Loan new Transalp...

[Muzz]

...which I've been given for the day by Hunts while my Vara's having its' 8000 mile service.

Hmmm, not for me, I fear - bars are too narrow and low, whole thing's a bit gutless, and the exhaust sound, dear God, I've heard mobile ringtones with more oomph. It goes "Parp". Or perhaps "Pwort". Imagine a goose trying to play the trombone...

On the other hand, I caught sight of myself sitting on it in a shop window reflection in traffic, and (admittedly with the additional bulk of all my waterproofs on) I looked like a circus bear on one of those comedy scooters...

[LUNLUNZAI]

...which I've been given for the day by Hunts while my Vara's having its' 8000 mile service.

Hmmm, not for me, I fear - bars are too narrow and low, whole thing's a bit gutless, and the exhaust sound, dear God, I've heard mobile ringtones with more oomph. It goes "Parp". Or perhaps "Pwort". Imagine a goose trying to play the trombone...

On the other hand, I caught sight of myself sitting on it in a shop window reflection in traffic, and (admittedly with the additional bulk of all my waterproofs on) I looked like a circus bear on one of those comedy scooters...

I always feel the bars on my alp is wider than my Vara. (I could be wrong coz I never measured them)
The exhuast sound from the alp is probabaly one of its cutiest features though from my opinion.

However, I have to agree with you about the difference in power!

[donkster]

Muzz - you are plain wrong on so many levels

[stephen McG]

...which I've been given for the day by Hunts while my Vara's having its' 8000 mile service.

Hmmm, not for me, I fear - bars are too narrow and low, whole thing's a bit gutless, and the exhaust sound, dear God, I've heard mobile ringtones with more oomph. It goes "Parp". Or perhaps "Pwort". Imagine a goose trying to play the trombone...

On the other hand, I caught sight of myself sitting on it in a shop window reflection in traffic, and (admittedly with the additional bulk of all my waterproofs on) I looked like a circus bear on one of those comedy scooters...

you better stick to the varadero then
SMcG

[Doug]

I agree with you on the exhaust note and am biding my time for the after market manufacturers to come up with something with a bit more punch to it.

As for the power it is ample enough for road use in todays speed camera ridden island of contempt and ill feeling.

I liked the caught sight of myself bit though.. Possibly you were looking harder than You make out ! We all do it I'm sure.

[MandoBear]

...which I've been given for the day by Hunts while my Vara's having its' 8000 mile service.

Hmmm, not for me, I fear - bars are too narrow and low, whole thing's a bit gutless, and the exhaust sound, dear God, I've heard mobile ringtones with more oomph. It goes "Parp". Or perhaps "Pwort". Imagine a goose trying to play the trombone...

On the other hand, I caught sight of myself sitting on it in a shop window reflection in traffic, and (admittedly with the additional bulk of all my waterproofs on) I looked like a circus bear on one of those comedy scooters...

And the point of you telling us all this would be what, exactly...?

[MCsanandreas]

And the point of you telling us all this would be what, exactly...?

increasing his post count?

[BIGROG]

ROUND 2 please gents .

Rog

[6ft5]

Did you have the Blue one or the Gold one ???

[Muzz]

Wow, best not have an opinion round here, eh?

If your hackles have receded enough to let you read the post, you might find I was pointing out the fact that until I'd spotted myself in a shop window, I hadn't realised how small the bike was on me.

Still, you're clearly right - the new Transalp's the best bike in the world. And I am clearly wrong.

Stephen McG's hit the nail on the head. Horses for courses.

Oh, and MCsan - over 1,000 posts versus 99? Someone else has been boosting their post count a good deal more than me.

It was a blue one.