Honda Transalp 700 (2008-2012) review & used buying guide

Version: XL700VA

Year: 2008

Almost 50,000 miles on rural and main roads, nothing off road as such.Some tough enough country roads still in Ireland. Very little mechanical trouble, ample power to keep up with “the big boys” on any journey. 58 mpg and range of 220 miles on full tank if ridden sensibly

Buying experience: Honda Dealer. No problems

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £200

The engine is nice, if a bit vibey, and had decent torque. It felt nimble and secure when riding the bumpy back roads with good brakes. I started to rely on the linked brakes and got into the bad habit of using the foot brake unless I really needed to get the hammer down. On the minus side the tank was bit small and the fuel gauge didn't help by flashing with almost a gallon left, the seat was ok and lasted for 100 mile stints but it was too short when two up. I bought the bike to ride from Calais to Barcelona then onto Mallorca which it did without complaint, however I realised that when my partner was on the back I was on the back of the tank and it was obvious that it would not work as a two up tourer so I sold it after a year. I considered keeping it as my local bike as it worked well in town and on B-roads, but I still had the scooter which is so cheap to run even though it's appalling on bumpy roads.

Buying experience: I bought it from a mate, possibly paid a bit over the market value but It did the job I wanted.

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £250

Great all rounder. I've had over 25 bikes and this is in my top 3! Only beaten by my X1000SX and BMX R1200S. Look hard enough and a great bike could be found for under 3k. So easy to ride and always an enjoyable ride.

Buying experience: Bargain purchase.

Year: 2008

I was not looking to buy a Transalp but here I am. I wanted an adventure bike to do off-road riding although not many users mention its off road abilities. I'm impressed with its highway manners and its off road ability once fitted with off road suitable tyres.

Buying experience: Bought mine second hand from a dealer with only 8000km on the clock. It's not a popular model in Australia so it was relatively cheap. After market accessories are difficult to find locally. I had to buy my luggage racks from Italy.

Version: XL 700 VA

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £100

Needs a sixth gear.

Buying experience: Dealer. I paid 4500 EUR

Year: 2010

I bought my Transalp in 2010 simply to ride the long and mighty Pan American Highway. I shipped her to Ushuaia at the tip of South America and rode her 19000miles in 9 weeks without a single problem

Buying experience: I bought mine brand new from a Honda dealer

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £400

Pros: reliable, sturdy, comfortable, not bad fuel consumption (avg. 60mpg), definitely recommend if you're looking for a no-frills, hard-wearing commuter. I do a mix of country & city riding, about 40 miles a day, and compared to my previous Hornet, the Transalp is much more practical - it's a bit like riding a fast-moving armchair! :) Cons: is definitely a bit heavy, the seat is quite high, and as with other comments, could benefit from a 6th gear.

Buying experience: From a dealer, who has been better than previous one's I've dealt with - there was a mix up with the bikes spare keys, I didn't notice until well after the sales warranty was out of date, but they cut me a spare for free. I plan to continue using them for MOTs & servicing.

