Honda presents the brand new Honda XL750 Transalp: will it be able to reach new adventurous goals by continuing the path traced by the versions still in circulation today?
So much more technology for travel comfort and performance worthy of the Transalp name. The new Japanese mileage grinder promises a lot and looks beautiful at EICMA 2022. Will it oust the Ténéré 700?
Its 8-valve parallel twin engine develops 92 CV (67,5 kW) and 75 Nm, values at the top of the category, the throttle Throttle By Wire offers 5 Riding Modes including a fully customizable, 5 levels of traction control HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) integrated with wheelie control, 3 power delivery levels and 3 levels of engine brake.
The very solid steel frame houses high quality and effective Showa suspension. There inverted fork SFF-CA with 43 mm diameter stems and the rear shock absorber with Pro-Link linkage they absorb any roughness and deliver great safety driving, thanks also to the brakes, with large 310 mm diameter discs with two-piston calipers for super-modular and natural braking action. And with the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels there is no path that cannot be taken.
The premium equipment also includes a dashboard 5 inch color TFT with HSVCs connectivity (Honda Smartphone Voice Control system), full-LED headlights, direction indicators with automatic deactivation and with emergency braking signaling (ESS, Emergency Stop Signal). In the end, for A2 license holders, the 35 kW version is available.
Content index:
Introduction
The first Transalp, presented in 1986 with a 583 cc V-twin engine, has become nothing short of legendary. Its build quality and timeless design are testified by the many specimens still circulating on European roads today.
At the time, its ambition was to be an all-round crossover, easy to handle and comfortable, capable of tackling the roughest terrain thanks to the long travel suspension and a dynamism and lightness that are also ideal for off-road use.
In 2000 came the first important evolution of the engine, which reached 647 cc (XL650V Transalp), and in 2008 the latest version which touched 680 cc (XL700V Transalp), switching to injection electronics, for a total weight with a full tank of 214 kg in the version with ABS.
The Adventure segment has evolved substantially since the Transalp first hit the roads over thirty years ago. Honda has the Superb in its range CB500X, also suitable for A2 license holders, and the flagship of the maxienduros, the extraordinary CRF1100L african twin, also in Adventure Sports version. There was therefore room for a new mid-engined adventure model, which would fit right in between these two engine capacities. The new XL750 Transalp was born precisely with this goal, and with it a legend of what is now called Adventuring is reborn.
The new XL750 Transalp is inspired by the original winning formula and is therefore, like all its ancestors, perfect both for traveling over long distances, for urban journeys and for all other types of routes. He is comfortable with both dealing with the passivated alpine and in raising the dust on off-road routes. To this formula is added a new high-performance engine, an evocative completely new design and all the modern high-level equipment required by today's motorcyclists, even the youngest ones.
A concept that can be summed up in a few words: a motorcycle brilliant and versatile that tackles any distance and any type of route without any problems. There is only one unanswered question: "how far do you want to go?"
This is the comment of Masatoshi Sato, Transalp Large Project Leader, Honda R&D, Japan:
“With the new Transalp we have rethought what made the first model so popular and wanted to find the right balance between urban agility, long-distance comfort and off-road capability. To arrive at the final result, we have considered all these aspects “360 degrees” and have created a bike that offers riders of any level of experience a new option in the Honda range. The look revives the classic Transalp in a modern way, the new engine is incredibly robust and versatile, and the bike boasts a host of interesting features. In the city or around the world: our Transalp is ready! ”.
Model overview
The Transalp's design conveys an unmistakable feeling of adventure, in perfect union with excellent ability to tackle any route. The raised stance reveals its adventurous spirit, while the fairing and windscreen offer protection from the wind while being compact in volume. The new Transalp stands out for its elegant, simple, essential look.
Lightweight and perfectly sized, the engine incorporates Honda's best engineering skills to respond brilliantly to all revs - just what you need for touring, solo or with a passenger. It is a 755cc parallel twin (shared with the new CB750 Hornet) that delivers a peak output of 92 PS (67,5 kW) and high torque throughout the rev range, peaking at 75 Nm. The refined settings of the Throttle By Wire (TBW) system, developed specifically for the Transalp, orient the character of the supply towards tourism and comfort.
