First introduced in 1986, Honda’s Transalp is a legendary bike and now it’s coming back in the form of a 2023 model with a parallel twin powered ‘crossover’ machine.
Using the engine from the recently announced Hornet, the Transalp is built as a midrange adventure tourer with 90hp pushing around 208kg.
It appears the Transalp is a little softer, a little more accessible and versatile than some adventure bikes which have been released in recent years.
“We wanted to strike the right balance between urban agility, long-distance, on-road touring comfort and off-road ability. In arriving where we are, we have considered all these aspects in a ‘360 degree’ way, and created a bike that gives riders of all experience levels a fresh new option in the Honda range,” said Masatoshi Sato, Transalp Large Project Leader, said in a press release.
So the bike isn’t being introduced to compete with the KTM 890 Adventure or Yamaha Ténéré 700.
Here at Australian Road Rider we think it’s aimed more at riders looking for something a bit bigger and more powerful than its own CB500X or the Suzuki V-Strom 650, but just as versatile.
Important Features:
• 90.5hp (67.5kW) @ 9500rpm, 75Nm @ 7250.
• Stainless steel spoked wheels and tubed tyres are a combination of 90/90-21 at the front and 150/70-18 at the rear.
• 5-inch colour TFT bluetooth smartphone display
• LED lighting
• Assist & slipper clutch
• Throttle by wire plus four riding modes including gravel and user
• Showa 43mm USD cartridge forks with 200mm of travel
• Showa Pro-Link shock with remote reservoir and 190mm of wheel travel.
• Colours: Ross White, Matte Ballistic Black and Matte Iridium Gray
Pricing closer to the release in the second half of 2023.
