Honda Transalp XL650V

Tommyd
Reviewed: 10 November 2012

Easy to love; does everything you want and more

Supremely comfortable for long distances - ride all day and all night and you'll never get sore or sick of it.
Great fun on twisty country roads.
Smooth power delivery.
Easy to fit accessories/luggage etc.
A dream to ride; I love it.

Not quite as powerful as some others in this category
Brakes aren't as good as some others in this category

In two weeks, I’ve done just over 2,000 miles on my Transalp, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s fun through twisty country lanes, and you can tour all day in perfect comfort and wake up excited again the next day about getting back on it. I know, because I’ve just come back from a 950 mile, 4 day trip across France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, and when I pulled into the driveway, all I wanted to do was turn around and head straight off again.
The closest thing I can compare it to is the BMW GS1200, but lighter. I used to ride a DL650 Vstrom (2010 model), and compared to that, the Transalp feels like a bigger, smoother bike that can munch the miles more easily.

The sacrifice for me is the power. The Transalp is slightly less powerful than the fuel-injected Vstrom (52 bhp vs 72 bhp for the V).

Several negative comments I’ve read are aimed at the Transalp’s lack of sportsbike handling. As others have said, the TA is NOT a sportsbike, and has never claimed to be! If you’re looking for a thrill, and you need speed to achieve that, buy a sportsbike! If, though, you’re a rider who just loves to ride, there’s no reason why you won’t love it – it’s fast enough through the twisties to keep up with the best of them, you’ve just got to know how to ride well.

Some people say it’s not a great looking bike, but for me, it’s all about personal taste. I don’t think anything beats a kitted-up touring bike in all it’s touring finery. (more at http://transalptravels.wordpress.com)

Gadget Rider
Reviewed: 04 September 2012

Only boring if you can't ride well.

The Transalp has many 'pros'. It's comfortable, easy to ride, reliable, has pretty good weather protection, easy and cheap to service, has loads of available accessories and gives good mpg. All in all, no real issues.

Lacks a little power for overtakes and becomes thirsty when pushed on the motorway. Should have a center stand fitted as standard. Capable but not great two up.

I've owned my TA for 6 years and have ridden in just about all weathers and on a variety of terrain. I bought it after I rode the older 600cc version at work and really enjoyed it.
Now, if your the sort of biker who needs out and out speed for a bike not to be boring, then forget the Transalp, or go and learn how to ride. The TA won't set the world on fire in the power and speed dept', but it will keep up with and leave behind some bigger, more 'capable' bikes on the twisty A and B roads. (I speak from experience here). It needs to be ridden though, ie using the gears to get the best out of it. It is great fun!
Don't expect motorway 'blasts'. It's more of a plodder. But it will 'plod' all day long and easily at 80mph, although I find that at over 75mph the fuel economy seems to suffer significantly, (low 40mpg). Stick to legal limits and you see 50+mpg. For some reason, even when pushed hard on the twisties, I still get 48-50mpg.
It's not the best looking bike around, nor does it have a sexy image, but if your not the vain type, that doesn't matter.
It's comfortable enough to tour on too. I recently came back from the Highlands, (415 miles) in one day and although tired wasn't aching and stiff.
Around town the TA is great. Manoeuvrable and easy to filter on, and the upright riding position gives a good view of what's going on .
It's never not started and his kept going where others have failed.
Don't dismiss the Transalp. It is a very capable fun bike.

thetabbster
Reviewed: 24 October 2011

Just a brilliant, all round, all weather, all purpose bike!

I bought this bike pretty much on a spur of the moment decision - I went looking for something defferent to go 2 up touring with the missus & run me around on free weekends. She has been nothing other than superb, with occasional hilarious bouts of sportsbike embarrasment in the peak district(where we live)! She starts first time EVERY time, even when she's been parked up for 4 months (we've now got 3 kids, so use is now more occasional than regular!); she has done 600+ miles in a day, doing Lands End to John O'Groats twice with me in 4 days & so reliability is proven.

There really aren't many. If I had to pick fault, I'd say that your feet aren't especially protected from the elements, so make sure your boots are waterproof & economy can suffer when you're fully laden, with the side panniers making the biggest difference. She also has a tendency to waggle at speed into a head wind, with the higher touring screen & side pans on, but to be honest you get used to it & a quick adjustment one way or the other of your right wrist solves the problem. Oh & the spark plugs are a BITCH to get to!

Look, I just love this bike. I love the fact that there aren't many out there & so you're a bit different. I love the fact that she'll cruise at 80mph all day & yet is really agile around town. I love the fact that she'll take 2 people in comfort with 2 side pans & a top box away for a long weekend. I love the fact that she's TOTALLY reliable, as I just don't need to spend time tinkering with bikes these days - I just want to get on & go, regardless of how long she's been parked up. I love the fact that with a top box, 2 side pans, a pillion bag & a tank bag, I don't own enough stuff to fill it all & she's STILL stable! I also love the fact that with the big underseat storage, a fitted power socket, high touring screen, sat nav & heated grips, she makes BMWs look like a comedy waste of money!! If you're looking for trousers on fire excitement, you're looking in the wrong place, but then I think you've missed the point of this bike completely.

User 71694
Reviewed: 22 September 2011

OK a Cliche, but it really does what it says on the can, and some.

A caring wife type motorcycle that will get experimental on special occasions, and can knock up a killer curry when she's in the mood.

The word is getting out on these bikes which appears to be reflecting in the used prices!

OK a Cliche, but it really does what it says on the can, and speak
as a liferbiker with a Harley and a Classic Scott in the garage, and rate this bike highly. I had a Susan Boyle moment with this bike, and bought it as a second/winter bike. Reviews are so personal to the rider I will simply say try it, and don't believe all you read. There is scope for me to change things to suit me better, but having now given this bike some serious use in all conditions commuting regularly from N.Wales to London it has never let me down. We have therefore "Bonded" and all I need to get me up there in a quick look at YouTube:TransAlp 650 Long Way Dany says it all.

mouse43
Reviewed: 24 March 2011

Great all rounder if your not in a rush.

Reliability, Durability and Practicality.
A tough little engine that pulls cleanly and happily cruises 2 up at 80mph.
the upright riding position and relatively low weight make it a doddle to ride through traffic on the daily commute and comfortable enough to spend the day in the saddle touring.
well put together. servicing and spares are relatively (for a honda) inexpensive.
Hold their value well and resell quickly

Not much.
As a do it all bike it may lack in one area or another depending on your needs.
Head races and wheel bearings suffer on older bikes.

If you need a bike for daily commuting and the sunday ride you wont go wrong with the transalp.