2008 Honda Transalp debuts in Paris
Besides all being categorized as "Adventure Touring" bikes, what do the Suzuki V-Strom series and Kawasaki's new Versys have in common? They're both less than 1000cc's and sold in America. Not that we're keeping track or anything, but so are the BMW R1200GS, KTM 990 Adventure, Triumph Tiger 1050, Ducati Multistrada, Aprilia Caponord and even the new Benelli TreK 1130. Not so the Honda Transalp, which has just been completely refreshed and is being shown off at the Paris Motorcycle Show. Sporting a liquid-cooled V-Twin of just less than 700cc's, the Transalp would make a very logical competitor to the aforementioned Versys 650 and V-Strom 650, wouldn't you say? It's not so much that Honda's own XR650L is a bad bike -- it's actually quite good at what it does -- we just doubt that many potential buyers cross-shop the XR with bikes in the Adventure category. Consider too that BMW is rumored to be bringing a GS version of the new F800 stateside as well, and a strong argument could be made that Honda should enter the market.
Regardless of whether it comes to the U.S. or not, the Transalp is a fine Adventure Tourer. A look at our hosted pictures will show you that Honda has made some serious upgrades to their super-popular Euro-bound machine. Riders should enjoy the protection provided by the ample windscreen and fairing, and will likely find a comfortable riding position. Pictures also show the serious routing maneuvers the exhaust gases are forced to take as the bike has been made Euro 3 emissions compliant. If you're reading this and you live in the States, take heart... Kawasaki saw fit to make their new Versys available here. Maybe Honda will show us some love too.
[Source: Motorcycle Daily]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mark 3:46PM (3/30/2008)
I love my 89 Transalp. I have ridden many new and older bikes of all kind its still my favorite. You only need to ride it to appreciate it. Soaks up the twistys with the best of any bike watch the other fall behind on the tail of the dragon, most confortable distance bike I have ridden and you can take it off road for hike and your not all humped over or layed back.
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Kamil 2:44PM (9/30/2007)
Nice... offer a ton of good accessories, and price it around $6000 and you have a winner. I might like this more than the F650GS.
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RIFRAF 12:08PM (10/02/2007)
I think I'd buy one. Great looks.
SweeneyO 3:17PM (9/30/2007)
If they only were going to bring it to the US! The Transalp has been a fantastic bike on the other side of the Pond for years. This refresh is beautiful and would be awesome -- in addition to the potential competitors listed in the article, add Kawi's refreshed and more dirt-oriented KLR 650. Just bring it here, Honda!
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Shmalec 3:24PM (9/30/2007)
this isnt motorcycle blog.
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steve 4:02PM (9/30/2007)
ok now bring on the africa twin update for us dirt freaks and sell it over here this time
Alex Nunez 4:38PM (9/30/2007)
We'll choose the topics, Schmalec, thanks. You're going to see more bikes on the site.
Poe 5:34PM (9/30/2007)
Aw, WHAH. Many car enthusiasts are also motorcycle enthusiasts (like myself). If the motorcycle posts don't interest you, simply scroll past them.
The Transalp is a cool bike. Come on Honda... bring it here!
vectorbug 6:37PM (9/30/2007)
Its an autoblog. Motorcycles are automobiles, troll.
Reed 5:16PM (9/30/2007)
Just for the record, Schmalec, it's not truckblog or SUVblog either - but they seem to get more tan their share of the attention.
I say just about any bike is more interesting than your basic Suburban/Hummer/Land Cruiser.
Bring on the cool bikes!
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Alex Nunez 5:58PM (9/30/2007)
While there's no dedicated motorcycle blog (for now, at least) Jeremy, who is an AutoblogGreen regular, is going to be our go-to guy for bikes. He is our resident rider and expert, and the response to past motorcycle posts has been too good to ignore. This also means you can send in motorcycle tips, too, FYI. We'll make sure Jeremy gets 'em.
Bun Brown 5:25PM (9/30/2007)
I wish the maunfacturers would realize that Adventure Bikes could be the new "standards" (Honda CLs of old) but with the high seat heights, mature riders and those with a short inseam can't get a leg over them.
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ronin 5:55PM (9/30/2007)
I went shopping for a 'standard' and ended up with a Zook 650 VStrom, the best do-everything compromise bike I could find. That meant for the overall combination performance, comfort, fuel consumption, acceleration, touring it couldn't be beat (although in any single one of those categories it could well be).
Fans have long mourned the lack of the TransAlp in the US, and this would be a welcome addition to Honda's US stable.
RockStoneSteel 7:53PM (9/30/2007)
I concur on the ridiculously tall seat height. At 6'2" in height, I'm relatively tall with a tall inseam. However, to hold up the Suzuki V-Strom, I was on my tip-toes. I can't imagine even someone 5'8" or 5'10" trying to ride the thing without toppling over at the first stop light. I haven't tried out the other bikes, but I hope the Honda's seat isn't as tall. I'm just not sure the point of the higher seat and what is probably a higher center of gravity.
Bob Zeliff 9:03PM (9/30/2007)
I agree, the high tail in the air fashion trend is stupid. You have to be 6' 6" to swing a leg over the tail, then the seat hight is 33 inch.
I've had BMW's for 20 years. I hurt my hip to get on a new one. So I'm in the market for something else. This transalp seem to also have the stupid tail in the air fashion..not even a good spot for racks. Another foolish syle over function.
I probable will buy another old KLR and add a lowering kit as I did once before.
Guenther 10:10AM (10/01/2007)
OK- some of these are tall, but a few months back a buddy of mine (5'10") was able to flat-foot the V-Storm just fine at the bike expo (in Novi). The KLR and europeans are decidedly taller, but not taller than proper dirt bikes.
This seems like it fits right between the KLR and Versys, But Honda's 650 dual sport is a good bit more gritty than the KLR.
In my ever present quest for my next omnivore, I just can't see replacing my KLR with another thumper, even if it has more power, like the small GS. I also don't want anything less dirt capable than my KLR and want to stay away from the ueber-tourers. An F800GS seems like it would fit the bill perfectly, as long as its a little lighter and a lot less quirky than the big KTM.
Chris 6:49PM (9/30/2007)
There would sell in the US; Yamaha should import the new Tenere as well:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265147
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Shmalec 6:52PM (9/30/2007)
I just don't want my favorite site to lose it's focus. Sorry if I came off arrogant. As long as this place still covers my favorite cars itll be good.
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Alex Nunez 8:01PM (9/30/2007)
You have nothing to worry about, Schmalec. Fret not.
steve 10:27PM (9/30/2007)
the high seat height is a byproduct of the longtravel suspension required on a dual sport bike. It starts to makes sense on real twisty beat up pavement as the bike just floats, and of course on dirt roads and 2 track where the suspension travel eats up bumps, and come to think of it urban landscapes too where you get a nice view over the traffic jam.