Bought my Transalp XL650 2000 at the start of the year with only 11k miles on the clock and have notched up just over 2 thousand miles via commuting and occasional trips to the coast and around the local area. It's my first adventure touring style bike and coming to this from a race bike I have to say I love riding it. The riding position, handling and the smoothness of the engine make it a pleasure to ride around the back roads of Wiltshire. Definitely more suited to the Ted Simon school of touring though, with the gearing and delivery nice and smooth up to 50mph, but above which you will find your foot checking for a 6th gear. Motorway travel and this bike are not happy partners, at least for me, it just felt like I was revving the nuts off it by 80.
I've not used it much off road yet, but even pottering around a local forest path I bottomed it out, so it's clear that ground clearance is not a strong point. I do however like the balance of the bike and the way you can yank it back into shape when the world starts tilting over in a hurry, something I'm not sure would be capable on the heavier chunks of adventure touring bikes around today.
For reliability I have scored a 10, I am sure it is not perfect, but from my experience so far I have had zero problems and nothing looks to need any work anytime soon.
Overall the engine is good, the tried and trusted Honda V-twin I think is a reasonable balance between weight, size, economy, power and reliability. I've scored it down on the lack of a cruising gear and the in-accessibility of some of the engine parts, for which many of the Haynes instructions starting with the line "remove the fairing, dashboard and fuel tank".
Value for money I scored high too, since I bought mine in great condition with 11k on the clock (verified), with FSH and Givi luggage for less than £2k.
For me, with price, fuel economy and reliability high on my check-list during these hard times, this bike has been everything I wanted. Would I keep it if I won the lottery this weekend though? .. no chance.
Review Information Motorcycles
Time owned
1
I liked
The price, Honda reliability and simplicity.
I Disliked
Unconfortable seat design and no 6th gear.
Would you buy again
Maybe
In one line
A good choice for a first giant traillie on a budget.
0
