the Transalp
 

Anybody know stuff about the Transalp?I am a former KLR owner (unfortunately the KLR was hitby a car -- a great bike, nonetheless) and have found an '87 Transalp with 3745kms (??!! can that be real?) anyways, I don't know much about the bike, it is a very rare bike in Canada, although quite popoular in Aus. and Europe.

How is it for overland travel, say varying degrees of terrain from corrugations to gravel to loose sand to tarmac, etc. What about suspension travel, etc. Is it one or two cyclinders? I believe the engine capacity is 650 cc? How big is the tank? And the frame -- what is it made of, is it durable/strong/rigid, withstand a substantial beating? What are the most comon things to be replaced on the bike? Any other tidbits would be great, thanks -- need to get a new bike pronto!

DON.

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Travel Africa Overland...
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Hi,
the Transalp is a great bike to ride, good roads, because its comfaortable, bad roads and good gravel are no problem, corrugations and managable.

My first Transalp (93 Model) travelled all the way to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska and 10000km in Patagonia, and survived it without any problems other than the dents it got from my faults.

Its a very durable bike, with 135000km, no problems so far, except fresh oil every 12000km and a new chain every 20-30000km.

But with a 87 model I doubt, that it has only 3500km. Check the tires and the chain, if they look used, it might be 103000. My motor did not show any grease or oil before 120.000km.

For me, the Transalp is the perfect bike for travelling if you don´t want to see the local dealers of your brand in every second country.

Its 600cc, 50hp, two cylinders, 18l Tank that lasts about 350km (normal speed), on our german Autobahn its sometimes only 250km (140+ km/h).

For gravel roads, it is a good idea to put a strong motorprotection instead of the normal plastic one. For Patagonia, I put in a strong Technoflex shock and Continental TKC80 tires (good in sand, okay on asphalt).

Good luck with your Transalp, its a great bike.

We