700 Transalp any good?

[Shepp]

After parting with my AT a few months ago, l am now thinking about buying a new TA.

What are your honest views about the bike, fuel consuption, etc.

Any thoughts you have, good or bad, please let me know.

Thanks in advance

[stuart]

I like mine,can't realy find any thing wrong with it, but it's the first road bike I've owned, so I'm probably not qualified to judge.
MPG about 50, its better in general use but drops quickly on the motorway, but I do tend to keep at the top end of the speed limit.

[fatowl]

I'm sure the bike is fine (it's a Honda) - it's more a question of do you like it or not. I guess it'll be quite different to the @. The only way to find out is a test ride.

[MCsanandreas]

i dont own a 700 but the new colours for 2009 are much better than this years. that may make a difference?

[beep]

I'm still looking for a replacement for my FMX. Although good, none of the obvious candidates are perfect. I've tried the new F650 (twin), V-strom 650 and new Transalp 700.

All great bikes in their own ways, reasonably powerful fast enough for most (the TA being the slowest but this is no deal breaker) and comfortable (the V-strom is the clear winner here, the TA seat is a bit low for me and F650s screen is too small).

In terms of economy the BMW would probably win that one, but then it costs a LOT more, since they aren't discounted (you can get either of the others for just under £5000 and all UK 700 Transalps are ABS, so in some ways its a better bargain than the Vstrom). Brakes, it'd probably be the Honda - their new ABS system is supposed to be the best.

Around town I'd go for the Honda or BMW, the Suzuki is a big bike and feels a bit top heavy. Fun factor the BMW comes out top, closely followed by the Suzuki.

You can see I'm having problems choosing but I won't be getting the BMW, nice bike but just too expensive and the dealer seemed a bit inflexible and is far away anyway.

I thought I'd decided on the Suzuki but the free heated grips/topbox offer from Honda is very tempting, as is the new white/blue colour scheme.

Just to throw another spanner in the works, I sat on a CBF600S at the weekend and to be honest it felt more comfortable than the TA (despite being lower, it felt less cramped), so another testride needs to be booked! If I don't like it, then the Suzuki is still at the top of my list for next year. It's obviously not as well finished as a Honda, but to me at least it seemed a more complete package and the engine is real corker.

[nick]

In a word... Yes...!!

Although I had the issue with mine documented elsewhere in this forum, the bike has been spot on having done almost 8000 miles in 7 months both in and around the big city and up and down the country.

Economy wise I can get about 150/160 miles out of the tank either on the motorways or around town... Doesnt seem to make that much of a difference... Service intervals every 4000 miles...

Although saw the new red white and blue one at the NEC yesterday and doesnt quite look as good in the flesh as in some of the photos on the site........

[StumpyFingers]

....
Although saw the new red white and blue one at the NEC yesterday and doesn't quite look as good in the flesh as in some of the photos on the site........

I liked the new colour and would definitely get one if I change up.

[digitalcaptive]

I'm still looking for a replacement for my FMX. Although good, none of the obvious candidates are perfect. I've tried the new F650 (twin), V-strom 650 and new Transalp 700.

Did you not consider the Yamaha XT660Z?, I took one out for a test ride the other day and absolutely loved it.....quite a tall bike but suprisingly quick and remarkably vibe free and they're a damn good looking bike imho
definately worth a look

[beep]

Did you not consider the Yamaha XT660Z?, I took one out for a test ride the other day and absolutely loved it.....quite a tall bike but suprisingly quick and remarkably vibe free and they're a damn good looking bike imho
definately worth a look

Might take a testride of one of those. I tried the XT660X before I got the FMX, was impressed, certainly got a stronger engine than the FMX (but weighed more and cost a lot more when I was looking).

Along with some sort of fairing, I'm also after a real step up in power, that's why I've not really looked too closely at the new Tenere - it's only got 10hp more than the FMX. Your "vibe free" comment is interesting, the FMX certainly isn't that! Not sure this is enough of an upgrade, I definately want more long distance comfort, but only a testride would confirm this. Another downside is that I don't like my local Yamaha dealership, the next closest dealer is quite trek (I have plenty of good Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki dealers nearby - one within walking distance!).

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to my ever growing list of possibilities.

[digitalcaptive]

Your "vibe free" comment is interesting,

"Vibe Free" might be pushing it a bit, but certainly nothing like the typical thumpers we all know and love