TransAlp/Tenere test in TBM mag this month

[Wee Jack]

Decent review with writing as much about the ride experience as the bikes review which is refreshingly different.

Might subscribe to this, never noticed the mag before, like the compact size too.

Would be good to have the Panzer F800 included or compared too, maybe the F650 but i dont rate it at all for road use.

The F800GS was reviewed in "real world" use a few issues back.

You can buy back issues via their website.

[Jasext]

Afte readin it thought it was more of a of ride report than a review ,they do seem to compare everything to enduro machines .They done a review on an XT660R a couple of years ago just as i bought one and after reading it i thought i had made a mistake in buying the bike as they said it was ok offroad but only forrestry tracks ,Biggest load of tosh i have heard

Couple of pics from the red kite 2 years ago





Video



Still a very good mag

[Grey alp]

I haven't read the TBM article but we had a similar test in a local magazine over a year ago. They done 3700 km in 7 days through the Alps and further in to "Los Monegros" Spain ,the biggest desert area in Europe.
Both area's good for testing ,the Alps for the road abilities and sand/rocks in Spain for off road capacities.
In between on highway's to see how the TA XL700 and also new XT 660Z would behave at touring (high) speed and terms of comfort for long drives.

The TA had the Honda 29 Liter side cases ,crash bar and centre stand.

Plus points ; The new TA is more road related build than its ancestors and on highways its V twin is smooth and very comfortable ,aldo a 6th gear would be better to keep the revs down.
When driving in the rain the high screen is a must.
In the Alps he’s easier in taking curves and hairpins because its centre of gravity is lower.
Takes well up from 2500 revs but above the 4500 revs the power kick’s in until 7000 revs. In other words to get really going you need to go between 5000 and 7000 revs.
Riding 140-160 km per hour for longer periods is not a problem at all ,aldo you feel it in terms of fuel consumption. A milder 130 km is a good cruising speed.
Pillion riding with luggage on highways is easygoing ,in the mountains also possible but then the 680cc V Twin really has to work.
ABS brakes are excellent.

Down points ; front spring is not adjustable.
In the field the TA can follow the XT on its own pace but that’s it ,the smaller front wheel ,lower ground clearance and its weight are disadvantages. Going really (extreme) off road, even with the right tyres is not recommended.
Overall ,a excellent bike ,good for travel ,easy to ride but lost his adventure character.

XT with soft luggage ,Yamaha ‘s sidecases not available at that moment.

Plus points ; Highways are not his habitat but the single cylinder engine with 48 hp can coop ,even the higher cruising speeds ,but then has to work to keep up with the TA. Less smooth in lower revs and pillion riding means more going through the gearbox. His engine highlights starts at 3000 revs to 5000 revs. The 22 liter fuel tank gives him a larger accuracies then the TA with 17,5 liter tank. Because of his higher front wind protection is very good.
The new XT kept his off road abilities for sure. Where the TA lost that ,the XT feels at home here. A rally raid like the Trans Tunisia is certainly possible given the right tyres.

Down points ; for many people to high and his saddle gives no room for changing your sitting position on longer drives.
Also a improved bike that is asking to go beside the road ,but can handle tarmac travelling as well.

Off course ,these bikes are no touring monsters like a the BMW R1200RT ,but both gets your where you want and they deserves the name “All Road” for truth. Meaning that the TA 700 is a “Travel All Road” and the XT 660 a “Go Anywhere All Road”.
There are better All road bikes ,but not for that money!.

My own conclusion ;
And that is exactly why I bought the TA XL700VA.
For easy riding ,travelling with the possibility to check out that gravel/sand road besides the tarmac or just go forest riding whitout to be afraid to harm my bike and get stuck somewhere.
I could have chosen the XT ,same price and same release date as the TA but to me his is to much off road orientated ,I rather have a comfortable tarmac journey knowing that I can go besides that road if wanted or needed.

Enjoy