Year: 2010

Pros - handling, rider comfort, engine. Cons - none I know of after 6000 miles

Buying experience: Used from a dealer

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £400

Probably merits a 4.5. I love it and there's not too much I'd change. It really does need a 6th gear (I'm currently doing a lot of motorway miles, what on earth were Honda thinking of), a wee bit more power wouldn't go amiss, and really I'd love it if it weighed about 40kg less. For the company who invented the Fireblade to produce a bike this heavy these days is a bit much. Mind you, they also invented the Goldwing... Bought new from a dealer in 2009, now 7 years old, and used pretty consistently for commuting. I've added an MRA Vario screen with the little deflector thingy - better than the original screen and IMO looks far better than the optional Honda 'Touring' screen. I've also added full-on wrap around Barkbusters handguards, SW motech crash bars, a folding gear lever from a CR85 after the original one bent howwibly during an actual off-roading session ( Barkbusters were a lifesaver !), it now sports a Fuel exhaust and also luggage. It came with heated grips, short-arse seat and a centre stand when I bought it. It's been pretty reliable overall, given I've used and abused it mercilessly. It does get dealer serviced (normally once a year), although there have been a couple of big ticket items and some pretty expensive services. Notably one of the radiators split (corrosion) and at the last service the fuel gauge has gone squiffy and is being sorted. If you read the forums while I wouldn't call it common, it not exactly unheard of either. It seems to be a fault with the fuel sender unit, which unfortunately is integral to the pump, hence very expensive ( £££big ! ). Fortunately the dealer had an unused second hand one. Fuel consumption varies depending on use - frequent town commuting gives about 155 - 160 miles to the tank, my current mostly motorway commute has seen me on a number of occasions get 185 miles to a tank, although not without a degree of panic / sweating / squeaky-bum on my part. Really too heavy to go too far off road though, without significantly more talent than I actually have. Did I mention it could do with being about 40kg lighter ? And it's perfectly fast enough on the motorways, really. Trust me, I'm 95% of the time running late in the mornings, and it'll happily do a constant 85 / 90 mph (on the Autobahns of course, officer) with some extra for overtakes. Mind you, maybe that's why some of the services have been expensive...

Buying experience: Dealer, experience was good. Honda were doing a deal at the time with free heated grips and top box - I took the heated grips, and the dealer were flexible enough to give me the low seat and centre stand instead of top box.

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £400

i have owned my transalp for 6 years and only major expense was a new fuel pump after 25000km which was 800 euros ouch!

Buying experience: bought the bike 6 years ago from a dealer and had the bike valued recently as a part ex and was quoted the same price that i bought it for 6 years ago not bad eh but decided to keep my bike

Year: 2012

Looking for a replacement for my very old BMW F650, I bought this bike on impulse from a dealer and it was reliable, though I only owned it for 2 months and 800 miles. There were many negatives. It was very top heavy, thirsty and positively dangerous in cross winds on major roads. You have to wrestle with the front wheel and the handling is ponderous and imprecise. The cheap plastic headlight cowl made a very annoying whining noise at 3,000 revs that I couldn't stop, though tried. The engine was flat - my old thumper had more guts. The build quality is pretty poor also - cheap spokes, flimsy plastic, terrible chrome - the motorbike equivalent to a Spanish-made Bosch washing machine. A Transalp might be adequate if you want to potter along but if you still enjoy riding a motorbike I'd steer well clear. In the end I traded it in for a F700GS, which is a decent bike.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer, very pleasant, no pressure. My mistake - didn't test ride it for long enough. Should have known better.

Year: 2009

it awesome dp super bike

Version: abs

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £200

Nice, friendly bike. Well mannered, doesn't offend in any way. A bit heavy and funny looking headlamp.

Buying experience: Private purchase

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £500

Bought the bike with 8500 miles on the clock. Now, 3000 miles later I feel I can give a fair, realistic view of what the bike is like to live with day in day out... Best Features: - Although with the best will in the world it has a second hand engine from the Deauville I have not found the XL700V Transalp to be at all down on power. I don't really ride at break neck speeds but then I wouldn't say I dawdle either. It will happily cruise at 80mph all day long (or until the tank runs out, more on that later). - This is my first bike after passing my test (coming up from a Varadero) and it's incredibly forgiving for someone not used to the large jump in power. Plus when you do then get used to that power, it doesn't feel sluggish or slow (I've had mine for the best part of a year now). - I tested several bikes when choosing what to move up to and although I'm not a giant, because of the Varadero I am used to a taller, bigger framed bike. I would say the Transalp is a perfect middle range bike for those looking for a taller bike. - The standard seat is very comfy. - Even with a full top box and panniers, it is still very easy to control and manoeuvre at low speeds. - Although heavy, it is easy to put up onto its centre stand and when riding you don't feel the weight of the bike at all. - When a brand new rear tyre picked up a Stanley knife blade from the road (I know - crap luck), only once did the bike try to kill me. Yet because it is well balanced, it was easy to save and so crucially not to drop, even with a ruined back tyre. Worst Features: - This is me being picky, but with hand guards attached it is quite wide compared to smaller bikes. To begin with, filtering can be an issue even on duel carriageways. - The tank only has 150 miles of range, which is annoying but fine, yet the petrol gauge isn't regular. What I mean by that is, the first three bars can stretch to 100 miles but the second three bars will do half that at best before it starts screaming at you to fill up. - The temperature gauge is also annoying as when stuck in traffic as you just watch it rising higher and higher. - The battery is unreliable (see below).

