Transalp 2008, thoughts

[Quasievil]

Hi Guys I got one of these in the shed at the moment, looks great, Im wanting something for long distance touring and a bit of gravel, moleworth, rainbow type stuff, nothing to hard
Also I want comfort and something ok two up

I rode this and it seems to fit the bill

issues I see is lots of plastic to break and thats about it

whats your views on these bikes ?

here is the link to the one im thinking about

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-403577854.htm

[Gremlin]

Well, crash bars are always useful things to have.

I discounted it from my list due to it being a bit small, physically and capacity/power, needing something a bit bigger to be a good road warrior. However, they're quite bulletproof, especially being a Honda. 2up with luggage, someone would have to tell you how they cope?

Be aware the headlight is apparently very difficult to replace, requiring the removal of several fairings, one of the guys found that out, needing to replace it one night.

[DR650gary]

Hi Guys I got one of these in the shed at the moment, looks great, Im wanting something for long distance touring and a bit of gravel, moleworth, rainbow type stuff, nothing to hard
Also I want comfort and something ok two up

I rode this and it seems to fit the bill

issues I see is lots of plastic to break and thats about it

whats your views on these bikes ?

here is the link to the one im thinking about

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-403577854.htm

Bang for buck, these are better imho...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-386033703.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-405057566.htm

Same amount of plastic, better on the road and a bit lighter with more HP.

I plan to chuck on an alloy skid plate to stop the stones and away we go.

The TDM is very under rated and there are a couple of web sites that will help set you up.

Cheers

[Quasievil]

Bang for buck, these are better imho...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-386033703.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-405057566.htm

Same amount of plastic, better on the road and a bit lighter with more HP.

I plan to chuck on an alloy skid plate to stop the stones and away we go.

The TDM is very under rated and there are a couple of web sites that will help set you up.

Cheers

yeah I saw that one there to, but its not a gravel bike is it ? 17 inch front wheel and all ?

[dino3310]

great bike Quasi, a set of crashbars would be a must for gravel. as an ADV tourer she'd be a minta, not as much power as the big bangers but a shit load easier to pick up, i wouldnt mind one in the shed next to the XR

[DR650gary]

yeah I saw that one there to, but its not a gravel bike is it ? 17 inch front wheel and all ?

I dunno :scratch:

works ok for me :2thumbsup

Maybe I don't go fast enough :innocent:

I have fitted crash bars, 2 waterproof accessory sockets and 2 buzzers for the indicators as I'm too thick to remember to turn them off :facepalm:

Just want an alloy plate to protect the motor from flying rocks as they do spin up a bit.

Check out http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/

and http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/

You may think differently.

Never going to be a competitor to a well set up adventure bike, but no bike will ever completely tick all multi purpose boxes.

I sold the Dr as I spent more time on the bitumen than gravel but can still do the gravel, but do need much better tyres for sand!

[thepom]

Quasievil is right on the button,I do believe it has an 18 inch front wheel, I,m after one if I can trade my blackbird in as I have sold my africa twin and think this is the ideal gravel road bike,not ktm mental power wise but smooth as with the extra suspension and long tank range needed for a good dual purpose roads.Of course you keep the light weight :innocent: off road bike in the manshed till needed......

[Old Grant]

I've got one in my shed too, had it for about two years now and love it. Previously I had a 2005 650 which was marginally better in the rough. The 700 is superior on the seal and has more power. I have fitted Mitas E07's that are good on gravel and dirt. They are also good on the seal and the rear is good for about 7000kms. I have Hepco&Becker crash bars, pannier racks and heated grips. These bikes are bullet proof and very comfortable. Hard to beat at the price.

[Quasievil]

Right Im almost SOLD.
See what they will give me for a trade in

I like it to look at its growing on me and speaks to me, it says "take me away let go and see some sights mate"

I like the way it talks

Its the gold colour which is growing on me to actually

right back to the tele

[DR650gary]

Ridem both!

[pete-blen]

What about a BMW F650.. the 800cc twin version
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-396529384.htm

[DR650gary]

What about a BMW F650.. the 800cc twin version
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-396529384.htm

They look nice.

[Padmei]

Talking to a mate who has one the other day. He loves his- does everything he wants it to do with Honda reliabilty. Gold too.

I remember seeing those in the shops when I was looking for my 08 KLR. It was nearly $7K more tho. I believe they hold their price well.

[warewolf]

Im wanting something for long distance touring and a bit of gravel, moleworth, rainbow type stuff, nothing to hard
Also I want comfort and something ok two upThe Trannie would do the job well. A weakness like the Dominator and all similar bikes, as soon as you add road bike style fairings you don't want to be dropping it like a trail bike. But it'll do the road & pillioning bits better than a single trailie.

The Tedium, well it's more of a road rocket than the Trannie, but I don't know that I could pick between them for your stated usage.

