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Help! Honda Transalp, need some advice. Help! Honda Transalp, need some advice.
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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Help! Honda Transalp, need some advice.
Hi all,

I've located a 2001 Transalp with almost 60,000 k's on it, full Honda top box and side cases, heated grips, new spocket/chains/tyres which I can get for about 2500 euro

I figure it will cost me at least 400-500 euros to deck out a bike with these extras?

My budget is probably closer to 3000-3500 at a push but this seemed cheap and why wait if the right bike comes up now?

I'm planning a trip from the UK to (hopefully) Vladivostok starting in May 2014 for about 8-10 weeks.

I am 189 cm and 90kg, fairly experienced on and off road but have never been on a Transalp.

3 main questions I guess.

1. Is 60,000 k's too much to start a 12k-14k trip on?
2. Size wise is the bike big enough?
3. Any general feedback on the suitability of the Transalp for the trip and generally stories/advice on people who have had one?

I have Martin from Motorfeirme giving me a hand and will check it out pre purchase and store the bike if I go ahead and buy it.

Thanks in advance.

Tom.
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  #2  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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1. I certainly wouldn't think 60,000km is too many clicks to start a journey on such a bike.
2. My mate sold me his DR and bought a transalp. He is taller than me, im 183, so id guess he is about 186. seems to suit him fine. But he did mention he was going to add some padding to the seat to give him a bit of a lift between his knees.
3. I have generally heard very good things about them. That style of bike e.g. road/tourer/adventurer will be well suited.
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  #3  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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Transalp
The Transalp is very good and capable bike. It's basically a small Africa Twin. The engines are known to be very reliable so therefore 60'000 Km should be no issue.
With your height you my go for lower foot pegs. Helps a lot in sitting comfortable: http://motobau.de/ and search for "Bärenfallen" - Tiefere VA-Rallye-Fußrasten für Africa Twin.

The rear suspension is also quite weak, since it's only a cheap version of the Africa Twin. With your budget you might wanna buy an upgraded rear shock with a spring adjusted to your weight and luggage. Improves the handling of the bike dramatically!
This Website here gives you plenty of information: http://www.transalp.de/ unfortunately only in German but the FAQ section is the best to be find on the web!

Greets
Claudio

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Old 23 Oct 2013
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Guys thank you both for your responses, positive reports so far.
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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Just a thought or two
"No, yes and don't know" are my answers to your 3 questions - just my opinion of course.
(I'm guessing that you mean the 650cc engine model with carbs, but they are all good in any case).

Try a HUBB search, such as this one for the word "Transalp":-
Search | Horizons Unlimited

Also look in the Honda tech forum rather than this one (which bike) - you could even post your questions in there and more Transalp owners might see them.
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Old 23 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
"No, yes and don't know" are my answers to your 3 questions - just my opinion of course.
(I'm guessing that you mean the 650cc engine model with carbs, but they are all good in any case).

Try a HUBB search, such as this one for the word "Transalp":-
Search | Horizons Unlimited

Also look in the Honda tech forum rather than this one (which bike) - you could even post your questions in there and more Transalp owners might see them.
Thanks Dave
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  #7  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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I'm going to add to this.
Motofeirme has put out over 40 transalps this past summer.
We had 2 issues.
A rear wheel disintegrated in France, luckily not far from a small bike shop where they had a parted out one in stock.
A bearing in a gearbox in Warsaw and thankfully a complete motor/gearbox was located thanks to the Hubb community there.

Both issues led to great adventures by the riders, adventures best not revealed on a family forum

As far a Transalps go, they are both as boring and reliable as a Toyota Corolla.
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