I want to go around the world in 2 years.

I have tried a few bikes:
GS 650
Teneree 700
Africa Twin
Transalp 700

I most prefer the Transalp.

But the 700 is fuel injected so I am thinking maybe a 650 would be better.
I am told that it is a pain that is only has 5 gears.

So I am wondering what are the real Pros and Cons about the Transalp, and Which would you go for if you were in my SIDI boots?

Hi,

Transalp is a good choice. I traveled around Afrika on a 600 Transalp

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

and friends of me just go RTW on there 700 Transalps

Startseite - Krad-Vagabunden.de

Have fun, Tobi

Sure the Transalp is a proven overlander. Any of the versions could do it, but personally I'd take FI over carbs. I'm sure not everyone agrees on that one. On the other hand, there are plenty of other equally capable options, too.

BTW, I think 600, 650 & 700 all have 5 gears (please correct if I'm wrong).

Why would you prefer FI over carbs? I am always told to go for carbs if possible as the more deserted places do not know how to deal with FI. I experienced that in Argentina actually.
This is a genuine question, I just don;t know about mechanics and not sure why would FI be better.

Re 5 gears: yes, I think you are correct. 6 gears transalp would be good!

Well, FI has some clear benefits, like because they are usually found on newer bikes, that pass more strict emission norms, FI bikes often go the same distance using less fuel. Or if the bikes have same tank size, FI bike goes further. Range is often important on a long trip, especially in more remote areas. Another upside on FI is it is much more clever in high altitude, there´s no messing around with jetting, etc.

Regarding fixing them on the road, I think the whole FI vs Carb thing comes down to: how much of a mechanic are YOU? Surely carbs are more simple, so easier to work on in the bush. That´s probably why some "old-school" mechanics love them (and they tell everyone, including those with zero technical expertise: go with carbs!)

In general, reliability does not seem to be the problem with FI, even on long trips and with worse quality of fuel (remember, all new cars and almost all new bigger bikes have FI these days).

That last fact also brings to mind another thing: if you want to go with a carburetor bike, it means nowadays, that your going on an older bike. And this in turn means that you´ll need to go through the bike very carefully prior to leaving, so that you make sure you wont get some other troubles related to the bike´s age.

Also good to remember, that people do RTW-trips both on carburetor and on FI bikes. Not sure, if that should be the decisive factor.

(but that´s just my 0.02, and this subject has already been discussed on these boards).

Thanks a lot for the details.

the more I get info about which bike would work best for what I need and the more I come back to what I read (cannot remember where) that the perfect bike for you is the bike your heart is set on. The bike you wake up to and feel, "I look forward to pack my tent and ride it again today!"

So it reassures me that I should just follow my heart, which will make the decision easier for me.

I think I am set on a Transalp. I like the look, the ride, the confy and quality feel. And I like the price!

Yeah, it´s important to go with the bike, that you like. Other people´s recommendations may not always match with your preferences.

Also keep in mind, that the bike itself will, in many countries, most likely be without any insurance for theft, fire, smashing into tiny little pieces, sinking into a river, etc., so it really does make sense to try to stay on the cheaper side (but this doesn´t mean that cheapest is the best choice). Even if worst doesn´t happen to the bike, a new and shiny bike won´t look even close to new, once the trip is finished, so it´s value has tumbled...

I think you might also want to consider an older TransAlp.
I own a 1991 model over here in Japan, 400ccm due to license limitations.
It has not taken me on a RTW, but to quite some places over here, two up with lots of camp gear and has never let me down. Easy maintenance, good gas milage, I can't complain at all.

But it is you who has to decide! Sure that when you ckeck the internet you will find lots of answers, also from people who took the TA on a RTW.

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I took my 700 transalp from tokyo to cape town. It never missed a beat, purred every mornng at the push of a button. The fuel injection was fantastic especially in high altitudes like the Pamirs where fuel was 71 octane, this is where carby bikes struggle a little. 50,000 kilometres in one year and no breakdowns.
the only fault it has is the fuel tank is a little small and sometimes you have to carry 5 litres of fuel to go the extra distance, between fills.