The eight-valve Unicam compact distribution, made famous by the CRF range models, uses descending intake ducts and vortex flow ducts to ensure optimal combustion. The 270 ° crankshaft gives excellent sensations and driving character. The electronic driving aids make use of Throttle By Wire (TBW) technology which includes 5 Riding Modes, 4 of which contain preset combinations of power and engine brake, ABS and HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) traction control integrated with the anti soaring. The fifth Riding Mode, “User”, allows the rider to define his own preferred combination.
The bike is manageable, agile and inspires confidence. The steel frame with diamond structure is light thanks to the optimization of the thickness and stiffness of the walls and tubes. For maximum comfort on the road and shock absorption off-road, the best suspension on the market was chosen: SFF-CA inverted fork with 43 mm diameter stanchions and Showa rear shock with Pro-Link linkage. The double two-piston calipers on 310 mm discs ensure efficient braking while the tires - 90 / 90-21 at the front and 150 / 70-18 at the rear - are ideal for offering versatility on the road and excellent handling qualities in off road.
The rich list of features is completed with the 5 ″ color TFT display that reproduces information clearly and allows you to manage all systems, as well as providing the connectivity of the Honda Smartphone Voice Control (HSVC) system for Android and IOS devices . Lighting is guaranteed by full LED headlights; the direction indicators are automatically deactivated and also integrate the emergency braking signaling system ESS (Emergency Stop Signal).
A wide range of accessories, both sporty and touristic, including the Quickshifter electronic gearbox, soft or rigid bags and aesthetic details, to satisfy every owner's preference (the complete list is shown in section 4 dedicated to Accessories).
The XL750 Transalp 2023 will be available in three eye-catching colors, including, of course, the beautiful Tricolor which pays homage to the original XL600V, marking the return of an icon.
- Ross White (Tricolour), with gold-colored rims
- Mat Iridium Gray Metallic
- Mat Ballistic Black Metallic
Main features
Style and equipment
- Fairing and superstructures create a perfect balance between aerodynamic protection, on-road comfort and off-road capability
- Saddle height of 850 mm, USB-C socket and rear rack as standard
- 5 ″ TFT color display with Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVC) connectivity
- Full-LED lights, turn signals with automatic deactivation and with emergency stop signal ESS (Emergency Stop Signal)
In imagining the perfect lines for the bodywork of the new Transalp, the aim of the designers at the R&D center in Rome was to find a balance between aerodynamics and protection from the wind at speed, combined with a sense of lightness and freedom at low speeds. . The design of the new bike is summed up in the concept of 'simplicity and robustness'.
The result is an elegant, simple and clean line, a motorcycle with a gritty “look and feel”, without excesses and with a solid appearance. For maximum visibility and excellent wind protection, the windshield height has been carefully thought out. Its width also minimizes turbulence. A high windshield and upper / lower deflectors are available as accessories.
This bike was built to go the distance, so it's important that it offers great comfort, even with the passenger on board. Seat height is low for the category, 850mm (an 820mm low seat is also available as an option) and the riding position is upright for natural handlebar control and grip. The ergonomics are also comfortable for driving while standing. The rear rack is standard and there is a USB socket under the seat.
The instrumentation features a high visibility 5″ color TFT display which can show the speedometer and rev counter values in four different modes (3 analog and 1 bar, based on the rider's preferences), the fuel gauge and the consumption, the Riding Mode and engine selection parameters, the gear engaged and the customizable shift point on the rev counter. The commands are given via the left electric switch on the handlebar.
The interface also incorporates the Honda Smartphone Voice Control (HSVC) system, which allows the smartphone to be connected to the dashboard via Bluetooth and, via the helmet intercom and handlebar controls, allows the rider to manage voice calls, messages, music and navigator. The system works with both Android and iOS operating systems.
To simplify and miniaturize the entire electrical system, Transalp uses CAN (Controller Area Network) wiring in parallel to a BCU (Body Control Unit). The BCU is located on the left side member of the frame, under the fuel tank and processes all control signals from the ABS modulator, TFT screen and switches.
