Transalp 2008, thoughts

[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

[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

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/moto...-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

Have a read of this thread. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ansalp-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/moto...-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/moto...-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.....

[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.....

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/List...x?id=409060446

[DR650gary]

This is mine......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?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