Honda’s XL750 Transalp reaches U.S. shores for the first time

After much anticipation from the adventure motorcycle market, Honda has announced pricing and opened the order books for the new XL750 Transalp, which the U.S. market is meeting for the first time. The Transalp nameplate traces its roots back to 1986 and lived a full life until its cancellation in 2008. During that run, it was never sold in America, and it saw just one year of sales in Canada: 1987. Now, the mid-size adventure market is a little more crowded, but Honda seems to think the XL750 will slot right in, and on paper, we are inclined to agree.

For starters, the pricing is right in line with its competition: $9,999 MSRP. Yamaha’s Tenere 700 comes in at $10,299, and the Suzuki V-Strom is $11,349. All three settle on using two pistons to solve the power problem, but the XL750 Transalp is closer to the Tenere 700 in concept, using a parallel twin engine design. One plus for Honda riders: With a total displacement of 755cc, the Transalp’s engine bests that of the Tenere by 66 cubic centimeters. The Transalp engine also receives the vortex air duct mechanism from the CB750 Hornet model, an intake tract design that Honda claims gives the engine smoother running and more power from tip-in to redline. Output is expected to be 83 horsepower for U.S. models, down slightly from the 90 hp European riders get to enjoy.

The Transalp fills the middling void in Honda‘s lineup between the big-boy Africa Twin and CB500X, making Honda the latest to give shoppers the option of an adventure machine in whatever size they are most comfortable with. The Transalp is slightly let down by its lack of a standard quickshifter, though it is an option that can be added at additional cost. We like this as quickshifters are very fun, but also get why Honda doesn’t offer it standard; for adventure riding, they’re a bit overkill. Riders will have five selectable riding modes which engage the traction control, ABS, power output, and engine braking at differing levels. Also, U.S. buyers will have just one color option: black. Hope you like it.

If you do, shuffle over to your dealer or Honda.com to place an order as the ordering books opened September 20th. Delivers are expected to begin in October.

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