Many riders in the adventure riding community are shifting away from larger displacement bikes in favor of more manageable compact motorcycles. More and more manufacturers are responding to this shift by releasing mid-weight bikes into the market, which should satisfy the appetites of adventure cyclists everywhere.

Motorcycles with displacements between 650 and 900 cc are practically ideal for slicing through city streets and letting the gravel fly on a trip out of town, while those with displacements between 350 and 500 cc may seem too small for what they need. Honda's TransAlp, a 750cc motorcycle, is a perfect bridge between the two worlds, with its urban sophistication and rugged off-road prowess. We rode this little Africa Twin for a few days and discovered that it was up to the challenge.

The design

The TransAlp is one stunning bicycle. The Honda family tree is prominently displayed, as evidenced by the striking similarity between the Africa Twin, TransAlp, and CB500X. The bike comes in a number of stylish colorways, like the blue-white-grey Ross White TriColour, but the TransAlp really stands out in the striking Iridium Metallic Grey. Although the 750's modest headlight deviates too far from the Rallye design they were looking for, I must admit that it is a handsome motorcycle in its own right
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Like many European manufacturers, Honda provides the TransAlp as a base model (which we tested) to which you can add a number of packs tailored to the type of riding you intend to perform. These packs include, for example, an explorer pack, a tourer pack, and so on. The next owner will have to pay extra for these packs, but they can dramatically transform the bike's appearance. However, we appreciate it even in its most stripped-down form.

Technology

With its new TransAlp electronics package, Honda has significantly raised the bar. A 5" color TFT screen is installed in the instrument cluster, providing clear readouts of all the bike's parameters and serving as the interface for the selection of rider modes. There are five different engine modes available to riders, from Street to Rain and Gravel to User mode, where one may select their own customized settings; however, these are reset to factory standards whenever the bike is turned off.

Less to break while you're 600 kilometers from home, Honda kept things simple by only including LED lighting and a USB recharge port.

Perfomance

The 755cc liquid­-cooled parallel twin in the TransAlp features a 270° crank and Unicam and is paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission and slipper clutch. The TransAlp can easily keep up with the frustrating traffic of Johannesburg because to its 67.5kW and 75Nm of torque, delivered to the rear tire through chain drive. It also enjoys some breathing room on the open road, covering 395km on a single tank of fuel.

The flexible suspension consists of an adjustable spring preload and 200mm of travel in the front Showa SFF-CATM (Separate Function Fork-Cartridge) fork. A Showa shock with adjustable preload and 190mm of travel is mounted on a standard Pro-link swingarm in the back. The TransAlp reaches a ground clearance of 210mm while still accommodating riders of varying heights because to its low, contoured seat.

The stainless steel-spoked wheels transfer power to the road and keep it under control with a 21" front wheel that houses two-piston brake calipers that clamp down hard on dual 310mm rotors and an 18" rear wheel that receives a single-piston caliper and a 256mm rotor.

The ride

The Honda TransAlp is the most plush vehicle ever created. The huge screen virtually reduces wind buffeting, the low, curved seat is soft and comfortable, and the rider triangle ensures an unstrained posture, so 300 kilometers fly by and you leap off feeling rejuvenated and pain-free.

The engine has a pleasant burble when idling and a gratifying growl when the accelerator is pressed briefly, suggesting the possible power. While the TransAlp is responsive and quick when ridden solo, it becomes less maneuverable when carrying a passenger. Although the back seat is equally as plush and comfortable as the front, if you want to enjoy the ride, leave the pillion at home because the rear suspension sag becomes much more pronounced.

The 750cc engine has plenty of get up and go, and combined with the Honda's forgiving suspension, it makes the TransAlp a joy to ride around curves.
Our Judgement

The TransAlp is an excellent compromise between Honda's lightweight CB500 and their heavy-duty Africa Twin. TransAlp's competitive price has kept it at the top of its market, and it will be interesting to see how companies like KTM, Yamaha, and Suzuki do in comparison. Honda needs simply to keep looking forward and keep developing bikes this good to be at the tip of the market spear despite competition from the Suzuki 800DE and Yamaha Tenere.