View Full Version : TA or AT?
Just discovered this forum (yes, I'm a bit slow...) after the transalp.org one. See a lot of names I recognise and questions too! Been considering moving to an AT... had this TA at least six months, and funnily enough I was told that it came from the Poleece in the North.... funny colour for a cop bike - same as yours Tormentron. Anyhow it's good to find a forum based on this side of the Atlantic.... So what's the verdict? TA or AT???
Chris H
modrover
20-05-05, 06:16 AM
Hello Chris... I'm sure it's going to take owning both to really know. A person can give you all kinds of info., but what it really comes down to is... how the bikes works with you.
Maybe find a good deal on an AT, but don't sell off the TA yet. Test it out. Then, sell the one you like least.
That said... the best thing, like DaveS said, is both! :wink:
Ralphie
20-05-05, 09:26 PM
While fully agreeing with both I'd have to say their also full of diplomatic crap.
TRANSALP forever - I've only had a bike for four months but guess what one it is?
Seriously though
As a first timer
Is a great bike, easy to ride, no hassles, no sudden power bursts, very reliable, lots of fun, easy commuter, ok on the motorway, and mines restricted.
Cheers
Chucky
ps AT's are crap and gay
ps AT's are cr*p and gay
That's fighting talk that is!
I liked my AT and my TA when I had them both.
My TA was an ealry XL600V. It felt much lighter than the AT, felt better made(!), and was not far off in terms of power, but felt just that little bit under powered.
My missus made sell one of them though otherwise I would have kept it.
Guess which one I kept!
:mrgreen:
Fatjohn
21-05-05, 09:46 AM
Should the fact that they've discontinued the @ put people off? I'm not talking with my 'alp hat on here, I'm just wondering.
I love my 'alp, it's a fantastic bike, but there's always that feeling that you're riding the @'s little brother. Wheher it's justified or not, does the @ even have that much more grunt?
I think you've got the same idea as what I have Fatjohn - could the TA be the ATs little bro? Hope to get a spin on an AT tomorrow if me mate turns up on his. The seat seems to be a big problem, whereas I find the TA really comfortable - a leetle bit more power would be handy though.... now as for crap and gay - how about this... I'm watching the Eurovision with the sound off at the moment whilst online - Jeez lads, it's BAD, so bad it's awful. Did you move Fatjohn? Were you not in Belfast? Bedford's a great place - or it was in the '70s Have they still got the shrunken heads in the museum? Have they still got the museum???
By the way don't think the missus would allow a fifthbike, maybe I'll try for a '97 or '98 twin disk model. Still prefer the look of the 600 engine in the TA...
Fatjohn
23-05-05, 06:44 AM
Did you move Fatjohn? Were you not in Belfast? Bedford's a great place - or it was in the '70s Have they still got the shrunken heads in the museum? Have they still got the museum???
Yep,
Moved over here a few months ago for a new job. You used to live here then? It's alright really - although there are a LOT of chavs. The museum is still here, although my girlfriend says it's pretty bad, so I'm guessing no shrunken heads!
jackafrica
23-05-05, 11:28 AM
C'mon someone, please, is the extra power better ? What about the seat height, can they be economically lowered ? Does an extra 5 litres or a gallon in the old imperial make a difference.
There's a certain " cool factor " attributed to the @ over the Alp, or Trannie.
What's in a name ?
And they're like wooden equine faeces here in Oz.
robelst
23-05-05, 04:28 PM
If you use a stopwatch you'll find there is very little performance differences between the 600/650 TA and the 650/750 AT. The 750 has a bit more torque, but the 6*0 rev easier (shorter stroke) and bit higher compression, and less weight. And less vibrations too, not to forget. What made me choose for the AT were the colour schemes, 2 disc brake, suspension and the "non-plastic" engine protection. The TA was just a bit too "soft". But I have softened down as well over the years, I may be well interested in an TA as my next bike, esp with the double disc brake.
Lord Stig
24-05-05, 08:28 AM
From the 600 to the 750, the power is noticeable - where the 600 runs out of puff close to the ton, the 750 has more left. There is a little more throughout the whole range too. I geared my AT down to 600 TA specs, and it made a great difference, but not as much as it might have done if the 750 was as revvy as the 600. But no matter.
