European Dreaming: The 2008 Honda Transalp
Tuesday October 2, 2007
Do you want what you can't have? Do you pine for the unobtainable? Behold the mysteriously foreign 2008 Honda XL700V Transalp-- exotic, at least, to non-Europeans.Built in Spain by Montesa Honda S.A., a local manufacturing subsidiary established by Honda in 1986, this dual-purpose 700cc motorcycle is a Europe-only model that was originally introduced in 1987. Modernized for 2008, the Transalp is Euro-III emissions approved, and boasts ABS and a v-twin that has been tweaked for improved low-end and midrange torque. In spite of its upgraded mechanicals, the Transalp boasts a definitively old school, large round headlight.
Do you think the Transalp could ever re-conquer the US and other markets? Do you have a burning desire for one, or could you not care less?
Comment on the transatlantic Transalp!
Photo © Honda
Comments
Wow — this really looks cool. What are the bike’s specifications, including seat height and weight?
Thanks,
Jim
Yes, I would buy a Translap if sold in Usa.
Honda tried the Transalp (650 then) in Canada in 89-89…not sure if it was in the States. Gutless and heavy …a cool bike nonetheless…. but it didn’t sell then and it won’t sell now. North America just isn’t tuned into most of the very nice bikes that the Europeans have known and loved for years.
Same reason the Paris-Dakaar 750 or the CB1000F/R won’t sell here.
Price point is yet again going to be critical…… if it costs as much as the rockets, it will flounder. If it is priced equal to the KLR (and still offers better features–ABS included) it would have a chance. Honda would have to low ball the market to get it to stick.
If the price is higher than the DL650, it will fail to attract a market.
I don’t know much about it. Yet! But I sure like its looks!
I owned a 1989 Transalp - replaced it with a BMW R1150GS, but the GS was just too big. The TA was good bike with a few weaknesses that all seem to be addressed on the 2008 version. If Honda sells it in the US, and it has available ABS, hard luggage, heated grips and centerstand, as is priced close to the V-Strom 650, I’d buy one in a heartbeat! BTW, there is a Transalp cult in the US and I sold mine for almost a grand more than I paid for it!
We own two 1989 TransAlps in the US with 50,000 and 11,000 miles on them and would gladly trade both of them in for 2 new bikes if only Honda would reintroduce them to the US! And yes, there is a big cult for the TA’s in the US.
I long for this bike to be brought to the US, and I think many others feel the same way (based on the MC boards I frequent).
I would sell my Suzuki DR650 and buy this is in a heartbeat.
I own 2 1989 transalps and I love them. I know a dozen people who have wanted to buy one and instead had to settle on a vstrom or unfortunately the BMWs. It is sad that Honda’s marketing wing isn’t nearly as bright as their mechanical engineers….
Joe…Honda’s marketing dept is every bit as savvy as the engineering side. That is why the Transalp isn’t for sale here…they know it won’t sell.
Pete,
While I admit the average US moto consumer is quite limited in scope, this model would sell very well given the new appreciation for dual-sports. Suzuki, BMW, KTM and now Kawasaki all have good selling models. The Fact Honda doesn’t just illustrates they are a market follower, not a leader (and their engineers are much smarter…)
I’d buy one in a heartbeat here in the US.
Over the years I have owned many Hondas including two ‘89 Transalps (one new and one used), a ‘99 ST1100 and a ‘02 GoldWing. I would have bought a new Transalp or Varadero if available in the US but alas, I bought a new BMW R1200GS, and will probably never buy another Honda.
Kawasaki is rolling out a dual sport (Versys) this year. Triumph sell the tiger in the USA and dare I say it Buell has its XB12X. I think the time for these bikes has come in the USA. Especially with gas prices.
HONDA USA:
Import this one, price it a little better than the competition (i.e., 650 V-Strom), and you will have a winner.
Do it now.
The time is Right.
PS:
I’m the guy who, 30 years ago, sent you a number of letters begging you to build a copy of a Harley Davidson FXE Superglide.
(I seem to remember your replies saying something like, “Thanks for your mail. We’re always interested in hearing from customers.”
Hi Joe…I wholeheartedly disagree. Of the nearly 40 years I’ve been riding, I’ve worked for Honda for 24 of them and 6 before that with a dealer. Have we done everything right? No..there;s been a few world class blunders (CX500) but …Honda is a lot of things..market follower is not on the list. Witness the bikes that have turned the industry upside down and sent everyone else scrambling to catch up in the last 30 or 40 years. Dream, Cub, Superhawk (the original), ‘69 CB750, 900RR, Elsinore, 600 Sport bikes, V4’s, Gold Wing…the Wing has been the standard by which touring bikes are judged for 30+ years, Dual Purpose - Honda stated that trend…that’s just a few truly innovative bikes. Just because Honda recognizes the North American market will not support an admittedly odd ball bike like the Transalp or Veradero does not make them a follower. The Europeans have distinctly different tastes in cars and bikes. Us North Americans have blinders on…we like 3 kinds of street bikes
1 - Hyper sport bikes (that’s me)
2 - Cruisers (not my cup of tea)
3 - Tourers. (not yet…)
It’s a shame in many cases…we miss out on some really cool bikes from all the manufacturers because they won’t sell (also way too expensive) outside Europe.
