XL700V Transalp - Doble Motorcycles

XL700V TransalpWhat the press say...In October 2007 Honda presented thelong-awaited NEW HONDA TRANSALPto the European press in the South ofFrance. The British press contingentrode from Monaco, into Italy, up intothe French Alps and over the highestpaved road in Europe – The Col de laBonette – really putting the 700cc twinthrough its paces.Here’s what they thought of it...

XL700V Transalp What the press say...T.W.OJan 2008 John Cantlie20 years of refinement means this Honda isnothing if not built to last, and I wager youcould throw this fella down the road at leastfive times before you actually needed to fixanything more than brake levers.The exhaust note thuds along pleasinglybehind you, the mid range power issurprisingly plump, and gauged purely on themerits of its engine the new Transalp is a bigstep forward. The Transalp is incredible easy toride and extremely comfortable over distancelong and short....I turned the Transalp off-road and wentfor a blaze through some high mountainmeadows. The XL was surprisingly agile andwe jumped, slid and bunny-hopped our wayover the grass at high velocity.The handling is very good indeed for a bikeof this nature, no complaints in this departmentat all. The Transalp is tall enough that dirt roadsand potholes simply aren’t an issue, whilebeing short enough that you don’t need awinch just to get on the thing and the handlingisn’t top-heavy or compromised by it.£5499 on the road. Bloody hell, that’s propercheap. It never ceases to amaze me howmuch bike you get for your money these daysand while any owners of old Transalps shouldimmediately upgrade to this version, plenty ofother riders who are looking at the AdventureSports category now have a new option toinvestigate. It’s a Honda, so it will run foreverand since it’s got 20 years of refinementbehind it nothing will fall off either.Daily Telegraph27 Oct 2007 Kevin AshComfort is good, the reach to the ground iseasier for shorter riders and the ride quality is alot better than the V-Strom’s. In particular, theTransalp steers as well as any motorcycle I’veridden. The tyres are unusually high in profile,at 90 per cent of width, and this, accordingto technical development manager DaveHancock, improves the low-speed steeringand no doubt helps the ride quality too.Certainly it’s possible to stop the bike, turn thebars to full lock, then trickle around in a tightcircle with no hint of wobble or any need todab a foot, while at higher speeds it remainsperfectly neutral with exemplary stability,considerably better than its obvious rivals. Itdoesn’t flick from side to side like a sportsbike, but still deals with successive hairpinswith a relaxed handling response that’s just asrewarding. Its sheer manageability makes itideal as a first big bike for novice riders, as wellas a good choice for the rest of us. Honda’sexcellent ABS comes as standard, too, whichwill also encourage the inexperienced.Although the Transalp owes a lot to the oldversion technically, visually it’s been broughtforward the full two decades and now lookslike a thoroughly modern, lean and appealingmotorcycle. If there was an issue with the oldone, it was that it was such a cult machinewith such dated looks that those who didn’tquite get it wouldn’t have gone near one. Nowthe dedicated Transalpian will still be happy(fuel range aside), but many more will findthemselves drawn to its exceptionally easy rideand its head-turning style.Motorcycle Sport & LeisureJan 2008 Chris MossIt‘s been 20 years since the Transalp first hitour shores and to celebrate it passing thattwo-decade milestone, Honda has introducedan all-new version. After spending a long dayon one in the French Alps, I’d say that targethas been reached. Although it’s not the mostexciting thing you’re ever going to throw yourleg over, the Transalp is very much a real worldbike, well suited to a variety of everyday tasks....I was quickly won over by the Honda’sease and manageability. If you can’t get onwith this fuss-free machine, then motorcyclingis too much of a challenge for you. Two

