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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 22 Nov 2009
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Transalp ground clearance
I going to tour africa from South africa trough Namibia,zamia malawi and mosambique. Is the 177mm clearance enough for more rugget roads compered to the 244mm of the KLR and 260mm of the 660 Terene?
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  #2  
Old 22 Nov 2009
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I rode a Transalp from the UK to Indonesia in 07-08 and did alot of off roading through Central Asia.Lucky we put heavy duty bash plates on as they bottomed out constantley over rocky and rugged terrain.
I've not done Africa yet but i'm guessing it'll be rougher then Central Asia and alot more of it....Don't get me wrong i love my Transalp, it never let me down but there is a clearance issue and its nowhere near as good off road as my new KLR!
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  #3  
Old 23 Nov 2009
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Yep, this is a problem. It is lower than many and a good bash plate is necessary. However It is a great choice of Adventure bike and I urge you to take it. Very reliable. The centre stand is a bigger problem as it makes the bike even lower. Look at finding a 2nd hand 21" wheel off Ebay to get that extra inch off the ground, not to mention better handling in the sand.
Check out Trailrider is SA Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports: XL700V TransAlp Great ride reports in SA.
Last edited by la fletche; 23 Nov 2009 at 02:48. Reason: 2nd thought.
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  #4  
Old 23 Nov 2009
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Yeah the center stand is something i forgot about,that was prob what hit ground alot...very handy thing though.Would be hard work doing tyres etc without one on a bike that heavy.Also mine is an xlv600 so it has around 2''more clearance to start with.
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Old 23 Nov 2009
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Good point about the centre stand. I've just bought one to fit under my '05 650 TA. BUT I reckon it could prove an indespensible piece of kit for tyre repairs etc.

My missus (5' 5" tall) gets her hands on the bars sometimes too (she also has a full m/c licence). Any more ground clearance and she might struggle planting her feet on the ground at stops.

Always a compromise, I guess.


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Old 23 Nov 2009
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Thanks for all the input. Is it possible to rise the bike by adjusting the shocks, and if it can what would be the consequences by doing it. IF I go for the 21” wheel do I need to change the sprocket to compromise for the ratios?
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Old 23 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houbie View Post
IF I go for the 21” wheel do I need to change the sprocket to compromise for the ratios?
XL600V and XL650V both have a 21 inch front wheel, and only the new, fuel-injected XL700V has the street-oriented 19 inch front.
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Old 24 Nov 2009
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No changing your front wheel will not change your final drive ratio,it may however affect the speedo drive ratio.
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  #9  
Old 29 Nov 2009
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transalp 650 00
hello to everyone
wondering on the preparation that NEEDS TO BE DONE, OR IS ACCTUALLY USEFULL for this bike for a ride to south east easia way throug iran pakistan india way, The bashplate idea i like, how about the other protectors from toutatech any good???? centre stand is it needed??? thanxx
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  #10  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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Bashplate will be essential, as there are plenty of large potholes, very big speed humps you´re not likely to notice in time every time, and in the cities, even open sewer holes, where lids have gone missing. Many opportunities to break something expensive from the engine, unless its protected from underneath.

Crashbars might be a good idea, but you´ll only need them, if you drop the bike. Might happen easily in Asia, though, so I´d probably get them. Centerstand makes it easy to lube the chain & fix/change tyres, but it can get in the way if the going gets real rough, so there´s no one answer, whether you should have it or not.
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Old 1 Dec 2009
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I've had my 700v transalp for 10 months now and thought about putting on a 21" front wheel, but in the end the change in ground clearance is not worth the money spent ( you have to extend the forks otherwise you will hit the bottom triple clamp). I have got rid of the catalytic converter, which is a big improvement to stones etc hitting the under carriage. I am fitting new rear shocks which will make the ride harder but stop the bike from bottoming out so often especially when getting airborne and coming down. Dollar for dollar they are a good compromise as a dual sport bike compared to the KTM 990 or BMW 800, if you want a twin cylinder bike with grunt and comfort.
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Old 2 Dec 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gionatill View Post
hello to everyone
wondering on the preparation that NEEDS TO BE DONE, OR IS ACCTUALLY USEFULL for this bike for a ride to south east easia way throug iran pakistan india way, The bashplate idea i like, how about the other protectors from toutatech any good???? centre stand is it needed??? thanxx
Don't fret it Gionatil.

I rode through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran using mainly off road routes without proble.

More to the point.

1. I was riding an RD350 sports bike - absolutely minimal ground clearance
2. Apart from welding up a rack I had no special preparation done whatsoever.
3. I was riding two-up which reduced ground clearance even further.
4. When I rode through that region the roads were in far worse shape than they are now.

Sorry to take the wind out of your sails but a ride through that region is an absolute walk in the park - you are likely to experience far more problems riding on the cobble stone streets of Naples than you are in the back blocks of Asia.
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