A mate made an interesting observation with regard to my feelings of a lack of power. He said, with a Transalp you are the master of the bike, you can thrash it and have fun without getting into too much trouble, whereas with twice the horsepower the bike is your master. Works for me, I'm only an average rider.
There is a ticking sound at lower rpm and when cold ( much like a loose tappet ) which has been present since new. I know of another with the same noise, again since new and has travelled over 25,000ks. Clutch also makes a liitle noise on disengagement, barely noticeable. Can't be a problem, too many other TA and AT owners have said they have the same noise with 1000s of miles on them. There is also geartrain noise at 80kph in 5th gear, the cause of which I can't pinpoint at this time. I suspect this is normal.
Stock exhaust from sub chamber back has been replaced with a Staintune 400mm oval muffler rejigged to fit with larger diameter pipe from subchamber to muffler. Staintune report a 5hp increase with their system, buggered if I can feel it with the seat of the pants dyno. It is however 2kg lighter than stock, easy to clean and produces a pleasant note. Stock exhaust note is bland, the traditional twin outlets still look cool.
Fuel consumption varies from 14kpl ( cruising at 130ks plus top speed runs ) to 19kpl ( 100kph and city traffic with minimal throttle ). Unleaded fuel used, no premium needed. Safe fuel range seems to be approx 270ks, no doubt over 300 achievable if a long way between drinks. UPDATE Just travelled 320ks on a tank, still nearly a litre remaining. A heavy 38 litre fibreglass tank is available from German specialist Africa Queens ( big $ ), 24 litres as fitted to the Africa Twin would've been better.
Servicing is easy ( if time consuming ) apart from the tappet adjustment which is ridiculously difficult for the front exhaust. A special bent feeler gauge as available from MotionPro makes the job marginally easier. Removal of the side fairings, screen, instrument cover, tank, aircleaner assy sucks up the time. Spark plugs are accessible ( just ), there are four of the critters, only two are readily visible. Carb synching is possible only after removing the tank - ridiculous IMHO. Fortunately the tappet adjusting caper is only required every 12,000ks, though checking is part of the 1st service schedule.
Toolkit is comprehensive for most operations, quality is cheesy. At the very least invest in a quality #2 Phillips head screwdriver, better would be tools of a reasonable quality such as Teng, Eurotech or Kinchrome to name a few. There's plenty of room for some sockets wrapped in cloth or a small bag. Consider a wide mouth shifter, the fuel tap nut is huge should you need to clean the fuel filter. The owners manual is comprehensive, translation a litle loose in places. A far cry from the days of " beware the festive dog who makes sport on road, etc. "
It's worth buying the genuine Honda oil filter kit with removal tool ( Honda part number 15010-MWO-000 ) for an extra $6 over the price of a filter only if changing oil yourself. Uses no oil that I can measure, no oil leaks or weeps. The first oil change at 1000ks revealed a couple of minor metallic particles. Oil replaced with Fuchs Titan Performance Plus 15w - 40w, synthetic fortified ( whatever that moothful means ! ) A thorough draining allowed 2.6 litres on refill. Chain has required one adjustment, looks like it is of decent quality. Aircleaner elements are $112, worth sending off to Unifilter for modification to reuseable 2 stage foam for half the price.
120ml of distilled water added at 1st service, none used since.
Both wheels are easily removeable for servicing. Spokes required adjustment at 1st service which is to be expected.
A copy ( yes only a copy ) of the genuine Honda service manual is available for $120, the Haynes equivalent is about half that and includes a colour wiring diagram. The information contained in the factory manual is far more comprehensive than the Haynes and well laid out.UPDATE 3rd Nov. The official workshop manual copy I have is missing pages 1-24 through 1-29 which is the chapter on Wiring Harness Routing. My friendly Honda dealer also has those pages missing from their manual - very strange !
Suspension front and rear has become more compliant, no issues other than difficulty in changing rear spring preload if required. Why there is an adjustable compression damping screw is beyond my comprehension, rebound damping I could understand. Adding a pillion makes the suspension decidedly soft. Handling though doesn't feel overly compromised. Stability is excellent when loaded with gear. Stock Bridgestone Trailwing tyres are diabolical in the wet, decent in the dry and on dirt roads. Rear tyre is better than half worn at this time, front looks fine with no cupping. Final chicken strip knobs intact on rear, but bloody close. Pirelli Scorpions will be the replacement tyre in about 2000ks.
Stock gearing is good, 16t front sprocket is available to lower the revs by about 400rpms in 5th gear. First gear is tall, so be aware if thinking of changing sprockets that slow dirt road work is likely to involve judicious clutch slipping. I've just changed out the sprocket to the 16t today, can't say I'm all that impressed, more torque really would be better. It is slightly more sluggish up hills, requiring more downchanging ( I'm a lazy rider ). If you're into wringing its neck, stick with the stock gearing, otherwise, in retrospect it feels more relaxed on the highway. A smaller front sprocket would help in the slow going. Ratio changes are as follows
15t front 48t rear 3.20:1
16t front 48t rear 3.00:1
Within the plastic sprocket cover is a metal band which is supposed to protect the cover in some way, this needs to be relieved when fitting the 16t sprocket. As a point of interest, there is 0.3mm of endfloat in the output shaft, no shims employed according to the manual and also no specification for endfloat in the otherwise comprehensive workshop manual. Even more endfloat in the shift lever shaft, again no spec. suggested in the manual.