[DR650gary]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-404480329.htm

[Gremlin]

Right Im almost SOLD.
See what they will give me for a trade in
It's not like you'll keep it long anyway, going by how quickly you've got bored of the last few :Pokey:

[timg]

TA's are great bikes for the use you describe. Good on the road, good on gravel and well formed tracks. Too big and soft for really gnarley adventuring. I had a 2007 650 for 4 years and loved that bike. Fine for 2 up touring with full luggage. Fine for long 600km + days. A really comfortable and capable adventurer tourer. The only reason I sold mine was to get a more enduro focused bike more in keeping with some of the outa the way places and tracks I seem to find my self enjoying. When I get sick of that I wouldn't hesitate to get another TA. Cheers.

[Quasievil]

It's not like you'll keep it long anyway, going by how quickly you've got bored of the last few :Pokey:

Eh I had the R1 for 18 months thats a record bro !

[Quasievil]

TA's are great bikes for the use you describe. Good on the road, good on gravel and well formed tracks. Too big and soft for really gnarley adventuring. I had a 2007 650 for 4 years and loved that bike. Fine for 2 up touring with full luggage. Fine for long 600km + days. A really comfortable and capable adventurer tourer. The only reason I sold mine was to get a more enduro focused bike more in keeping with some of the outa the way places and tracks I seem to find my self enjoying. When I get sick of that I wouldn't hesitate to get another TA. Cheers.

Thanks mate appreciate your view
I went two up today and really didnt even notice the passenger at all, I tweaked the suspension a tad to allow for it and I was very impressed.
Now to sell my R1 !!

[Pampera]

I rode this and it seems to fit the bill

issues I see is lots of plastic to break and thats about it

whats your views on these bikes ?

here is the link to the one im thinking about

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-403577854.htm

I think others have covered it pretty well. However the 700 was a step further away from gravel and rough stuff capability than the previous 650 (and reduced fuel range) and they do not seem to sell at all well in NZ.

Good news for you is that because they have sold so poorly the price has now been slashed. Honda wanted over $17,000 when they first came out, no good at that price and few sold. You can now get a brand new 2008 for $14,500 so $13,000 for your used one could probably be negotiated down significantly and be really good value.

Good luck!

Michael

[kiwifruit]

Just buy an mx5 and be done with it!

[DR650gary]

Thanks mate appreciate your view
I went two up today and really didnt even notice the passenger at all, I tweaked the suspension a tad to allow for it and I was very impressed.
Now to sell my R1 !!

Try 2 up on the TDM.

That one in Hamilton has a lot of expensive extras, GIVI's I think. More than enough capacity.

If you want hard gravel and a few tracks, neither the TDM of the Honda will cut the mustard. Someone on here was trying to move a KTM adventure bike. He may want an R1 for commuting :innocent:

Have a read of this thread. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132946-Transalp-project

A TDM, modern Transalp, V strom and even a Tiger would all need a bit of fiddling with to make suitable for rough stuff. The plastic looks nice but will not survive long if dropped.

[drbandit]

Thanks mate appreciate your view
I went two up today and really didnt even notice the passenger at all, I tweaked the suspension a tad to allow for it and I was very impressed.
Now to sell my R1 !!

Go for it!! I bought one 2 years ago.. even after all the internet ante hype..
It is way more capable than all the reports suggest.
I recon it is a great real world NZ adventure bike.. You need to be able to get to the gravel.. (so need a good road capable bike.) Once you get there it is great for up to trail riding... but I think that is a lot to do with the rider..
Check out http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=919179

Cheers

[thepom]

I,ve got a 99 blackbird willing to swap for a TDM 900 if anyone knowsanyone interested....

[DR650gary]

I,ve got a 99 blackbird willing to swap for a TDM 900 if anyone knowsanyone interested....


http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-359296440.htm

Maybe try this guy. He has been listing off and on for months. There is also a guy in Blenheim who pops up from time to time. Overpriced but reality may be setting in.

I found doing a deal with the dealer a not unpleasant experience as bikes are not selling fast for them either.

This is a long ride for you if they'll do a deal but they have also had it a while.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-386033703.htm

[thepom]

Cheers for the info and I have them both on my watch list,I like the one with the luggage .........if I can only sell the bird.....:facepalm:

[DR650gary]

Cheers for the info and I have them both on my watch list,I like the one with the luggage .........if I can only sell the bird.....:facepalm:

Ask them for a trade in price. I sold my 07 DR to a dealer for more than I paid 6 months earlier. The TDM is a very under rated bike in this country, as in some others, so most dealers start to regret the deal 5 minutes after they have traded one. You may be very surprised at what they offer for the Blackbird as they are a Honda dealer from memory. I assume yours is the blue 1999 in Christchurch so the k's may put them off, but you are the cheapest on Trademe. Good luck.

[thepom]

This is mine......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=409060446

[DR650gary]

This is mine......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=409060446

Nice bike and low k's. Interesting dialogue ncluded.

Won't hurt to ask about a trade. Low enough k's and price.

Good luck and whenever it happens, you'll love the TDM.

Cheers