What would you recommend

[6lda 28b]

My local bike shop has looked over my 2007 650 transalp that i bought off eBay and he recommends changing the tyres to a set of Michelin anakee 2 a new chain and sprockets set but going to a 44/45 rear as he thinks the bike is under geared for touring and to finish off filter and oil change.
Can you think of anything else or is he wrong in his choices.
mileage to date 13500 and has been serviced at a Honda dealer all it's life

[Lutin]

Well, I can vouch for the Anakee tyres as I have them on my '04 Transalp and think they're great. By the way, you will not get Anakee 2's as they do not do them in the right sizes for the Transalp.

New chain and sprockets may be a good idea, as would a Scottolier or something similar.

Don't bother changing the rear sprocket from the original 48 toothed one. I have never found the gearing to be a problem and I use my bike either solo or two up with luggage.

If the bike has been dealer serviced then does it really need the oil and filter changing? Except for peace of mind maybe.

[thegrumpyoldgit007]

I would first have a word with btbloke, what he don't know about Transalp's ain't worth knowing, he is in Northants and if you want a meet up to discuss I am in Leighton Buzzard

Originally Posted by 6lda 28b

My local bike shop has looked over my 2007 650 transalp that i bought off eBay and he recommends changing the tyres to a set of Michelin anakee 2 a new chain and sprockets set but going to a 44/45 rear as he thinks the bike is under geared for touring and to finish off filter and oil change.
Can you think of anything else or is he wrong in his choices.
mileage to date 13500 and has been serviced at a Honda dealer all it's life

Tyres are a bit personal, me I don't like Michelin road tyres, But you won't go far wrong with any of the main brands. For touring I would recommend Dunlops 607s good alround tyre. If you want mega miles from a rear tyre use a Metzeler Tourance radial.
Chain and sprockets.....the 650 could be described as a tad high geared I would recommend 600 gearing which is 15 front and 47 rear about as far as you want to go if you ride two up with luggage. Much more and it will be a bit breathless and the clutch will will have a harder time. Again depends on you riding style, too big a jump down and you may find it a expensive mistake. If the chain is OK you could put a 47 in without changing the length of the chain. A auto chain oiler should double the chain life.

Oil and filter is never going to hurt, when was the last one

I am over at Ampthill if you would like to call by and kick tyres.

Steve

[ChrisH]

Agree with Activmoto...although I have Heidenau K60s on my TA600, probably more suitable for tracks and lanes plus road. I like them and they're cheap I'm considering putting a smaller rear sprocket on my TA - I ride solo 95% of the time and think it can pull a higher ratio, though not if you go two up with luggage.... I change oil and filter about 4k, doesn't cost much and it's the best maintenance you can do. Scottoiler is a good investment - I got the touring version which is good for about 3000miles before refill.

[StumpyFingers]

I agree with all the above. Except for if you need to change the gearing then use a 16 tooth front sprocket and leave the rear as standard.
It drops the gear ratio from 3.20 to 3.00.
Not too much lower but improves the top end and tank range.

[6lda 28b]

Well thank for that guys.
thegrumpyoldgit007, activmoto we should meet up and you could let me know why i can only post a few times a week.
paul

[thegrumpyoldgit007]

Originally Posted by 6lda 28b

Well thank for that guys.
thegrumpyoldgit007, activmoto we should meet up and you could let me know why i can only post a few times a week.
paul

Guys check out this thread Whens Bt going to the playground again? and keep your eyes open for a Herts/Beds/Bucks/Nothants meet up, coming soon

[btbloke]

Originally Posted by 6lda 28b

My local bike shop has looked over my 2007 650 transalp that i bought off eBay and he recommends changing the tyres to a set of Michelin anakee 2 a new chain and sprockets set but going to a 44/45 rear as he thinks the bike is under geared for touring and to finish off filter and oil change.
Can you think of anything else or is he wrong in his choices.
mileage to date 13500 and has been serviced at a Honda dealer all it's life

i agree with steve,tyres are a personal thing as to what you intend to do with them. I loooove TKC's and hate bridgestones but i have sets I use for the longest day and I have had sets donated to me which I save just for such occasions but as soon as possible I rip them off and put the TKC's back on. I've heard good things and bad things about all the tyres available so it's going to be a search the forum and decide for yourself what you want to spend and what you want to do with them.
An oil change is never a bad thing,I do oil every six months whatever the mileage and filter every other oil change. as for the gearing, I've got various rear sprocket combinations mounted on spare carriers so your welcome to pop up and have a try. i've just done the longest day with 16 front and 45 rear, good for high speed cruising at 90 at 500rpm-ish. i would not reccomend this for alround use though,just motorways and dual carriage ways and higher speed runs.
i generally swithch from a 48 rear and 15 front for the off roading to a 16 front and 48 rear for round town and laning and the short trip stuff and go to a 47 rear and 16 front if I want a blat down to london or some better mpg for just everyday riding.
As for the chain,change it when it needs it,not just for the sake of it,if it's coming to the end of it's adjustment a smaller rear sprocket will dictate a change,or going for a bigger front will extend it's life a bit.
As for a 44 rear,the clutch will suffer a bit,more slipping to pull away definitely shortens the clutch life so have a play,try other bikes with different gearing and decide what you do most and what suits you best.

then we'll talk about the exhaust restrictions,the subchamber removal,changing pipes and boxes and baffles,the jetting,the airfilter and pair mods.................................are you sure you want to meet us it can seriously affect your sanity.
Come and do a bit of laning soon as we arrange it and you won't need knobbly tyres and can see what everyone else is using and how they perform.

[thegrumpyoldgit007]

Admit it bt you have more spares than David Silvers, By the way I'll be over Sat morning to fit the new sprocket, thingy me jig