Honda has taken the wraps off the much-awaited XL750 Transalp at the EICMA 2022. The motorcycle is the company’s new entrant in the middleweight ADV segment and here’s all you need to know about the new ADV.
- Honda XL750 is based on the same platform as the CB750 Hornet
- The middleweight ADV gets five ride modes
Honda XL750 Transalp: engine and electronics
As we’d expected, the new Honda XL750 Transalp is based on the same platform that underpins the recently launched CB750 Hornet. The Transalp, hence, shares the 755cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with its street-naked sibling. The engine in the Transalp makes 92hp at 9,500rpm and 75Nm at 7,250rpm. These figures are in the vicinity of some of its rivals, like the BMW 850 GS.
And as is the case with some parallel-twin engines these days, the Honda engine has a 270-degree crank. Honda adds that while the Transalp and the Hornet 750 share the same engine, their mappings are different which should lend the Transalp its own, distinct feel.
As far as electronics are concerned, the bike has five modes – Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel and Individual. The latter allows the rider to adjust the 5-step traction control, three-level engine braking and two ABS settings as per preference.
All settings are accessed via the TFT display which also features Bluetooth connectivity.
Honda XL750 Transalp: chassis
The bike employs a diamond steel frame and the company claims it is 10 percent lighter than the CB500X’s frame. In fact, Honda has managed to keep the Transalp’s weight down to 208kg (kerb) and that’s lower in comparison to competitors like the 850GS at 233kg. The frame is suspended by a 43mm, Showa Separate Function Fork-CA, USD fork with 120mm travel and a monoshock with 190mm of travel. You only have preload adjustment at both ends.
As for the steering geometry, there's the 27-degree rake and 111mm trail while the wheelbase stands at 1,560mm. The bike rides on a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear, tube-type wire-spoke wheels, clearly indicating the bike’s off-road intent.
Braking duties are taken care of by twin, 310mm discs at the front with two-piston, axially mounted calipers and a 256mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. Dual-channel ABS is standard with the ability to switch off the rear, while riding off-road to enable the rider to slide the bike.
Honda XL750 Transalp: design and ergonomics
The new Transalp seems to borrow design cues from the Honda Africa Twin and even the CB500X in some areas. In fact, there is a nice balance of form and function, with quintessential ADV design bits like a tall windscreen (non-adjustable), flat surfaces and a minimal tail section. The motorcycle is draped in HRC colours, with the Transalp name running across a major portion of the front fairing. The gold wire-spoke rims add a nice contrast to the colours on the bodywork.
Other functional bits that are visible include a prominent grab rail with what looks like a provision to mount a top box. There’s a massive bash plate that covers most of the engine’s sump and the exhaust pipes in some of the images. These may be part of the accessories list.
As for the ergonomics, the pictures show the rider seated in an upright position, with a comfortable reach to the handlebar. The seat height, however, is tall at 850mm.
Honda XL750 Transalp: availability
The bike will go on sale in international markets soon and Honda is expected to price the bike quite competitively, going by the way it priced the CB750 Hornet. As for plans to launch the bike in India, so far Honda has shared no plans to bring the bike to our shores. If it does, however, launch the Transalp here, the bike will go up against the likes of the BMW 850 GS.