I almost bought a Transalp. It matches my type of riding perfectly. I like to ride unpaved roads with an occasional rutted out road. The engine was impressive and I really liked the quick shifter. The ergonimics fit me perfectly. A skid plate and a crash guard is all it needs. If things work out for me, I hope to buy one next year. I'm hoping the red/white/blue version comes to the US.
@@DifferentSpokesTV I'm not upset about the lack of cruise control. I've never used cruise control on a motorcycle. For the type of riding I would do on a Transalp, I don't need it. I'm not a big highway rider anyway.
Note: I just checked again and Honda is offering the Africa Twin Adventure Sports in a manual in Canada and some Euro markets. On the US website the new model is not yet listed. I'm a fan of this as the DCT adds over 20lbs to the curb weight.
Sorry, wrong way round Bud... this guy brings more Info, in a more entertaining way, for the everyday rider, of which there are a lot of us, which outdoes the more specialized subjects of FortNine, who caters more for the tech and nerdy type of rider. But, whatever..., to each his own!
Here in Northern Europe (Sweden and Finland) a TransAlp makes most sense. Good price, for what you get and you get plenty. Transfer distances on pavement are long and at highway speed so a 300 is too weak. The 500 can cope, just about but then again the difference in price to a 750 is not that much so makes more sense to get the stronger one. The AT models are expensive, even very so for our short seasons the 750 is optimal. Honda made us wait for it, but as usual they deliver when they finally start selling their new bike. And the old TransAlps still sell for good money, and it is hard to find one to buy as we tend to keep them. The new model will be a winner, for sure.
I'm going to attempt to sum it up before I watch. Easy fun trail riding with light rode use get the Trail 125. BDR , single track, rough 2 track, and need not want to take highways, 300 Ralley. Touring and decent 2 track and dirt roads get the Transalp. Mostly commuting, some touring, back roads, and forest roads get the NX500. Total Honda fanatic and want to ride with your G1250GS buddies, get an Africa Twin.
I disagree with you on the Trail 125, with the skinny tires and small size was the hardest out of all the bike on our last ride. We all took turns because it wore everyone out in loose dirt and sand.
@@ericgrand-maison1502 I should have been more specific. Easy fun trail to ride not that the Trail 125 makes anything specifically easier. Though the On2Feet RU-vid channel has some pretty crazy trail riding on the 125. However he did just upgrade to a 300s.
@drivetrainerdan i think you hit it on the head... Honda has gradually given us a ton of options in the ADV/Touring space.. I could easily enjoy have each of them in my garage for the purpose of the day...
Good video. I’m trying to decide between the transalp and the nx500. I like the smaller bikes. Currently have a klr650 and a crf230L both 2008. I think it’s finally time I upgraded. I do love both my bikes and will never sell the little crf. It’s just so much fun.
Yes, those dual sports are super user friendly. The Transalp is about the same size as the KLR with a lot more power. The NX will feel lighter with comparable power to the KLR but the engine feels a lot more civilized.
I want to comment on 4:45 as I own a 2022 model. I think the vague feeling in the front end when pushing corners isn't due to the 21" front wheel, but rather due to the extremely soft rear suspension from the factory. The spring rate on the front is totally dialed in perfectly (for me, 90-100kg with gear), but the rear is extremely undersprung, probably in an attempt to make it feel 'plush' for people. The adjustable windshield is definitely a good upgrade, I really dont understand why previous models didn't have that. Option for electronic suspension as well.
Thanks for the comment! Yep, you might be right about that. These softer long travel bikes are always a bit vague. Somehow my Tenere 700 feels better though.
After all that, I got the ADV160 lol... Its a great little bike. I don't think I'd take it off road, but its a great day tripper/city bike. Thinking about the Transalp for longer rides (not doing much if any offroad)
Well bud, you definitely hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. The base Africa Twin is the way to go for sure. As for the Transalp (CB750X) I have zero love for it and frankly don’t understand it. The 300 is always a great choice as long as the buyer understands what and what not they are buying. I think the gem in the line up has to be the Trail 125, it would definitely be a blast to bomb around on or just going bar hoping on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Yes they are all great bikes. The Transalp is a good choice for riders that don't do serious off roading. On the road it handles better than the AT and it has plenty of power at a lower price.
We don't have the Trail 125 in Australia anymore because dual channel ABS is mandatory on all new motorcycles. Luckily we have a huge stockpile of used CT110's thanks to Australia Post using them for mail delivery for decades. We do get the Honda GB350 though, so hopefully we'll be getting the ADV version too. If we do It'll be the cheapest Honda ADV available in Australia.
I've had my eye on a Transalp since it was first announced, and I plan to pull the trigger next year on a 2025 model. It ticks a lot of boxes for the type of riding I do, and will be a nice upgrade from my current KLR 650 which I've kinda outgrown.
Great overview.... but some of your info on the 2024 AT is outdated. The ATAS still comes with the manual and DCT options.... and ES option for the basic bike appears to be in the UK only. Waiting for the bike show in Toronto to reconfirm all details as I am ordering one this spring!
@DifferentSpokesTV after seeing and sitting on both bikes at the Toronto show... I am kicking in the extra $3500 for the ATAS. It looked so much better in person and the stance and seat height was perfect.
Yep, the Monkey is actually better off road than the Trail 125. I find that I accidentally shift that semi auto on the Trail while standing. Plus the Monkey is lighter.
