2008 Honda Transalp
Honda is releasing an all-new XL700V Transalp featuring dynamic adventure sports styling and a new fuel-injected V-twin engine.
Adventurer tourer riders hang on to your headlights; eight years on from its last major upgrade, Honda is releasing an all-new XL700V Transalp featuring dynamic adventure sports styling and a new fuel-injected V-twin engine.
Due to arrive in mid 2008, the new Transalp is certainly a cut above the last edition, and has undergone a complete physical and mechanical makeover. The Transalp debuted on the European motorcycling scene in 1987 in response to the surging popularity of the Paris-Dakar Rally. Combining elements of a mid-displacement tourer with a trail-going enduro chassis, the Transalp pioneered a fresh new direction in motorcycle development that has remained popular for over twenty years.
Although initially based on the intrepid rally bikes that raced across Africa, the Transalp also won a strong and growing following for its superbly comfortable ergonomics, confidence inspiring control and inherent ability to cruise high-speed motorways with strong, agile performance. Its strong, highly reliable 680cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 8-valve V-twin engine remains central to the Transalp’s easy riding concept. This time-proven mill features slim proportions that contribute to the bike’s easier handling and dependable grunt, designed specifically to carry two passengers and a full load of touring gear across any terrain. Accentuating the front cowl’s distinctive new form is an integrated twin-bulb multi-reflector headlight that features separate bulbs for low and high beams to offer excellent night-time riding visibility.
The Transalp’s slim, comfortably contoured tandem seat also offers excellent long-distance riding comfort combined with a relatively low seat height that provides an easy reach to the ground for most riders. Surrounding the back of the seat is a sleekly styled new moulded resin rear carrier that brackets the integrated taillight while providing comfortable hand grips for pillion passengers. For this new generation, the Transalp’s high speed touring capabilities have been further enhanced with a new smaller-diameter 19″ front wheel and a wider new radial rear tyre that combine to offer responsive handling over a wide assortment of road surfaces.
Although the new Transalp’s fuel tank is smaller in capacity than its previous version (down from 19 to 17.5 litres), the greatly improved fuel consumption figures of its new fuel-injected engine actually extend its riding range. The new Transalp is also available with the reassuring braking control of Honda’s proven Combined Brake System coupled with the popular Antilock Brake System.
Recommended retail price to be confirmed; release date: first half of 2008.
