the mountains. Light is right on the trails.
Good discussion. I haven't rode a Transalp but I'm becoming disillusioned with the "adventure" bike segment. I'm probably going to sell my 890 and go back to my thumper. The 890 was fine on the SM 500 but you know what they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall. It was hard to stop and one time it fell over on me and my ankle is still sore a month later. But the real surprising thing for me is that my dual sport is just more comfortable. My legs aren't squashed up tight like they are on an adv bike with a low seat. It's easy to access my brake and clutch, I don't have to bend my leg in around all the stuff to reach them. There is no wind protection but you ride through clean air without constant buffeting on and in your helmet. And I just like the sound of my thumper better. I wish more people would talk about the compression ratio of these bikes. The 890 has a 13.5/1 compression ratio. It runs rough and it runs angry. It seems like it doesn't want to start. My 500 purrs like a cat. It has a compression ration of 12.5/1. It always starts. It's simpler and weighs half as much. So I can see why you like your 300L so much.
Thanx for another enjoyable chat. Honda vs Suzuki Honda: Pros: Weight Apperence (subjective) Engine & Gearbox Seatheight Comfort Plenty of accessories available Honda dealer network Price (not in tax hell) Cons: No Wingbadge Low exhaust & muffler Sump Lump Tech errors Airfilter access To naked out of the box Final price & cost Suzuki: Tech Suspension Airfilter access High muffler & exaust More out of the box Cons: Weight Apperence (subjective) Dealership Conclusion: Off road: Suzuki On road: Honda Note! Please remember metric Cheers from the arctic world.
The 800de engine has a near perfect torque curve. The power is always right there. It also has usable traction control settings. It is the bike I am saving for. A local dealer is selling 23s for 10k and I wish I could go pick one up. I think the wind protection is the only miss on the de.
Haven't had the opportunity to ride the Transalp as of yet but will jump at the first chance. I'm fortunate to have two bikes in my garage, a 2022 AT Adventure sport dct and a 2023 Honda Rally. Between the two bike they check off all the blocks that I'm looking for in my riding at this point in my life. (50yoa)
Agree with your sentiments re:Cruise control and tubliss tires.They would sell double the amount(Transalp) if they were equiped with such,This is a modern world now.
great coverage and comps - thanks for doing this. unfortunately I am still waiting on my TA to arrive, otherwise I would give you some feedback on my experience - soon I hope.
Good overview. Agreed on tubeless tires but not overly concerned with he cruise control as there are after market fixes for that.......not perfect ..........but when in a pinch it works. I doubt I can wait until 2025 to see if HONDA makes those changes honestly. The resale on this new bike should be pretty good if sales continue to be "seemingly" explosive right now.
Great video , I own a NC 750 X with DCT, and I'm loving it. I got my eyes on the new Transalp. However, I'm only 5' 8", I'm afraid the Transalp would feel too tall for me.
@@adventureundone I feel disappointed with my NC 750. I bought it brand new and the LCD dash keeps on rattling inside the case when I ride on uneven ground , the left mirror is stock can't move it. Last week I hit a deep pothole and I almost went down. I take it to my dealership and they return me the bike saying that they found nothing. It's really frustrating.
I’m a Honda fan but here lately it’s like the company has left me stranded. The cb500x was great looking just needed couple more features, they killed the aesthetics with the nc500. Transalp, it’s like the company didn’t really care about looks. Slap some all one color boring plastic and walked away.
Test ride them all before you buy - I can pretty much guarantee you if you are looking for anything in this class for long term travel purpose, you will end up buying either Vstrom or TransAlps.
The 800DE is just a better option over the Transalp if you plan on doing backroad, BDR, or true ADV riding. The cost is a little more because it has fully adjustable suspension. It also comes with a skid plate, not a great one, but it's there. The best way to purchase the Suzuki is get the Adventure model, it comes with everything you need already on it. The 800DE has better suspension, better torque, better fueling, and arguably better rider modes. The 800DE is heavier but easier to pick up than the T7 and almost as easy as the Transalp. You should sell the Transalp and get the 800DE for a proper comparison.
yeah them new V-Stroms have been on my mind a lot. I wish there was more coverage comparing the two. Seems like everyone wants to compare it to the T7, should be Vstrom
I think for 90 % of all riders the transalp would be good enough for their off road adventure and experience, and they all going to appreciate having a bike that is less heavy when it comes to lifting the bike or just moving it around Imo.
