Honda Transalp XL750 long term review, 12,800km report

In the months since our last report on the Transalp, the bike has been on road trips in burning 40-degree heat, crossed 12,000km on the odo and also seen many more upgrades. 

Ever since I bought the Transalp, I always knew the stock suspension would have to be upgraded (after I splurged on the tubeless rims) because it was not as good as I expected. Sadly, aftermarket options in India are very limited and also cost eye-watering amounts. Options from Öhlins and Bitubo were both close to Rs 3 lakh, with waiting periods of over a month. In the end, I chose to opt for fully adjustable YSS units, which cost a relatively smaller amount (but still 250cc bike money!) of Rs 1.70 lakh.

The new suspension has a lot less sag than the stock. At 5’5", my fear was that the seat would now become taller thanks to this, and it certainly did. However, after a while, I learned to get comfortable with being on tiptoes, and the benefits have been worth it. The bike is now more stable at higher speeds and the damping over bumps is better controlled. Sharper handling is the cherry on top. Mumbai’s excellent Zenngine Workshop did a wonderful and hassle-free job with not just installation, but also setup and fine-tuning for my weight and riding style.

The front brake pads still had some life remaining at 12,000km, but with longer rides coming up, I decided to preemptively replace them. This cost a reasonable Rs 8,704, including labour. At the same time, the worn-out OE Dunlops were swapped out for a pair of Mitas Enduro Trail-ADV 2 tyres, priced at Rs 35,000. In the little while I’ve used them, they seem like a step up – at least for my road-touring duties.

There have been only two niggles that have detracted from the Transalp’s otherwise rock-solid reliability. A minor oil weep from the engine oil-filler area was the smaller problem, which was fixed by installing a new rubber O-ring that cost Rs 50. 

The other, and slightly bigger, issue was also partially my fault. My bike’s ignition socket wore loose, which could be because of the heavy keychain I was using previously. 

This meant that even after turning the key, there was no power to the dash, and I had to really push it in firmly to make proper contact. Fortunately, this is covered under warranty, and a replacement part should be here in about a month’s time.

Nevertheless, with tubeless wheels, upgraded suspension and new tyres, the Transalp has now evolved considerably from its stock form. The bike is now fully kitted as I’d have liked from the showroom and ready for the next big adventure, which you’ll read about in the next report!