Cheers!
Give it some real power, Keep the weight down, give it decent components, and make it moderately dirt worthy and it will sell. BMW just made their 100,000 R1200GS. Make it an underpowered pig with poor components and it will not sell.
I am a XALP rider from way back.
Bought a new 1988 when they were sold in the US. Put 50K trouble-free miles on it, including a trip to Panama and back.
Sadly most US buyers turned their backs on this excellent bike, and after flagging sales Honda pulled it off the market in 1991 (I think). Used XALP’s in good shape are still commanding top price after all these years, but given the market flop on the 80’s there is no chance we’ll see the XALP or Varadero in the US.
The XALP is readily available throughout the rest of the world. I bought a new 2005 XALP model in Chile for US$10,000, and am extremely satisfied with it. Usual outstanding Honda workmanship, dependability and handling.
The US market seems to support almost any two-wheeled abomination as long as it weighs 700+ lbs and has lots of chrome, but sadly America is not the land of -motorcycle- adventure.
I’ve recently returned from Greece and the Transalp’s are ubiquitous there. Dual-sports in general seem to dominate in that country. I would certainly consider one if they ever come to NA.
lrb
I’m from Argentina and we’re in love with theme down there, and now I live in the US.I can’t believe that there aren’t TransAlps here. It’s a pity! Honda, please bring’em on!
If anyone is intersted the Veradero is going to be in the 2008 Canadian line up…
I bought my ‘89 TransAlp new, and I still have it with over 105k miles of great riding adventures behind us. I just bought an ‘07 V-Strom ABS to use instead of the aging Honda for longer trips (parts and mechanics are getting hard to find), but would quickly trade them both for this new TransAlp. Alas, Honda does not listen.
I am ready to buy one and get rid of every other bike that I own. This is the one that would fulfill every fantasy….well maybe not every fantasy
I would buy a Transalp if priced like the V-Strom.
The reality is Honda is such a large bureaucracy that does not listen to individuals. As proven when Honda lost Ricky Carmichael to Suzuki, why in the world would they care what a lowly consumer wants. Such a pitty.
I have a 1990 transalp that I love, if Honda ever brings the TA back I would love to teat drive it. The 2008 looks cool, I hope it is a big overall as the 1990 as I like the size. I have not ridden a Versys yet but it appears to have a croutched riding postion and I prefer to stretch out a bit.
America Honda just doesn,t get it..it WOULD SELL in large numbers,there lost..Have a 1990 with over 145,000 miles and going strong..going for the 200,000 mark..bring that Varedero over also.. BR
Yes, I will buy one, please with heated grips and a centerstand. Givi will supply the bag hardware.
How can the bike sale if it’s not available? I have an 89 and if this one was made available, I’d have an 08 as well. If it’s priced reasonably & features & accessories are readily available, I am confident it will sell. Test market it in the US & be surprised how quickly they will leave the showroom floor. Please make them available here.
I would definitely buy one if they were available in the US. The KLR650 and V-Strom 650 seem to be doing fine in the US, I don’t see why the TransAlp wouldn’t.
Hey, what was that dis on the cx? I have an 83 cx650 with 70000 short haul miles on it, an awesome maachine. Anyway, yes I lust after the transalp also.
This is just a shame. And I just don’t get it. Honda already HAS the bike. It’s built. No development needed. With gas prices what they are - combined with the fact that almost every other big motorcycle company that sells bikes in the U.S. has entered the market segment, it seems like a no-brainer. So does Honda know something all these other manufacturers don’t? Somehow I don’t think so.
I too was a lucky owner of a 1989 red white & blue XLR600V, so it is with great intrest that I have followed the Trans Alp sold in other countries. In New Zealand they are the rental bike of choice and I just got back from South America and in Chile they get $12,570 American! Ouch!!! You got to love that kind of reliabilty to justify the poor exchange rate.
I own an ‘89 Transalp. I’ve also gone through many other bikes including a wonderful BMW R1200GS. What bike have I kept? My Transalp. I paid $2500 for it 15 years ago and it’s worth more than that now. (Increased in value? Yikes!)
