Transalp 600 vs 650

[will]

Thinking about getting transalp what are benefits of getting 650 over 600 ??????????? got mate with 650 and he raves about it , i'm looking for bike that can be used for commuting and trips also some gentle green laning any thoughts

[Mototrell]

Hello Will.
From my experience:
I had a Transalp 600 (93) during 15 years. All this time I was very satisfied with my bike.
It never had one problem (only two lamps, one plastic gear and one flashing relay).
I used my Transalp almost all the days: for going at work, the week-end, for some travels...

The past June I bought a second hand Transalp 650 with 24.000 km.
I did 4.000 km with that and this is my opinion:

- Engine power: I think very similar, with a small difference. The 650 has a little more power when the rpm are slow, but on high rpm I prefer the old 600.
Max speed on my old 600: 160 km/h read in speedometer.
Max speed on my current 650: 165/170 km/h read in speedometer.
The two bikes are perfectly enough for traveling with luggages and 120/130 km/h. Enough for me.
Fuel consumption: Similar. Between 5,5 or 6,5 liters on my speed.

- Brakes: the great difference. My old 600 had only one front brake disc (and rear brake disc). It was neccesary to do too much pressure on the lever for stop the bike.
Now, with two front brake discs, I stop the bike with two fingers on the lever. I have more security.
I remember the last 600 had two front brake disc.

- Chassis and general stability: I prefer the 650. I do not know if the chassis is the same or different, but the 650 does the curve better than the 600.

- General feeling: I prefer my 600 (japanesse). All mechanism was soft and fine. The engine sound (no exhaust pipe, I speak about the "engine sound") better on 600.
The 650 (spanish) works very good, yes, but the feeling is not the same.

- ¿The green?
I never go on the green (I have fear), I prefer the black (road).
But some friends on the spanish transalp forum said the 600 is better than 650 at green.

Regards.

[btbloke]

The similarities are so numerous and so are the differences,it's always going to be down to personal choice. the 600 is a tried and tested piece of kit and so is the 650,the only real advantages are obviously the ravages of time and the condition of the bike.
The 650 obviously has better electrics (higher output generator etc and single pickup for the ignition) the 600 has the engine at the cc it was designed to be not bored out like the 650 and 750 so is less stressed but therefore slightly less power but hardly noticeable really.
there are numerous people on here that have had both and quite recently for some of them,wait for a reply from philw and pdsquire,both capable of giving you a comprehensive answer.

[will]

Thanks for info Mototrell and bt bloke i await replys from philw and pdsquire then have been looking at africa twins on interenet but think they are bit to expensive for me so a nice Transalp will do me i think

[phil w]

I guess what Mototrell said is pretty much right
650 was a really good road bike more than enough power for motorways and if I think back could do nearly 200 miles(if you had balls) on a tank but off road was a bit unweildy. I did also find the 650 to be affected by crosswinds much more than my 600. Now whether this was due to crap tires and a top box I dont know, but some days I was scared on my 650 and the 600 never once did that even using TKCs.
The 600 averaged 160 miles to a tank but had a reserve tap so didnt have to rely on a crap fuel guage which I prefer.
I used to find the front end dive on the 650 much worse than the 600 into bends so the 650 is definately heavier at the nose and i took the 600 to some of the Pyrenees finest twisty's and it loved it the single disc front brake was its weak point mind compared to the 650s twin disc, but never so bad to really worry.
The 600 is fine off road although does lack ground clearance but will go places you think it shouldnt.
To me the 600 felt nippy-er and would run all day loaded at 75mph
For me the 600 wins it looks nicer to me. I regret selling mine and contemplating another, I would like an @ one day but the 600 TA is great value for money when you compare to over inflated @ prices

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I have had 2 600s & now have 2 650's, although in fairness, it is quite a few years since I have ridden a 600.

The 650 - has a bit more go than 600, better tank range - 200 fairly easy (600 was about 160 to reserve as I recall), a clock, a great fuel guage (when you get used to it...), HISS Imobiliser, flush filler neck - better for tank bags, air filter under tank is less accessible than on a 600 (but if you are changing the AF you are normally doing a service & tie it in with plugs/valves/carb balance so you have to remove the tank anyway), the seat is easy to remove on the 650 & has quite cavernous storage area, Rear suspension has compression damping adjustment - which has precious little effect when solo but transforms the bike if wound in when laden also little things like low seat options, darker coloured frame doesn't (show...) corrosion or dirt like the 600s silver frame and Stainless header pipes are worthy of a mention.

The 600's are great bikes and I had great fun on them both over tens of thousands of miles, the 600's are easier to work on as fairing removal is more logical and seem to have less pipes/wires etc, perhaps better/more purposeful looking, no emissions gubbins like cat/PAIR system and yes they do seem to run a bit 'sweeter' than the 650's for some reason (I don't believe the comment about it's because it was originally designed as a 600), more fuel efficient and it's also possible to adjut the rear preload without dismantling half of the bike......

I never off roaded the 600 so I can't compare BUT the 650's capabilities are infinately better than mine! (in reality, both versions are too heavy for muddy stuff but surprisingly good on rocky/gravelly conditions)

Both are great bikes but the newest 600's are close on 10 years old although there are good ones about, personally I'd plumb for a 650 as the advantages (to me) far outweigh the disadvantages.

Phil

[StumpyFingers]

I have only owned the 650 but I would say it is a Road Bike, the Adventure Tag means i can handle all roads regardless of the surface condition, if you want off road bike then get an XR. I have found some tracks that are not much more than a fire road and the Transalp can cope but if it gets soggy and muddy then the Transalp is likely to bog in. An XR will plough straight on through.

[AIRWOLF]

I have a single disc transalp, and yes the front brake is not great, however the 97 on 600s had twin disc.
I hav'nt rode a 650 but have rode in company with friends on them, and find little difference.
Off road i push mine to do things it was never intended to do and it copes well. . . . . you just need suitable tyres.
I have been off road with Pigugly, and both 600 and 650 compared well.
So, . . . it's down to what you can get the best deal on. . .
A good late 600 or early 650 will both do what you are loking for, . . . for similar outlay.

[will]

Thanks for info guys i'm a looking now

[Immortal P]

whichever you are taking some minor changes are recommended depending on how much offroading you want to do. for (in Germany) 100€ you get progressive front shock springs. Recommended on both the 600 and the 650. But the different springs will make handling on streets better as well. In any case not bad.
If you ever want to get your alp to do really dirty work you should get yourself a 600 and do some major changes (I havent seen anybody doing those changes on a 650 yet) except turning the 650 into a SuMo. Negativ about the 650 is that some parts are not easily accessible. But same problem on the 600 just different parts, but overall a lot easier to work on.

I am buying a 600 on sunday to turn it into a dirt bike.... will take a while though. but even my 650 underwent major changes for better offroading.
If you are interested some day in how a transalp end up being... check out my website. there are some prototypes and I will display my project overthere. (but thats a completely different category and not what you want right now...)