Transalp / Africa Twin

[Big Yellow Tractor]

I must be being a bit of a muppet because it looks to me like both these bikes fit in the same niche.

What are the main differences between the two ?

Which one is best as what ?

Am I right in thinking the TA is more road biased than the AT ?

Help please Ladies and Gents

Regards

BYT

[Babybadger]

Personally, go for the Transalp, a 600 with single disc should do you fine. The Africa Twin is too tall unless you are 6ft or over and with TKC80 tyres or better is better than you think off road. I would recommend that you get a large tank for one though, as I only got about 150 miles to the tank before reserve on mine. I dont think the AT gets much more....The transalp is lighter and less top heavy as well. But don't get me wrong, the AT is an awesome bike. Try out both.

The TA is indeed more road biased, but what do you want it for? I can give you a headsup on the Transalp as I had one for 3.5 years and couldnt think what to replace it with as it did everthing superbly, but was master at none. Originally wanted AT but could see it was excellent at touring round europe, maybe not so easy to handle when the going got tricky, as it was very tall for me.

Check out Honda Trail Bike Forums for more info, they are a good bunch on there

[Xander]

You are correct they are in the same niche, but are exploiting slightly different levels with in that niche..

Like BB says go to the XRv forum. There is lots of information there.

I personally like the AT better then the TA, but I am over 6' and dont think it is that heavy. I get more like 210miles (solo) fully loaded and exactly 195m two up fully loaded (both going only slightly over the national). NOTE: this is to empty not to res.


Your best bet is try try them both.. It really does come down to personal tastes. I think they are both extremely capable bikes, I think the extra CC help others dont. Good luck with your choice and feel free to ask us anything

[NewAdventurerLee]

Hi,

I dont know what age of bike you are looking for. I have a 650 transalp 2007 model.

I am 5ft 8 inches tall and i needed the lower seat option to feel comfortable on the transalp. These lower seats are only £55.00 as a new genuine honda part for the XL 650 V transalps. That price is unreal !! but true.

I love the TA as it does everything i want, I cant comment on the AT as its too tall for me even to consider unfortunately.

I get 200 miles on the TA with the standard 19 litre tank, thats to almost empty and solo and unloaded.

Lee

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Originally Posted by NewAdventurerLee

Hi,

I dont know what age of bike you are looking for

That would maybe be another issue. So what is the prefered vintage ?

Does the AT have any particular faults or foibles for any given model year ?

Are they both 21" front and18" rear wheels ?

I am used to falling of enduro / trail bikes and picking them up with no damage; are these pseudo rally /adventure bikes pretty tough or do they smash to bits if you bin them ?

BYT

[Simon Kennedy]

I wouldn't really say that either is more or less road biased in reality. The AT has all the nice off-road extras like, metal bash plate, fold-able gear lever, bigger tank. The 100 extra cc gives it a bit better motorway performance. But the price is weight - which comes out mildly in the TA's favour. So it's half a dozen of one...

Of all the models the late eighties TAs were the best off road, taken on the basis of weight - there was a briefly produced AT 650 which is excellent too.

After 1993 the AT lost some of its features - Honda were trying to compete with the much cheaper Yamaha Tenere.

It all depend what you want. Be more specific and we can talk about the minutia 'til the cows come home. We love that sort of thing.

After a second disk was added to the TA front end late nineties, I think you can say goodbye to off road, but plenty will disagree doubtless.

For two-up overlanding both are good choices. Personally I think the 600cc TA is the absolute maximum in size for single overlanding touring. But, again, plenty will disagree.

Simon

[Xander]

Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor

That would maybe be another issue. So what is the prefered vintage ??

The early ones are 650 (RD03) -1988-1989

Next model are 750 (RD04) - 1990-1993

Both of these are more rally oriented

then it went to more street but still capable off road
750 RD07 -1994-1996
and then
750 RD07a (minor changes most cant tell the difference) 1997-2003


But there is the most toys for the RD07 and RD07a,
there are some for the RD04

and i think that there is very little for the RD03

Does the AT have any particular faults or foibles for any given model year

Yup the AT (all years) have a weak fuel pump: which can fail for no apparent reason.. (one day fine. next dead), the fix is to replace it with a facet one.. they cost about £40, and is a relatively easy job.. (the hard part is getting the rubber thing on.. the rest is easy.)..I may be wrong but the TA may have this too.. dont know for sure though.

Other then that the Rectifier can go if over charging (this also happens on all years but is worse on the RD04- RD07 models less bad on the RD03 and RD07a, it is a plug and play fix.

Finally the last big one is the out put shaft is prone to wear if the rider has the chain to tight and not lubed well. (this is a very big and exxy Job).

Other then that is it a bullet proof bike

Are they both 21" front and18" rear wheels ?

Nope the RD07 are 21" and 17"

I am used to falling of enduro / trail bikes and picking them up with no damage; are these pseudo rally /adventure bikes pretty tough or do they smash to bits if you bin them ?

They are both tough enough.. ( i have drop my plenty off road with no damage) but fit crash bars anyway. (I have). cus if you do drop em hard enough you can break the plastic fairings and this it exxy to replace from honda.. but mechanically they are both hard!
hope this helps