This question was inspired by someone elses question in the XT section. I ride a 1997 Honda Transalp XL600V. It currently has around 30000 miles on the clock. I am planning my 'big trip' for August next year by which time I expect it will have at least 40000 miles on the clock. I am a bit concerned that I am starting out on a trip on a reasonably high mileage bike and could therefore have some problems with it at some stage so I would like to know how long these bikes keep going for (how long is a piece of string you ask), but I'm particularly interested in the engine and anything that is NOT normal wear and tear e.g. tyres and brakes. What are your experiences with Honda's in terms of which parts go first and when. Tips on how to extend her life would be welcome too. At what stage do you say, 'ok, before this big trip I am going to strip this engine down and do a complete rebuild'?

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In Norway 40000miles is not considered to be a high mileage.
TA is known in Norway for reaching a high mileage before a rebuild is necessary. One magazine took a part an engine done 200 000km (120 000miles) and everything was at factory spec.
It is recommended to use OEM oil filter, because some bikes have experienced premature engine wear because of cheap and bad filters.
It is also recommended that cam chains should be changed at 100 000km (60 000miles).
Do a god job servicing her, god filtration of both oil and air is vital for engine life. Oiled foam should give the best filtration, but frequent washing and re-oiling is important. K & N air filter is not recommended, by several sources.

Have your compression checked, that will give you the state of the engine.

Mvh
Frode

Every bike model has it's own unique problems and characteristics. You are better off checking with model specific web sites for the problems you are in for.

There are some general things all should do. A good tire repair kit and how to use it is tops on the list. Depending on how long and far you are planning on being gone, you may want to be proficient at basic maintenance, ie oil changes and valve adjustments and such.

Don't forget to take a complete shop manual. Even if you don't want to do the work on the bike, it may be the only manual for many miles.

Most of all, have fun. Take time to do some exploring. Take lots of pictures, even when you don't really feel like it. You can't always go back later to take the shot you wished you took.

The Transalp engine is one of Honda's toughest. Couriers in London often get over 120.000 MILES on these engines. However, that normally means 1.000 mile engine oil changes ( filter every three ) and regular servicing of the valves - all within scope of the amateur mechanic.
As a courier you tend to abuse the engine, loads of starts, cold engine grand prix starts etc. So this model has earned respect. Your dilemma is you need to know the bike has been looked after. Just as reliable this engine can be when serviced, just as awful it can be when neglected!

hi!

dont worry about your engine, but check your clutch... they tend to wear first than everything else on that bike.

cheers,

renato

Well these are the answers I wanted to hear. I really can't afford to replace this bike if I want to start my trip next year, so I am very VERY pleased if I can use her. Before I set off, apart from the usual maintenance, it sounds like the thing to do would be to get the clutch replaced, and have a engine service i.e. check compression, oil pressure, carb sync, check valves etc.

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Talk to simon youknowwhAT motorbike.com. Simon recently came through Margaret River (Aus) after overlanding from London to Sydney, two-up. He and Rachael then went round Australia, before Simon shipped the bike to the US. He's currently in New York. I think his TA ('87) had done 45,000 km before he left the UK; but it had done twice that by the time he hit Perth, WA. His rear shock was shot... but the weight he carried was unbelievable.... and he'd also switched his TA tank for an AT one. Sounds neat, but it was anything but. Serviceable, but ratbike ugly...... .

Transalps are great bikes. Eventually the shocks will go, espec. if you're carrying a lot of weight. My '87 TA600 has done 49,000 km and feels like it's just run in. Do be prepared to do some fairing repairs on the road. TA fairings come adrift on rough roads, or at very high speed in crosswinds. I carry _large_ quantities of cable ties and often you can use a few to make one quick repair. They're also useful for plastic welding... .

Consider crashbars essential. TAs blow over in high winds and everyone I know has cracked fairings, generally incurred in coastal areas. Park 'em facing uphill... and facing the wind, if it's possible. I still
haven't dropped my TA on horrific tracks, in flowing flooded rivers, or on sandy beaches..... but I've watched a simple gust of wind flip it into the main street of town when I'd parked it incorrectly.

Oh, and change your oil frequently. I change the oil in my XLV750, TA and AT every 3000 km... and genuine oil filters every six. I know, that's a little OC, but I want these bikes to get me there and back.....

Paul


[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 18 August 2003).]

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ozcan

My Africa Twin shares the same basic engine as your Transalp. It's currently showing 83,000 miles on the clock and I've had it from new.

The clutch has only just had new plates fitted, the springs were still ok, the plates were still just inside teir service limit. The reason it was touched at all was because the basket had grooves which were making it a bit snatchy at pull away.

The camchains were changed at 70,000 miles as a precaution. The job was done by Galea Camchains who let you watch and help. The old chains looked in good condition as did the camshafts.

The only reliability problem so far has been the fuel pump (I don't think you've got one to worry about) which went at 40,000 and the regulator which went at 60,000 causing the battery to flatten.

I change the oil at 5,000 miles intervals (Castrol semi synthetic)and the plugs get changed at 12,000. The valves get checked at the same time but usually don't need touching. Carbs also seem to stay in balance for high mileages.


I took my bike to the Sahara when it had 50,000 miles on the clock and it never missed a beat so feel confident in your choice of bike.

Ian

Hi Paul,

The best way to help your engine to last as long as possible is to treat it well. Use the best oil you can and warm the engine up under a light load before stressing it. 70-80 percent of engine wear happens when the engine is cold, especially on the cams. Good running in probably makes the most difference but this is often out of your control if the bike wasn't new...still applies to the clutch though...no wheelies to start with ;-) I've got 40,000mls from a high compression 4cyl CBR400 Honda that revs to 15000rpm regularly with no problems whatsoever. I use good synthetic oil, warm it up, and keep an eye on the valve clearances (no cam chain to worry about cos it has gear driven cams). Given that the overlanding bikes are much lower compression and altogether less stressed that sports bike engines, I think you should easily get 3 or 4 times that with care.

Hope the chairs are performing well ;-)

Andy.

Hi Paul,

The best way to help your engine to last as long as possible is to treat it well. Use the best oil you can and warm the engine up under a light load before stressing it. 70-80 percent of engine wear happens when the engine is cold, especially on the cams. Good running in probably makes the most difference but this is often out of your control if the bike wasn't new...still applies to the clutch though...no wheelies to start with ;-) I've got 40,000mls from a high compression 4cyl CBR400 Honda that revs to 15000rpm regularly with no problems whatsoever. I use good synthetic oil, warm it up, and keep an eye on the valve clearances (no cam chain to worry about cos it has gear driven cams). Given that the overlanding bikes are much lower compression and altogether less stressed that sports bike engines, I think you should easily get 3 or 4 times that with care.

Hope the chairs are performing well ;-)

Andy.

thanks for the info chaps. I reckon I can safely stick with the bike I've got based on what everyone seems to think. I'm only using synthetic oil at the moment. Will change to semi synthetic when we do our BIG trip but figured I may as well treat the bikes as well as possible up till then.

Hope the bikes going well Andy.
Oh, and one of my chairs broke on our Scandinavia trip

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