But, unfortunately, I’m guessing that those darned marketing people are right… the US won’t support this bike. We in the US are a pretty dumb bunch. Look who we elected… twice!
They say timing is everything. Honda’s timing sucked. If they imported it now it would sell. The trend that they were trying to set has now happened and thousands of 40-50 somethings can afford multiple bikes or are looking for one do it all bike. Of course price is important. Is it ever not? but they COULD get more than the KLR650…just not too much. The KLR is one of the best values in the entire US motorcycle fleet.
I own a 1990 transalp with 148,000 miles on it,,great bike,take it everywhere..Honda in the USA has no clue what they can have,,Ones here getting tired of the same junk ther,re trying to sell here..with fuel going out of control the smaller and more useful,,Honda get it USEFUL bikes as these would sell in numbers..let me have one to promote and will show them just what can be..I think we have ones there that are not passionate about the sport..everyone..speak to Honda..let them know…thank you!!
If Honda brought this to the USA, I would buy one right away!
I would also buy the 4 cyl. concept much like the old 750-4cyl. in a heart beat!
Come on Honda, listen to your market!
I’m going to buy a V Strom 650 I’ve always liked the Honda motorcycles for reliability and quality…Honda is making a poor business decision not having this new Transalp here in the US…especially now when riders are looking for diversity and economy.
I would love to see this motorcycle being sold in Canada, I would sell my KLR in a heartbeat for one of those
I’ve owned a lot of different bikes over the years, and I’ve always enjoyed Hondas the most. I personally would buy a Transalp if it was avalible in the U.S., but I don’t think it would do well against the KLR or V-strom in sales. So I’m not holding my breath until Honda imports it. I would buy one from an overseas supplier, but I don’t even know where to begin. Can antbody help me?
Please, Honda…Listen! I dont eve care what color. Just open up an outlet into the U.S. for this Bike.
Practical Comfortable Bikes are in demand with fuel prices soaring. I need to get one for the commute.
Having owned a BMW F650 and ridden it from Seattle to Inuvik then Anchorage, and back to Seattle, I know a bit about adventure touring. I want a new Transalp so bad it hurts. The cruisers bikes and crotch rockets could never have handled the 1000 miles of gravel over permafrost of the Dempster highway. I need a good solid smooth dual sport which can be armored to handle being dropped, can support good wind management, and still handle decently on gravel roads. I’m considering finding someone in the US military to smuggle one into the states for me since all the Honda dealers can’t see that everything they sell won’t even come close to my needs. I think the Transalp’s time is ready, especially in mountainous regions and for long distance adventure touring nutballs like me.
Being a Wee-Strom Rider but a Honda fan, I would definitely consider a TA if offered in the US. Of course, as others have stated, I would weigh the price, performance, etc. of the bike compared to current offerings. If it measures up, it would live at my house!
What’s it going to take to bring the Transalp back to the USA? I had an 89′, but sold it to learn to fly. So sorry I sold. I’ve sent letters to honda asking to please bring it back to the USA, but no reply. All readers of this should do the same.
The Transalp should be available to the U.S. consumer even if only to those of us willing to order and pay in advance then wait a few weeks for Honda to bring them over. I am heading out to buy the 09 V-Strom when they hit the dealers, but I would gladly give Honda my 7K instead.
I was looking at Dual Sport bikes and Honda’s Alp was one that caught my eye. Unfortunately I soon realized it was not available state side.
would I buy it if it were? Yes I would!
If nothing else, Honda should make it available for purchase through there website. Rather than cut off all sales here in the States. *Sigh*
The US might be ready for this bike now, I know I am, but American Honda better hurry up and get it here because I’m very close to popping for the Suzuki 650 V-Strom ABS. Always loved Honda’s and will wait if it looks like it might really come over here. Where do I send the deposit?
Why can’t Honda bring this fine bike into the USA? I’d buy one immediately. Are they available in Canada?
I have seen all the blogs and comments, there are some good arguments for the case of the Transalp to make it’s way back to the U.S. Ijust purchased a KLR 650-08.#1 seller in California right now! If this isn’t an indicator Honda! Then your marketing Dept. sucks! More Americans have to travel by scooter or motorcycle ever than before. That means more time on the bike, they do not want these heavy Harleys, or crotch rockets that become very uncomfortable. Americans are paying ridiculous gasprices now ,that europeans have been payingfor a long time. therefore their needs are changing to a bike that is more multi-purpose and can handle a variety of terrain and inclement weather! Honda better wake before Kawasaki builds a 750cc or more Dual-sport by 2010 guarranteed !
