HONDA TRANSALP RIDES AGAIN
Everything old is new again. Thirty-five years after the original XL600V rolled off the production line, one of Honda’s most iconic ADV machines has been resurrected with the release of the 2023 XL750 Transalp.
Unveiled at the recent EICMA Show in Italy, the new Transalp looks set to shake up the middleweight multi-cylinder ADV ranks. It’s powered by the same 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine that was debuted in the new Honda CB750 Hornet road bike, and it pumps out a healthy 90.5hp at 9500rpm and 75Nm of torque at 7250rpm. Ride-by-wire throttle and five ride modes (Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel and User) are on offer, plus there’s switchable ABS to the rear wheel.
The motor is carried in a lightweight diamond steel frame that is mated with Showa suspension components front and rear. The 43mm USD fork delivers 200mm front-wheel travel, while rear travel is 190mm. Wheel sizes are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, while ground clearance is 210mm. Dual front 310mm rotors and a single rear 256mm rotor handle the stopping chores.
The Transalp’s flight deck is dominated by a five-inch TFT screen that is neatly tucked inside a svelte screen and fairing. Fuel capacity is 16.9 litres, while seat height is a lowly 850mm. Claimed wet weight is 208kg.
As far as looks go, the new Transalp is a mighty improvement over the original 600, but it clearly appears the new bike, like the original, is aimed at soft-road ADV use more than serious off-road duty. The low-slung header pipes and muffler, and the engine’s deep sump, are certainly crying out for serious protection before you take aim on your favourite rock farm.
Three colour choices are on offer (grey, black and the tri-colour shown here) and Honda Australia advises the new bike is due to arrive in local showrooms in the second half of this year. No details on pricing have yet been announced. www.motorcycles.honda.com.au
SUZUKI UNWRAPS V-STROM 800
It’s been raining new ADV machines for months now, and the downpour continues with the unveiling of the all-new Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE at the recent EICMA Show in Italy.
And get this: the 800 DE is powered by a brand-new 776cc parallel twin-cylinder engine — does that make it a P-Strom rather than a V-Strom? Fair question.
Suzuki claims the new 800 is its most adventurous ADV machine ever and it has the stats to back the claim. The new motor puts out 83hp at 8500rpm and 78Nm torque at 6800rpm, while there’s a 21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear. Fully adjustable Showa suspension delivers 220mm travel at both ends, plus there’s 220mm of ground clearance. Claimed kerb weight is