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer, paid just under 4300. I feel that second hand at five years old with everything other than a centre stand (at the time) was worth that at the time and I have definitely got my moneys worth in riding it.

Version: VA

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £800

My third review....sorry! I have had this bike for 18 months now and have covered 35k miles in that time. Obviously, I use it for commuting and other than a broken clutch cable last week, it has performed faultlessly. Since replacing the air filter on a regular basis and fitting iridium-tipped plus, I never get less than 55mpg and can (if I ride very sensibly) get 60mpg. I fill up every 180 miles and only rarely get more than 15 litres in. The bike is comfortable, agile enough but ultimately a little dull. I have just fitted my third set of Anakee 3s, having fitted the first set when I first got the bike at 4k. The last set lasted 16,800 miles but the rear had squared off at around 10k. I do most of my own servcing (except chain and sprockets) and once you get the hang of removing the rather flimsy panels, it's a doddle to do. All in all, I think this is a great commuter bike and probably a half-decent tourer one-up.

Buying experience: Private purchase with 4k miles on the clock in May 2014. Paid £4k

Year: 2009

poor finish non-mating bodywork panels tank range far too short for serious touring. however easy handling especially around town many special extras available. seems to run very hot all the time

Buying experience: local honda dealers had a good sale going on and gave a good trade in (honda tel aviv)

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £200

Good stuff: solid, reliable, comfortable, handles tarmac and gravel well - Karoo 3 tyres have transformed it on the gravel into a very competent machine to take off road. Bad stuff: not much, it was geared too low but an extra tooth on the front sprocket sorted that out. It's not especially economical, but then its a old design motor, not very fast, but that's why I got it after my previous machine an FZ1. loads of extras available aftermarket: centre stand, aluminium engine protector, raised the bars, added crash bars all at reasonable cost

Buying experience: Dealer. Gave me a very good deal

I left a review of my impressions after having ridden 600 miles but thought I'd add further comments having clocked up nearly 6000 miles. Okay, it's not an exciting bike but it's just so easy to ride. I commute to London daily, a round trip of a 100 miles or so. It's a great commuter bike. I have fitted an aftermarket (£38) topbox and a Loobman (320) chain oiler both of which perform their tasks admirably. The bike took a weekend trip to the Lake District in it's stride and will cruise (if the law allowed!) at 15mph or so above the legal limit with no signs of stress. So, it's also a good touring bike, especially if you have the Honda luggage which I don't :( Because I use this bike solely on tarmac, I have fitted Michelin Anakee 3 tyres and they have certainly sharpened up the handling. I still don't like the sound of the engine but I can live with it. I average around 55 mpg but rarely lower than 51 so how people manage to get less than 150 miles out of tankful is mystifying to me. All in all, apart from that engine noise, I think this is a great unpretentious bike.

I have had the this bike just over a week and have put about 600 miles on it. Firstly, it handles so well, even on the Bridgestone Trail Wing tyres and I feel more confident leaning this bike into corners than I do on my Triumph 1050 Sport. The real concern is the engine noise which, at low speeds has a sort of pop-pop sound not unlike a Suzuki Burgman maxi-scooter. I suppose I'll get used to it but I do find it a little embarrassing at the moment. I am really impressed with how maneuverable and light it is. I think I'm going to really like this bike as a commuter. I can get 60 mpg out of it, if I go easy on the throttle but I thihk low-mid fifties is more realistic. [The Triumph has now gone! To be honest, I had a few issues with it and dealer was completely disinterested in getting them sorted under warranty.]