@@IAmYourReflection Started riding when I was 12 with 5 yrs racing BMX. I'm 56, so my list of motorcycles would take a while. When I picked up the 800DE Adventure I test rode the Transalp. Once you whine it up it's faster, and ADV bike isn't about speed, it's about low end grunt. And the 800DE has much more. The Transalp is a nice sport touring bike, but not an Adventure bike.
I have a vstrom 800 de and I love it. It is heavier than the transalp but that should matter only if you are riding or putting yourself in situations likely to drop the bike very often. Which in that case, there are better options or you should be looking at a dual sport. However, i understand why somebody would choose the transalp over the vstrom due to the weight. I think it is a valid reason for some. Especially those who want to add heavy side racks and are navigating tough terrain or have a back/leg condition. Sometimes for some people each pound counts. After 4,000 miles in 4 months, i am super happy with my vstrom. Transalp seems like a good option too and it takes regular gas.
The transalp is abit of everything. And its not great at any specific something but just mediocre at everything. Which makes it versatile but if u want to really offroad, get a t7 or ktm, you want more comfort buy an africa twin. You want to be able to do abit of everything but not be the best or push it then the transalp is the best middle road option. Its why i bought it and I accept its limitations.
I was going to get a Transalp after selling my KTM390adv, but in the last minute, I veered and got myself a KTM790adv which I'm really happy about. After paying for the TechPack, I now have cruise control, quickshifter, Rally mode and an extra safety feature in addition to the stock steering dampener, cornering ABS, electronic throttle, and many more things that the Transalp does not have. Ok, everyone is talking about reliability issues, but so what. I don't live in the desert so if I have a problem, I'll get it fixed under guarantee. Plus there's the fact that many pros are saying that they havent had a single problem with theirs, AND that the chinese built bike is NO DIFFERENT from the previous Austrian built one. It also has more ground clearance than the Transalp with the same suspension play as well as a seat which has 2 positions (low/high). The original windscreen is perfect with no need for aftermarket. It's tank is 20lts. The wheels are NOT tubed. It also has 95hp. And unlike the Transalp, it also has hand protectors and they're not the kind which crack at first drop. What else is there to think about when deciding between the Transalp and 790.
Think the 800de as a refresh fell short-too heavy & not enough innovation, Honda played safe on the TA, the tenere is the main competition because everyone loves the motor & it looks like a muscle bike & it’s just good enough on road to take sales from the other adv touring models. The TA looks dated but is again just good enough at everything & just balanced enough to keep people interested, plus on road appears to be winning American market support quickly vs euro market. & most Americans will probably mod bikes anyway so swapping rims adding skid plate adding high exhaust won’t hurt sales numbers or be a deal breaker.
cruise control,i dont care.you in the usa with the endless staight roads ok.but,tubes...in a 90hp bike...its a problem.thats why i m thinking for vstrom800 with 17/19 wheels.if i want to play in the dirt i ll buy a used dirt bike,or dual sport which you call in usa.and you are lucky to still have dr400,dr650 and xr650.
For me, it’s between the 800DE or the Transalp. 800DE has more torque low down, but is a heavier beast. Less top end also. Plus it comes with a horrible plastic skid plate and hand guards that one would replace anyway. OK, the suspension is more adjustable and that’s really where your extra cash goes. Tough decision but, as you say, 80% is on-road anyway. What to do?
![Honda TRANSALP 750 - Your Questions Answered [QuickTest#28]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tRkMqkZsNKw/mqdefault.jpg)
Coming from a crf450rl to a transalp, im amazed with it. It feels like a cadillac and is a lot of fun. That being said, i mainly ride back roads and rarely got on trails. Its also really nice to be able to get back on highways. Nothing in your list is unable to do all of that, but i just liked this bike.
