Done some light green lanes on mine, in the summer when it was fairly dry. Just on the standard type of tyre it is fine as long as you are careful with the throttle and brakes. It all depends on what you want to do, if you just want to pootle along and just get from one end of the lane to another like I do then it's as good as anything similar. Anything more adventurous then a smaller lighter machine would be better in my view.

If you look back to older so called off road bikes the main difference (in some cases the only difference) is the tyres and that is what going to restrict you especially if it is wet and muddy.

The main problem is the weight of the thing. I do most of my riding on my own and am to be honest a bit worried about dropping it and not being able to pick it back up again! Would be interested to know if anyone has had to pick one up on their own and whether they deem it possible for a 12 stone, 5' 9" weakling!!

John

 

snip.........The main problem is the weight of the thing. I do most of my riding on my own and am to be honest a bit worried about dropping it and not being able to pick it back up again! Would be interested to know if anyone has had to pick one up on their own and whether they deem it possible for a 12 stone, 5' 9" weakling!!

John

picking it up is mostly a matter of technique. It's been discussed on here before but not for a while.... I have only dropped my bikes (the vara) once in years but used the tecunique and it was dead easy.

Take your time, gather yourself after the shock of falling off or letting go.
Walk round to the stand by the seat/tank.
If it's on it's RHS put the side stand out.
Now turn round and stand with your back to the bike and squat down.
Get hold of the bar grip that uppermost and turn the wheel into the ground. You will hvae plenty leverage and the front of the bike will lift slightly.
Other hand grabs the frame/seat/pannier frame/rack or whatever toward the back. Get a firm grip with both hands and stand up using your legs for all the power.
Once it's upright let it go onto it's side stand.

Honestly a 5stone weakling could do it this way.

Back on topic, my TA 650 has been very very good the few times I have taken it off road it's overall weight in mud is the main limitation. With the 700 the 19" wheel will make thngs a bit less good in the rough stuff.

 

Thanks for that Austin, I will remember that (or print it off and keep it in my jacket pocket!). I have thought of trying it out in the garden but the thought of laying my new bike down, even gently, on purpose is a bit off putting! I have actually dropped it once, in one of the most embarrasing places for a biker, but I had some friendly 'spectators' to help me out.

 

Some sensible replies there and not much to add really.

I've taken my 650 green laning but it's a worry. Off road ineviably means offs and a new TA has way too much plastic and breakable levers etc for that.

I once dropped my XS1100 Yam when I left the disc lock on. I was so furious that I picked it straight up without thinking.....

Consider an old 250 traily to have some real fun without worrying about dropping it.

BB

 

check out Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports: Day 3
Especially one of the vids half way down page.. (interesting site.)
yeah the bike is more capable than been made out to be..
Best to have a tyre like Mitas E07 for backroads etc .. helps slow bike down when you want to..
Just do it...

 

Thanks for the link Slapper, particularly like this page as it goes through the writer's mods Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports: XL700V TransAlp. But good site all round! I've done a bit more digging and found some other sites which may be of interest-
Transalp OffRoad
http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/transalp/12434-rallies-transalps.html (missed it from this site)
mijn motor1 (unfortunately mostly in Dutch but some nice pics)
Big Bike Challenge (From the forum post above)

Have you got experience with the tyres you mention Slapper? If so, what are your thoughts in terms of on-road grip? Also, how many miles did you get out of them? May be the next set for the bike when I get through the OEM set.

I have to agree with barkingbiker and japes1275 in the worrying about dropping the bike whilst off orad, mainly because of the cost of fixing plastics etc. I've got some SW Motech crash bars fitted now which will help a bit but obvioulsy not perfect. Despite this, come the summer I think I'll do some gentle trails just because its fun! Perhaps with a decent set of tyres and a proper bash plate I'll look at some tougher boggier stuff?! Problem is the more protection you add the heavier it gets! Useful advice from Austin, thanks.

Look forward to any other information there is.

Thanks,
cpp01

 

I am putting on Mitas tyres this week. All the reports on them in NZ have been very good. Good in our metal, dryish conditions. good on road, lasting well. Im going to be doing a trip down south in two weeks. Around 4000km, 50/50 tar and metal backroads. Will let you know my opinion then. I have Givi crash bars, Touratec small bash plate,and Touratec radiator guards fitted.

 

Another amusing link http://www.doble.co.uk/content/pdfs/whatThePressSay/08/Transalp_RTR_72dpi.pdf

 

I use my 700 off road 75%. Continental tkc 80 and it will go most trails. Good Craic.

 

My good friend Trailrider has ridden his 700 extensively offroad.
Go here - this should keep you busy for a while
Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports: 1 Newbie, 1 Mountain, 4 Crossings
He got his 700 in 09, the earlier reports are on his CTX200 (and me on my DRZ!)
Also read South Cape Epic.

 

My good friend Trailrider has ridden his 700 extensively offroad.
Go here - this should keep you busy for a while
Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports: 1 Newbie, 1 Mountain, 4 Crossings
He got his 700 in 09, the earlier reports are on his CTX200 (and me on my DRZ!)
Also read South Cape Epic.

