2023 Honda Transalp | Final Thoughts 

Thanks Dan. I have the taller screen on mine and it was invaluable when a suicidal pheasant flew into it and then bounced over my head! With the smaller screen the impact would have been my face.

I’m a 73kg rider and find the stock suspension and factory preload settings nice and comfortable for me. The bike is simply a great all round option. It’s a more powerful and tarted up CB500X so while it may not excite you it just all the tasks without any problems. Utterly dependable. 👍

Funny how fast the $10k middle weight happened....

Thanks for the video Dan! Can't wait for them to bring more than one color option here in the US :)

one thing I have about big ADV bikes is trying to sit on them in a show-room.. the floors are typically a slick linoleum or some sort of tile... and I always feel weird trying to do the right-leg first method of getting on tall bikes because I am now putting 200lbs additional pressure on this tiny piece of metal on a slick floor... it never kicks out but it doesn't stop the fear I might smash a really expensive bike (and me) onto a hard surface...

Thanks for the review. It helped to confirm decision to get a TransAlp.

Cracking review Dan, really covered everything. Personally, I love the TransAlp, just a couple of things put me off, the 2 things you covered, no CC and tubed tyres. As well as being a brand new bike, no after market luggage options at the time of launch, just the ridiculously priced Honda luggage. I ended up buying a KTM 890adv. Which had all the things I wanted plus had the same after market options as the 790adv, so had plenty of options. I will be checking the TransAlp in 2026, hopefully, as you say, there might be CC and tubeless options available by then.

Thank you for another very good review. I did scan to see if you answered my question but, didn't see it. So at 5'8 were you looking over the optional tall screen?

I got mine about a month ago. Great bike and lots of fun

4,000 miles on my vstrom 800de in 4 months and love it but will certainly love the transalp as well. However, the transalp ought to be in the classic white color. I have not ridden the transalp but what I love about the vstrom the most is how comfortable it is. I can easily, and I am no exagerating, ride the the bike until it needs gas without stopping. 200 plus miles and I enjoy it so much that I don't even want to stop to take a pic. It is super comfortable and entertaining. It could be lighter and use regular fuel. However, it is pretty perfect for my use.

nice review, thanks for the work.

I like Suzuki 800de more but because of the weight I will choose Honda Transalp because of my small build. Having test ride both you can certainly feel Honda is much much east to handle.

Good review, swapped out rear suspension unit for a Hagon shock, it’s transformed the bike. Just about to convert the rear wheel to tubeless, you cannot convert the front as it has no bead retaining rim, but on the road you’re less likely to get a front puncture.

Thanks for the excellent review. I have been waiting for this ever since Transalp was released. Can we significantly compare Transalp and Vstorm 800 SE (instead of DE)? That is the closest competitor; it has reduced kerb weight compared to DE and road-focused suspension. Let us know Also very keen to know how different is the riding style of Vstorm 800 compare to it's younger sibling Vstorm 650, this is parallel twin and 650 V-twin which in my books has a separate fan base among the hardcore riders. Please include that while reviewing. Thanks 😃

Mccruise will have a aftermarket cruise for this by early 2024. I have it on my other. Ike and it works great where the oem failed us

Now i know a genuine cruise control kit can be bought from McCruise, I'll now be picking one up to use as my everyday/winter bike.

Are you having any issues with the throttle and uneven response? My brother had one and was saying it would be inconsistent when cornering Honda denying any known issues but he has seen on forums a few complaining of similar. He has sorted his taking excessive slack out of the cable but literally had to take the whole assembly apart.

This motorcycle has couch springs instead of suspension. But the biggest disadvantage is the tube tires. They say that to replace the air filter you have to send the motorcycle back to the factory 😅

I crack up the way Dan makes himself laugh :D

How does it compare with the vstrom 800 RE ?. That looks like it should be a better road bike due to 19 inch front, no inner tubes, no spokes to clean and radial brakes from the 8S naked bike. Sadly neither bike has cruise control which would be a deal breaker for many. Wonder if Honda will copy Suzuki with a road focused variant minus the 21 inch front, no inner tubes etc.

is the tire good enough for road use? or should switch to ture which more focus on road use

The V Strom 800 DE (230 kg) is 22 kgs heavier then the Transalp (208 kg)

it mindblowing when compairing v-strom and trans alp no one is talking about ho ugly the vstrom is. its rare to find a good looking european or jananesse bike and trans alp is one of the few

Hi Dan, how do you fix the tire if you get a flat? Since it is non-tubeless and no center stand? Thanks!

would you buy the transalp 750 or KTM 790 Adventure?

