Honda XL750 Transalp Expert Review

The Transalp has a clean and purposeful design, although the small headlamp borrowed from the CB500X may feel slightly undersized for the rest of the motorcycle to some. The quality of this Honda bike is simple rather than flashy, and everything feels well put together and solid. The TFT screen is another highlight, with four different viewing layouts that are easy to read and operate while riding.

Honda has clearly focused on making the Transalp easy to live with. The riding position is upright, spacious and neutral, so there are no awkward stretches or bends for the rider to deal with. The only real drawback is the noticeable heat that builds around the shins and lower thighs, especially when riding in very hot conditions.

The 755cc parallel-twin may appear peaky on paper, but in practice it has a broad and very usable spread of torque. Highway riding is where the engine really stands out, with 100kph cruising feeling completely relaxed and even 140kph in sixth gear requiring only about 5,000rpm. There is little reason to rev it beyond 8,000rpm, where vibrations start to become noticeable, so the strong mid-range ends up being the most enjoyable part of the motor.

The suspension does a good job of soaking up most highway bumps and broken patches. The rear shock is the weaker part of the setup, though, and it can start to struggle over repeated larger bumps, particularly with luggage or a pillion on board. Off-road ability is certainly present, but the Transalp is happiest when the pace remains relaxed, as pushing harder quickly exposes the soft rear shock and the exposed sump area.

The Transalp gets adjustable traction control, engine brake control, throttle response and ABS, along with four preset riding modes and one user-adjustable mode. Traction control and ABS can feel a little oversensitive over speed breakers and rough patches. Rear ABS can be switched off for off-road riding, but the settings reset every time the ignition is turned off.

The Transalp is not a scaled-down Africa Twin, and it is not intended to be a hardcore off-road machine. What it offers instead is a very friendly, approachable and confidence-inspiring riding experience combined with excellent touring comfort and superb road manners. However, the squishy rear shock, tubed tyres and the cost of essential accessories prevent it from being an easy value recommendation.