Mad Mike
Well-known member
$400 option@Mad Mike if that DL800 only had a cruise control....
$400 option@Mad Mike if that DL800 only had a cruise control....
Ah, V4's and valves. Best layout for power delivery, worst layout for maintenance.Buddy didn’t have the valve adjustment done at 24k km as prescribed as it’s ridiculously expensive with the VVT system Honda used.
He’s got over 50k km on it now and it’s strong as ever.
I Prefer the factory options. But that's just a personal preferenceI’ve actually seen a retrofitted cruise control once…that was interesting.
Trans Alp - No. DL800 VStrom for the win.
I'm a big fan of Honda from the 60s to the 90s, but since 2000 nothing excites me. I'm too young for a GoldWing, and never enjoyed riding SS bikes.
You do meet the nicest people on Hondas.
All road tests and reports suggest that it is.Question though, is the DL800 really that good? I've never really considered it. Figured Suzuki was just being lazy/Suzuki.
I sat on one at Serpa last week. It looks the part, reminds me of the old Suzuki DRBig.I get it.
More often than not, Honda doesn't make motorcycles for motorcyclists. Honda makes motorcycles for people that drive cars.
Question though, is the DL800 really that good? I've never really considered it. Figured Suzuki was just being lazy/Suzuki.
Hey!There are only 3 more Hondas I would buy….
- VFR800
- Africa Twin
- Trans Alp
Outside of that…I’m done with that reliable, dependable, fuel efficient garbage.
All road tests and reports suggest that it is.
A worthy successor to the 650 v-twins, and if past history is any indication Suzuki will keep it in the fleet for a veeeerrrrrrrrrrrry looooooooooong time.
Interesting, thanks Mike!I sat on one at Serpa last week. It looks the part, reminds me of the old Suzuki DRBig.
To me it looks like a step up from the DL650 designed to keep Suzuki the prominent brand in the middleweight ADV. as the DL650 ages, the T700 and Transalp have krept into that space, the DL pushes those bikes to the fringe.
The only beef I've read about it is that Honda cheaped out on the suspension (much like the T7). Nothing that can't be fixed.The Transalp 750 is actually really good. It also feels lighter than most of the competition and the weight it has is held low.
Seems like the perfect bike for what I'm looking for. 2-3 years and they should be showing up on the used market for sub-10k price.The Transalp 750 is actually really good. It also feels lighter than most of the competition and the weight it has is held low. My buddy has one and we put 750km on it yesterday. It was a blast in the twisties of Westport and Renfrew areas and dispatched of the Barry Lake Trail on the same day. He put crash bars and a real skidplate on it.
It’s not a weapon anywhere but is darn good everywhere and for what is costs new is amazing value.
Lots of good reviews out there and here’s just one:
2024 Honda XL750 Transalp First Ride Review - ADV Pulse
Honda brings the Transalp (TA) back to life after more than a decade of absence from the world. It’s also been more than 30 years since one has been on the showroom floor in the United States. It made sense to take some time off here in the States as Americans weren’t ADV’ing enough yet. […]www.advpulse.com
The Transalp 750 is actually really good. It also feels lighter than most of the competition and the weight it has is held low. My buddy has one and we put 750km on it yesterday. It was a blast in the twisties of Westport and Renfrew areas and dispatched of the Barry Lake Trail on the same day. He put crash bars and a real skidplate on it.
It’s not a weapon anywhere but is darn good everywhere and for what is costs new is amazing value.
Lots of good reviews out there and here’s just one:
2024 Honda XL750 Transalp First Ride Review - ADV Pulse
Honda brings the Transalp (TA) back to life after more than a decade of absence from the world. It’s also been more than 30 years since one has been on the showroom floor in the United States. It made sense to take some time off here in the States as Americans weren’t ADV’ing enough yet. […]www.advpulse.com
Not sticking up for Honda in that regard but can it be a beef with Honda if every other bike in the same category did as well? You either pay to upgrade to what your requirements are or you pay up front for a 890R which costs so much more it isn’t even in the same category (and to be fair the 890R isn’t built for the same people with Transalp/Vstrom/etc requirements).The only beef I've read about it is that Honda cheaped out on the suspension (much like the T7). Nothing that can't be fixed.
I'm waiting for a wrecked "new" Transalp... i figure the motor is a "drop in" to a RC31 (same "base" motor). I know a guy that's been working for years adapting bigger 4 valve heads and EFI to his RC31... this could have it done over a weekend.