[Six8five]

I knew this bike was on the horizon, but still opted for a KLR when I made a purchase last month. "Latest and greatest" vs. "tried and true" in my mind. I decided I'd rather have "tried and true."

Bro it’s a Honda
Honda doesn’t make anything that isn’t reliable and very well engineered.
The rear suspension is all from the AT, ever rode one? They’re a beast.
The KLR isn’t even in the same class with T7s, ATs and the new Transalp !
I love my KLR but it’s too slow and I’m over the 70s tractor engine.

 

[anson.clark.call]

I love my KLR but it’s too slow and I’m over the 70s tractor engine.

Yeah the power of the new hornet engine sounds insane, and I don't mean to say the reliability will suck. The price is the other hidden factor, though. And maybe availability - a T7 was on my list, but I would have had to wait deep into 2023 or overpay for a used one.

 

[pdwestman]

Honda doesn’t make anything that isn’t reliable and very well engineered.

Hahahaha.
Every company makes bone-head engineering mistakes and cost cutting decisions!
Honda is no different.

 

[OCL]

Bro it’s a Honda
Honda doesn’t make anything that isn’t reliable and very well engineered.
The rear suspension is all from the AT, ever rode one? They’re a beast.
The KLR isn’t even in the same class with T7s, ATs and the new Transalp !
I love my KLR but it’s too slow and I’m over the 70s tractor engine.

Try not to get too excited. It's similar to the AT but it is NOT an AT.

Look closely at the specs of the Transalp 750. It is a bargain bike, similar to the CB500x. It doesn't have the suspension travel and ground clearance of the T7 nor the KLR650. No suspension adjustability up front. In fact, it looks as if it is a class below the 2023 Suzuki VStrom 800 DE. Yes it has a better engine than the CB500 and the KLR. I dare to say it's similar in spec to the KLR just with a better motor. So for sure it will be faster and smoother. It's also going to cost around $10k. Nevertheless, the bike it replaces in Europe, is no T7 fighter, and this new Transalp is just an evolution of that old Transalp. Great bike, but not transformative. It's closer to a VStrom 650.

The T7 and Tuareg 660 are class leaders. I don't think the new Transalp will be that. I'll venture to say the new VStrom 800 DE is going to be a better alternative, because specs-wise, it sits slightly above the T7. It's heavy. But so are other 800 class bikes like the Tiger 900 and Ducati Desert X. And it appears to me, the Suzuki is targeted at those. So the T7 and Tuareg 660 really does not have much to worry about. These are all going to be over $10k bikes, well below the KLR650 market class.

 

[Six8five]

Adjustable suspension?
F that! Don’t need or want.
Bargain bike?
wtf is a KLR!

 

[OCL]

Adjustable suspension?
F that! Don’t need or want.
Bargain bike?
wtf is a KLR!

Suspension adjustability is great to have. It's a big dividing line between a bargain bike and one that is higher spec. Especially preload at the rear, plus rebound/compression damping at both ends. It makes a difference if you know what you're adjusting. Zero adjustability up front is a sure sign it's a bargain bike.

Yes we all know the KLR is a bargain bike. Just like the CB500x, and it appears the Transalp as well. My point is, don't elevate the Transalp to the T7 or the Tuareg 660 level. I'll bet money it won't match either. I'll also bet money its suspension performance is going to be close to the G3 KLR650. Good up to a moderate level of terrain difficulty and rider ability.

 

[thecaper]

The Transalp looks jaw-droppingly awesome.

 

[PeteK]

Looks are deceiving. Take the KLR for example...

 

[pdwestman]

The Transalp looks jaw-droppingly awesome.

Looks even more expensive to repair after dropping it into a rock pile than a KLR to my eyes.

 

[Old Nomad]

Looks even more expensive to repair after dropping it into a rock pile than a KLR to my eyes.

