1997 Honda Transalp

[DrDarkMatter]

hi guys, I am looking for thoughts and experiences on these bikes. I am riding a 1997 BMW F650ST single Cyl as a commuter from Waikanae to Welly every day. Love the bike but it does have some drawbacks.

Out of the blue I had a chance to ride a 1997 Honda Transalp and absolutely loved it. It was smoother, faster, more comfortable and handling was significantly better than the F650 IMHO.

I am looking for some thoughts and experiences with the transalp please , particularly if you used in as a commuter.


thanks

[Aslan]

Paging XPatty aka James R to the courtesy 'phone - he has commuted on a 2006 T/A from Kapiti and clocked over 200,000KM

These machines have a strong following of enthusiasts

[XP@]

Hi,
I've been commuting from levin on my 2006 xl650v Transalp for the last 5 years. It's done 210,000kms and is still going strong! I have just replaced the rear shock and some rocker cover gaskets but apart from routine maintenance not much effort. I was on a funduro before the TA and would never go back. Over the last few years iv looked for newer / better bikes but haven't managed to find one.
The 600 you are looking at is a few years older, a Damn good bike, but I would also look at the one in Dunedin it's newer and low kms for a transalp.
If you are interested in looking at the 650 then make Wednesday night free and come along to dressmart tawa where the coneheads play (moto gymkhana practice)

[DrDarkMatter]

Hi,
I've been commuting from levin on my 2006 xl650v Transalp for the last 5 years. It's done 210,000kms and is still going strong! I have just replaced the rear shock and some rocker cover gaskets but apart from routine maintenance not much effort. I was on a funduro before the TA and would never go back. Over the last few years iv looked for newer / better bikes but haven't managed to find one.
The 600 you are looking at is a few years older, a Damn good bike, but I would also look at the one in Dunedin it's newer and low kms for a transalp.
If you are interested in looking at the 650 then make Wednesday night free and come along to dressmart tawa where the coneheads play (moto gymkhana practice)

awesome, thank you very much. I will look the the one in Dunedin, and will try to get to dressmart

[Waihou Thumper]

Nice to hear from a rider that endorses the bike :)
That one in Wellington looks nice though....Real nice. :yes:

[DrDarkMatter]

Nice to hear from a rider that endorses the bike :)
That one in Wellington looks nice though....Real nice. :yes:

ya thats the one I took for a long spin saturday, 10,000 miles on it and I can get a decent trade in on my F650

[Transalper]

I also went from a 2000 F650gs to a '96 Transalp and would never go back.
A bit hard to get some parts for the older Tarnsalp now though, carby bits like needles at least.
General maintenance not an issue.

[DrDarkMatter]

I also went from a 2000 F650gs to a '96 Transalp and would never go back.
A bit hard to get some parts for the older Tarnsalp now though, carby bits like needles at least.
General maintenance not an issue.

hi, Interesting, so you found you liked the same differences as me or are there others?

hows the gas mileage? I was getting 360...ish before hitting reserve in the F650

thanks

[dino3310]

i know a chap in auckland who can get hard to get carb parts ;)

[DrDarkMatter]

i know a chap in auckland who can get hard to get carb parts ;)

nice man, I will certainly keep that in mind :D

thank you!!

[timg]

I had a 2007 Transalp from new. I did just under 50,000km in the 4 years I had it. These are awesome bikes. Comfortable long distance cruising with great luggage capacity, excellent in back country shingle roads, a bit soft and heavy for some of the more adventurous adventure rides but can easily do it with a bit of care and the right tyres. As happy as in town & commuting. These bikes are great all-rounders. Cheers.

[DrDarkMatter]

I had a 2007 Transalp from new. I did just under 50,000km in the 4 years I had it. These are awesome bikes. Comfortable long distance cruising with great luggage capacity, excellent in back country shingle roads, a bit soft and heavy for some of the more adventurous adventure rides but can easily do it with a bit of care and the right tyres. As happy as in town & commuting. These bikes are great all-rounders. Cheers.

thanks mate, just what I wanted to hear lol

there is a stunning 2007 I see in palmy but I dont have the cash! :(

[Underground]

Has this one been sold? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=694155776
We had a look at it on the way through to start the tt2000 and it is amazing! absolutely showroom, doesnt even look like its been washed, just polished with a soft cloth! Never seen an adv bike in that condition that hasnt come straight out of the crate.

[gammaguy]

and the tranny is much easier on chains

ooer that sounds dodgy......:innocent:

[DrDarkMatter]

Has this one been sold? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=694155776
We had a look at it on the way through to start the tt2000 and it is amazing! absolutely showroom, doesnt even look like its been washed, just polished with a soft cloth! Never seen an adv bike in that condition that hasnt come straight out of the crate.


ya mate, I agree, its almost new, this is the one I have on "hold" while the wife and I are in ...................negotiations lol

[Skinny_Birdman]

hi guys, I am looking for thoughts and experiences on these bikes. I am riding a 1997 BMW F650ST single Cyl as a commuter from Waikanae to Welly every day. Love the bike but it does have some drawbacks.

Out of the blue I had a chance to ride a 1997 Honda Transalp and absolutely loved it. It was smoother, faster, more comfortable and handling was significantly better than the F650 IMHO.

I am looking for some thoughts and experiences with the transalp please , particularly if you used in as a commuter.


thanks

Amazed you thought the TA was faster, but otherwise I reckon you are right, having owned both. Having also had a 650 transalp, I would choose the 650 if you are mostly on the road, but the 600 if you are keen on adventuring. The 10000 mile minter is a bit over priced IMHO. Still a 17 year old bike eh?

[DrDarkMatter]

. The 10000 mile minter is a bit over priced IMHO. Still a 17 year old bike eh?

ya it is, but isnt that always the way at a dealership?

[Skinny_Birdman]

True, but if you mainly want it for commuting, buy a 650 as they don't command such a premium price so you will get a newer bike with better brakes and slightly longer legs for the same money.

[caseye]

i know a chap in auckland who can get hard to get carb parts ;)

You do????! could you Pm me some details.

[dino3310]

this fella here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Profile.aspx?member=106097
his names alec saunders.... top bloke and he nows his stuff

this is his website, some off it is still under construction so theres a lot of stock not on there, but flick him an email and he'll sort it
http://www.smebike.info/

last year some chap in the usa couldnt find a part over there so after seeing his post on ADVrider i put him on to alec and 2 weeks later he had his part:Punk:

[whatastoner]

If the TA in the Hutt is still available, don't hesitate, buy it. We saw it on the way to the TT2000. Beautiful bike. They put new tyres on it too!

[Waihou Thumper]

If the TA in the Hutt is still available, don't hesitate, buy it. We saw it on the way to the TT2000. Beautiful bike. They put new tyres on it too!

I was e-mailed with an option of buying...I would definitely grab it .....
Of course I said no thanks....I only have one kidney left so decided to make do with the aprilia etc...:)

[Motu]

his names alec saunders.... top bloke and he nows his stuff

He used to have a bike shop in Marua Rd, shut down many years ago. He invented a vacuum valve grinding tool, but of course in this day and age they are little used, a classic case of a good idea at the wrong time. He has them on his website - I've had mine for many years, and only used it a handful of times....but it's good when I do use it.