2nd Test ride on a 700 Alp.

[StumpyFingers]

First of all: a big Hello to everyone and thank you for all the valuable information.

Thursday I'm planning to go for a testride with one XL700VA beauty.
But as I'm a beginner I do not know exactly for what to look.

I've been reading this forum, some others and talking with friends and as I see it until now: if the bike suits me and there is no major issue between our "personalities" I'll get it.

I have the money, I have the license ... it is just a matter of fit and color now


Still, there are a lot of experienced people around here and I'm hopeing you can give me some hints.

Welcome to the forum.
Depending on the age, and how many owners, just ensure it has a FSH, you should be fine.

[Buggles]

Congrats on the new bike Jack!

Many happy and safe miles! And don't forget to post up some pictures when it's home

JB

[Nevermore]

As I posted above - I'm a beginner and I'll be doing the first test ride thursday.

Forgot to mention a few details:

- I'll be testing a new XL700 (ABS version) at a dealer in Germany
- I'm 1,75 m tall, 65kg and 25 years old
- The only other motorcycles I had on my hands were 250cc ones (school & friends) --> therefore the difference and lack of experience

Please advise me on what to look for at the test ride.
I hope the bike suits me because it seems to be everything I need.

What could make me dislike the bike after a while if I'm not carefull at the test ride?

[Twickers]

WJ , Congrats on the new bike - happy and safe riding .


Nevermore , enjoy the test ride - don't go mad if it's your first big bike . That said , the 700 is fairly forgiving , and carries its weight low so it seems well balanced . The only real downside that most people seem to encounter a bit is some buffeting or noise from the screen at speed. Take it on a fast stretch and see what it's like for you.

Bear in mind that Honda do a range of their own accessories - taller screens / shorter seats etc.

[Wee Jack]

As I posted above - I'm a beginner and I'll be doing the first test ride thursday.

Forgot to mention a few details:

- I'll be testing a new XL700 (ABS version) at a dealer in Germany
- I'm 1,75 m tall, 65kg and 25 years old
- The only other motorcycles I had on my hands were 250cc ones (school & friends) --> therefore the difference and lack of experience

Please advise me on what to look for at the test ride.
I hope the bike suits me because it seems to be everything I need.

What could make me dislike the bike after a while if I'm not carefull at the test ride?

I had to convert yout height to feet and inches , to get some idea of how tall you are , I reckon your about 5'7" , so you should have no problems with the size , but there is a low seat option available if you need the comfort of having you feet more planted on the ground.

Power - the 700 is about 47 kw or 60 hp - if you are used to 250's you should find that more than enogh power for the next few years.

The rest really depends on what you use the bike for , it's great for around towns and country roads , but Autobahns are not it's natural home and if you are planning hundreds of miles of fast straight line riding at 160kph+, maybe the Alp is not the bike you want.

I have had a 650 Alp and now getting a 700 - and it really is the most user friendly bike I have every ridden . If you stand beside the bike , close your eyes and climb on, everything is just where you would expect it to be.

[bandit]

Well ?? what did he do ?

Did he?

Didn't he ?



Oh yes he did !! New XL700 arriving at the wee hoose sometime this week.

Blue one with heated grips and colour coded top box.

Got a bloody good deal too I reckon !!

Current list price for a new bike with Heated Grips and Topbox - £6995.

Dealer had a 4 pre-reg 09 bikes - zero miles listed for - £5995.

Got it off him for £5500 !!!!!

Chuffed.

Congratulations Jack relay fancy changing your old 650 for a 700 but sadly finances wont allow at the moment, maybe in a couple of years if your changing bikes again I can give your 700 a good home just like your old 650

[Wee Jack]

Congratulations Jack relay fancy changing your old 650 for a 700 but sadly finances wont allow at the moment, maybe in a couple of years if your changing bikes again I can give your 700 a good home just like your old 650

OK Maurice , you've got first dibs on this one when the time comes

You know I keep them in great nick.

Cheers.

[bandit]

OK Maurice , you've got first dibs on this one when the time comes

You know I keep them in great nick.

Cheers.

Cheers Jack who knows what the future hold for us.

Are you going to the national? it would be good to meet up again.

[Chad]

Chad, for a man who runs a bike with the reputation for pipe & slippers riders, I think you're hardly in the position to ridicule the attributes of the Transalp!
If the local dealer had one in before I bought my Vara I might have been tempted myself. A bike that you just push the button and go, for years and years and years, no matter the miles!
Fair enough, buy something else to tinker with, like an old British bike or something and keep the Alp as the "good bike".
It's your choice Wee Jack, what ever suits you best mate.

you ask the wee fella how closely he was looking at my magnificent pipe and slippers beast when i was last up there

anyways jim who the feck are you trying to kid you on a tranny nah ! your to much of a slut for the horsepower mate

[Wee Jack]

you ask the wee fella how closely he was looking at my magnificent pipe and slippers beast when i was last up there

anyways jim who the feck are you trying to kid you on a tranny nah ! your to much of a slut for the horsepower mate

Yep , I was well impressed by the pipe n' slippers beastie . It spent three days looking up the exhausts of the KTM , I couldn't shake it off my tail.

She don't half hussle for a fat burd !!