Transalp, the good and the bad

**rpickford** · #1 13 Nov 2000

I'm looking at buying a new 650 Transalp, soon as I can get the girlfriend to believe its a good thing!!
Can people tell me about the goods and bads of this bike.
I live in the UK, and intend using it to tour Ireland next year and Europe the year after..then to travel the world.
If I do get one, and I'm sure I will, what modifications would people suggest, if any.

Thanks all
Richard

#2 20 Nov 2000

I got one in August and it's great. I used to have to old 600 and although there isn't alot of difference it is a wonderful machine. I'm really surprised that there aren't that many in the UK.
Great for long trips. I did a 3 month trip around patagonia a few years ago on my Transalp and it was superb. I paid £4700 from DandK in newcastle under Lyme.

**davidh** · #3 1 Dec 2000

Hi, I bought mine at the end of July through BikeNet for £4950 & have done 2,000 miles with no problems.

It's not quite as comfy 2-up as I'd hoped (fitting a topbox means your passenger gets kind of wedged behind you) and I find the riding position a bit cramped after a while (I'm 6 foot 2 so if you're shorter then no problem!) I'd look at an aftermarket seat for long trips.

Otherwise, a great bike that'll do whatever you ask of it - 50mpg, 200 miles between fill-ups and bulletproof reliability. Buy one!

Ride safe :-)