XLV650 TRANSALP FOR OFF-ROAD

[DaveS]

Loose as much weight as you can.
Get a decent set of knobbly tyres.
Renthal handlebars.

Consider putting the weight back on by getting engine guards, decent hand guards for the inevitable off's.

[DaveS]

I've no experience but I suppose it depends on your budget.
An Ohlins shock will set you back a bit but may be better on the rough.
As to the front end I've sold my old TA now but it always felt quite soft so I guess that from your point of view it could do with stiffer springs and a heavier oil to reduce dive, but then you don't wan to go too far when riding off-road I would think.

[wheeliebin]

What Dave said, but personally I think the 650's suspension is of poor quality. It's far more road bais than the Africa Twin.
I'd go the other way, fit harder springs with lighter oil to try and increase the damping or just lighter oil with the standard springs.

[wheeliebin]

I'd be tempted to go the XR route for serious off roading, the TA is a road bike made to look like an off-road bike.
But looking at Boano bike, seems to be addressing the TA's limitations.

[mikeW]

Touratech do various bits & bobs to make the transalp more off-roadable, including replacement springs for the front end , which are supposed to stiffen things up a bit. I haven't tried them, so can't comment. They are shown on their web site.

[DaveS]

I will find some pic's of the TA on my bush adventures and post them here to show people that this bike is capable of doing almost everything off road.

Excellent. Pics we love!

[wheeliebin]

:laughing3:

[DaveS]

Pffftttt. Now now.... No jokes about bush adventures please. :E

[wheeliebin]

yeah, yeah. Don't disagree the TA or AT have some ability but it's a bit like comparing a RAV 4 against a Land Rover.


By the way, welcome to the forum :cherry:

[Unmutual]

People say about bike A being more capable off road than bike B etc......but the bottom line is it's 90% Rider that makes it all happen.

[wheeliebin]

Yeap, I'm crap :cheers:

Every bike has some off-road ability, anyone seen that Nick Saunders 'round the world travels' on a loaded up Yam R1 taking to the dirt tracks :cyclops:

[Tikka]

Both the Alp and the Twin are capable of offroad but thats mainly up to the tires and the drivers i found out. And the courage to try it with your bike. Here some pics from a group of dutch drivers. if you look at the bikes that do the allroadtour in finland every year you see Alps and Twins too. And bmw's,ktm's,yamaha xt's,etc,etc

http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/WBR2004/normal_IMG_0015.jpghttp://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/WBR2004/normal_IMG_0025.jpg
http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/WBR2004/normal_IMG_2466.JPGhttp://www.ferdw.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/image005.jpg

http://www.allroadtour.fi/enhistoria.htm
pictures courtesy of ferdw forum

[wheeliebin]

Can't argue with pictures like that :cyclops:

Blood, sweat and tears comes to mind though :toothy3:

[Tikka]

Really great photos. Did anyone test the water on depth before you wen't through? 8-) Have you more photos?

I'm not sure they did test the dept
pics are from here:

http://www.ferdw.net/gallery/index.php?cat=2

Only the commentary is dutch but pics are better than 1000 words

[harrisphil]

The bigest improvement to the transalp to make it good off road is to
Replace the Rider with sombody who knows how to ride off road.
have been out with the TRF on occasions and the standard of riding varied imensley a great bike cannot compensate for an inexperienced rider.
Check out the lands end trial or similar classic events to see real road bikes in off road locations.
I did the white peak trial in derbyshire on a standard guzzi V50 even down to the linked brakes (useless on ice).