All lights are LED. The direction indicators are equipped with ESS (Emergency Stop Signal). From 56 km / h, with a minimum deceleration of 6,0 m / s2, the arrows flash quickly to warn other road users of sudden braking. The system is able to recognize low-grip surfaces (wet or dirt) since at the same speed, the minimum intervention threshold is reduced to a deceleration of 2,5 m/s2 if the ABS is working.
The direction indicators also have automatic deactivation: instead of using a simple timer, the system calculates the difference in wheel speed and establishes when to stop signaling based on the circumstances.
Motor
- Parallel twin engine of 755 cc, 8-valve Unicam distribution with 270 ° crank
- Maximum power of 92 hp (67,5 kW) at 9.500 rpm, maximum torque of 75 Nm at 7.250 rpm and 35 kW version for A2 license
- Touring-oriented throttle-by-wire throttle mappings, specific for Transalp
- Patented vortex intake channels (Vortex Air Flow) and optimized exhaust sound
- Assisted clutch with slipper
Starting from a blank sheet, Honda engineers designed an all-new parallel twin engine with the understanding that it would power both the new CB750 Hornet and the highly anticipated XL750 Transalp.
The result is a 755 cc engine with Unicam 8-valve distribution, bore and stroke measurements of 87 x 63,5 mm, with a compression ratio of 11:1. Maximum power is 92 bhp (67,5 kW) at 9.500 rpm, accompanied by exceptional low- and mid-range torque, which reaches a peak of 75 Nm at 7.250 rpm. An engine that makes the bike fun to ride on journeys of all kinds and over all distances, even for less experienced riders.
The extreme compactness and lightness of the new engine is mainly due to the Unicam cylinder head (also adopted by the MXGP world champion CRF450R) which operates the 35,5 mm intake valves (with 9,3 mm lift) via the cams and 29 mm drain (with 8,2 mm lift) by means of rockers.
To make the engine super compact, the balance gear has been eliminated and the primary drive is also used to drive the balancer shaft. The water pump has been positioned in the left crankcase of the engine and the efficiency of the cooling system is such that there is no need for an oil cooler.
For lightning-fast pickup and acceleration, patented Vortex Flow Ducts technology creates a uniform vortex flow from the side intakes into the airbox which then feeds the intake system with vertically flowing ducts. The throttle bodies have a diameter of 46mm. The cylinders are made with a Ni-SiC (nickel with silicon carbide) coating, already successfully adopted on models such as the CRF450R and CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, to increase engine efficiency.
The crankshaft with crank angle at 270° and the ignition with irregular bursts give the engine the unmistakable limp sound of a high-performance twin-cylinder. The exhaust sound is optimized to be very pleasant at low revs and hoarse and powerful at high revs.
The Transalp's TBW (Throttle By Wire) throttle settings have been tuned to achieve an engine character in line with the touring and long distance use for which the Transalp was designed.
The slipper assist and slipper clutch, featuring FCC Leaning Segment (FLS) discs, reduces drag torque by 30% for less lever effort and smoother shifting. In addition, it prevents the rear wheel from losing grip in the most sudden downshifts.
Consumption is 23 km / l in the WMTC medium cycle, for a range of 390 km with a full tank of 16,9 liters. A 35 kW version for A2 driving license is also available.
Engine electronics
- 5 Riding Modes: SPORT, STANDARD, RAIN, GRAVEL and USER (fully customizable)
- 4 power delivery levels (P) and 3 engine brake levels (EB)
- 5 levels of HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) traction control with integrated wheelie control
- The off-road ABS setting allows you to deactivate it at the rear in USER mode only
The throttle with Throttle By Wire (TBW) technology offers 5 Riding Modes as standard: SPORT, STANDARD, RAIN, GRAVEL and USER, which allow you to adjust all the electronics parameters according to the rider's preferences. All settings are made via the left electric switch. The USER mode allows the rider to freely select all parameters in a personalized way.
There are 4 levels of engine power delivery (P), 3 levels of engine brake (EB), 2 levels of ABS and 5 levels of HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) traction control; HSTC and rear ABS can also be deactivated. In the different Riding Modes, the parameters are combined in different configurations to suit the riding style and context. The anti wheelie control is integrated into the HSTC.
