Boundless adventure
In our recent review of the new to SA, CB500X, I made mention of the fact that the world of adventure motorcycling is undergoing a change with many adventure seekers forgoing large displacement bikes in lieu of smaller more compact machines that can more easily tackle a trail. This change is accelerating with more and more brands hopping on and bringing mid-weight bikes to market to satiate the needs of the adventure hungry everywhere.
Related: Honda CB500X (2023) Review
For many 350cc - 500cc may seem a little on the small size for what they need and a 1000cc - 1300cc machine is just too big, this where is where the middleweight comes in, machines that range from 650cc -900cc are near perfect for carving up city streets and letting the gravel fly on a trip out of town. Honda has neatly filled that gap with the TransAlp, a 750cc machine that has all the style for the city and the rough and ready capability for the trail. We spent a few days behind the handlebars on this baby Africa Twin and found it perfectly suited to task.
Styling
The TransAlp is a pretty bike make no mistake, the familiar Honda DNA shines bright here as you can clearly see the design language on display Africa Twin, TransAlp, CB500X. The bike is available in a range of attractive colours such as the Ross White TriColour, a blue-white-grey arrangement but it is in the Iridium Metallic Grey paint scheme that the TransAlp gains the most attention. I can't say I am a fan of the small headlight as it breaks with the Rallye aesthetic they were going for but onn the whole, even without the extra tack-on parts that are available, the 750 looks proper.
Honda has gone the same route that many Euro manufacturers have gone and offers the TransAlp as a base model, which we had on test, and then allows you to add various packs tuned to the type of riding you will do, such as an adventurer pack, tourer pack and so on. These packs do come at a premium but can completely change the look of the bike and it will be up to the new owner to decide what they want. We do however appreciate it in its bare-bones guise.
Tech and Features
Honda has really upped the ante here, offering the TransAlp with a new set of electronics. In the dash, you will find a 5" colour TFT screen that gives you crystal clear readouts of all the bike parameters and is also the interface for the list of rider modes. Riders have the option of 5 engine modes ranging from Street to Rain and Gravel and even User mode wherein one can set up your own personalised settings, but they do revert to default once the bike is switched off.
Outside of the LED lighting and USB charger point there isn't much else with Honda keeping things simple, less to go wrong when you're 600km from home.
Engine and Drivetrain
The TransAlp is powered by a 755cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with 270° crank and Unicam mated to a slick-shifting 6-speed transmission with a slipper clutch. Delivering 67.5kW and 75Nm to the rear wheel via chain drive the TransAlp easily keeps pace with the maddening traffic in Johannesburg and gainfully stretches its legs on the open road, easily returning 395km from the 16.5l tank.
Keeping the wheels firmly planted is a pliable suspension consisting of Showa SFF-CATM (Separate Function Fork-Cartridge) fork up front offering a generous 200mm of travel and spring preload adjustment. At the rear, a familiar Pro-link swingarm holds a Showa shock offering adjustable preload and 190mm of travel. The TransAlp achieves a ground clearance of 210mm and yet with its low sculpted seat even short riders can sit with feet firmly planted.
Transferring power to the road and keeping it in check is a set of stainless steel-spoked wheels made up of a 21" front wheel, home to two-piston brake calipers that clamp down hard on dual 310mm rotors while the 18-inch rear wheel gets a single-piston caliper and a 256mm rotor.
Let's ride
The Honda TransAlp is nothing if not supremely comfortable. The low sculpted seat is pliable and cushy and with a neat rider triangle gives one unstrained posture adding to this the large screen that almost completely eliminates wind buffeting, one forgets how quickly 300km goes by, allowing you to jump off feeling refreshed and free from aches and pains.
The engine delivers a satisfying burble at idle and barks excitedly when you give the accelerator a quick nip, hinting at the performance available. Riding one up the TransAlp is nimble agile and responds to rider input well but adding a pillion creates a few problems. The rear suspension sag becomes a lot more pronounced, affecting the handling dynamics, and although the rear seat is just as cushy and comfortable if you want to enjoy your ride, leave the pillion at home.
The 750cc engine pulls like a steamtrain and with the pliable suspension the Honda sticks to the road inspiring confidence in corners making the TransAlp just plain fun to ride.
Pros and Cons
- Beautiful styling and colour combo
- Low comfy seat
- Easy-to-use tech
- Torquey engine
- Various styling packs available
- Rear suspension not suitable for pillion
- Headlight to small
Model and Price
| Honda XL750 TransAlp | Starting from R 209 999 |
* Available packs - Urban Pack (50l top box, aluminium panel, mounting base, pillion pad and inner bag plus tall screen and main stand); Touring Pack (rear panniers, aluminium panels, support stays, inner bags and heated grips); Adventure Pack (side pipes, LED fog lights and radiator grille); Rally Pack (quickshifter, engine guard, bash plate, rally footpegs and knuckle guards) and Comfort Pack (3l tank bag, wind deflectors, comfort pillion footpegs and an AAC charging socket).
** For pricing on these packs, please consult your dealer as there are specials to be had.
Verdict
Honda has done a bang-up job on the TransAlp finding a fantastic balance between the light CB500 and the big daddy Africa Twin. Very keen pricing has kept the TransAlp at the pointy end of the market segment and it will be interesting to see where its competitors such as KTM, Yamaha and Suzuki will slot in. With the Suzuki 800DE and Yamaha Tenere snapping at its heels, Honda need only keep looking ahead and keeping making bikes this good to stay at the tip of the market spear.