When I sold my touring bike and went forward with a KLR I had the same thoughts. Sure, a T7 and now a Transalp or a Suzuki 800DE look like great bikes, but it will be a lot easier on me when the KLR takes a dirt nap rather than a bike that was more expensive and is more complicated.

Nothing against the other three mentioned, but there's something to be said for the good ol' KLR.

 

[Chipper]

Honda's biggest mistake was trying to be Harley. They wasted way to much time and resources trying to lower their standard to Harley's level.

Heck I started out on the XL500 then XL600 and the NX. Then so many XR650L's I can't remember. Nearly 50 years on the same design. Heck they had the replacement back in the 2000's. Remember the XR650R. I had a couple with street titles. What a beast on road and off. Would have cornered the market easily with a factory street version. However Honda discontinues the bikes and motor to make Harley's. How stupid can you be?

They need to stop making bikes for the Asian market. Maybe focus on the US for a change where we have interstate highways going 85mph plus. With 6 feet plus tall people. I'm so sick of these short tiny under powered bikes. With a top speed of 65-70 down hill.

Don't get me started on the retro POS. UGH..

 

[Biggs3118]

As much as I like the T7, AT and now the newer Transalp; at the end of the day KLR is still king when all things are considered.

The classic Transalp is just that, a badass classic bike and it'll always have a special place in my heart. Among others.

 

[pdwestman]

Honda's biggest mistake was trying to be Harley. They wasted way to much time and resources trying to lower their standard to Harley's level.

The ONLY Harley Davidson that Honda sort of 'Copied' was the XR750 V-Twin flat-track race bike. Both long departed models.

They need to stop making bikes for the Asian market. Maybe focus on the US for a change where we have interstate highways going 85mph plus. With 6 feet plus tall people. I'm so sick of these short tiny under powered bikes. With a top speed of 65-70 down hill.

They don't sell XR650L's, Africa Twins, CBR1000's, VTX1800's, Valkaries or GoldWings in those Asian countries.
Same scenario for Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, etc.

If you were to do a little research you'd probably find that the Asian Market has a Lot More volume for all bike manufactures (selling over there) than the USA. There are simply more people over there.
Yes they are smaller, more economical models (50 - 250cc are most common.) than most of what they sell over here.
Sales of the larger, taller, fancier, higher-tech models in richer countries like N. America, Europe & Australia help the bike companies to produce the cheaper models for the less developed countries.

 

[a4twenty]

exactly, the 400 million people in NA buying a bike for recreation don't even come close to the volumes sold in Asia ( China 1 billion+, India 1 billion+) as their main transportation and a family vehicle.

then of course, certain world leaders are talking about ending oil and the ICE while others have absolutely no plans of follow them off that cliff.

I'd get used to the manufacturers trying to please their biggest market.

 

[PeteK]

In addition to what PDW said, don't go bashing Harleys here. A number of us also have Harley touring bikes. You may not like the style of what Harley Davidson makes, and that's your prerogative. You have plenty of other brands and models to choose from. The quality of HD over the past 20 years I have owned several of them and ridden nearly 100,000 miles, is as good as any other major manufacturer, and I'll even say the finish quality is the best in the industry.

 

[Chipper]

Yet I go to the local dealer and the place is filled with those same small bikes. Unsold and taking up space. Guess selling little 3k bikes is better then selling large 15k-30k bikes. Don't run a large world wide company so guess I'm only looking at the small picture.

50 years ago when I ran a few HD's before I learned my lesson. Couldn't keep them running let alone ride them very far or fast. Maybe they have gotten better but I doubt it. Cause I still see them along side of the road. Plus pass them all the time. I wouldn't have 50 plus years experience on bikes if that's all I had to ride. Just my experience, never again.

Remember the big custom hog craze a few years ago. Honda brings out the Fury. That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Jay Bee]

Honda sells 17 million bikes/year. In 2011 they sold just 427,000 of them in North America. That's more than double what H-D sells here. Honda sells more bikes in 10 days than H-D sells in a year. It still surprises me that such a large company even bothers with us when virtually no one in America rides motorcycles.

