Transalp project

[CRM]

Thought I would share my new project - a 2006 Transalp with 44k that I want to set up as the ultimate go-anywhere long-distance adventure-tourer.

I wanted a bike that will do high mileage as I travel the country several times a year, be comfortable for long days in the saddle, ultra-reliable, economical, capable of any kind of road or pseudo-road and be easy and fun to ride. I toyed with a GS but for my budget I would have had to get a high mileage - plus I didn't really want or need the weight and extra size.

The Transalp already has been set up quite nicely:

• Heavy duty clutch
• Scottoiler
• Michelin T63 tyres
• Power outlet for accessories

I've bought a compressor which fits under the seat along with tool kit, tyre repair stuff, tyre levers, tape, syphon kit, rags, spare lever (heaps of room under there!)

I've thought about different tyres but the T63's are actually great performing on the road (I had one on the back of my XR600 when I did the South Island on that) and very good offroad. They will wear rather fast but they aren't that expensive so that's the trade-off of go-anywhere tyres.

I got a Ventura rack off trade-me with a nearly new bag for $60 and that bolts on to the top of the Transalp rack using top-box connectors (no need for the expensive Ventura brackets). So I can use my big Ventura bag and Oxford soft saddlebags and Ventura tank-bag for long-distance touring, and the smaller Ventura bag for around town, or take the rack off and just use the panniers for more hard-core adventures.

Other things to do:

• Better bars (originals are a bit rusty - prefer CR High-bend MX style)
• Replace the back indicators with something less vulnerable
• Some crash-knobs to try to protect the fairing (already has a couple of minor cracks)
• Maybe a centre-stand
• A Staintune pipe for bit more performance and less weight (very much on wish-list)

Any other suggestions?

Clive

[Waihou Thumper]

Any other suggestions?

Clive

Clive, you have had some perfectly capable bikes for ADV riding......even road and trail...whatever you do to this bike will be a personal preference.....
There is a wealth of information on here that is NOT bike specific....Maybe start there. You have already done things to other bikes, adapt and carry on for the Honda....
Good luck.....

[thepom]

why not go for an older 600? ...........

[Padmei]

Looks good CRM. All you need is the gps & you're all good to go.
Is th ecompressor for your queensize blow up airbed?

[CRM]

why not go for an older 600? ...........

This one came up for a good price ($6k) and its a one owner bike, fully serviced by Honda dealers. The guy who had it used it for adventure touring with his wife on the back and looked after it well mechanically although it's got some scratches and marks (which is why it was a good price). There was so little to do on it, plus I love the way it handles I didn't look any further. Everything else I'd seen in my price range was either way older or way higher mileage or both. Reliability is a big factor so the newer the better as far as I'm concerned (although I prefer the 650 to the 700 as the 700 only has a 19" front wheel and carries more weight - more akin to a V-Strom).

[CRM]

Looks good CRM. All you need is the gps & you're all good to go.
Is th ecompressor for your queensize blow up airbed?

Yep - that's under the seat too.

Actually I had some compressed air canisters but seeing there was so much room and a power outlet I thought I'd go for the compressor, so when I get to somewhere I need to deflate for it's an easy job to go up to road pressure again (plus for flats of course). I'm thinking I'll need a centre stand if I'm going to attempt tyre changes - she's a bit heavy to prop up with a few sticks.

[junkmanjoe]

no matter what anyone else say............build it how you want it, hop on it and ride it how you want to go where you want to and enjoy your creation.

JMJ

[CRM]

Add to wish list:
- GPS (I'll get away with the one on my iPhone for on-road stuff at least for now)
- Heated grips (or heated gloves http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=344419608 - anybody tried these?)
- Off-road footpegs (actually got a pair with the bike - just need to fit)
- Haynes manual

[CRM]

no matter what anyone else say............build it how you want it, hop on it and ride it how you want to go where you want to and enjoy your creation.

JMJ

Yeah I'm itching to get it out in the back-blocks and see how it goes. It feels just like a big Honda trail bike - maybe my confidence will fade a little when I get it in a tight spot.

