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Buy the bike that makes you happy. Don’t begrudge others purchasing decisions.

New subscriber. Japan is an interesting country. I'd love to visit. But riding on the left side of the road would be hard to get used to.

What do the hand guards do for you?

An interesting and different view - well done. Past 15,000 kms here in Australia on my (also white) Transalp, and can assure you this bike only gets better as you go. I have been riding since 1962 (not legal initially back then!) and have had mostly Ducatis, and my old (Ducati powered) Cagiva Elefant 750 over this time, and have done A LOT of miles. (And worked on bikes for my job for many decades, and have owned several Hondas over that time). I had reservations when I test rode and later bought my TA, but have not had reason to regret it since, apart from the tedious air filter replacement (now K & N equipped). That took me much more than 20 minutes... But you made many good points I largely agree with: the lack of engine heat (good) the lack of an oil window (bad) the oil capacity and lower compression etc. All true, and not often mentioned on CZcams videos. I was also disappointed at the lack of an ambient temperature gauge, which is a bit odd in this era of so much electronics. I disagree about the headlight, which not only lets down the look of the bike to my eye, but which I find is a pretty poor light. So much less light than my 29 y. o. Cagiva it's not funny. Perhaps they want to sell more over-priced accessories, like the extra lights/crash bars etc. But the TA is a bike that gets better as you go, and you are right that the engine becomes smoother (and sounds smoother) once it is run in. It is 'adequate' on dirt roads (as against rough trails) and its far cheaper price in this country allows for some suspension work. This Honda was $15,740 on road here, compared to the Suzuki DE at $18,500, and the Tuareg around $22,500 on road. The Honda represents the 'sensible alternative' to the potential parts and reliability issues of KTM and Aprilia, and the extra weight of the DE Suzuki, and its suspension can be improved for those who want to. But it is a bike that grows on you, and its ease of operation, with the clutch take-up and forgiving engine, make it the one I use the most of my few bikes. A lot of dirt roads around here, and my Transalp has done thousands of dirt miles. But the TA is a better machine than it seemed at first, and its sales figures reflect this. It really is an 'everyman' model, and the savings allow for some lightening and suspension improvements. The Honda accessories are too expensive, but many aftermarket alternatives available as the Transalp becomes a sales success. I hope you continue to enjoy yours, and that your daughter's education achieves her/your ambitions. Strange that you can't get test rides on Japanese bikes in Japan! That was never a problem here. I really enjoyed my test of the Aprilia, but its price, and its more off-road focus, slower parts delivery (and higher seat) ruled it out for my use, but it is also a great machine. I didn't end up test riding the Suzuki as it was clearly much heavier in comparison to the Honda and Aprilia, just standing it up from the sidestand!

I went with the a T7 but if a person is going to be on the road then the Transalp is a better bike, or if a person is shorter than me. I'm 5'8" 30.5-31" inseam. Or if someone feels they need the higher tech... though I don't understand that after the failure of my Pan America's electronics. Aprilia Dealership is 3.5 hours from me, and there are reported issues when the 660 is ridden lots of miles with harder off-road thrown in. I'm glad the T7 is what it is. I'm selling my 890 Adventure today. Like the Transalp the 890 is a superior road bike to the T7 but it stops there. I want to go back to simplicity. Next bike for me to move on is my Husky 501, probably for a DR 650. Yeah, some of us just want simple bikes. All that said, the Transalp will be a great road bike, mid-size ADV bike because Honda's electronics aren't as suspect as Harley/KTM Etc...

we know from history - this is a life bike, as you say you would change out of want and not need

Having some backbone issues, I bought my TA last year mainly because it's lighter on paper than all its direct competitors. Given that no bike is perfect (f.eg range on display ?! Come on Honda) but I still haven't stopped grinning each time I fire it up here in northern Italy. My second choice would have been the Vstrom 800 but I wanted a change from my previous V-Strom 650 XT (great learner bike) I believe that tubed tires can be handled with a foam cannister (fingers-crossed) Cons: adding all Honda optionals I wanted turned out to be spending closer to the €13k. However all in all, fun factor ensured. Ride safe.

