Old name, new bike
Way back in nineteen hundred and eighty six Honda launched a new adventure machine, the Transalp. According to people much older than me it had a 583cc vtwin engine and was, to me at least, utterly uninspiring. The larger Africa Twin from the same company did it all so much better. Even the styling put the smaller bike in its place. Then is 2023 a new iteration of the old dear was launched.
So when recently asked to ride one, the Transalp that is and not the Africa Twin, I felt a little sad. But then again, a lot has changed since the mid eighties. LED lights, a better designed fairing and screen, a more workable seat height for those of us who are a little bit taller, a new engine that puts out 90bhp, fuelling modes, ABS and torque control. This was a different beast to the ones that came before it and once onboard I was very pleasantly surprised. Close, indeed, to happy.
The TFT screen clearly displays the lot, and the bike can be married to a smartphone. This allows for google maps to be displayed on the screen. All of this is controllable from a toggle switch on the left hand bar. There’s even a USB socket.
Its engine was the big surprise. There’s a whole lot of new here with Nickel-Silicon Carbide lined cylinders. These are used in the Fireblade as well as Hondas competition 450 machines. They allow for faster engine pick up and better engine wear. The slipper clutch works a treat and in sports mode there’s the option to ‘increase the life of the front tyre’. Simply being a 750cc engine makes it a bigger and more ‘respectable’ bike.
The chassis, once again, is new and it’s also ‘sprung’ with adjustable Showa suspension on either end.
There is a stunning amount of official accessories available. Crash bars, extra lights, a choice of luggage types, a taller screen, bash plates, a tank bag, a quickshifter and even wheel rim tape for when you’ve run out of things to buy for your new bike.
Riding the thing was a revelation. On a three hundred kilometre day over a variety of road types from motorway to dirt track it never felt less than it should have. The 70 odd Nm of torque made for a bike that dismissed slower traffic on the overtake with ease. When filtering, on the wonder of modern commuting solutions that is the M50, it’s balance and slow speed control left nothing to complain about.
On poorer quality roads it really proved itself up to the tasks demanded of an adventure bike. With its long travel suspension and the ability to turn off the rear ABS it was a whole lot of fun to ride across the gravel on. My everyday bike is Yamahas Tenere, and I was surprised at just how comparable the Transalp is to it.
Rather than being an also ran, the latest Transalp is more like a smaller Africa Twin. Indeed, with the 750 badge on the fairing it evokes good memories of the original Africa Twin and dismisses the memories of the old Transalp.
Yes indeed, “And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray”.* This is one bike that’s made it to my dream garage, if you get the opportunity throw your leg over one and be prepared to be impressed. A new one will run you €12,699. You can get Transalp(ed) any Honda dealer.
American motorcyclist has life ruined by parenting teenage girls
*The Deserted Village by Oliver Goldsmith circa 1770.