wheeled life doesn’t get much easier than itdoes aboard the Transalp.SuperbikeJan 2008 Alan DowdesThe new XL700V is a dashed capable littlebike. Honda’s given it a big chunk of extra fun,and a load more capability, average tank rangeaside. It’s sharper and easier in town too. Itshould give the class leader – Suzuki’s V-Strom650 – a good run for its money, and Honda’slittle mountaineer lives up to its Alp-hoppingmoniker more than ever.BikeJan 2008 Damon I’AnsonDownhill, damp gravel on the apex bends givethe bike a perfect showcase for its linked ABSbrakes. Whatever you think of such systems itworks here especially when you’re cold and tired.All is civility and of any machine in themid-size adventure bike class, the ‘Alp won’tbe beaten in terms of ease of riding andconfidence. Ally this to amazing physicalcomfort and you should have a perfectlyrelaxing adventure all-rounder......and from everything from back lanesto urban rush-hours, or two-up rides in thehills, the new Transalp is punchy efficiencyincarnate. With its satisfying midrange andeffortless handling it’s certainly a blast in theAlps, if not the fastest thing getting there.The Sun26th Oct 2007 Jane OmorogbeThe clue’s in the bike’s name, Transalp. It’sbeen around for twenty years and now it’ssharper and more agile than ever before....other changes include an all-new 52-degree V-twin lump that’s had a capacity hiketo 680cc. This third generation engine wasdeveloped for the 2006 Honda Deauville andwhilst it’s not loin stirring stuff, it is nippy andresponsive, with plenty of engine braking. Thefive speed gearbox is faultless and smooth...In fact, the 17.5 litre tank and absence of acentre stand as standard, are the only minorcomplaints with a bike that’s so typicallyHonda, i.e. : typically good.RiDEJan 2008 Emma FranklinFew bikes get to see their 20th anniversary letalone get updated for it. Emissions laws havekilled-off many a struggling model over thepast couple of years, but they’ve not claimedthe Transalp. Honda’s middleweight adventurebike goes into 2008 with a refreshed chassisand a stronger, cleaner engine. It backs up thetheory that good bikes don’t die.Despite being slimmer and smaller than theprevious model, the tank, in conjunction withthe mini screen, does a great job of deflectingthe windblast. Plastic hand covers not onlyadd to the adventure sport style, but also keephands and levers nicely protected and themirrors work well....wheelbase increase has resulted in anincredibly stable bike, especially in higher speedsituations. There’s no hint of a wobble on themotorway ...a low centre of mass, wide barsand a slim seat make low speed control a joy.Honda has fitted this year’s Transalp withlinked ABS brakes and they provide brilliantpeace of mind, especially when applying thefront brake on the cold roads of the Col de laBonnet.

MCNOct 24th 2007 Adam ChildApart from the tank range it’s hard to finda fault with the new Transalp. It’s funky, themotor has enough poke, it’s fun in the lowergears, will cruise along all day at 80-85 mphand handles far better than it should. It’salso easy to ride, has great brakes, a smoothgearbox, is great around town and there areplenty of accessories. It’s not the most excitingbike, but it’s got a lot going for it.TBMNov 2007 Si Melber. . . the Transalp can be pointed up a graveltrack and then just gets on with it. Thesuspension (which is fairly firm to begin with)doesn’t crash through its stroke, the bikedoesn’t rattle or complain about the poundingit’s taking, and you don’t ride along with agrimace on your face imagining the damagethat’s being done.On the contrary, Honda was absolutely right– it has been built for it. Not designed for it asits primary purpose, but built to cope with therigours of off-road tracks, and the hammeringthat comes with riding them, and for thatyou’ve got to salute the Transalp’s integrity.The new fuel-injected larger capacityengine does offer a lovely spread of torqueaccompanied by a smooth off-beat soundtrack,but it’s more about relaxed cruising thanadrenaline-fuelled excitement.What isn’t in any doubt is the efficiency ofHonda’s fuel-injected system. Put simply it’sthe best EFI I’ve ever tried: no glitches, nostalling, a perfectly even idle, and absolutelyfaultless fuelling from the bottom to top.The overriding impression the new Transalpleaves you with, is of a sharply styled andeminently competent middleweight adventuresports machine which has seen improvementsin all key areas.The Transalp has the ability to set free thatsprit of adventure. Its greatest asset is I believeits versatility and accessibility, opening up theworld of adventure touring to virtually anyonewho can ride a bike.XL700V Transalp ABS : £5499Honda Insurance Group : 11EngineLiquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve SOHC 52° V-twinDisplacement 680.2cm 3Bore x Stroke81 x 66mmCompression Ratio 10: 1Max. Power Output 44.1kW/7,750min-1 (95/1/EC)Max. Torque60Nm/5,500min-1 (95/1/EC)CarburationPGM-FI electronic fuel injectionFuel Tank Capacity 17.5 litres (including 3-litre reserve)Ignition SystemDigital transistorised with electronic advanceStarterElectricTransmission Type 5-speedFrameSemi-double-cradle; box-section steel tubeDimensions (LxWxH) 2,250 x 905 x 1,305mmWheelbase1,515mmCaster Angle 28° 23’Trail111mmSeat Height841mmGround Clearance 177mmKerb Weight219kg (F: 103kg; R: 116kg)Suspension Front 41mm leading-axle telescopic fork, 177mm axle travelRear Pro-Link with adjustable compression damping, 173mm axle travelWheels Front Aluminium rim/wire spokeRear Aluminium rim/Tangentially Located (TL) spokeTyre Size Front 100/90-R19M/C (57H)Rear 130/80-R17M/C (65H)Brakes Front 256 x 4mm dual hydraulic disc with combined three-piston callipers and sintered metal padsRear 240 x 6mm hydraulic disc with combined single-piston calliper and resin mould padsBarley Yellow MetallicCarnelian Red MetallicMoody Blue MetallicAnchor Grey Metallic