Transalp XL650V

According to the official HONDA ITALIA site and personal impression. Text in quotes was translated from the original Italian press release.
Last Update: 14 Feb 2002

Don't you think it seems like a Varadero-Canyon-Transalp hybrid? Bah, it's front reminds me of a Pegaso

Availability - Colors

It is available since spring 2000. As for the available colors, you already saw the "Bud Green Metallic" (oops!, a real metallic color or not ?) on the top of this page. There are also a rich red metallic and a cynos gray metallic (more of a black, yumm!) variation.

Frame

Do not expect an "exotic" aluminum frame. The good ol' one is here, although it's painted dark gray and reinforced on certain points to achieve "10% increased rigidity, increasing the stability of the Transalp to the high speeds - in particular when it travels with the passenger and extra baggage to edge". That sounds good.
Seat height is 1 cm lower, perhaps because seat itself became wider in the driver section. Hopefully, that will increase comfort and reduce strain during long trips (personally I have many complaints from the previous models).
Handlebar is located higher than before and it's 1cm shorter. Pillion's foot pegs have been moved a bit higher and to the front. Wheelbase is 1501 mm, so it is very close to the old value (1505 mm).
Weight is 5Kg less (191Kg) than that of 1999 TA. At least, they didn't make it heavier... (although frame is stiffer).

Suspension

The usual telescopic fork on the front, a new solution (adopted from CBR600F) on the rear. Unfortunately, web translators are inadequate for technical terms, so I couldn't understand much except that now the rear shock absorber:

has larger diameter,
has shorter travel (175 mm instead of 187),
has a separate fluid tank,
is lighter,
has new mountings and joints and the whole system is stiffer and (not surprisingly) rather on-road oriented,
has adjustable compression damping, but I would like an additional hydraulic spring preload adjustment (like that in BMW F650).

Wheels-Brakes

The old 21-90 front / 17-120 rear is used again. I don't know why HONDA insists in 120 width on the rear wheel.
Rims are lighter (hollow section, in order to reduce non-suspended mass). Spokes in the rear wheel are placed in a different manner (more tangentially to the outer side of the rim) "in order to reduce weight and maintenance".
Rear brake caliper is re-designed to reduce weight (it is supported more closely to the swing arm). They have been moved to the front, so mass distribution is better (i.e. towards the ideal center of gravity). "Rear brake act with greater effectiveness - thanks to the short distance from the fluid tank".

Motor

Since the designers didn't want to increase the weight and the size of the motorcycle, they chose 650cc displacement (I suspect they simply didn't want a conflict with the Africa Twin 750). Do not think they made a new design at all, they just used the old Africa Twin 650cc engine.
They claim that the "new" motor output is 5HP higher but without clarifying if that is the actual (measured on the wheel) increase. From the diagram on the right, it seems that torque is significantly higher in low revs. If that becomes true, it would be a welcome improvement. You see, all the TAs until now have a lack of power when starting from zero speed, particularly at full load. Acceleration and final speed remained the same, this is disappointing :-(
Gearbox remains 5-gear, but it is modified. Near future will prove if Italians made (modified?) a reliable transmission system.
In order to reduce vibrations due to bigger displacement, piston's weight is decreased. At first sight, that sounds good (it also helps operation at higher revs). But the piston-rod reliability has to be proven.
The new air filter chamber is smaller and closer to the carburetors. This also helps in decreasing air filter thickness (but makes dificult to install a re-usable air filter.
Specs: 647cc, 2x34mm carburetors, 55PS/7.500RPM, 5.4Kg-m/5.500RPM.

Exhaust system

Designers created a new device, since they considered the old one as a great contributor to weight and instability (they are right...). They kept only the appearance of the twin-tube final section (since this was an always notable TA feature). The outlets from the cylinders are well separated, in order to improve mass distribution (hence stability).
Did you notice a first drawback? The rear cylinder outlet may be annoying for the driver's right leg, although it is equipped with a heat protector (some riders complain for excessive heat due to the large area of the protector).
There is a provision for fresh air flow towards the output of exhaust valve, in order to comply with the new emission standards. This is an old and effective trick (for cheating EURO 1 environmental restrictions) but not much friendlier to the environment than before. So, there is no catalyst!. HONDA says:
"This sub-chamber contains a built-in heat tube that makes a further reduction to reduced emission levels by raising the temperature of the exiting exhaust gases to ensure complete combustion. Injecting a small jet of fresh air into each cylinder's exhaust port, just behind the exhaust valve, the system extends the burning of exhaust gases into the exhaust port for more complete combustion." Are you still not convinced?.
This exhaust antechamber has another issue: It is located at the lowest side of the bike, being dangerously exposed to stones, when driving on unpaved roads. It seems that a center-stand is needed to be installed, in order to somehow protect that antechamber.

Equipment - Accessories

The instrument panel has a relatively modern design and I suspect it will be marvelous in the night. But it is better to hold on until we take a look on this "mean machine" closely.
I hope the organs are not manufactured by VEGLIA.

A very nice idea is the digital immobilizer function associated with the ignition key (same system as in CBR, VFR etc). So you can't start engine by simply using a "T" tool. I comment this as an excellent idea.

Did you notice the new fuel tank cap, the fuel gauge and the a digital clock? Yes!!! And the tank is larger (19 Lt instead of 18). This helps autonomy a little. Unfortunately, first reports warn that the fuel gauge is very inaccurate.

That aluminum rod "emphasizes the off-road image of the Transalp." It's price, at least here in Greece, is on par with any (better quality) aftermarket handlebars, so I wouldn't suggest it as a smart buy.

Now there is some room under the seat, enough to put a U-lock (shackle) or gloves, papers etc. This room is accessible via a saddle lock. Useful idea, indeed. I only reserve myself about it's safety. I wouldn't want a burglar to have easy access to the alarm and CDI compartment.
Unfortunately, engine guard is plastic, again. I don't understand why a metal alternative isn't offered as an accessory.
Did you ever expect to see such a TA accessory? Yes, it is a stereo CD player - FM/AM radio. In the picture you see the remote control. The main unit is located in the top case. A member of the Greek Club have installed such a system since a year ago. His system is more complicated, since it uses waterproof loudspeakers. Earphones included, of course.

Other accessories include tank-bag, top and side cases, center-stand with handle, a higher windscreen, adjustable power heated grips (nice but expensive!), SPYBALL antitheft alarm (all OEM products from Honda Accessories)

Conclusion

Nevertheless, it's too soon to have a complete opinion about the new Transalp. My first impression is that (as I was expecting) HONDA ITALIA made almost all possible refinements they could apply without risking a major re-design.

Pros:

Handling is slightly better on road, paying also attention to the full load condition.
The new TA seems to be more comfortable than before due to modifications in seat, fairing and driver position.
Equipment and accessories are far better than before, I don't feel there's something missing now.

Unfulfilled remain:

Engine power. It probably won't satisfy our needs, again.
The lack of a combined brake system (CBS) is always annoying.
Off-road performance may also suffer a bit due to the new rear suspension.
19" front wheel (although it contrasts with the previous unfulfilled wish).
Off road performance is further reduced by the proximity of the exhaust antechamber to the ground.
The relatively high price of this motorcycle doesn't deserve the moderate quality of some parts (plastics).

Generally, it is a step ahead, although reliability and real performance have to be evaluated.
Finally, do you think this motorcycle is beautiful? Personally, I found it (at least) not ugly. Although it resembles to that XLV with the really stupid name (Varadero, you know), it is superior in one point: it's not that fat. On the other side, excuse me HONDA but I think personality is missing in the new design. but that's a matter of taste anyway...

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