Great content as usual mate. Totally agree with not letting youtubers get in your head - and to get out and ride. I had an MT07 and really didn't enjoy it despite everyone on CZcams telling me it was a great bike - worst gearbox in my opinion, and relatively crap suspension for the roads I ride. Perfect example of not to go by other peoples rants on forums and online. Also, like you said - impossible to test ride pretty much all the Japanese bikes at dealers here. That leaves BMW and Triumph that'll actually let you put a leg over a bike and make up your own mind. Alas, I test rode a Scrambler 1200 and fell in love - traded in the MT07 a week later for a 2019 Scrambler 1200 XE. That bike is the perfect bike for me on chill rides on the back roads of Nagano/Yamanashi/Gunma etc. while still having plenty of grunt. I then made the great decision to test ride a hyper naked hooligan bike and fell in love again ;-) Speed Triple 1200 RS joined the staple a few weeks later - most fun I've ever had on a bike period, smiles for miles. But it's not a mile muncher, the scrambler does that just fine. I really enjoy both bikes. My point is that you have to rent a bike in Japan to test ride one unless it's a Triumph or a BMW (to my knowledge - at least that how it is around here Nagano/Yamanashi) - at Kawasaki they'll let you rent one WTF.... Honda stores look at you like you are just a nuisance..... a lot of the shops treat you like crap and don't even warrant a smile when you walk up. Ok, that turned into the story of why I now own and love two Triumphs ;-) Don't even get me started about Japanese makers not letting you put another pipe on the bike if you want it serviced etc.....

I’m on my 3rd fuel sender

Thought about this one or the NC750DCT as a commuter (55 kilos each way). Don't think they do this with DCT, though. I see a fella (here in Central Japan) commuting on an Africa Twin 1100DCT some mornings, and he goes through traffic nicely, but Tokyo roads... Not for me. Had a Suzuki V-Strom 650 (Japan spec) from new in 2013, but having left hand joint issues, I swapped for a new 2018 Tmax530 scooter, which I have never grown to like, so back to "bikes" as it were, and your bike's cousin, the NC is the most likely choice, and which I, too will probably keep for about 10 years (about 220,000 kilos). Enjoy your ride.

The Suzuki 800DE is a better adventure bike than the Talp. The Talp is a street bike/commuter and Honda already has better options. The Talp off road is unbearable, Honda lost me with the mid size Adventure option and Suzuki gained me.

Ktm and aprilla are not better....they are not reliable

Your text did ask for a Dad Joke, so here we go; What's the nicest thing you can offer your redhead friend? Chemotherapy.

I am very close to getting a Transalp, but the fact that its tires are not tubeless is really concerning me. It feels like a deal-breaker. Is it normal for me to be so hung up on tubeless tires? I need your advice. Thank you.

Nice video with candid thoughts. Completely explains the purpose of going with Transalp750. I was very eager to purchase this bike in India but it very costly in India as it is imported in CBU form which subjects it to huge Customs Duty and some other taxes making it expensive. But it is a very nice bike for sure. Meanwhile I happen to test ride Himalayan450 which fulfills my purpose at almost one fourth the price of Transalp and so I immediately bought it. Anyhow, you have made a brilliant choice.

the competion is called chinese...and i m glad,cf moto,qj motor,voge,benelli,kove,zontes...and it very strong.and it will force japanes to make cheaper bikes.in my country first bike in sales until now in 2024,its the voge ds525,this ugly heavy thing.secong is cb500x/nx500 and third tracer9.transalp unfortunately,is below even tenere.i think couse its too "naked" for the price.500 euros less than tuareg and vstrom800,which vstrom,its not selling at all.i would never bought chinese

As a Transalp owner as well, I think it was a nice purchase, I would like to keep the bike for all my life :)

I like the objectivity that you showed in the end,very mature thinking. Btw is the yellow jacket you are wearing a biker jacket?

The most responsible financial move would have been sticking with the MT! I'm curious to see if you can resist the urge to get another bike in two years. I wonder how long I'll stick with my bike.

Love the bike but can't stand its headlight. I'll just wait til Honda changes it in the next generation.

