TECHNOLOGY | HONDA XL750 TRANSALP - The legend is alive!

For fans, it was agonising years of waiting until Honda finally launched the new generation of the Transalp in 2022. However, with a clear focus on the tried-and-tested virtues, the new Transalp quickly (re)won its place in the adventure community.

Rallye Touring was the slogan with which Honda presented the first Transalp in 1987. And it was precisely this mixture of fast off-road riding and touring that immediately made the Transalp the favourite of adventure riders. And it didn't seem to bother the travelling faction at all that rallying was actually more the domain of its big sister model, the Africa Twin, which arrived on Europe's roads a year later. The Transalp's engine guard was only made of plastic, the suspension elements were smaller than those of the Africa Twin in terms of dimensions and travel. The Transalp's recipe for success was rather its great versatility. Whilst it performed quite well on easy terrain with its 21-inch front wheel, it really knew how to impress on gentle gravel tracks and above all onroad. Its 600cc V-twin had amazing elasticity, the chassis offered a great compromise for roads of all kinds and the comfort on board was beyond reproach, both alone and as a couple.

TOURATECH PARTS FOR THE HONDA XL750 TRANSALP

Touratech has launched a wide range of accessories that allow the full potential of the new Transalp to be utilised. Based on the robust stainless steel carrier, motorbike travellers have an extensive selection of ZEGA aluminium case systems of various product lines and volumes at their disposal. The top case carrier allows ZEGA top cases of various sizes to be fitted, and even heavy luggage rolls can be securely lashed to the luggage plate. For use on longer tours and on gravel tracks, the Touratech experts recommend equipping the bike with protectors. In addition to the Expedition engine guard, the Defensa hand protectors or the fairing crash bar protect sensitive components from damage. The extra-wide Works long-distance footrests ensure a safe and comfortable standing position on long off-road stages.

Touratech Parts for Honda XL750 Transalp

With the parts from the Touratech accessories range, the Honda XL750 Transalp can be equipped for even the most demanding long-distance journeys.

Travel enduro middle class | suspension travel comparison

TOURATECH SUSPENSION PARTS FOR HONDA XL750 TRANSALP

The high-end components from Touratech Suspension raise the suspension performance of the Transalp to a completely new level. An upgrade of the suspension with the high-quality spring elements is particularly recommended for rides with high loads or on demanding terrain. The spring strut from the proven E1 series already offers a significant improvement in ride comfort and stability. From the even more sophisticated Travel product family, Touratech Suspension offers both the Level2 / PDS shock absorber and the Extreme version customised for the Transalp. The fork of the Honda XL750 Transalp is unrecognisable in terms of response and damping qualities after the installation of the Cartridge Kit Extreme, which replaces the complete inner workings of the front wheel guide. Both the shock absorbers and the cartridge kit are available in an additional version to lower the Transalp by 25 millimetres.

CONTINUOUS MODEL MAINTENANCE OVER TWO DECADES

For twenty years, Honda devotedly maintained the successful model, repeatedly bringing the Transalp up to date with minor updates. Over the course of time, the displacement increased from 600 to 650 cubic centimetres, which also slightly increased the engine output from 50 to 55 hp. But sheer performance was not what the Transalpinists were after anyway. In 2008, with ever stricter emissions regulations taking their toll, Honda launched the XL700V - with a new engine, four-valve heads, fuel injection and Euro 3 classification.

To the community’s horror, the 700 now had a 19-inch front wheel instead of the 21-inch wheel, looked slightly overweight and the 60 hp output was not special either. The Transalp had somehow fallen out of time. The machine remained in the Honda programme until 2012. And then – for a long time – nothing happened.

FINALLY – THE 750 TRANSALP ARRIVES IN 2022

Honda let the community brew until 2022. Yamaha's Ténéré and the Africa Twin had long since celebrated their resurrection when the new generation of the Transalp was finally unveiled. It had long been clear that it would no longer be a V2 engine, and so the machine designated as the Transalp XL750 Transalp was received with great favour by both the press and the adventure rider community.

During development, Honda paid strict attention to transporting the spirit of the Transalp into the present day. The new model has a 755 cubic centimetre in-line twin that produces a contemporary 92 hp and delivers its maximum torque of 75 Newton metres at a moderate 7,250 rpm. With those characteristics, the Transalp is not only good for touring, but is also likely to leave behind most of its competitors at a sporty pace.

Mid-range touring enduro | Engine performance comparison

PROPER TRANSALP-SPIRIT THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Four pre-set riding modes - Gravel, Sport, Standard and Rain - adjust the engine power, brakes, traction control, wheelie control and ABS to the different operating conditions. In a freely configurable mode, even the rear ABS can be switched off for off-road driving. The 750 Transalp is equipped with a 43 mm upside-down fork with 200 millimetres of travel to absorb even the roughest of bumps. The lever-operated central shock absorber has 190 millimetres of suspension travel. This puts the new Transalp at the lower end of the range in the mid-range touring enduro class, but it has sufficient reserves for moderate off-road use. With its high windscreen and generous amount of space, the XL750 Transalp also offers enough room on board for a crew of two. And last but not least, the dimensions of the rear frame virtually cry out for a large-volume luggage system.

With this balanced concept, the new XL750 seamlessly continues its great history: It offers a little bit of rally and a whole lot of touring. Typically Transalp.