The mode SPORTS offers maximum performance and uses power level 4 (P), ABS level 2 (on road), engine brake level 1 (EB) and HSTC traction control level 1.
The mode STANDARD is an intermediate setting for urban driving using power level 3 (P), ABS level 2 (on road), engine brake level 2 (EB) and HSTC traction control level 3.
The mode RAIN it is designed for low grip road conditions and uses level 1 power delivery (P), level 2 ABS (on road), level 2 engine braking and level 5 traction control HSTC.
The mode GRAVE is intended for off-road driving and uses power level 2 (P), ABS level 1 (off road), engine brake level 3 (EB) and HSTC traction control level 4.
The mode USER it allows the rider to freely select all parameters and is the only one in which the rear ABS can be completely deactivated.
Frame and chassis
- Lightweight steel frame with diamond structure and integrated seat post with a total weight of 18,3 kg
- Showa SFF-CA inverted fork with 43 mm stanchions and rear shock absorber with Pro-link linkage; both with adjustable spring preload
- Two-piston front calipers with 310 mm wave discs; single piston rear caliper with 256mm disc
- Combination of 21/18″ wheels with 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tires
The diamond textured steel frame is strong and lightweight; weighs just 18,3 kg (10% less than the CB500X frame, also with diamond structure). Honda engineers have optimized the number of bracing parts, reduced the thickness of the main and down tubes, and modified both the shock absorber top mount and swingarm pivot shape, resulting in an extremely solid platform with ideal balance of stiffness to offer the rider a great feeling of control in all riding conditions and a chassis geometry geared towards agility and safety. Being a touring bike and also intended for off-road use, the seat post frame is designed for heavy-duty use and uses high-strength steel tubes to ensure solidity and sturdiness.
The inclination of the steering head is equal to 27° and projects a trail contained in 111 mm, with a wheelbase of 1.560 mm. The weight with a full tank of petrol is just 208 kg. Low-speed U-turns are easy thanks to the 42° head angle and 2,6m turning radius.
Suspension specifications have been chosen with the concept of an all-rounder in mind, with long travel and excellent shock absorption to deliver smooth performance and comfort on the road and reassuring control off-road. The Showa SFF-CA inverted forkTM (Separate Function Fork-Cartridge) with 43mm diameter stems offers 200mm travel and is adjustable in spring preload. The lower triple clamp is in forged aluminum and the upper one in cast aluminum, for a perfect balance between strength and stiffness in the most diverse driving situations.
With 190mm of wheel travel, the Showa shock absorber with separate reservoir and preload adjustment works with Pro-Link progressive linkage and aluminum swingarm which, while using the same components as the CRF1100L Africa Twin, is built with a type of aluminum alloy exclusive to the Transalp. The ground clearance is 210 mm.
The two-piston calipers work on 310 mm "wave" discs. The 256mm “wave” rear disc is powered by a single-piston caliper. The 21 ”front spoked wheels. and 18 ″ post. they fit 90 / 90-21 and 150 / 70-18 tires Metzeler Karoo Street or Dunlop Mixtour.
Accessories
A wide range of accessories is available for the XL750 Transalp which allows you to fully satisfy your personalization preferences.
To facilitate the choice, the accessories have been grouped into 5 configurations.
Quickshifter, low saddle, rubber tank protections and wheel stickers can be added to all configurations.
URBAN PACKAGE (practicality and load capacity)
50 liter top case with aluminum panel and passenger backrest, top case inner bag, high windshield and center stand.
TOURING PACKAGE (comfort and load capacity)
Side cases (right 26 liters / left 33 liters) with aluminum panels and inner bags, heated grips.
ADVENTURE PACKAGE (style and functionality)
Side impact bars, LED fog lights and radiator grille.
RALLY PACKAGE (style and functionality)
Quickshifter, engine guard tubulars, sump guard, rally footpegs and handguards with extensions.
COMFORT PACKAGE (comfort and practicality)
3 liter tank bag, wind deflectors, comfort passenger footboards and 12V charging socket.
All accessories are also available individually
FOR THE TECHNICAL SHEET CLICK HERE
