Hi 6ft5 I have yet to subscribe so I cant reply to your pm but will let you know when I speak wit Paul.

Cheers

 

Thanks for the tip off - that is a really good saving.

Cheers

:thumb:

 

Worth a mention - The Honda dealers year ends on 30th September, so if you walk in the showroom a few days before and register the bike before the end of the month you should be able to get quite a discount. I got £750 off my 650 3 years ago. As for which transalp, I've looked at the 700 and tend to think they've sacrificed some weather protection with the new styling, but then that's me as I ride all year round.

 

Cheers everyone

Due to work commitments I havn't had opportunity to get down to the local dealers !

I am concerned that some of the dealers wont let you out unless you have been riding 12 months - this seems a little harsh !!!

The other dilema is how much you spend on decent kit - helmet, gloves, boots, jacket trouses. Biking is not cheap !

Thanks for your input it is greatly appreciated.

 

6ft5
Congratulations on passing the test.:thumbup:

The TA-650 was my first bike; its a quality bike that covers most of the bases.

That said, my main reason for trading was the seating position ... being over 6'2 I was never comfortable in that forward position that the TA seat forces you into. I found that my knees were not able to get behind the faring!!!

You would not have this issue with an AT that has a flat seat ... or (dare I say it) ... a Yamaha xt660r. I've never ridden an AT, but I can recommend the xt660r. Its pretty feisty (it brings out the inner hooligan:toothy10, and maybe being so, may not be the best first bike.

Enjoy shopping.:thumbup:

 

Congrats on passing your DAS. Passed mine in March and bought an XL700V 2 weeks later (Easter Saturday - intermittent blizzards & high winds!). Wanted to test ride but no dealer would insure me without having held a licence for 12 mths, so just had to read the reviews, talk to friends and sit on it for as long as I could (including a pillion!!) in the showrooms. Get test rides if you can.

Anyway, XL700V is great - love every minute riding it. Found it heavy manouvering at first, mainly because its a lot higher than the Suz GS500 that I learnt on, but now I'm used to it it's a breeze. Slow riding, filtering through traffic, swinging through s-bends, overtaking - fantastic!

Got the tall screen, centre stand, heated grips and luggage. Oh, and got 61mpg on a recent run up to Wales from Herts.

Re. the looks ..... I prefer the XL700, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Have fun ....

 

OLd 650 looks much nicer. New 700 sounds nicer, one passed by me yesterday and I thought it sounded sweet and it was standard. I still miss my TA but would want for more power. @ it is then

 

Hi Colin

I live near Runcorn having moved from Stoke and have a 650, Paul-S pmd me a bit ago we are going to meet up at some point for a ride out, if you came along you would be welcome to have a good look at my TA.

I looked at the 700 but budget would not stretch, have to say I am very pleased with my bike.

Cheers Frad :thumbright:

 

Thanks for the feedback - I really appreciate it.

I wish I had the budget to buy more than one !!!!!

Colin.

 

I am 6'1 and had the same sorta dilema nearly 2 yrs ago....i test rode the bmw GS650, KTM duke, Suzuki vstrom 650 and the 650 TA.
My thoughts about each:

BMW GS was comfortable quiet and pleasant...but basically too boring!

KTM lovely noise lots power, but too open and thin seat, would be uncomfortable over a journey, and small tank!

Vstom lovely bike, lots power, comfortable and good position, but had major buffetting 50mph+ and found throttle very on/off difficult to control.

I lastly rode the TA instantly knew this was the one, comfortable, good position, nice seat, steady power input, pokey enough for getting out of trouble and i get near 200miles to the tank! I have also toured France on my TA and found no problems with the bike or myself over 800miles in a week!
I have test ridden the 700 TA and it remind me of my old trail bike, DR350, feeling very small and narrow, but better brakes and engine. If i could have that engine and brakes on my 650...just perfect!


Hope this helps, good luck!


Neil

 

Yep Its all down to personal preference. I wanted the F800GS but the money killed it off for me so opted for the TA700. Dont regret it but still think the BMW looked cooler. Apparently the Beemer is better off road but none are true off roaders but a good compromise if thats good enough.

It is for me an the TA copes with most stuff as long as its not wet mud which doesnt go well with the trailwing tyres that come on the TA.

Have you had a go on the Kawasaki Versys ? This is quite fun to ride also, just to throw another in.

I am also a recent DAS pass and had no problems with test rides. I bought mine from Petchs in Grimsby but had also test ridden the GS at Astle with no probs.

 

My Friend - Paul-S, has got an African Twin - so this gives me another option to test ride !!!!

Thanks all for your advice - I think the long test ride route is the best.

Cheers.

 

At 6"5', I reckon the tiger might be a nice bike for you to try, I'm 6' 1" and can't quite flat foot at a stand still but still find the riding position incredibley comfortable, If you go for a tiger though do invest in a tall screen the buffeting from the standard is something else!!!!!

