The new XL750 Transalp leads the charge in Honda’s 2023 model announcement. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Your brand-specific dreams of touring mountain passes or roving over gravel on a middleweight ADV from Honda will very soon have a chance to become reality, as Big Red has just pulled the wraps off of its new 2023 XL750 Transalp. This new edition bridges the gap between the commuter-friendly smaller displacement CB500X and do-it-all CRF1100L Africa Twin adventure motorcycle.
The Transalp will make quick work of mountain roads and switchbacks. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Transalp name. The original Transalp was first introduced in 1986 with a 583cc V-twin which grew into a 680cc mill with fuel injection in 2008. The new XL750 Transalp is a modern take on the classic but will use the all-new 755cc parallel-twin engine, the same that’s seen on the new CB750 Hornet.
“With our new Transalp we looked hard at what made the first model so good and wanted to strike the right balance between urban agility, long-distance on-road touring comfort, and off-road ability. In arriving where we are, we have considered all these aspects in a ‘360 degree’ way, and created a bike that gives riders of all experience levels a fresh new option in the Honda range.” –Masatoshi Sato, Transalp Large Project Leader, Honda R&D, Japan. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Each of the two 87mm pistons move through a 63.5mm stroke and sound off to a 270-degree firing order. Max power output is 67.5KW (or 90.5 hp) at 9,500 rpm and 75 Nm (or 55.3 lb-ft.) at 7,250 rpm.
Fuel consumption is claimed to be 23 km/L (or 54.1 mpg). An impressive 242-mile range is not out of the question from the 4.5-gallon fuel tank. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
According to Honda Motor Europe, the engine is compact because it’s equipped with the same Unicam head used on the CRF450R. The engine’s primary drive gear also serves double duty by spinning the balance shaft, no balancer drive gear needed. Additionally, there’s no need for a water-cooled oil-cooler because the water pump is tucked away inside the left engine cover.
The assist and slipper clutch will come in handy on tight switchbacks; Honda says clutch drag is reduced by 30 percent, which contributes to easier shifting. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Another concept pulled from Honda’s CRF450R, as well as the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, is a nickel-silicon carbide (Ni-SiC) coating on the cylinders which is said to increase the engine’s efficiency.
Tap into the Gravel ride mode for off-road terrain. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
A number of electronic rider aids work with the long-distance-touring-tuned throttle-by-wire system. There are five ride modes, Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel, and User, which incorporate different combinations of engine power, engine braking, ABS, and Honda Selectable Torque Control with wheelie control. Those last two can be turned off.
The Tricolour design gives a nod to the original XL600V. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
But the tech doesn’t end there. The view from the cockpit includes a 5-inch TFT display that has bold fonts and easy-to-read information. Honda also equipped the Transalp with its Smartphone Voice Control system, which gives the rider control over calls, messages, music, and navigation. A helmet-mounted headset and a smartphone that can connect to the bike via Bluetooth are needed. The lleft switchgear can also be used to manage this system and main menus. All lighting is LED and turn signals cancel automatically.
A nice safety feature included in the lighting package is that the rear indicators have an Emergency Stop Signal function (ESS for short) that flashes the indicators to warn following motorists of especially hard braking.
The 5-inch TFT has bold easy-to-read fonts. Less time looking down to read the dash means more time looking up at the Alps. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
As for brakes, the Transalp is fitted with two-piston calipers up front pinching two 310mm wave discs and a single-piston caliper/256mm disc combo out back. Off-road-ready 21- and 18-inch tube tires are looped around stainless steel spoked rims.
A standard windscreen deflects wind and minimizes turbulence. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Dual rotors up front suggest some great stopping power. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Honda says it’s optimized the steel diamond frame’s pipe thickness and stiffness while keeping it lightweight; for comparison, it’s 10 percent lighter than the CB500X’s according to the manufacturer. On the topic of lightness, the swingarm uses the same castings as the Africa Twin, but is made of aluminum, exclusive to the Transalp.
The Transalp rides on Showa suspension, namely a 43mm Separate Function Fork-Cartridge (SFF-CA) and a remote-reservoir shock. Both are adjustable for preload. The front offers 7.9 inches of travel; the rear has 7.5 inches.
Cargo can be loaded onto the standard rear carrier. Need to recharge your device? There’s a USB socket under the seat. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
The exhaust is designed to sound great at both the low- and top-end. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
It’s design gives a nod to the Transalp of the past. Honda says its R&D designers followed the principle of “Friendly Toughness.” (Honda/Lulop.com/)
2023 Honda XL750 Transalp Technical Specifications
| PRICE: |
TBD |
| ENGINE: |
755cc, OHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves per cylinder |
| BORE x STROKE: |
87.0 x 63.5mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: |
11.0:1 |
| FUEL DELIVERY: |
Fuel injection |
| CLUTCH: |
Wet multiplate assist slipper clutch |
| TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: |
6-speed/chain |
| CLAIMED HORSEPOWER: |
90.5 hp @ 9,500 rpm |
| CLAIMED TORQUE: |
55.3 lb.-ft. @ 7,250 rpm |
| FRAME: |
Steel diamond |
| FRONT SUSPENSION: |
43mm Showa SFF-CA USD fork; 7.9-in. travel |
| REAR SUSPENSION: |
Monoshock, adjustable for preload; 7.5-in. travel |
| FRONT BRAKE: |
Two-piston calipers, dual 310mm wave disc w/ ABS |
| REAR BRAKE: |
Single-piston caliper, 256mm wave disc w/ ABS |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: |
Stainless steel spoked wheels; 21 in. / 18 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR: |
TBD; 90/90-21 / 150/70-18 |
| RAKE/TRAIL: |
27.0°/4.4 in. |
| WHEELBASE: |
61.4 in. |
| GROUND CLEARANCE: |
8.2 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT: |
33.5 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY: |
4.5 gal. |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: |
459 lb. |
| WARRANTY: |
TBD |
| AVAILABLE: |
TBD |
| CONTACT: |
powersports.honda.com |
Seat height is already a reasonable 33.5 inches, but the Transalp can get lower with the low seat option bringing it down to 32.3inches. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
The Honda XL750 Transalp in Ross White Tricolour. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
The Honda XL750 Transalp in Mat Ballistic Black Metallic. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
The Honda XL750 Transalp in Matte Iridium Gray Metallic. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
There are 5 different groupings of accessory packages to make decking out the Transalp easy: Urban Pack, Touring Pack, Adventure Pack, Rally Pack, and Comfort Pack. Accessories are also available to purchase separately. (Honda/Lulop.com/)
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