A mate came round yesterday on his XR600 and took the Trans for a ride to compare. The XR is about 30mm taller (good for me being 5'9ish and him being 6'3") but of course the TA is way more comfy and smoother than the XR6. With similar gearing (his is geared up for the road) he thought power felt about the same. Of course with the extra 40-50kg weight in the TA it's not as quick to loft the front but it's handling is very nimble and flickable. It doesn't feel heavy at all when you are riding and it's very easy to balance at low speed (mind you I've been riding a VFR for the last 10 months).

[junkmanjoe]

one thing i noticed about riding different weight bikes on gravel, i rather have a heaver bike, as they seam to sit better and not so skitty on the gravel, better planted in the corners..
kinda feel a bit safer...

JMJ

[buggsubique]

The motors on these are great.

I know mine's an AT, but similar bikes really...(ie big vtwin, offroadable).

If you can aford it, get some intiminators for the front shocks. I can't afford, but they are apparently worth the bikes weight in gold and fix the shocks up a bit.

Engine bars are a must. You will feel a lot better when they snap instead of your fairings.

Carry a spare brake and clutch lever in your tool kit.

Trim the bottom of your rear mud guard off. A good sized hit will likely force the back wheel into it as it is.

Check your regulator / rectifier connections for heat damage depending on accessory loading. You can get heavy duty ones imported for a hundy or so.

Usual check of wheel bearings, don't be shy to tap some new ones in with fresh grease....I didn't and ground to a halt in the Rainbow...

I'd love to get a TA and Trailbike-ify it. But that's just the mongrel in me...

[CRM]

one thing i noticed about riding different weight bikes on gravel, i rather have a heaver bike, as they seam to sit better and not so skitty on the gravel, better planted in the corners..
kinda feel a bit safer...

JMJ

Yeah I think you're probably right. My XR600 was awesome in gravel though and they are fairly light - it did dance around quite a bit though. A narrow front tyre and 21" wheel is hugely better than smaller wider one like on a V-Strom as it will dig down instead of floating across the top. I really don't like the feel of that...

[CRM]

The motors on these are great.

I know mine's an AT, but similar bikes really...(ie big vtwin, offroadable).

If you can aford it, get some intiminators for the front shocks. I can't afford, but they are apparently worth the bikes weight in gold and fix the shocks up a bit.

Engine bars are a must. You will feel a lot better when they snap instead of your fairings.

Carry a spare brake and clutch lever in your tool kit.

Trim the bottom of your rear mud guard off. A good sized hit will likely force the back wheel into it as it is.

Check your regulator / rectifier connections for heat damage depending on accessory loading. You can get heavy duty ones imported for a hundy or so.

Usual check of wheel bearings, don't be shy to tap some new ones in with fresh grease....I didn't and ground to a halt in the Rainbow...

I'd love to get a TA and Trailbike-ify it. But that's just the mongrel in me...

Thanks for the tips - I wondered about suspension upgrades. I guess I'll push it to it's limits and then think about what it needs in that department. Just noticed that the rear rotor has a crack in it so that will need replacing - it's fairly worn os must have been original. The front ones seem much better - presumably been replaced at some stage.

I'm reluctant about engine bars. I had them on my VStrom and they were just so fugly and heavy and awkward. That's why I'm wondering about crash-knobs - probably less protection but at least should protect in a drop. Also the fairings have already had a few knocks so I'm not overly protective of them as if they were spotless. I may regret that...

Took the GF (wife) on the back today out to the beach. She liked it - said it was the most comfortable bike I've owned

[NordieBoy]

one thing i noticed about riding different weight bikes on gravel, i rather have a heaver bike, as they seam to sit better and not so skitty on the gravel, better planted in the corners..
kinda feel a bit safer...

JMJ

The smoothest ride I've done through the Maungatapu was with a lightish teenager on the back.
Just pushed the bike into the ground nicely without too much extra weight.

[CRM]

I've attached the ventura rack just using a couple of brackets. Works well and easy to remove totally if required. Pictures show the Scottoiler mounted behind the fairing and the cracked rear disk . I have a new one to fit as soon as I get a moment or two. The other shot shows the crack in the fairing from previous owners adventures. I'm wondering whether just squirting a bit of glue in might stop more cracking.

Anybody tried crash-knobs on a Transalp? Not sure where the best place to attach them would be. Maybe on my knees and elbows? Better still just not fall off I guess