My wife took her BMW G650GS and it did just as well, really I guess most bikes will go most places, ultimately it gets down to what you can afford, what turns you on and what comes across as value for money for you.

I rode a Transalp 600 last year from amsterdam to malaysia, put it on a boat to south-africa and rode back home again. It was brilliant, as was the bike.
No problems with low quality fuel, mountains (rode the karakorum highway) or in the 50 degree desert in sudan and egypt.
4 flat tyres and a bit of maintanance over 42000 km!

so follow your heart and get on that bike!
have fun, you'll love it too

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Dream it, do it!
www.2fortheroad.nl

Just knocked-up 57,000 km on my 2005 650 cc Transalp; mostly 2-up and quite often along broken roads and tracks. It's a stonkingly brilliant and reliable little workhorse. Never ceases to amaze me.

[Dare I say, the 'perfect' overland bike?]

Good luck with your purchase ..

.

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Right Way Round ...

Well, I just bought a Transalp 700 2010 with all specs for a RTW trip (photo attached), which I will do in 18 months time! Hopefully it will not let me down!

What do you guys reckon about this model?

Cheers,

Attached Thumbnails

 

Personally I think the Transalp is an excellent choice. I've been from Buxted in England to southern Morocco twice on mine, once in 2009 and again in 2012. You can read about the 2012 trip at One Man on a Bike id you're patient enough to wait for the site to load!).


Being a short ass I've dropped mine loads of times, mostly when fully loaded and nothing snaps off and I can pick it up no problem. The reliability is simply superb, I've done 27,000 miles on mine and it's never missed a beat.


I changed the exhaust (the entire system) for an arrow one which can use leaded petrol and sounds nicer, it also upped the MPG to around 60 which brings the 19 litre tank to a range of around 250. I've done 240 miles before between fill ups but could only squeeze 17.5 litres in so assume it could do more if required.


I've also got Acerbis hand guards which keep my hands warm and safe and also stop the brake levers from snapping off when dropped down the road. I put tough springs in the front shocks and thicker oil and whisper sweet nothings to it at least once a week.


It's not as quick as my Aprilia RSV but bloody good for an adventure bike. What's also important when travelling in some countries is that it doesn't look too posh, here the Transalp excels! I rode through a bunch of dodgy looking border guards on the Algerian border when in southern Morocco, they seemed very keen to stop me until they saw the bike then ignored me. I may have been a different story if I'd have had a £12,000 BMW. Anyway, get out there and do it!


Good luck!
Rich

Reading the above has made me feel better already ... I doing UK - Thailand this August and I was concerned the newer 700 just might have become a bit to "prissy" for true adventure biking. It has a lot more plastic and the Honda colour coded panniers didn't even survive a fall in a carpark !
But I expect to have to do a few mods including new alloy panniers, rear shock, barkbusters, crash bars, and a sump guard to state the obvious.
If there are any other know weaknesses, can you state below ... I will be looking for advice on what spares to pack.
Rgds.

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Having owned, used and abused a 600 Transalp since 95 (its a 94) I can recommende this bike as an outstanding adv/travel bike. Its so allround and with superior reliability. And comfort too if you compare to many other similar bikes. I would say knowing your bike is very reliable is a part of the comfort.

5 vs 6 gear is no issue at all, unless you plan on high speed cruising, which is not what adv biking is about imho. Engine is extremely flexible and smooth and therefore also finds better traction than one-cylinder bikes and most twin cylinder bikes. And it is so easy to jumpstart if you need to.

I have also owned a 700 Transalp from 2009-2013, an excellent bike too but it is 15-20 kg heavier and more difficult to service. Less usable when the going gets tuffer. More parts can fail and the build quiality is not as good (its spanish built) as older transalps. Particularly the japanese made Transalps (pre 97) Try replacing the air filter on a 700 and then on a 600. That made me appreciate the 600 even more.

700 needs better suspension, which I had replaced with Wilbers. I have Wilbers on the 600 too now. 700 has a stronger engine, great ABS brakes, is more modern and is a bit quicker on the road. Mileage was about the same. 650 is something in between and also great.

Africa Twin is also excellent of course but at about the same weight as the 700.