When Honda's "Rally Touring" Transalp appeared on the scene back in 1987, the road and trail-going V-twin breathed fresh life into the middleweight class. Based in part on the Paris-Dakar racers, the Transalp might have looked like a rugged desert stormer but it offered superbly comfortable ergonomics and the ability to cruise motorways with remarkable ease.
Now into its third generation following an upgrade in 2000, the latest Transalp is up against bigger Adventure Touring motorcycles but still delivers.
New for 2004 is the beautifully contoured aerodynamic fairing over the original box-section steel frame. It has given the old stager a new lease of life in a market segment where competition is fierce. But fair do's - the new fairing vastly improves comfort on long-distance trips. Deflecting wind off rider and passenger, its sleek design integrates a large multi-reflector headlight and indicators into its shapely curves.
Honda's Progressive Pro-Link rear suspension and 41mm fork stanchions soak up everything from potholed tarmac to bumpy rutted trails. There's lots of ground clearance, and the riding position is ideal for town use.
Lighter than the original 600, the 650 is better balanced. The liquid-cooled 647cc V-twin delivers abundant torque for stronger low-to-midrange power coupled with smooth performance for two-up touring capability, especially at higher speeds and when passing slow-moving traffic on the mountain passes that give the Transalp its name. But this tourer is mild rather than wild. The Transalp's major selling points are reliability and versatility. Its engine will simply run and run if serviced regularly.
A new anti-rust treatment has been given to such components as the wheel spokes and nipples, disc brake rotors and other less visible parts to fight off corrosion and increase the Transalp's long-term dependability. The alloy rims are shod with diamond patterned dual-purpose tyres which give excellent control on high-speed motorways. In keeping with the latest safety regulations, the Transalp gets an always-on daytime headlight.
Dry weight is only 191kg, but to help shorter riders enjoy the Transalp without worrying about dropping it at the traffic lights, an optional 30mm lower and narrower seat is available. Other optional accessories include large volume panniers and top box, taller windscreen, and an advanced radio/CD player/communications system.
The new Transalp is available in three colour variations for 2004. We like the vivid pearlescent blue with a contrasting metallic silver best, but you might prefer the subtle metallic black or a sparkling metallic silver. Buy if you value a known quantity over more fashion-conscious newcomers.
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