What's the difference - AT to transalp?

[men8ifr]

Hi,

I was in the market for a dual sport bike i could ride off road so of course the AT and Transalp were on the list. I could never figuire out the difference between them though - my thoughts are:
Old AT's are much more expensive (50% to double the price for similar age/condition machine)
The transalp seems lower
The AT was campaigned in eth Dakar - the Transalp was not

Similarities
Both narrow V twins made by Honda- v.similar capacities but different engines (why!)
Both dual sport with soft suspension
Both are ridden off road around the world

Anyway I look forward to finding out!

ps I ended up buying an Aprillia Pegaso since for less than 1K any TA's were in v.poor condition and AT's not attainable (not even for 1.5K).

[Hagrid]

Ummm... Biggest difference I guess is that Alps are ridden by Girls...

A quick exit I think... OK I'm gone... Bye Bye...

[BobA]

AT...TA... pretty much the same bike with a few different clothes and accesories on!!

If you're a patient soul, getting a perfectly useable AT or TA on eBay for under £1000 is easily achievable, but it does help to be well informed on what to look for, and this forum will give you a very good idea.


Bob

[xrv_jim]

Engine is basically the same unit, just different capacity.

Relatively, the AT is more off-road friendly: Proper ally bash plate. Rising rate rear suspension. Ally rather than steel swing arm. A really uncomfortable seat (designed to encourage you to stand on the pegs more!)

In the right hands (i.e. not mine) a TA is just as capable/incapable off-road as an AT...unless someone knows different.

[fergus1964]

it's a matter of image.

you can tell people who ride transalps because they sing:

"I'm just a Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania..." as their sweet little machines pop pop pop along nice smooth transeuropean routes.

honda didn't fit centrestands to transalps because what's the point? the intended users wouldn't really know how chains and things work and certainly wouldn't want to get their fingernails dirty. a plastic bashplate also keeps the engine nice and warm and shiny. no need for a decent headlight, because transalp riders don't like going out in the dark.

in comparison people who ride africa twins don't need roads to get from A to B, and are happy to gargle neat petrol when giving mouth to mouth resusitation to broken fuel pumps. the intended user needs a physique like john wayne or ben hur.

it is rumoured that on the american market the africa twin engine crash guards could have modified mountings for fitment of machine guns, but for the transalp, they only came in pink.

[j]

fergus you are so lucky mrs mable is in the transalpian bath. i read your post and is she going to reply good luck i loose all arguments but i got a beemer gs

[Sharribee]

it's a matter of image.

you can tell people who ride transalps because they sing:

"I'm just a Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania..." as their sweet little machines pop pop pop along nice smooth transeuropean routes.

OK Guilty, but I'm allowed cause I am a girl

honda didn't fit centrestands to transalps because what's the point? the intended users wouldn't really know how chains and things work and certainly wouldn't want to get their fingernails dirty.

duh, firsly if you are married to a mechanic why on earth would you want to do your own chains and know how things work and secondly again duh keep your fingernails clean by wearing gloves when you work

Oh and the last service I did completey on my own

a plastic bashplate also keeps the engine nice and warm and shiny. no need for a decent headlight, because transalp riders don't like going out in the dark.

Oh no it's dark and raining here damn I forgot

in comparison people who ride africa twins don't need roads to get from A to B, and are happy to gargle neat petrol when giving mouth to mouth resusitation to broken fuel pumps. the intended user needs a physique like john wayne or ben hur.

Damn took a wrong turn that was road when I started (and I was on road tyres)

it is rumoured that on the american market the africa twin engine crash guards could have modified mountings for fitment of machine guns, but for the transalp, they only came in pink.

Pink, where can I get those from


(They would suit Chads new AT too)

[BobA]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo, handbags !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Bob

[chronyx]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo, handbags

Pink, natch.

[Raven]

it's a matter of image.

you can tell people who ride transalps because they sing:

"I'm just a Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania..." as their sweet little machines pop pop pop along nice smooth transeuropean routes.

honda didn't fit centrestands to transalps because what's the point? the intended users wouldn't really know how chains and things work and certainly wouldn't want to get their fingernails dirty. a plastic bashplate also keeps the engine nice and warm and shiny. no need for a decent headlight, because transalp riders don't like going out in the dark.

in comparison people who ride africa twins don't need roads to get from A to B, and are happy to gargle neat petrol when giving mouth to mouth resusitation to broken fuel pumps. the intended user needs a physique like john wayne or ben hur.

it is rumoured that on the american market the africa twin engine crash guards could have modified mountings for fitment of machine guns, but for the transalp, they only came in pink.