I have been riding a Wing for 4 years now and am in the market for a dual sport. GS1200 too big , KLR too small, 2008 Honda TransAlp - Just Right. Honda don’t miss the Boat, Sell this model in the North American, Market I’ll Purchase (2) if you do. My wife thinks their sexy too, Hop
The `08 Transalp undoubtedly would sell today, and maybe even sell well. The problem is that the trend toward adventure touring bikes started about 5-6 years ago and has now built up to a dull roar, but Honda hasn’t even started spreading the word yet. Honda’s problem isn’t that it doesn’t know how to market the bike in the US market (although that’s a factor), Honda’s problem is that it CAN’T market it to a bunch of mostly fickle American riders. Riders who first ponder if the weather is “just right” before committing to go on a whopping 200 mile ride. These riders make up most of our culture, and would have a hard time purchasing a motorcycle in a category that is not as familiar. Sure, a buch of “riders” would say that it’s a great, capable, or impressive bike, but would shy away as soon as the discussion approached their wallet. Face it, not many Americans are as fascinated with the brilliant concept that the TA was and has become as we are. As an owner of an `89 with 58k, I can confidently state that there are few other MODERN bikes that I would consider owning if I could only own one bike. If Honda does ever bring back the TA, I’m afraid it’ll be much too late. Krap.
It seems to me that Soichiro Honda was first and foremost a motorcycle enthusiast. The original CB750 wasn’t built because it was bound to be a sure fire success, it was risk and if it didn’t pay off, well at least Honda had built a fantastic bike.
Judging by the number of V-Stroms I’ve seen the Transalp wouldn’t be lost cause in the US, but the fact that Honda US can’t be bothered to import it (and other great bikes) demonstrates that they are more a souless money making outfit than the enthusiasts Sochiro’s company was and still is.
I started riding Hondas in the mid-70’s at age 9 (SL100) and have done so ever since (XL125, XL500, XR500). I now find myself at a stage in my life where I need a bike to ride to work and around town, but still want to be able to get off the beaten path. Honda offers NOTHING that suits my needs/desires. I’ll end up with a KLR or perhaps a V-Strom, and I’ll always feel a little sad that I didn’t get the chance to at least test drive the Transalp. How many other customers has Honda lost because they’re so sure that an Adventure class bike won’t sell in the States???
The Honda Marketing Department is filled with morons who, apparently, haven’t noticed the incredible growth in the “Adventure Touring” market since they last tried to sell the TA in North America, way back in 1990.
If, as the author suggests, people in the U.S. will not buy a bike like this, could he please explain the increasing number of BMW GSs (three different sizes no less), Suzuki V-Stroms (two sizes), and KLRs clogging our roads? Just how many $16,000 GSs does BMW have to sell to prove to Honda that Americans actually do have a taste for dual sports?
And this overlooks the fact that when Honda did deign to offer this bike in the U.S., they did it so quietly that it was still almost impossible to find one in a dealership. I’m sorry, but the guys at Honda don’t have a clue about what they are doing these days, and I have the correspondence from them to prove it, all of which is clearly based on sales numbers dating back to 1990. Try writing them to ask why they don’t sell the newer TAs here. The response you get is a form letter written in 1991 whining about low sales volumes of this market segment in the U.S.
As Dr. Evil would say: “Riiiiiiiight”.
As an owner of a ‘07 BMW F650GS I would LOVE to try out the Honda. BMWs changes for next year (09) and long delays for the new F800GS makes it the right time to start bringing the TransAlp to the US. Basically BMW has skipped a model year (o8) and I know so many who are chomping at the bit to get the new 800 bimmer. BMW has had a lot of success with the 650 Dualport, and they are bound to have more with the upcoming GS models.
HONDA!, Send ‘em over! I don’t want to fly to Argentina just so I can buy one and ride it back to the states! (Although that actually might be kind fun, and $$$)
I have wanted a Transalp since I visited France in the late 80’s. It is everything — displacement, size, posture, utility, looks — that I want in a motorcycle. My tastes in bikes are not well served by the US market, and the Transalp is no exception.
Please, please Honda: sell me one of these in my home country, so I don’t have to shell out for a BMW F650GS. Or at least sell in Canada so I can drive one home!
I want the DN-01, powered by the same engine, but a lot more modern look to it.
Man, this isn’t available in the U.S.?????????? That is sad!!!!!!! Does anyone know of anything comparable to this that is available in the U.S.?
Thanks,
Travis
Since they are still being made overseas why not buy on line and have it shipped to the states? There must be a venue that would handle this, does anyone know a way?
These comments I have seemed very funny to realize that there is no Transalp U.S. and think that next week I will be buying one in my country, Costa Rica. And think this machine is better than BMW.
I wrote a letter to American Honda about selling the new Transalp here and was surprised to get a phone call back. They say it definitly helps the cause to contact them in writing. I suggest if you are serious about wanting an opportunity to buy it you do the same.