Revzilla put this bike at the top of their Daily Rider list for 2023, high praise indeed because Zac is a picky so and so. Very good at everything, exceptional at nothing. A proper all rounder in other words, just what we need n the market.
It IS a 21" front wheel. They steer almost too well on the curvy bitumen for a 21, but that's what is is. Not sure if that's been mentioned below as I didn't read back far. I am expecting some improvement off-road with coarser tyres with those wheel sizes. Mine not quite 2,500 kms so far. For the weight conscious (like me) there is a lot of weight in the rear rack/handles assembly, like 7kgs (about 15 lbs)! so I'll be making something lighter there, which will help counter the inevitable weight addition of the bash-plate. At least the bash-plate's weight is low down, and the weight lost with the rear rack is high and at the rear. Lithium battery, some lightweight fasteners, and it can be reasonably light, and with engine protection.
I have never been a fan of cruise control. I don't like the feel of being propelled down the road toward disaster in that moment between recognizing a problem and getting my hand on the throttle. I have a CrampBuster on my throttle which works in town and on the highway. Doing multiple two-week, 3000 mile trips, I've had no problem. Tubeless tires are great if you get a puncture. You can plug the tire without even taking it off the rim. Not so much if you get a cut. I started riding again about 15 years ago. I've covered about 100,000 miles on three motorcycles in that time and had exactly one flat. My rear tire picked up a utility knife blade that left a 3/4 inch cut through the carcass. I replaced the tube. I could have patched the tube. I don't think I could have plugged the tire. So tubeless tires are easy to fix, until they're really not. I can also change tubed tires myself. Tubeless tires require a burst of air to seat the bead. I don't have a home compressor, so when I had tubeless tires, I had to take them to a shop. Now that I have tubed tires, I can use a bicycle pump or compact compressor.
Thanks for the input . Everyone is different and I seem to attract nails to my tyres normally when I have just put them on ! So I would go tubeless but if I wanted to do some off road stuff and didn’t mind wrecking my rims then it wouldn’t bother me too much . There are pros and cons like you point out depending on the tyre damage . I had the atlas throttle lock on my Africa Twin and that worked very well to allow me to relax my throttle hand . Choices choices 👍
Well That's 3 assassins that won't be getting paid!!! Even the screw in the front tyre didn't make you fall off. No justice in this world.... Nice review by the way.
hahahaha....taking out a 240hp scooter in the next few days that has been clocked at 170mph+ on the avenue...oh and the Suzki Vstrom800. Tubeless for me.
I test rode the Transalp and liked it, but then the dealer suggested I ride the F750GS Sport. For AUD $2,000 more there was no comparison, cruise control, ESA, QS, luggage mounts, centre stand, Michelin tyres, Navigation cradle, TPMS, tubeless tyres, 5 year warranty, 3 year BMW roadside assist. I bought the GS.
I think manufactures will cotton on to this …. Suzuki are bringing out a version of their vstrom 800 with cast wheels and a smaller front wheel with tubeless tyres for those that don’t want the hassle of removing an inner tube !! It’s the way to go . Enjoy the BMW, I am looking forward to testing the new 900 👍
I think the bike weight is a bit misleading. Most will opt for the centre stand, bash plate and side pipes. So, the weight starts to go up perhaps another 10 to 15 kg.
yes, I know, thats going to start about £12,000...had a busy week at work and had got a bit of brain fog before I did the review! I do think the new F900 does look very interesting ....will have to take one out for a demo when my dealer has one in.👍
@@gsd32i I was surprised by the price I spec’d up the F800GS and in triple black and almost every option it came in just over £12k. I have the 750 new a year ago along with a 1250 and an older air cooled 1200 and the new model isn’t really going to be that much more expensive just a few hundred really. I know the F900 models will be more but preferred the smaller front wheel handling of the 750 and have no plans for off road. They both have a boost in hp and torque but even the old model 750 has more torque than the Honda.
After owning one now for a short time, It's not the bike I was hoping it would be. The engine is all wrong for this bike. It needs torque not high revving horsepower.
The Transalp otherwise known as a massive ripoff another price increase in a matter of months for no justifiable reason other than price gouging by Honda and 3 grand more than a Hornet for basically the same bike no thanks 👍