We RIDE the 2023 Honda Transalp | BikeSocial Review

BikeSocial road tester Simon Hargreaves rides the 2023 #Honda XL750 #Transalp parallel twin adventure bike at the official launch in Portugal. How does Honda’s new dual-purpose bike compare to Suzuki’s V-Strom 800DE, Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 and Aprilia’s Tuareg 660? Find out here!

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:40 On board test ride starts
01:20 First riding impressions
02:58 Model history
04:18 Road/off-road emphasis
05:13 Rivals
05:43 Engine spec and comparison to Suzuki’s 800DE
07:44 Frame and subframe
08:20 Suspension, ground clearance, seat height and brakes
09:09 21in front and tubed tyres
09:30 Tank, fuel consumption and range v Suzuki 800DE
09:57 Clocks and electronic spec
10:24 Weight
11:25 Quick shifter and screen
11:41 Price
13:45 Riding montage
14:10 Verdict
21:53 Outake
22:35 Service intervals and Accessory packs and prices

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[smeagle]

I rode one in Spain at a bike event last weekend. As an owner of a 96 model TA, I went along as I couldn't pass up the opportunity to not just see one but to take it for a spin, and boy it surprised me regarding grunt and weight. Fun is the word that pops into my head, very much surprised. For someone who is considering a larger bike in October like the African Twin, or GS, I have to say this TA has made the short list.

[farracuda]

“I’ll skip the boring history”, great review and history lesson😂😂. Like the way you positioned all the mid weight bikes between off road and road.

[mvjoshi]

That remark, "feels like I am at home on this bike, I have ridden it before" is the clincher for me. This is exactly what a new bike should feel like from the word go.

Your videos are made like you are having a converstaion with your audience over a cup of tea and that quality makes them much, much more relevant than most others.

Sadly, I don't think we in India will get this bike, not at least in my lifetime ele it would have been my last big bike.

Wondeful video. Subscribed to you now. Do keep up the great work with that informal tone.

[andyw]

Nice review, Thanks for giving us a clear uninterrupted and un-edited recording of the engine sound at the end! EVERY other reviewer i watched hides and edits out the engine sound for some strange reason. I watched this hoping to hear the engine finally, and it sounds great.

[ShortInterestFilms]

Great first ride review as usual, you always seem to get at least two levels deeper into the bikes than other press launch reviews - best of the bunch by far, nice one Simon

[ragerider]

Nice review & the bike looks pretty good too. Also glad you dealt with the elephant in the room straight away & called a spade a spade. It's a road bike & that's absolutely fine as most adventure bikes never see a dirt road anyway. Honda will sell loads of them no doubt & for those minority of people who genuinely want to off-road, there are plenty of other great choices in the class. Also to be fair to the Suzuki, you can't spec the Honda to have a bolt-on subframe, bigger tank & fully adjustable suspension which is where the majority of the Suzuki's extra weight & cost come from. Now whether that is justifiable or not is another question I guess.

[wimvangerven]

Nice review but I'm realy amazed by the price difference in the UK compared with the Suzuki. In Holland it is only € 100 cheaper and Suzuki gives a 6 year warranty on it as well.
I find that a much better deal!
Keep up the good work, I love your channel!

[gingerelvis]

You can tell it's a cracking road bike by the way you're chucking it round the bends one handed half the time 😁 I think it looks great and for where most of these type of bike get used it's spot on

[thebrowns]

A 21" front wheel obviously has a longer contact patch than a 19" and therefore more grip. The factbthey kept the front end stiff to feel like a more solid smaller wheel, but with this increase in grip... sounds amazing - fun yet reassured.

[andresalaskeno]

Tubed tyres is a no go. The rest fits for me. Original bash plate almost 500e, ouch..

[davidz]

The best review so far, very honest, the Transalp is a road bike that you take for a mild bit of offroading, I still think the price and weight are a bit deceptive as it has no bash plate or even hand guards. I think they will sell loads of them, and in a couple of years it will get cruise.

[chris_rides_kawasaki]

I sat on this at the NEC and really liked it. It was as comfortable as the old v Strom 650... And with more beans. Im considering chopping in my z900 for it next year as I'm 52 and would like to move on from naked bikes. Good review, thanks.

[douwe]

Still happy with my el cheapo, suzuki freewind, 170 kilo with half a tank off fuel, offroading with it in Spain, handles like a dream, and good fun in the twisties and does 80 on the motorway. But it is not a looker, not defenitly not.. This honda is a beauty, it really is and a great price..

[IdealBike]

Thanks for the review! Appreciate your honesty, it is one of the best first rides reviews. Still I was expecting more off-road experience, more infos about how suspension handles different off-road situations. Still I look forward to test it myself before June, greetings !

[stevegandalf]

The centre stand should be fitted as standard on the stock bike. No ifs, no buts.
Otherwise superb for what it was designed for i.e. touring road bike with off tarmac fire road capability.

[cavscout]

I waited and waited and waited then in the spring of 2021 I bought a T7. Here in Texas I’m still waiting however, when the Transalp gets here I guess I’ll have both in my barn unless someone wants to buy a low mileage T7 as I’m definitely more road oriented than off road. Nothing wrong with the T7 and it’s a great Bike, I just want and have wanted a TransAlp forever. It’s a little more suited to my needs and absolutely Beautiful in red white and blue.

[EEEEMMMMKKKK]

I like how this guy is doing the reviews, without any bias and not always the latest is the greatest.

[an_aficionado]

Great job. Way more informative and non-biases than the other reviews. Love the comparisons. I’d assume if gravel or smooth hard pack are the only “off-road”, this might be the pick too.

[hondaryder]

My 2000 Transalp still starts every first try and has never missed a beat. Reliability and build quality are my nr. 1 concerns in buying any bike.
I take mine offroad all the time, just fit some 50/50 tyres, the Mitas EO7's plus' kept me right side up on some of the more demanding terrain.
If you want a more offroad orientated bike get the CRF like Noraly. But first watch Pedro Mota circumnavigate the world on an ancient specimen. That might change your opinion (and question your own abilities as an encore).😁
I'm 1, 92mtr 97kg so your experience may vary.

[rochmel]

Thanks Simon. Very useful . I'm looking for an 'everyday ride in any weather nip down the shops' type bike. The size and definitely the price of the Transalp as well as the retro looks have attracted me to it. Your review has done nothing to change my view. In fact it has whetted my enthusiasm to book a test ride! Thanks once again.