Well impressed. Nice trails. Nice and dry, unlike North Scotland. :thumbright:

 

I am complete novice, but already I have taken my TA 09 off the tar. Dirt, gravel, rocks, green stuff, bit of mud and wet leaves cover. Done some skids including surprise ones and still no drop. The only drop I did is on snow/ice outside my garage. I just took it out to spin the engine and see how fast I will drop on snow covered concrete. Well, first tight slow turn was the answer

Offroading I have reached the limit of clearance (not suspension limit) on some rocky "road". I have also reached a limit of my abilities to turn it around on spot on a tight road. Also it was hard to turn around on that rocky "road" (no reverse, you know ).

 

Get some engine bars!

Provided you have some tread on your tyres, a chain which is not so loose that it falls off, you don't have a centre-stand and you don't drive it straight into a bog (all school-boy errors I committed in mid-Wales), you should be fine!

It is a HEAVY bike for off-road though, so if you are going to go somewhere that you will have to dig it out (bog or sand) take several friends.

The real strength of an Alp is its durability. It will just keep going so if you must drop a bike so that it is wholly underwater or if you are going to keep stalling it, choose an Alp before even a mighty KTM. It is not THE choice for the unreliable surfaces that make up so much of Britain's lanes, but it will do and you can ride in comfort 100 miles home which you wouldn't want to do on more extreme machines.

:thumbup:

 

I agree with PD, but lots depends on the driver and his ability to put the bike where he wants it to go.

 

There is a lot of common sense and forward thinking involved when going off road. It's never clever or wise to go alone, that's the number one rule. If you discover that the road ahead is a bit risky, and you want to turn albeit on a rocky surface, pick your spot and drive the front wheel UP an incline so gravity wil help you reverse. A tiny amount at a time will soon have you pointing in the right direction. Look at the ground well ahead and try to spot wet bog, usually given away by the type of plant life at it. No bike will like a deep bog, the removal tecnique is another paragraph . Small things like that will help you big time. Enjoy your Alp off piste, it's safer than dodging cars. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

Tee Hee,
just do it.
.

 

You've not posted here for a while

How are you doing Chris?

 

There are all sorts of videos and books out there to teach the basics.. the two vids "Dual sport riding techniques" and "Advanced dual sport riding techniques" from the guys at http://www.dualsportriding.com/ are extremely helpful; but as Mudwiz said "just do it", there is no substitute for practice!!:thumbup:

Cheers
Potski

 

Thats so true on a big bike like the Alp. BT won tickets for his photo of mine buried in a bog!

nearly broke my ribs getting it in there!!

 

Of course the TransAlp can do off-road It's a lot more capable that most people seem to think.

 

Hi Trailrider ,where is your red 700?

Or did you buy a new one?

And where did you find those fork gators?

Enjoy

 

And where did you find those fork gators?

I bought them from the local Honda Shop. They're a bit big though.

 

And it's got a 'cat' on it.

Whatever, it looks great!

Keep up the good work.

 

Yes Grey Alp I bought a new one. :thumbright:

The CAT will be removed tomorrow. The bike is only two days old. I'm also adding Decals (similar to the ones on the front fairing) to the side fairings and tank for protection purposes.

 

Congratulations on the new 700, great color.

I've also read your (honest) report of the GS800 on your site, never thought of testing the XT 660 Tenere alswell?

Enjoy

 

I did yes. And I think I'll love it. But Yamaha could not supply me with a demo for a test. Also, I am not sure a thumper would be a great pillion bike.

 

Have just done 3500km round South Island of NZ. The Mitas E07 tyres were great. They performed really well on the road as well as metal ]. Wear seems great.About 1/3 worn? (My brother in law on his KLR650 has now done 2x trips down south and the tyres look good for another one!!! maybe 9000km?) We were around 50% metal back roads and trails / 50% tarseal
see trip details etc on.
South Island Adventure Ride - Motorcycling - Everytrail
Unfortunatley there is a problem at start getting NZ map on screen. also takes a while to load as trip is probably too long?? any comments greatly received.
Still need to do write up.
We had such a good time over the 9 days, the Alp was great, I enjoyed it more than last year on a DR650.
Even Jamie on the 990 KTM is thinking of using Mitas E07 next trip.

 

Took my TA off-road today along the Cataluña coast, thought I'd try my hand at sand, was amazed how quickly the TA bogs down, even with just the rear tyre submerged in sand a few inches the bike would stay vertical when I got off it! Anyway, spent about an hour in some semi-dunes and soon learnt if I kept the speed up the TA would go through it, and I could even kind of steer

Anybody got any more tips for riding in sand? There is loads of it around here!

On another note, I grounded going up a highish curb, and it was I think the centre stand fittings (I don't have a centre stand) that hit not the Cat which I half expected.

 

2010 Big Bike Chhallenge stuff here : Big Bike Challenge

Anyone still doing stuff on the TA? Had my Magna off a bit with Littleport and Rockoz, very slow, far slower than a TA!

 

two weekends ago I crashed my rearshock trying a little jump.... awaiting the new wilbers now. In june I will take him onto a motocross rink and in august to a two day play in the dirt for two cylinders... really excited about those...

 

Interesting to hear about sand riding. We are looking at going up to Cape Reinga... top of North Island including 90 mile beach which is reasonably hard packed sand.. will be interesting.

Have redone our SI trip on Every Trail. Just the best bits and it has come out better. see South Island Adventure The best bits - Motorcycling - Everytrail

The more I do on the Alp the better it gets.