With that being said, I like the bike. The lightweight frame concerns me. I'd prefer it was a bit heavier. I wish the sub-frame was replaceable. Touring bikes should have a good strong replaceable sub-frames for carrying luggage. The low oil pan isn't a big deal either. It's not a trial bike, dirt bike or dual-sport. It's a touring bike. Tubeless makes sense on a touring bike. It doesn't make sense on a dual sport. Ditto for cruise. Both of these should have been included as standard.

My 800XC was (allegedly) 474lbs and 94hp. I know it was much closer to 500lbs. Had it not suffered from terrible build quality and poor reliability it was just about perfect for touring. Sure, my DR650 was a million times better offroad but that's not what ADV Touring bikes are made for. Ripping wheelies off sand dunes on your 500lb bike, with all your luggage, 5 states from home, is just plain dumb. Been there, done that. The 800XC used low test fuel which was a HUGE bonus when touring. I suspect the TA will require premium.

It will be fun to see if these bikes are able to handle trips to Alaska, South America and RTW.

 

[KLR-Mule]

I recently had the opportunity to ride a brand new HD Electra Glide.
IMO, it was the biggest piece of junk I’ve ever ridden. For 26k, I’ll gladly pass.
To each their own!

 

[shkyrdr]

Kinda disappointed on likely weight of new Honda and Suzuki "middleweights". Hate to be that guy that's looking for the unobtainable unicorn bike ( which isn't the same for everyone), but a 400 lb or less is still my limit for solo riding. My small statue and age/crash related decrepitude cannot put much more than a Gen 1 back on it's wheels. That said, the T700 my riding buddy has is sweet, and the Tuareg has great reviews also. Still looking for that sub-400 pounder that has modern suspension and reasonable service intervals. The 690/701 is light and amazingly smooth (dual couterbalancer versions), but have some reliability issues. Seems like the Honda 500X with some careful weight reduction and longer travel suspension/and 18-21" tires for $9000 would be a seller. Too bad AJP PR7 is not more available, checks a lot of boxes. The 450RL looks good, but small oil capacity, and cost of adventurizing it is up there. Wish KTM would make an R version of their 390 adventure platform (modern engine, longer travel suspension, decent reliability and maybe 8K or less?)

 

[OCL]

Kinda disappointed on likely weight of new Honda and Suzuki "middleweights". Hate to be that guy that's looking for the unobtainable unicorn bike ( which isn't the same for everyone), but a 400 lb or less is still my limit for solo riding. My small statue and age/crash related decrepitude cannot put much more than a Gen 1 back on it's wheels. That said, the T700 my riding buddy has is sweet, and the Tuareg has great reviews also. Still looking for that sub-400 pounder that has modern suspension and reasonable service intervals. The 690/701 is light and amazingly smooth (dual couterbalancer versions), but have some reliability issues. Seems like the Honda 500X with some careful weight reduction and longer travel suspension/and 18-21" tires for $9000 would be a seller. Too bad AJP PR7 is not more available, checks a lot of boxes. The 450RL looks good, but small oil capacity, and cost of adventurizing it is up there. Wish KTM would make an R version of their 390 adventure platform (modern engine, longer travel suspension, decent reliability and maybe 8K or less?)

Your Unicorn doesn't exist. You have to build it like so many others have, and spend a $hit ton of money doing so. There just isn't a sub-400 lbs. wet adventure bike with great range, suspension, wind protection, cargo carrying capacity, some crash protection, great power to weight ratio. Nothing. Doesn't exist. You have to build it.

The 690/701 is the best foundation, but by the time you build it out, you would easily have spent as much as a KTM 890 Adventure R. You can build out a 500 EXC-F, but you will be in the same cost range when you're done. Except, your wet weight would be very low in comparison to the fully kitted new ADV bikes.