The Honda Transalp originally rolled out in 1986 and has become something of a legend. In hindsight, this pioneering adventure motorcycle was decidedly ahead of its time and somewhat underappreciated— it was only imported to the US between 1989 and 1990 due to the lack of popularity.
Fast forward several decades, and the Transalp is prepared for its European re-release, finally to the fanfare it deserves, given its revolutionary predecessor. Like the adventure motorcycling segment as a whole, the Transalp is a different machine altogether. The XL750 Transalp takes inspiration from the original and is at home, whether slicing through mountain curves or kicking up dust on rough tracks.
The 2023 Honda Transalp swaps the original 583cc V-Twin engine for a fresh new 755cc, 8-valve Unicam parallel twin that produces a hard hit of top-end power and plenty of usable torque in the low to mid-rpm range. With a refined Throttle By Wire system, the result is an engine that provides usable, enjoyable performance for rides of all types and for riders of all experience levels.
The 33.5-inch seat height further suggests an accessible bike for all heights and types of riders. Between the compact new engine and steel diamond frame, the Transalp weighs in at 458 pounds, putting it squarely in the middleweight ADV category.
With 8.3 inches of clearance, a 90/90-21 front, and 150/70-18 rear wheelset, the Transalp promises versatility on or off-road. The Showa 43mm SFF-CA USD forks and Pro-link rear shock are both spring preload adjustable, delivering 7.9 inches of suspension travel on the front and 7.5 inches on the rear.
In the electronics department, the 5-inch TFT color screen keeps you informed of all the data, including Honda’s Smartphone Voice Control system, which allows voice management of phone calls, messages, music, and navigation. Rider modes are controlled on the handlebar and include Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel, and a User mode to fine-tune your personal settings. Rider modes adjust engine power, engine braking, two levels of ABS, and five levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The Rear ABS and HSTC can be switched off completely for off-road riding.
“With our new Transalp, we looked hard at what made the first model so good and wanted to strike the right balance between urban agility, long-distance, on-road touring comfort, and off-road ability,” said Mr. Masatoshi Sato, Transalp Large Project Leader of Honda R&D, Japan. “The look revives the classic Transalp presence in a modern key, the new engine is incredibly strong and versatile, and the bike has an appealingly long and rich specification list. Around town or around the world – our Transalp is ready!”
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All of the Transalp’s lighting is LED, and a range of factory accessories, including quickshifter, soft and hard luggage, rally/touring equipment, and cosmetic enhancements, will be available. The Transalp debuts with three color options, including Matte Iridium Gray Metallic, Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, and, of course, the Ross White Tricolor, which pays homage to the original XL600V.
Please note that all of the 2023 Transalp specs are coming out of Europe,and there is no scheduled release date or pricing for the North American market is available yet. In the meantime, we can start planning our trips and get ready to welcome the new Transalp with a fanfare that its predecessor never got to fully realize in its day.
Technical Specifications
- Engine: Liquid-cooled OHC 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and Unicam
- Engine Displacement: 755cc
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Fuel Consumption: 54 mpg
- Clutch Type: Wet multiple, assist slipper clutch
- Transmission: 6 speed Manual Transmission
- Final Drive: Chain
- Frame Type: Steel diamond
- Wheelbase: 61.4 inches
- Seat Height: 33.5 inches
- Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches
- Weight: 458 pounds
- Suspension Front: Showa 43mm SFF-CA – 200mm travel
- Suspension Rear: Monoshock damper, Pro-Link swingarm, 190mm travel
- Wheels: 21 inch front & 18 inch rear spoked stainless steel
- Tires: 90/90-R21 Front & 150/70-R18 Rear
- ABS Type Brakes: 2 channel
- Brakes Front: Dual 310mm x 4.5mm ‘wave’ discs with axial mounted 2 piston calipers
- Brakes Rear: Single 256mm x 6.0mm ‘wave’ disc is operated by a single-piston caliper