The best piece of advice on here so far though is to get out there to try a few, if you are unable to take demo bikes out for a run, just sit on them and get a feel for the riding position and layout ........you'll know when you've sat on the right bike :thumb:

 

If you've just passed your test dealers insurance may not cover you to demo bikes, my dealer told me that riders with a licence less than 12 months old were not covered,but then again it was a certain honda dealer in preston so it may just be a fairy tale

good look
ps I bought the 700 and am happy with it

 

If you've just passed your test dealers insurance may not cover you to demo bikes, my dealer told me that riders with a licence less than 12 months old were not covered,but then again it was a certain honda dealer in preston so it may just be a fairy tale

Certainly dealers in my area get me to sign a waiver for fisrt £1000 of any damage should i have accident.

Bloody shame as i REALLY WANTED to wring that Yamaha MT01's neck when i tried it but just had the vision in my mind of 1000 pound coins dribbling out of my bank balance should i find a Diesel patch on a bend or roundabout !!

If anyone thinks their TA, AT or Vara is Torguey GO TRY THE MT - like a bloody meat grinder on steroids !!

 

Without a doubt, go and try anything vaguely appropriate - even if it's not what you think you want (test rides come free, so make the most of it!).

I currently have a 700, I'm 6'4 in my bare feet, and I think its fine.

I had a 650 a few years ago (2002, I think), but kept it less than a year. As far as I can remember, it used to give me about 48 - 50 to the gallon, maybe a little more, whereas the 700 gives me about 55 without trying, and more if I behave (and that's two-up, most of the time, whereas I rode the 650 on my own). 700 has a bit more go, as well (the 650 was broadly OK, but didn't quite manage the same grin factor), and I reckon the 700 makes a better noise. One of my dislikes of the 650 I had (along with many bikes from the major makers at the time) was that it sounded remarkably bland. The 700 has a little bit of a crackle, and the odd bang and pop on over-run (and yes, I keep the bolts tight!)

If you want to play off-road, maybe the bigger front wheel on the 650 is an advantage - I generally stay on tarmac, so it doesn't really bother me either way.

Both alps are easy to ride, forgiving and handle well - the ABS and combined braking on the 700 doesn't do any harm (good for the confidence, anyway!) - it's amazing how quickly you can bring it to a halt.

In the end, you pays your money . . .

Have fun!

 

For me, I was concerned about ease of home servicing on the 700, so I didn't want the fuel injection - four valves - ABS - linked brakes etc, I also like the 650' 21" skinny front wheel. Having said all that, the 700 is a bit better in the throtle response and if you don't mind higher service costs it is a fine machine, I'm just an old fart who doesn't see 'progress' to always be good.

 

Yup - definitely no substitute for actually getting out and riding them. Somewhere on this site Bernard (TwoPlugs) posted a review of the new Transalp - in comparison with the old 600. Bernard's a pretty tall guy, and as I recall, he found the position on the new 700 pretty good for him, so it might well be good for you, but a lot depends on how you're proportioned. A tall friend of mine found the position on my 700 a bit tight for him.

As for the differences between the bikes - the 700 has been brought quite a bit up to date compared to the 650, modern clocks, injection, styling... lots of subtle changes. I preferred the new bike, but there are also some killer deals on the 650cc bikes still out there.

 

I am looking forward to the test rides !!!

 

Well Done in passing your DAS.. :thumbleft:

My advice get out to the dealers and get a test drive.. on each of the bikes you mention.

As the driving position is going to be different especially as you are very tall.
Iam short 5'8 , so with a lower seat on the transalp it fits prefect.

The 650 is my first *big* bike, i love it.. picked up a nice 2007 for a good price at the dealer, £4000

I found the 650 very easy to drive, very forgiving , confidence inspiring.
perfect for around town, bumbling about the back roads and its got enough to cruise at 80 if you want.

I have heard good things about the 700 as well, so this will be my next bike , i think (got to get the dealer to slap on a lower seat though)

Have Fun out there... :thumbup:

Cheers LWR

 

Lutin, you are not alone in not liking the syling of the 700.
IT has a smaller fuel tank, the 650 is 19 litres and the 700 is 17.5 litres, but is supposed to be better with fuel consumption.

 

Hi 6ft5

Major differences between the 650 and 700 Transalps -

1) 650 has 21" front wheel, 700 has 19".

2) 650 has carburettors whereas the 700 is fuel injected.

3) Erm, can't think of any more at the moment other than the styling. Not sure I like the 700s looks, but that's just me.

I'm sure that someone that actually owns a 700 will be along in a little while.

As for choosing a bike - there's nothing like a test ride. And a good long one as well - not just round the block. Try as many as you can for as long as you can. You'll find something that suits.

Oh, and welcome to the site.