I've never ridden the 650, so can't comment on that, but for me the 600 is probably the better engine. There isn't much in it economy wise - the 750 is slightly less economical than the 600. But all in, with the lightness and smoothness, yet not so great power difference, I still think the 600 has a lot going for it. The earlier models with only a single disc were not so much worse in the braking department than the later ones - so long as the brake is kept in good condition.
Other differences between TA and AT? It's nice to get 180-200 before reserve on the AT (rather than 150 on the TA). The balance of the AT (at least the RD07) is so much better than the TA thanks to the fuel distribution and position of the battery - I used to drop my TAs all the time doing slow manoeuvres, but so far have not done the same with the AT, despite the extra seat height and the fact I'm only 5' 9". Everyone curses the AT seat, but for me it's better than my TAs were over the same distance. Servicing the AT is a bit harder thanks to the extra hassle of getting the tank off, though other things like the air filter are easier. The fairing on the AT is more protective and quieter than the TA (even aftermarket screens don't seem to help on the TA). Tyres (i.e., the rear) are more expensive on an AT than a TA.
Overall, I'd say the AT edges ahead so long as you can afford the extra; the TA (at least the 600) is the cheaper option. BUT! It isn't so far ahead that the TA isn't worth staying with. All in all, the TA is a better all rounder than an AT because it does the pretty much the same, but with less and for less. One last thing: the finish on my current AT is awful - far worse than either of my TAs (but they were Japan-built). Others on the forum have had similar (or worse) experiences. I doubt newer TAs are any better than the end-of-line ATs, but it might be worth bearing in mind that even a mint AT might not hold together so well. That aspect of AT ownership has been very disappointing.
Stig
Recycler
25-05-05, 06:51 PM
I've never ridden an @ but have owned both Trannies:
The 650 has a better motor at motorway speeds and a better fairing/seat.
The 600 is easier to service when it comes to the air filter and tappets as there is no emissions bollox in the way.
The 650 has much better underseat storage as the old airbox is now empty.
The 650 has stainless headers.
Both have a decent seat and no shell suit or fuel pump.
.........or oil cooler.
As I approach the mid life crisis I'm more and more drawn to the attraction of the Shell Suit, so presumably this rules out the TA and maybe I should go for an AT - but is the Shell Suit colour-co-ordinated - or should that be color....
Recycler
30-05-05, 06:03 PM
As I approach the mid life crisis I'm more and more drawn to the attraction of the Shell Suit....
Steady on - that's a sign of the menopause!
Or do you mean you fancy a single mum on a rough council estate, wearing a shell suit? - THAT I could understand.
modrover
31-05-05, 04:55 AM
As I approach the mid life crisis I'm more and more drawn to the attraction of the Shell Suit....
Steady on - that's a sign of the menopause!
Or do you mean you fancy a single mum on a rough council estate, wearing a shell suit? - THAT I could understand.
You want a nice MILF you do! :P :twisted: :wink:
Recycler
31-05-05, 12:27 PM
You want a nice MILF you do! :P :twisted: :wink:
From what I see taking my boy to school I don't.
It's not exactly like the set of Desperate Housewives around here.
modrover
31-05-05, 01:49 PM
You want a nice MILF you do! :P :twisted: :wink:
From what I see taking my boy to school I don't.
It's not exactly like the set of Desperate Housewives around here.
:lol:
[The seat seems to be a big problem]
Did The ring of kerry last sunday 300 miles in total from home (east cork) cant ay as i found the seat a problem on my AT. (though I have to admit my arse did touch the seat for most of the trip :lol: .......
Banger, you should of called in for a cuppa! We're in Castlecove.... having said that, why anyone would want to do the Ring of Kerry on a bike is beyond me! We here have no choice!!!... I bought my first TA because the suspension on my XS650 (Konis) was busting my back on these crap roads. The TA is great, especially the one I have now - '96, although I do like the look of twin discs on the front... looking out for the matching Shell suit - on the bod of a desperate nymph of course...
ps did you try the roads through the Reeks? from Killarney - Glencar - Waterville. Worth a look....
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