Yeah that’s a nice upgrade. The Transalp just misses some basics when coming from a better bike.
You're pretty on point as far as the Suzuki goes. I got to see the Suzuki 800de and the TransAlp sitting side by side on the showroom floor.. I went with the Vstrom because I felt like I had more room on it, plus better suspension and the TA oil pan and exhaust is absurd.
The Vstrom is a sleeper bike. Generally, it's not going to top any lists but it will be middle to higher end of the pack in all categories (except maybe weight which is hides very well).
If I wasn’t such a Honda fan boy, I would buy one right away. 😂
this is exactly what I am thinking. Thanks for sharing your observations. Hopefully a DE in my future (or a 901...)
Once again you nailed it. I wish more bikes came with tubeless tires and cruise control.
The vsrom 800de is more popular than people think.. i own one and its a great bike for the money.. its more than the transalp because it has far superior suspension comes with hand guards and a skid plate.. not to mention its been in the USA 8 months longer than the transalp and suzuki has sold every single one of them and now have a waiting list also just came out a more road focused version for less than the transalp
xl will prolly outsold it, de is 2k more where i am.
There were 3 DE's sitting at a dealership nearby.
I just don't understand why Suzuki made it so heavy!
The problem with extra this extra that, the price will bump and Honda don't want to compete with the AT. The Transalp is a great all around/ADV/transcontinental mid size machine for the right price (besides buy AF, BMW F900gs or even a KTM 890) buy cheap and use the rest of the money to travel. What I don't really like in the Transalp is the welded subframe and that's why.... I'm going for the Zuki 800de. I already saw some promotions in South CA dealers, price will go down in the end of the year or if they overstocked. I like your content, +1 in your reviews.
I just rented a Transalp for 2 days in Chiang Mai and a Vstrom 800 DE for 1 day. The Africa twin was quite comfortable and easy to live with. Just a little boring. The 800 DE seemed way faster but it vibrated my hands too much. I was glad I only tented it for a day. I had to wear earplugs because of the turbulence: I’d rather have no windscreen at all. Also rented a Honda 300L and was able to take it off road. It was a lot of fun on single-track in the mountains. Light is right on the trails.
Me and many others love dct off road combined with the track control. . You must be a real pro.
Good discussion. I haven't rode a Transalp but I'm becoming disillusioned with the "adventure" bike segment. I'm probably going to sell my 890 and go back to my thumper. The 890 was fine on the SM 500 but you know what they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall. It was hard to stop and one time it fell over on me and my ankle is still sore a month later. But the real surprising thing for me is that my dual sport is just more comfortable. My legs aren't squashed up tight like they are on an adv bike with a low seat. It's easy to access my brake and clutch, I don't have to bend my leg in around all the stuff to reach them. There is no wind protection but you ride through clean air without constant buffeting on and in your helmet. And I just like the sound of my thumper better. I wish more people would talk about the compression ratio of these bikes. The 890 has a 13.5/1 compression ratio. It runs rough and it runs angry. It seems like it doesn't want to start. My 500 purrs like a cat. It has a compression ration of 12.5/1. It always starts. It's simpler and weighs half as much. So I can see why you like your 300L so much.
I’m excited to start covering my new 300L rally, honestly me of my fav bikes yet.
Thanx for another enjoyable chat.
Honda vs Suzuki
Honda:
Pros:
Weight
Apperence (subjective)
Engine & Gearbox
Seatheight
Comfort
Plenty of accessories available
Honda dealer network
Price (not in tax hell)
Cons:
No Wingbadge
Low exhaust & muffler
Sump Lump
Tech errors
Airfilter access
To naked out of the box
Final price & cost
Suzuki:
Tech
Suspension
Airfilter access
High muffler & exaust
More out of the box
Cons:
Weight
Apperence (subjective)
Dealership
Conclusion:
Off road: Suzuki
On road: Honda
Note!