Smart man

I'm not sure about buying Transalp anymore mainly because of tubed tires. Heard some crashes happened from fast deflation of tires after puncture. Not sure if I want that risk for me and my wife onboard. That fact really disappointed me and now I'm thinking of going Tracer 7 GT for that similar price. Was really excited for Transalp. 😑

Are bar end mirrors useful for visibility?

hmmm...my stock mirrors suck because literally the only thing I see in them without large movements is my shoulders. If filtering were legal where I am, they would not be an issue though because they are so far toward the center of the bike. Even worse replacing them would not help because it is the position on the bars being permanently fixed that is the primary issue and the mirrors have my front blinkers on them so they are wired in. My windshield does not obstruct my vision and for me it is just a place to mount things. In order to get something approaching safe vision of what's happening, I had to do the following: The stock mirrors are still there I added a holographic mirror to the top of my windshield which gives me pretty decent vision, but it mainly gives me an overall sense rather than specifics. I added Fenrir Cafe Racer round bar end mirrors (which can also rotate all the way in) and between the holographic and the end bar mirrors, I can now see everything. The stock mirrors are for decoration. I feel sorry for anyone traveling behind me if the sun is at my back. lol

That blue tape has to go. Outside of that, looks very good!

These vs Rokkers--anybody have any experience? Have an actual 30" waist but could barely pull the 30" Roadskins on over my calfs/thighs. But would a 32" be too open around the waist?

Will this fit if u have the belly pan?

Where you get that black tape that reflect light?

Its nice in japan you get so many choice. Here we only got transalp n versys 😢 If only tracer 7 or 9 came here i would try them as i more like yamaha model, but i think transalp have better riding position

Cool video man!

man,why tuareg is so expensive in japan?almost at the price of africa.here in greece,is about the same money with vstrom800de,which is a little more expensive than transalp and tenere.may ask a question.the decals in this transalp are lacquered,or can be removed?

Should have just got the Africa Twin.

Great video, dig that thermometer mod! 🍻 subscribed!

Nice bike dude, beautiful!

Only missing tubeless and cruise control now :) But before you do anything else, put some miles on that thing! It's only got 33km on the odo! When I got my new 790 3 weeks ago, I put 200km on the first day :P

czcams.com/video/GRvYx-b-G2U/video.html You'll love the MCCruise cruise control the best, cause it has the on and off as well as resume decelerate, set and accelerate and it works as good if not better than most factory installed cruise controls to date 👉czcams.com/video/GRvYx-b-G2U/video.html

Hello, Great job ! Can you give links to buy the gel + the foam ? I would like to ordre good quality gel. Thanks in advance !

I’m contemplating on putting some on my 2022 Tracer 9 GT on the front. My Ducati Monster has better bite, but it also has stainless braided brakelines.

3:26

Solid (and thorough) setup for a relatively new bike, this will help a lot of people looking to set up their Transalp for off road.

Try the Vstrom 800 DE please.

No traction control,no riding mode,no quick shifter.For me as new rider I will never by a motorcycle without traction control,Suzuki and Honda has all of them features

Norden 901 here in the Philippines is at US $10,200 brand new from the dealer. Normally price at US $17,000. Should I buy one with all this “reliability” issues? Thanks!

I just passed 300 miles on my USA Transalp. The quickshifter comes stock on our version. The "Fn" button is "Function", a general purpose button. I have the optional, fully integrated factory grips, that button brings up the grip level/temp control menu. That's what was nice about the TA - I could pick and chose which options I wanted, in this case, the factory center stand, heated grips and 12v outlet (not standard on ours). Everything else, I've gone aftermarket. Our version is detuned because of EPA noise rules to 83 HP and I'm still baffled by people who say it's slow. It's indeed tame below 4000 RPM or so, really wakes up after that. Wound up past 4k, and it'll jump from 25 to 65 MPH in a blink and sound absolutely fantastic doing it. They only cheap/fiddly things I've found on the bike are A) The three plastic body panel fasteners you have to remove along with the screws on each side body panel and B) The tool kit on the American version at least is absolutely useless. You can't even adjust the chain using it. Mine's a little buzzy on the highway around 4000 RPM, but the engine is barely out of the break-in period.

Though i do like your music choice, please lower the volume, we are not here for the music.

I would get the Husqvarna, but for now i will stay with my T7. It is a great bike and absolutely no issues at all!💪🤘👊

Husq should have put that CFmoto 450 in the svart and then built a norden 451.

Cyclists are the worst, so who cares...