What the heck is a Transalp or African Twin?
 

Alright, I have eyed this forum for several days now and all I hear about is Transalps and African Twins. Being a Yank from the good old USA, I guess I am ignorant to the style of riding that goes on in Europe. I'm still not sure if a Transalp is a motorbike you transverse the Alps on? Or if an African Twin is something Steve Erwin captures during an episode of Crockodile Hunter. Currently, I have an assignment to the island of Crete, arriving in May of 04. While surfing the net in hopes of finding a European group with a similiar Honda class bike interest as mine, I keep stumbling into Transalp and African Twin territory and by the communication activity of sport bike/duel sport topics, it appears I am going to be culture shocked for sure. Since I am allowed to bring my motorbike to Crete, I hope I will be doing a fair share of riding across your beautiful continent. I own a 2000 Honda Shadow ACE Tourer 1100 which weighs over 600 lbs. I have rode it from sea to shining sea across America twice and feel confident it would behave in a foreign country. I just don't want to feel like an outcast. Can anyone tell me if there are any Honda cruiser clubs in Europe, in particular around Greece or Italy. It would also be good to know if I can get parts! Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks! Ghostrider

Whoops! Meant to post in Europe topics. Sorry! Ole Chaps! Ghostrider

Here is my Honda Forum in the USA:

http://pub19.ezboard.com/bhondashadowacetourer

Ghostrider

before you crate your ACE Shadow, find out what the roads are like in Crete. its 15 years since I went, but there were a lot of dirt roads and, personally, I prefer it like that, but you may prefer an AT or TA ;-)
check Honda Europe for piccies - they are both twins. AT is usually 750, TA is, um, 650 ... I think. both reliable and road oriented dual sports. ie perfect for Crete if there's still some dirt to ride.

Not sure if there is a cruiser club in Crete, but there certainly are in Europe as a whole. The best thing to do there is to instigate a search......

The VT600 Shadow had a very similar engine to the XL600 Transalp. In fact the front sprocket from that particular (chain driven) machine fits the Transalp, allowing the final drive gearing to be raised; the Transalp's front sprocket is 15 tooth, the Shadow's is 16. But you didn't want to know that did you......

Have a great time in Crete!

Stig

I've watched how you blokes kick our American butts in Junk Yard Wars on the tele. I'll take your word it works. However, mine is shaft driven and I'm hoping I will be able to find parts if I need them. Thanks for the info anyway. If you run across any 1100 Shadow groups please let me know. Ghost