Please remember metric
Cheers from the arctic world.
I just bought a Transalpine. I bought it to be an all around do anything bike. I’ll use it as a road bike.
The 800de engine has a near perfect torque curve. The power is always right there.
It also has usable traction control settings.
It is the bike I am saving for. A local dealer is selling 23s for 10k and I wish I could go pick one up.
I think the wind protection is the only miss on the de.
Haven't had the opportunity to ride the Transalp as of yet but will jump at the first chance. I'm fortunate to have two bikes in my garage, a 2022 AT Adventure sport dct and a 2023 Honda Rally. Between the two bike they check off all the blocks that I'm looking for in my riding at this point in my life. (50yoa)
You have the perfect combo there. I’ll have the same soon 👍
Yup, all I want is cruise control. Tubeless tires would be a bonus. Plus 20lbs less 🤪
If the NX500 came with these I’d buy one now!
Agree with your sentiments re:Cruise control and tubliss tires.They would sell double the amount(Transalp) if they were equiped with such,This is a modern world now.
I would be a game changer for sure!
Thanks for doing the video
great coverage and comps - thanks for doing this. unfortunately I am still waiting on my TA to arrive, otherwise I would give you some feedback on my experience - soon I hope.
thanks a bunch.
I really dig your content. Is your other channel motorcycle content as well? How do I find it?
It’s tech, and this is it here (The Techne)
Good overview. Agreed on tubeless tires but not overly concerned with he cruise control as there are after market fixes for that.......not perfect ..........but when in a pinch it works. I doubt I can wait until 2025 to see if HONDA makes those changes honestly. The resale on this new bike should be pretty good if sales continue to be "seemingly" explosive right now.
how do you feel aobut the fuel range of TA? it still seems a littlle bit too small for long distance touring
Perfectly fine, gets good mpg also. High 50’s
Great video , I own a NC 750 X with DCT, and I'm loving it. I got my eyes on the new Transalp. However, I'm only 5' 8", I'm afraid the Transalp would feel too tall for me.
The transalp feels very similar to the NC, just a pinch heavier feeling
@@adventureundone I feel disappointed with my NC 750. I bought it brand new and the LCD dash keeps on rattling inside the case when I ride on uneven ground , the left mirror is stock can't move it. Last week I hit a deep pothole and I almost went down. I take it to my dealership and they return me the bike saying that they found nothing. It's really frustrating.
I’m a Honda fan but here lately it’s like the company has left me stranded. The cb500x was great looking just needed couple more features, they killed the aesthetics with the nc500. Transalp, it’s like the company didn’t really care about looks. Slap some all one color boring plastic and walked away.
They could have made the Transalp a 100% game changer for maybe a couple more grand.
Test ride them all before you buy - I can pretty much guarantee you if you are looking for anything in this class for long term travel purpose, you will end up buying either Vstrom or TransAlps.
The 800DE is just a better option over the Transalp if you plan on doing backroad, BDR, or true ADV riding. The cost is a little more because it has fully adjustable suspension. It also comes with a skid plate, not a great one, but it's there. The best way to purchase the Suzuki is get the Adventure model, it comes with everything you need already on it. The 800DE has better suspension, better torque, better fueling, and arguably better rider modes. The 800DE is heavier but easier to pick up than the T7 and almost as easy as the Transalp. You should sell the Transalp and get the 800DE for a proper comparison.
yeah them new V-Stroms have been on my mind a lot. I wish there was more coverage comparing the two. Seems like everyone wants to compare it to the T7, should be Vstrom
Have you actually ridden the transalp. Or what other bikes have you owned?
I think for 90 % of all riders the transalp would be good enough for their off road adventure and experience, and they all going to appreciate having a bike that is less heavy when it comes to lifting the bike or just moving it around
Imo.
@@IAmYourReflection Started riding when I was 12 with 5 yrs racing BMX. I'm 56, so my list of motorcycles would take a while. When I picked up the 800DE Adventure I test rode the Transalp. Once you whine it up it's faster, and ADV bike isn't about speed, it's about low end grunt. And the 800DE has much more. The Transalp is a nice sport touring bike, but not an Adventure bike.