I've been riding for about 13 years. I have owned a fair few bikes, hornets bandits, cbr600's, ninja 600's but this is by far my most favourite two wheeled beauty. I love the relaxed feel you get when you swing a leg over the saddle, the gentle thud of the v twin inviting you to explore the horizons (or indeed just to escape London for for an hour or two after work) It's not fast, its not a knee scrapper buts its torquey enough and handles perfectly. Just let the sports bikes go and enjoy the journey, then catch them up on the corners...probably. Abs makes me feel confident when my girlfriend and I are two up and fully loaded. I really like the way the bike looks, I love the headlight I love the dark red paint and that kinda metal silver on the luggage is cool. I'm not missing 6 gears, just use the torque of the engine and keep the pace cruisey, in my opinion I have more fun on this 98% of the time than I ever did on my ninja. Sure could have a bigger tank but just stop for petrol more often.. only cost £18 to fill right up. So I'll leave you with the words of my girlfriends first trip on the back "just feels more oldskool"

I keep wondering if it is as great a mind-boggling mystery to me as it is to other people why the idiots at Honda didn't think to give this otherwise great bike a slightly larger fuel tank, a six-speed gearbox and cut down on the humungous weight. That squashed-round headlamp is a farce which not only looks definitely odd but there's also very little perceptible difference between high and low beam.The bloody indicators stalks get bent so easily that even a person brushing past the bike can put them out of kilter. AND WHY CAN'T I GET THE DAMN HONDA SIDE-PANNIERS FROM ANYWHERE??!!!

Good points - always starts and runs well whatever the weather. Loads of poke and loves hills. High up riding position and comfy 2 up(without luggage) Bad points Really bad fuel economy - 150 miles on a tank? I get only 120 at best. Price is too high, nearly 7k for a bike! Twitchy front wheel Terrible fully loaded and 2 up, no room for pillion with luggage and front wheel skips all over the shop. Paint job not as good as you would think. Overall, the best bike I have owned, but with fuel economy being so rubbish and its not designed for two people - its time to trade in I think.

This 2011 bike has just clocked up 2800 miles in 2months or so, most of which have been accumulated on a tour from the Midlands to the North-West, up to Scotland through Glencoe, over to Skye, up to the most north-westerly point in the UK, then the most northerly, then back down through Northumbria including Holy Island and to home. She ran impeccably. She returned 62.4mpg in these 2800 miles and that has included heavyweight touring, some off-road and mountain passes, and not a little "around the national speed limit" stuff (given that human error and other factors might cause there to be some fluctuation above and below). Yes there's a shortage of a sixth gear but in a way that makes the 5 there are more flexible in terms of engine braking and so on. Yes i laid her down twice but that was down to the inexperience of the rider, not the bike, and the fact that I had two 45l panniers attached filled with lead or the equivalent. (How many pairs of socks do you really need i ask myself?). In any case the panniers and the front (added) bars took the sting out. This bike can take it, of that be assured! This is a true all-rounder and a definite keeper.

I have ridden a number of bikes and was immediately taken with how comfortable and easy to ride this bike is. It's probably not really a two-up touring bike and I also think that it would benefit from a 6th gear, but overall I really love the bike and would definitely recommend a test ride. There are faster bikes and cooler bikes, but I enjoy riding this bike every time I am out.

Reliable,smooth,agile.Engine has just enough power but it is never short of breath.Not for cruising at 120 mph on fast motorways with missus- but if you plan a trip to the moon, it will take you there and back. Original tall screen buzzes annoyingly but it provides good protection. This is a bike and a companion.

took for a test ride and came back with a big grin,bought demo with all extras, not fast but more than capable to have some fun on a-b roads, brakes good, not had chance to feel abs yet, gearbox very smooth ecconomy above 60mpg even riding fast, taller screen good, now feel I contol power rather than other way round, build and reliability usual honda,nice and light enjoying it

can't fault it! used for instructing, does 50cc cbt's or advanced equally well, plus i look forward to going out on it and i own a bmw gs 1200!

Great bike. Comfy, much more exciting than the last model, can handle any job and tours. Shame about the tank range and I hope the gearbox improves with age. Weird looks and needs accessorising to make it much more usable.