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  #1  
Old 27 Aug 2013
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Honda Trasalp XL700 Tank Range
Hi, I am sure this topic has been raised before but the Transalp 700 is on my list of bikes for a 2 up trip from the UK to OZ but is has a very small tank. Apart from this it seems a very good, reliable bike.

The info I have is a tank size of 17.5 litres = 3.93 gallons. Does the bike have a reserve and is this included? Assuming 45 mpg this gives a tank range of 177 miles under normal riding conditions.

Does anyone have any advice on whether the tank range would be OK for this sort of trip or of any mods to increase it. Thanks
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  #2  
Old 29 Aug 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suffolk duke View Post
Hi, I am sure this topic has been raised before but the Transalp 700 is on my list of bikes for a 2 up trip from the UK to OZ but is has a very small tank. Apart from this it seems a very good, reliable bike.

The info I have is a tank size of 17.5 litres = 3.93 gallons. Does the bike have a reserve and is this included? Assuming 45 mpg this gives a tank range of 177 miles under normal riding conditions.

Does anyone have any advice on whether the tank range would be OK for this sort of trip or of any mods to increase it. Thanks
There is no reserve you can switch on/off as with older models. There is a meter though that will keep you informed. It starts flashinga bit too early, which can be annoying, but the owners manual explains how it works and how it should be read for most accurate range info. I usually fill after around 300 km and it is pretty economic when you travel at speeds below 100 kmh. It will easily run between 4,5-5,0 l/100km. Go faster and it will increase siginifically. So it should easily go quite a bit more than 300 km on one filling, at comfortable cruising speed, but the flashing meter may stress you.. RAnge Shouldnt be a problem imo.
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Old 30 Aug 2013
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Thanks for the info. I will take one for a test ride soon to see what I think. It seems much better value than an Africa Twin as well as they seem over priced in the UK. Do you have any experience on what fuel range I would need for Asia and also what it would be like on lower grade fuels? Are there any specific issues that I should look out for when buying?
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Old 30 Aug 2013
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Last edited by Stray Dog; 17 Jan 2015 at 12:54.
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  #5  
Old 17 Sep 2013
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no satisfying solution found
I was all over August on a trip trough the french Alps on my HONDA-Transalp and have been very surprised about the fact that in some regions you have to drive pretty far to refill the tank because of two reasons: there is simply not that dense net of gas stations which I am used from Austria and further more a lot of the gas stations are tiny and can be easily overseen.
So I was looking for a solution and I did not find any, which satisfies me. The only solution I found is the most simple one: to take additional fuel in jerrycans with me.
In Europe this is not that big problem because you very quick learn that you have to take care about your fuel and thats it. Outside Europe you would need a bigger tank. So I got into contact with some very experienced guys and with some guys from HONDA-Austria. The outcome is very frustrating - there is no solution because the best solution would be to have a bigger tank- and thats just not existing.
But to console me and you: There is a website "www.krad-vagabunden.de" where a couple are riding all over the world on two HONDA-TRANSALP since more than 170.000 Km. They could do that even with the small tank.
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  #6  
Old 18 Sep 2013
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Originally Posted by atlan2001 View Post
I was all over August on a trip trough the french Alps on my HONDA-Transalp and have been very surprised about the fact that in some regions you have to drive pretty far to refill the tank because of two reasons: there is simply not that dense net of gas stations which I am used from Austria and further more a lot of the gas stations are tiny and can be easily overseen.
So I was looking for a solution and I did not find any, which satisfies me. The only solution I found is the most simple one: to take additional fuel in jerrycans with me.
In Europe this is not that big problem because you very quick learn that you have to take care about your fuel and thats it. Outside Europe you would need a bigger tank. So I got into contact with some very experienced guys and with some guys from HONDA-Austria. The outcome is very frustrating - there is no solution because the best solution would be to have a bigger tank- and thats just not existing.
But to console me and you: There is a website "www.krad-vagabunden.de" where a couple are riding all over the world on two HONDA-TRANSALP since more than 170.000 Km. They could do that even with the small tank.
Cannot agree more, it is a given factor, fullstop. Plan your trip accordingly
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  #7  
Old 29 Sep 2013
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Thanks for the advice. We will be two up so I guess the tank range will be less as the motor will be a bit more stressed.

This is the main issue putting me off the bike as I can see tank range being a real pain although I agree about good planning and carrying extra fuel, which I am sure we will have to do on whatever bike we choose at some point.

I tour all over Europe two up on my Ducati and sometimes find myself nearly get caught out like altan2001 and this has a better tank range!

What a shame Mr Honda didn't make a tank with a few more litres!
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  #8  
Old 15 Oct 2013
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If riding two up in Europe on a Transalp the tank is big enough. Even two up with Luggage we still get to 175 before the fuel light comes on . I filled up a few miles later at 183 and we still had 3.5 ltr in the tank

However if your Heading for say Mongolia or Siberia or Africa you may want to strap a 5ltr plastic fuel cell to the bike.
There are few places now in the world where you wont find a way of buying a few ltr's of Fuel before you run out.

Its all about, when you see fuel Buy it


ps the Transalp is a excellent bike for carrying a pillion.

Dazzer
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