I have a vstrom 800 de and I love it. It is heavier than the transalp but that should matter only if you are riding or putting yourself in situations likely to drop the bike very often. Which in that case, there are better options or you should be looking at a dual sport. However, i understand why somebody would choose the transalp over the vstrom due to the weight. I think it is a valid reason for some. Especially those who want to add heavy side racks and are navigating tough terrain or have a back/leg condition. Sometimes for some people each pound counts.
After 4,000 miles in 4 months, i am super happy with my vstrom. Transalp seems like a good option too and it takes regular gas.
what is that picture you put?with the silver rims,it looks nice
The transalp is abit of everything. And its not great at any specific something but just mediocre at everything. Which makes it versatile but if u want to really offroad, get a t7 or ktm, you want more comfort buy an africa twin. You want to be able to do abit of everything but not be the best or push it then the transalp is the best middle road option. Its why i bought it and I accept its limitations.
I was going to get a Transalp after selling my KTM390adv, but in the last minute, I veered and got myself a KTM790adv which I'm really happy about. After paying for the TechPack, I now have cruise control, quickshifter, Rally mode and an extra safety feature in addition to the stock steering dampener, cornering ABS, electronic throttle, and many more things that the Transalp does not have. Ok, everyone is talking about reliability issues, but so what. I don't live in the desert so if I have a problem, I'll get it fixed under guarantee. Plus there's the fact that many pros are saying that they havent had a single problem with theirs, AND that the chinese built bike is NO DIFFERENT from the previous Austrian built one. It also has more ground clearance than the Transalp with the same suspension play as well as a seat which has 2 positions (low/high). The original windscreen is perfect with no need for aftermarket. It's tank is 20lts. The wheels are NOT tubed. It also has 95hp. And unlike the Transalp, it also has hand protectors and they're not the kind which crack at first drop. What else is there to think about when deciding between the Transalp and 790.
DR650 all night long😂
The best answer here. I’m planning on buying an Aprilia Tuareg to add to my garage but keep my DR650 as it’s just too useful in the dirt.
Suzuki failed with the 800DE its an overweight bike in its own class. Makes no sense . The whole point of the middleweight class being under 500lbs.
Nice vídeo …. I have a transalp 700 va 2011 … will never ever buy this new transalp … for me is not a transalp
Think the 800de as a refresh fell short-too heavy & not enough innovation, Honda played safe on the TA, the tenere is the main competition because everyone loves the motor & it looks like a muscle bike & it’s just good enough on road to take sales from the other adv touring models. The TA looks dated but is again just good enough at everything & just balanced enough to keep people interested, plus on road appears to be winning American market support quickly vs euro market. & most Americans will probably mod bikes anyway so swapping rims adding skid plate adding high exhaust won’t hurt sales numbers or be a deal breaker.
New Transalp XL 750 (custom rally build) vs Pre-Owned Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro?
pending year and milage, but triumph for sure
@@adventureundone I agree, The Tiger is definitely a superior bike; Engine Heat, Reliability and Maintainance were the only Red Flags for me.
@@adventureundone 2021 and 6k KMS
cruise control,i dont care.you in the usa with the endless staight roads ok.but,tubes...in a 90hp bike...its a problem.thats why i m thinking for vstrom800 with 17/19 wheels.if i want to play in the dirt i ll buy a used dirt bike,or dual sport which you call in usa.and you are lucky to still have dr400,dr650 and xr650.
If you have a tesla, want a good adv bike and spend 5 hrs on the bike on the motorway, you are serious confused.
For me, it’s between the 800DE or the Transalp. 800DE has more torque low down, but is a heavier beast. Less top end also. Plus it comes with a horrible plastic skid plate and hand guards that one would replace anyway. OK, the suspension is more adjustable and that’s really where your extra cash goes. Tough decision but, as you say, 80% is on-road anyway. What to do?
get a triumph tiger lol