transalp versus -?

[tracker]

Buying a dualsport, its now narrowed down to the :-

APRILIA PEGASUS TRAIL 650 (the lightest, the cheapest and looks the BIZ)
BMW F650
TRANSALP

The Aprilia is favourite at the moment
Could you comment on why i should or should not buy any of the above

[wheeliebin]

I bet the Priller is the most fun to ride, can't comment on those Italian electrics.

BM's are cack, bloke at work used to have an F650, all the engine laquar fell off, paintwork wasn't too good either. The whole bike looked poor, dunno where BMW get their reputation from ?

The Transalp is the boring option, reliable as hell though and an easier distance machine than the above two.

[robelst]

Obvious difference is twin (Alp) versus single (Aprilia, BMW).
I really like the character of the singles and although they will work well on the motorway you may prefer the Transalp if you think you will spend a lot of time on there, esp if you plan to travel with a passenger. The Aprilia cost less than the BMW without being the lesser bike, although Aprilia has no great record for spares-delivery and warranty-backup. I'd go for the Aprilia if you are sure your dealer is an Aprilia specialist rather than someone who sells them as a "side-dish".

My advice? Get all three of them :P

[24ftlb]

Obvious difference is twin (Alp) versus single (Aprilia, BMW).
I really like the character of the singles and although they will work well on the motorway you may prefer the Transalp if you think you will spend a lot of time on there, esp if you plan to travel with a passenger. The Aprilia cost less than the BMW without being the lesser bike, although Aprilia has no great record for spares-delivery and warranty-backup. I'd go for the Aprilia if you are sure your dealer is an Aprilia specialist rather than someone who sells them as a "side-dish".

My advice? Get all three of them :P

When I was looking round before I bougt the alp I looked at the 650 gs bmw at my local dealer. Their demonstrator at less than a year old had rust on it round the exhausts and paint was begining to show signs of rust break through on the swinging arm, it put me right off them,paricularly as it wasnt a year old. The big bm's seem to have the quality and as for the aprilias after a lot of research, there seemed to be a hell of a lot of head gasket problems.
Big singles are fun but their power delivery also tends to have them eat rear tyres.
Dependinging on your budet have you considered the suzuki freewind ? It was brought out to take on the gs650, though the transalps are cracking bikes and there are people on here with alps with considerable mileages.
Says it all I recon. I wouldnt part with mine bar for a brand new one.

Paul

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I'm on me 3 1/2 Alp, tried allsorts in between each of them, considered and rode allsorts of bikes before purchasing this one.
Simple they do everything I want from a bike and more.

Ignore what Wheeliebin says about 'em being boring, they're one of the few bikes that Honda make that are a real hoot.

BM? for a start they're German, which, as with most German prodiucts means that they are generally overrated and overpriced (and overhere!)

Can't speak for the Aprillia.

The Alps a (vee) twin which in my book wins hands down over a single any day - unless you want an offroader then the extra weight of the Alp will not do you any favours.

As with anything, it's personal choice, try all 3 and go with the one that grabs you.

Good luck, Phil

[Recycler]

Rocky versus Rambo
Superman versus Spiderman

They're all modern motorcycles - pick whatever you think you'll enjoy the most.

My Tranny has carried me to France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and all over the UK. I've no complaints and the over-riding factors are it's NEVER broken down, it's WELL made, it's CHEAP to run and it's COMFORTABLE ALL DAY.

A twin will always be much smoother also. You've got to ask yourself why you'd want a big single - they're not much lighter and the ones on your list are no less complex as they're injected - carbs don't break! I can do all servicing on my Tranny without a computer telling me WTF wrong.

In my experience big singles only feel right under acceleration, otherwise they feel lumpy - but I haven't ridden the latest ones on your list.

[babybadger]

Buying a dualsport, its now narrowed down to the :-

APRILIA PEGASUS TRAIL 650 (the lightest, the cheapest and looks the BIZ)
BMW F650
TRANSALP

The Aprilia is favourite at the moment
Could you comment on why i should or should not buy any of the above

If you want a twin, you missed the kawasaki KLE500 , a good angine.....

If you are throwing money away but want top quality , look at the KTM adventurer.....well built and worth every penny!

[tracker]

Look at this
www.onyerbike.net/2006/aprilia/pegaso_trail.htm