How is the seat height? Do your feet touch the ground ok?

What gloves are they? Thanks

Nice review as always! I have a beautiful Tiger 800 xc with very low milage at 10K. You own a 850 Tiger, which has a little less character than the "old" 800 based on engine performance. Ever owned or ridden a 800 Tiger? Would you replace a Tiger 800 with the Transalp? I do not care about the rider modes, only performance and feel. Thanks!

I beg to differ. I believe off the bat, the Transalp is more road focus with the inability to actually have a proper “gravel” mode and also the TC OFF and ABS mode OFF that keeps reset the moment you turn off the ignition. I believe Honda is not commited in a genuine “off road” biased but more towards road bias with the 21inch front. So the proper right comparison are actually the Suzuki 800 RE and also the Triumph Tiger 850 (the one that you own now) So, may I know whats your actual take if this 3 bikes are in comparison ? I’m in a crossroad now figuring which of this 3 is the right bike for my next long term ownership. Coming from the CB650R which i’ve clocked 65k kilometers. Same motorcycle as you previously 🌝

No cruise control is the deal breaker for me - it’s meant for touring?

LOVE that helmet! Which model HJC is that?

Just bought mine. With that wind deflectors I believe your are badly mounted. They should be should in the back of the windshield. If they are mounted like in this video... almost zero deflection. They are inline with the windshield. Why I bought it ? 80/20..90/10 road biased. Exactly what I want !

Just can't get past the headlight.

how is the fueling at this bike?

For an 'upright' allrounder that will be almost exclusively ridden on road I reckon the Tracer 7 or the Vstrom RE are a better bet, while for considerably more off road capability, the Tenere or Tuareg. If the Transalp is essentially a CB 500 X on steroids, it'll be a great bike for sure, but I'd be reluctant to take it off road without throwing more money at it, which adds to the weight and chips away at the 'bargain' factor.

be careful those metzler tyres arnt to good in the wet!

Transalp or Tiger Sport 850?

Tube tyres are a deal breaker for me. As with the Africa Twin the next model will have tubeless spoke rims.

Besides being about 50 lbs too heavy for my liking, this seems like the perfect bike for me. Compared to the competition, it seems like the best option for 90% on road riding like I do

Why do I always read it as Tran Slap?

I already bought cb500x which you recommended.. stop selling me another one :P

So weird that some people think the vstrom looks better. I think its hideous to the point that I cannot possibly consider it.

Nah honda won't do tubeless tyres on this bike mate would ruin Africa twins sales

Not many know that Dan bought this bike so he can make more videos with pervert jokes, what a sigma.

funny - I think Transalp looks better and Suzuki sounds better XD

LOL. "Who wants to ride for more than 2 hours?" I have ridden up to 18 hours and then got home and asked a friend if they wanted to go for a ride. I was on a sportbike! And not a young person. When I go for a ride if I do not do 250 - 300 kms (180 miles) I feel like I never went for a ride. The world is making quite a few whimps. They even want cruise control. Get a car! Also I want to feel some of the wind. It is a motorcycle! Not a couch, sofa, armchair,.. I have one on order and will replace the tubes with heavy duty tubes and apply baby powder on the tubes and inside of the tires, just like the dirtbke riders do. Baby powder is slippery so the tubes do not rub the tires inside and get chafed and worn though over time. This also helps to keep the tire and tube a bit cooler on highway runs so they last longer and do not over heat. So they run closer to tubeless tires.

If Only DCT

I’m afraid to say I had to stop watching your videos and unsubscribe because it hurts to hear an Englishman saying “inseam”. My, the TransAlp has one hell of a fine windshield though and all that space in the trunk, well it’s something else, so I’m gonna go on ahead and order myself one of those fine machines. Save British English! If we need to use American English to be understood then we might as well give up.

Why do you have to wave your arms when talking? I don't know anyone who does that.