The headlines read “Beefed-Up New Honda Transalp SP Launches”.
But is it really anything new?
The Honda Transalp was never really intended to compete with the likes of the Tenere 700 when it came to off-road performance. Even Honda’s own Africa Twin is better equipped, if too heavy for any real of road action.
But plenty of owners do still want to take their Transalp off the pavement. In theory it is for those riders that Honda has built the new Transalp SP.
But what is it really? And is it just another missed opportunity by Honda?
Since it was released the Transalp has won over many fans. Of the new batch of twin cylinder 750 and 800cc bikes it stands up pretty well against the opposition.
The engine makes enough power and the chassis is strong, as a whole package the Transalp is easy to live with. But let us be honest. It is a bit bland and uninspiring, with not many distinguishing features.
It is also lacking in a few key areas for many people.
Tubeless rims and better suspension are the things that have been on the “want it” list for most people I know, and as previously with the CB500X, the Transalp just sits better on the roads despite its look and the cries of “WE WANT BETTER” from the owners.
A Transalp SP – But What Does The SP Mean?
I haven’t heard many people shouting for more power or more electronics or anything else really.
So when I heard about a new SP version of the Transalp I made the mistake of getting my hopes up.
Had they finally built a Rally Raid version of the robust Parallel twin that could really be pushed more off road?
Well, no, not really.
The new SP is pretty much the same girl in a different dress.
We get no more power, which isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for me personally, but straight away it made me think what does the SP in the name actually mean. Because what I expect when I see SP in the name of a bike is more power and better running gear.
So we don’t get more power, but do we get the better running gear? The answer yet again is a resounding no.
The most significant change on the new SP model is simply a high level crash bar wrapping around the side of the fuel tank, a lower crash bar protecting the sides of the engine, and a more robust skid plate.
The only other change really is a new graphics pack, to let everyone know you bought the new Transalp, not just the old one.
Now it may look a lot better than the gray or black bikes they have been selling but does it really justify the SP name?
To try and justify the extra price tag the Transalp SP variant is only going to be built in a 250-machine production run.
Limited Availability
To make things worse, these bikes are only going to be sold in Spain and Portugal.
Why you may ask? Well I certainly did. The reality is, that in both Spain and Portugal, people just wont accept an adventure bike that doesn’t come better equipped than the standard Transalp. Crash protection and luggage are 2 things that they want included.
So we will see how they do, because I guess they did include the crash protection.
The SP will be selling at a €10,300 MSRP which is just over $11,200 USD at todays exchange rate.
Currently, the standard Transalp MSRP is $9,999 in the US, and you can buy the best crash protection all around for less than $500. Add in a paint job to replace the drab options on offer and I guess the price would be pretty close, so if you had the option, would you be interested in paying the extra money for a new version of the Transalp, like this?
Or have Honda missed another great opportunity?
I will be doing a follow up to this video about why I think Honda haven’t built the adventure bikes we want. And what I think they should be making right now.
Bikes that they could make very easily which could totally transform the honda range.
Some of the comments from people after reading the usual bottom licking journo’s at ADV rider I think are quite teling and worth a mention.
What The People Say
The first comment reinforces my own opinion about how drab the current bikes actually look.
Euri’s comment was simply, Just make those colors available in the US. Matte black is the worst option for paint, makes the current bike look horrible.
Eakins said, When is Honda going to finally build the true Adventure Sport up-spec version of the TA? There is now room ie $$ in the market for something with better components.
Which I have to say mirrors my thoughts entirely.
Stiingya went a bit further saying.
That was disappointing. armor and graphics is nice. But the TA is begging for a factory Rally version… Huge missed potential! He also asked, Does that upper armour make changing/cleaning the air filter take even longer now? Which we will have to wait and see.
Ironhand said,
Crash bars and graphics? Honda, I say this with all of the love of a 40-year owner…wake up! Do you see all of the T7’s roaming the planet? This is what The People want, not an upsized NC500. Dig up some of your 90s engineers who built cool bikes because you’re Honda. Go talk to the motocross department. Ugh.
Daveinva’s comment was simply,
… annnnnd still no tubeless tires.
Clockwatcher said,
I think I will just upgrade my ’89….again…..
and Gedrog said simply
Nope my money is safe for now, if there was longer travel suspension rather than just crash bars on the menu it could be a different story.
Gud added
Higher and stiffer suspension and a rally style seat where you don’t sit down in a bucket would be a start. Crash bars just make it heavier and worse. I have an old TA 600 and when you remove all fairing and stuff you see that it actually has a dirtbike frame and geometry. It’s pretty cool.
And Vrooom said
Wait, graphics don’t make the bike faster? Perhaps if they blurred them it would look faster.
So in general everyone is saying pretty similar things.
Would you pay more for a better equipped Transalp? With tubeless rims and longer travel fully adjustable suspension front and rear?
Or is a new graphics pack enough to extract some extra money from you?
Is there room for a Rally Raid style Transalp in this already highly competitive market?
Let me know your thoughts.