I'm a lucky guy I ride a 300 Rally for the TET or really bad road (risk of ice abd snow). For road use, I have an 1999 750 Africa Twin (25 years old and still young, not even yet a 100 000kms!). Ride safe
If you have the money get the Transalp, if not the CB500X used. Both have all the power you need and are great allround bikes. When you want to travel the world on highways get an Africa Twin. When you want to travel Itchy Boots style get a CRF🤷🏼♂️ Oh the problems we face living in the West. What a good looking setup all around, i'm afraid to try them out. My 2000 Transalp will never feel good enough anymore.
Many thanks to the author for such a meaningful review and comparison. I would like to hear your opinion. Which of the above motorcycles do you consider ideal for a man over 40 years old who has never driven a motorcycle, but has more than 20 years of driving experience?
As a 300 Rally owner who commutes to work on it, I decided I needed something better,so I purchased a Transalp. Transalp is stored at the dealership until spring. Trying to decide if I want to sell the 300 or keep it.
Nice buy. The Transalp will definitely be a better commuter but the Rally is way better on the trail. Depends on how many trails you ride and how difficult they are.
While I am a huge fan of the Africa Twin, it’s still beyond my riding abilities, so the 500 for me… or this new 300, as it is the engine I am currently using to get my A2 license (wish me luck, exam due February-13th)
My 2023 Africa twin adv rarely gives me 400kms per tank(maybe 330kms), I ride home-work-home here in Toronto, seat is hard, love my bike but she is thirsty 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I guess that I got better mileage because the one I tested had a DCT automatic and I was riding outside the city on 60mph or 100kph roads, ideal for economy. It was also the Adventure Sports with the 25L tank.
Transalp 750 is a disappointment for me. It's a road motorbike, sucks offroad. Revvy engine from Hornet street bike is not tuned for low RPM torque, ground clearance is really low and suspension is road only too. The old Transalp was not great offroad either, still performed better. New Transalp could be better if they tried. Slower camshafts, different less deep oil sump and just slightly better suspension would do without cost increase.
I have the 2019 cb500x & love it! I put the one 🦷 bigger front ⚙️ & put on some crash bars I love that bike I had the rally 250 but it just wasn't enough on the highway but damn i really miss that bike! I just live in Phoenix & you have to have a bike that goes at least 80 mph or you'll get run over lol
Yes, we just sold our Rally 300 to a guy who had a 250 and was selling it to get a 300. He said that the 300 had just enough extra that the old bike needed.
@@DifferentSpokesTV yeah that's VERY possible where he lives but the 500 even feels kind of wound up around 80 mph so I know you could not ride a 300 at 80mph, not comfortable anyway. That's why I just went to the 500 because I don't think the 300 would have been enough for me personally but I do miss that style of bike! I want another 1
Yeah, the 300 tops out a 130kph indicated but that's probably 120 in real life. Hit a hill and you may be down to 100 which is 62mph. The 500 will do any highway no problem.
Like my Grandpa used to say: only a donkey never changes it’s mind so Honda changed their mind; there is a manual ATAS 😂😂 Checkout the MCN launch review in Europe 🙏
We sold the bike to a guy who was upgrading from a 250. I put the seat back to its original height for him. We'll get Brooke a bike in a few years when the little one is older. Maybe Sur Rons for everyone :)
@@DifferentSpokesTV ok, thanks. So the image you showed, of the bike with the two front fenders, is that something that actually came from Honda, and that is definitely what it is going to look like?
The Transalp would be my 1st choice, as the AT is just too big, fat and overpriced. The NX would be 2nd - it would be perfect with another +10 BHP proportional to the TA.
Yes, the Transalp is close enough to the AT that it may cannibalize some sales. The NX has to have 47hp to meet A2 licencing standards in Europe unfortunately.
I doubt it since they haven't brought the CB350 variants here. I think they're hesitant to bring in 20hp bikes that can't really keep up with highway speeds. On the freeway uphill that bike would be struggling to do 70mph.
@@DifferentSpokesTV in my humble opinion, North American motorcycle culture/ridership would benefit immensely by adding some attractive inexpensive 350cc bikes to the lineup to get more young people riding. Your average 20 something can’t afford anything, let alone a motorcycle. Yes I know the mini lineup exists, but we’re not all 5’5” & 150 lbs.
Yeah, I totally agree. For North America Honda seems to favour the liquid cooled 286cc single from the CBR300R, Rebel 300, And 300L Rally. That engine makes 27hp rather than the 20 of the air-cooled 350.
I had air cooled twin cylinder CB450s (PC17) for a decade. It made 40hp but the weight was 50kg more than CRF300L so the acceleration was not much faster. The engine alone weights 70kg so it's not good candidate for ADV/dualsport. I would be happy if Honda just overbored 286cc CRF300L to 350cc without touching the frame to avoid making it heavier. Also they could provide rear suspension that actually works so you would not need to swap strut for aftermarket one the first week of ownership.
Honda does not have 450cc single cylinder road engine. Current CRF450L is detuned lightweight competition/racing engine. Even detuned it will be always expensive and high maintenance as all competition/racing engines. Propper long life low maintenance road engine would be physically larger and weight twice as much due to amount of material.
Honda Trail 125 is an amazing little bike! Had a blast riding it on Japanese mountain trails and countryside. It was the most fun I ever had on two wheels at that time... Now my Yamaha XT250 gives me even more fun, but it was this little Honda that kicked off the trail riding passion for me.