Shifting is smooth with little lever travel other than the familiar clunk into first gear.
Handling is stable at all speeds, no bum puckering moments so far. That said, bear in mind the Tranny does feel top heavy, especially compared to a big single. Weighs more too. The ride is soft for the most part, potholed dirt roads can give you a jolt but at no time does the bike feel like it's going to spit you off. Initial compression damping of the front fork is ordinary. The spec. of the front fork has changed little ( if at all ) from the first model 600TA introduced in '87. Better tyres should make gravel and dirt roads even easier, the Bridgestone Trailwings don't inspire confidence.
Brakes are effective, front feels spongy and there is considerable dive on harder application, no stability problems when forks are compressed. Could be improved with Race Tech gold valve emulators, perhaps later. Rear brake works effictively with good feel.
Lighting is good at night, instruments legible at a momentary glance, odometer is accurate.
Note : This is the first new bike I've owned in 20+ years, so the lights oughta be a bloody improvement.
Unsure about speedometer accuracy, probably close to the mark. Fuel gauge is a guide only, doesn't move off full until approx 160ks travelled, then quickly moves to empty over the next 100ks. There is no reserve tap. You can travel for a further 60ks with the pointer in the red zone. Temp gauge hasn't moved to even halfway even in stop start traffic, fan hasn't been activated. Choke operation can be fiddly with gloves on but effective.
The plastic rack fitted has a load rating of 9kg ( 20lbs ) which is great and the integrated grab handles are handy. Downside is the painted finish which scratches easily and the securing points are shaped poorly for occy straps. If you're using Andy Strapz ask him about the bit you can stick under your seat to provide another anchor point.
If you are considering soft panniers you'll need to make a frame to protect the sidecovers.
Seat is soft, comfortable with my 95kg for a couple of hours at a stretch. A factory low seat has arrived, feels better, a little firmer and my short little legs are nearly flat on the gorund. The seat profile is an improvement for those challenged in the inseam length dept., works for me.
Note to the inseam challenged ( that's me ) - Rear suspension can be lowered 10mm ( equals 1 turn clockwise of the lock nuts ), with the same at the front. This requires a 71mm C spanner and a brass drift along with the removal of the rear shock..
Handlebars work well for me ergo wise, others have converted to Renthals or other fat bars. Renthal Dakar high or Enduro High seem to be the bar of choice. Clutch and brake operation is easy and light. Handguards are okay, not as good protection wise as some others ( BMW ). Blinker switch operation requires moving your hand a little from the grip, other switch operations are good. Mirrors provide good rearwards vision and are vibration free at all speeds - bloody brilliant. Seat to footpeg distance perfect, especially good for a pillion. Stock screen works well for me at 5'10" ( 176cm ? ), no buffeting, but helmet noise is increased. Effective in rain at keeping water off your chest area. Handguards are okay only in this situation. Helmet holding tangs under seat are typically average. A proper lock ala BMW GS is something most manufacturers could employ.
Paint finish is ordinary and thin. Gues this has to be given the manipulation required to remove the fairing panels. Decals are applied over the paint top coat, at least it makes them easy to remove. All welds on the frame decidedly reminiscent of the '70s, spatter everywhere and painted over. Being assembled in Spain it's not up to Honda Japans high standards. The engine is assembled by Honda Japan. Rear plastic rack while having a useful pairt of handles intended for pillions scratches easily. Bike is easy to wash and clean ( especially the wheels ), no polishing is required. Underseat space is generous by any standards, with added room under the tailpiece for a few small items.
Genuine Honda centrestand is overpriced ( but very strong ) at $410, SW Motech about $100 cheaper and works better ( though is only recommended for occasional use ). The sidestand fouls on factory centrestand tang when deployed. Centrestand tang for deployment is woefully inadequate as is the grab/lifting handle ( supplied with the centrestand kit ) which is located too low to be good for your back. On the centrestand, weight bias is to the front making chain cleaning and lubing easy - chain adjustment must be done on side stand. Sidestand works well. A wider foot for use on soft ground would be handy.
Honda heated handgrips at $400 are also overpriced but work well. I chose to fit Warmfit heated grips from New Zealand at $40 - they work just fine at a fraction of the cost. The headlamp looks an expensive piece of plastic and I've fitted a Ventura cover, cheap insurance.
There has only been one warranty issue to date, the fuel tank is rusting from underneath on the front locating lugs, noted on the first service. New tank fitted yesterday by my local dealer ( not the selling dealer ). Rode in, one hour later rode out with the new tank - a totally painless experience ! Finish on the new tank is better than the original.
After careful checking of all accessible fasteners, nothing has come loose or fallen off.
In closing, the Transalp fitted me well from the beginning and required little getting used to. Excellent for a first time dual purpose mount. Styling - hmmm. It's entirely personal and I'm no judge. Bought mine on the strength of the of a solid 18 year reputation and the need for a bike to perform lots of functions without fuss and muscling about.
A good value for money mount, especially as you can purchase one for less than the suggested recommended retail of $12,990 + on roads. Mine was $9290 and a 2003 model, I'm told the 2004 models can be had for $9990 + on roads if you shop around. Any colour you like as long as it's blue ! Silver sidecovers and front guard for the 2004 models - same blue :-)
For folks living anywhere other than Oz, all the prices quoted are in Australian Dollars.
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