Honda 750 Transalp

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It looks okay, not exciting, just okay, if you want an okay bike then it's the bike for you

You’ve just described pretty much every Japanese bike this side of a litre sportsbike, least they’ve gone for an engine with a bit of character and not an IL4.

Yes, though I'd also include most manufacturers bikes in that, the only thing I've seen in the last 5 years that made me go wow was an £18K limited edition MV 800, but I wouldn't have another MV. The general "meh" that modern bikes give me is why it took me so long to buy a modern bike, and also why I bought a budget bike, I'd rather spend £6K on a bike that doesn't inspire me than £11K on a bike that doesn't inspire me, turned out I bought a bike that really suited me, I'm not sure what it says about me, probably that I'm a bit of a boring old fart.

[Skub]

I'm not sure what it says about me, probably that I'm a bit of a boring old fart.

Quoted for posterity.

I think age is definitely a factor in what we like to see in a bike,but it isn't the whole story. Bike and car manufacturers tend to follow each other with design. When something sells well,then that'll be imitated. They like to sell stuff,they've been bitten before when trying to buck the trend. Bikers are frightened to be different. Look no further than the ADV scene as an example. (shudders)

We all have an idea of what visuals flick our individual switches and if the general build trend drifts in another direction,that may mean the bikes hitting the market for years on end don't make us want them. I held onto my 10R for 14 years for precisely this reason. To my eyes it looked better than any new stuff,even if the newer bikes were much superior.

A potential buyer such as that is left in the position of re-educating yourself to like what's available,or going the custom route.

[G.P]

I've got a Triumph Tiger so clearly looks are not high on my priority list when choosing a bike.
Looking at the Transalp, it ticks a lot of boxes for me. I don't commute stellar miles like I used to but it is a lighter, more powerful, more economical commuting alternative to my TIger. I don't dislike the looks either, but I've got Ducatis for looks
If it had 19"/ 17" tubeless rims and cruise control, it would be pretty much perfect for my needs.

I suspect an NT750 may come along (same as the NT1100 is to the Africa twin) but that, if re-tuned for mid range and economy, would be a bit too close to a latter day Dulville

[Couchy]

It looks okay, not exciting, just okay, if you want an okay bike then it's the bike for you

You’ve just described pretty much every Japanese bike this side of a litre sportsbike, least they’ve gone for an engine with a bit of character and not an IL4.

Yes, though I'd also include most manufacturers bikes in that, the only thing I've seen in the last 5 years that made me go wow was an £18K limited edition MV 800, but I wouldn't have another MV. The general "meh" that modern bikes give me is why it took me so long to buy a modern bike, and also why I bought a budget bike, I'd rather spend £6K on a bike that doesn't inspire me than £11K on a bike that doesn't inspire me, turned out I bought a bike that really suited me, I'm not sure what it says about me, probably that I'm a bit of a boring old fart.

I'm very similar tbh, most bikes are so good these days I'm the limiting factor. I can have as much fun go as fast as I want on a budget bike so no need to spend more. I really liked my cb500x but wanted a few more HP. This could be ideal. TBH though I'd be happy with a cruiser or something I could just ride slowly to work on a sunny day

[Mr Moofo]

Is that an underpowered TDM?

[Couchy]

Is that an underpowered TDM?

TDM was less power and heavier

[Bigyin]

I'm very similar tbh, most bikes are so good these days I'm the limiting factor. I can have as much fun go as fast as I want on a budget bike so no need to spend more. I really liked my cb500x but wanted a few more HP. This could be ideal. TBH though I'd be happy with a cruiser or something I could just ride slowly to work on a sunny day

When i first saw the new Transalp pics at the start of this thread the first thing i thought was "a CB500X with a bigger engine and longer suspension" .... even the headlight looks the same.

This might even be bike number 200

[Mr Moofo]

Is that an underpowered TDM?

TDM was less power and heavier

Ouch - I have taken a couple of house point from myself!

[Bigjawa]

Needs a shaft but looks interesting.

[ChrisW]

Apparently the price was accidentally put up on Honda's UK website earlier, before the official price announcement...

[Horse]

At the risk of retro-heresy I actually prefer it in the black and grey colourways.

Some here might prefer sepia

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

How much !!!!!!

[Taipan]

Quite like the look of that one! Look forward to all the road tests!

[ChrisW]

How much !!!!!!

Yeah, seems toppy but then it's a grand less than the V-strom 800 twin and the price differential from the Hornet is the same £2.5 as the GSX8S / V-strom.

[Taipan]

Apparently the price was accidentally put up on Honda's UK website earlier, before the official price announcement...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

How much !!!!!!

Yeah, seems toppy but then it's a grand less than the V-strom 800 twin and the price differential from the Hornet is the same £2.5 as the GSX8S / V-strom.

Fair enough, though I don't see why giving a bike a fancy frock should cost that much, but Suzuki also do it with the Katana and Kawasaki do it with the Z900RS, I guess it's charging what you think you can get away with.

[Supermofo]

How much !!!!!!

Yeah, seems toppy but then it's a grand less than the V-strom 800 twin and the price differential from the Hornet is the same £2.5 as the GSX8S / V-strom.

Fair enough, though I don't see why giving a bike a fancy frock should cost that much, but Suzuki also do it with the Katana and Kawasaki do it with the Z900RS, I guess it's charging what you think you can get away with.

Yes you have to assume it's a fashion tax as there is no way they spend £2.5k more building that than the Hornet. Looks better than the Hornet IMO and typically I'm not an Adv bike style lover, but the Hornet looks cheap.

[ChrisW]

How much !!!!!!

Yeah, seems toppy but then it's a grand less than the V-strom 800 twin and the price differential from the Hornet is the same £2.5 as the GSX8S / V-strom.

Fair enough, though I don't see why giving a bike a fancy frock should cost that much, but Suzuki also do it with the Katana and Kawasaki do it with the Z900RS, I guess it's charging what you think you can get away with.

I agree. And i suppose with the Transalp all the tests / comparisons will be mentioning that it's £X cheaper than the VStrom/Tenere/Tuareg etc.

[Skub]

The guts of 10k for that ugly old plodder?

[The Spin Doctor]

There's likely to be a CBR750R based on the Hornet motor, and there's also speculation in Japanese mags that a 'GB' retro is also on the cards... so there needs to be a bit of room over the Hornet's price for these special editions, I suppose.