Is $3500 a fair price to pay for a Transalp with 35,000km(20,000miles) on it? How many kms is considered a lot for these bikes? Is there a benfit to a 1989 vs a 1987 model year?

20,000 miles on a NTV engine (what they used in the TA and NTV Reveres, as well as a similar design to the AT) is negligible. Unless it was owned by a heathen, previously, that bike should see 100,000 if maintaned, IMO.

No idea about model differences, but at that age, I would say go for the one in better condition. (check the contition of the exhausts, brakes, tyres, panels hoses etc)

Note that TAs are not light bikes 205kg.... Capable, dependable, but not light, so my guess is be prepared to work for it off-road on anything worse than a gravel track...

Happy shopping...

After a whole lot of searching and debating, I finally pulled the trigger on a used DL650. It is a '05, single-owner bike with 12,000km, in very nice condition. It is basically stock with a centre stand and some handguards. I bought it through out local dealer who had taken the bike on trade. I am very pleased with the choice and look forward to getting out and doing some riding.