New Transalp
I got the new TA 2 days before the travellers meet in the UK and when I arrived on it it did draw quite a lot of attention (proud beaming new owner). I had ridden Tenere's and in my maddness went greenlaning astride an old Honda CBR thou - that was a fun day out!
I've been happy with it and so far the mods I've made are, centrestand, honda high windscreen, handlebar brace and heated grips (yeah I know but I do like riding in winter and do like warm hands - its safer), 1.5 inch up and back riser, welded ali' bash plate replacing the plastic one, throttle cable cover, braided brake hoses. Oh and a scottoiler.
What is not that good: long motorways, it is a bit gutless there will be performance chips that will help - eventually but pricey. It is agile enough for tracks, trails and twisties. The heat shielding on the exhaust is frankly pants and I would never put anything heat sensitive on the right of the bike - even with a standoff frame. Dried food, non-combustible bits like pots should go next to the chocolate fireguard of a heatshield. It's tank capacity is small in my opinion considering the market it's aimed at and the odd plasticky bits just look nice. If I'd designed it they would be tank and that would have made it easier to put tank panniers on too, it would have been an 800cc and had 6 gears - then it would have been a perfect bike.
After market stuff is coming on-line all the time so keep your eyes peeled.
Would I buy it again - yes its shortcomings are not so bad to put a dampener on the Honda Transalp 700.
thegreendiver
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