Honda launches an all-new version of its classic XL750 Transalp at the EICMA motorcycle show – a fresh mid adventure/maxi trail, twin-cylinder bike set to compete with the competition in this booming category.

With EICMA in Milan as our home this week, Enduro21 will be showcase a list of new bikes and products which have caught our eye. First up, Honda and the long-awaited XL750 Transalp.

The new model revitalises the legend famously one of the pre-adventure motorcycles (from back when the category didn’t exist) from the 80’s. It’s a little late to the party – there are already many rivals in the mid-displacement trail/adventure range and several brands are steps ahead.

But Honda has not been short of success with the Africa Twin model and after the open secret of their patent applications leaked last summer, finally we see the details of a bike that was born from a “blank sheet of paper” they say. Honda development engineers set out to build “a new twin-cylinder engine to power both the CB750 Hornet street bike and the XL750 Transalp.”

Early drawings of the Transalp gave it a tall stance, a seat height of 850 mm and a ground clearance of 210mm, with straight and sober lines. The “objective was to achieve a balance between aerodynamic performance and protection against the wind at high speed”, Honda say although we were looking for a few more hints of off-road capability at this point.

The signs were there though with a bike that has something of a resemblance to the old and super-popular Dominator as much as to the original Transalp in our opinion. Adding a parrallel twin engine configuration will make it a peach to ride it is it anything like either of the above models.

A compact and lightweight twin-cylinder engine

Honda’s new power unit has a 755cc, 8-valve, Unicam parallel-twin engine. A newly created 270º offset crankshaft and compact dimensions, cam-activated 35.5mm intake valves (with 9.3mm lift) and 29mm exhaust valves (with 8.2mm height) activated by a rocker arm, produce a maximum power of 67.5kW at 9,500rpm and a torque of 75Nm at 7,250rpm they claim.

The engine, like the one in the CRF models, has the Vortex Flow intake ducts to optimize combustion and provide character to this new bike. The new bike is also available in a version for A2 license holders, limited to 35kW.

The ’23 XL750 Transalp has a 'Throttle By Wire' electronic throttle like many Honda models plus a slipper clutch to smooth power delivery on downshifts. Five driving modes, four of which have preset combinations (sport, standard, rain and gravel), are easily switchable through a handlebar control and the TFT screen. The fifth is the one called USER which allows the rider to set his own configuration to his personal settings.

Four levels of Engine Power (EP), three levels of Engine Brake (EB), two levels of ABS and five Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) traction control options are available, according to Honda. HSTC and rear ABS as well can be disabled.

The driving modes offer different combinations in each parameter while the front wheel anti-wheelie control also comes as standard and is integrated into the HSTC.

5 levels of traction control – there’s a lot to take in here...

Choices for riding settings are comprehensive and all the same as we recall from testing the Africa Twin – lots to choose from in different riding conditions and for different rider preferences. But from behind what looks like a decent screen, it’s as easy to use as ever from Honda.

It goes from Sport mode which brings maximum engine performance, the mid-way ‘standard’ setting for urban riding, rain mode for challenging on-road conditions and gravel which (to give you a taste of how it works), is level two EP, level three EB, and level four HSTC with level one ABS setting for “confident travel” and of course off road. Finally ‘user’ mode allows the rider to choose between basically all the above and save it for later.

The electronics might sound complicated but they’re not, it’s all intuitive and is complemented by the full colour five-inch TFT instrument display and the Honda Smartphone Voice Control (HSVCs). On the electronics side, there’s also LED lighting and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology for the rear turn signals.

Showa adjustable suspension

In the chassis department, the new Transalp stands out for being a bike “with great handling, light, agile and that inspires confidence”, according to Honda. A light, diamond-type steel frame, with integrated subframe weighs a total of 18.3kg whcih is less than the CB500 they say.

Honda added a Showa USD SFF-CA (Separate Function Fork-Cartridge) 43mm forks with 200mm of travel and a Showa rear shock with Pro-link system and 190mm of travel, both adjustable for spring preload.

Stopping the 208kg Transalp relies on two-piston calipers and dual 310mm ‘wave’ brake discs at the front and a 256mm at the rear with a single-piston caliper.

Front and rear 21/18-inch stainless-steel spoked wheels come with 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 (tube-type) tyres – depending on where you are in the world the rims will wear Metzeler Karoo Street or Dunlop Mixtour tyres.

At time of writing it is no clear when the model will be available in different countries or the price on the dealer showroom floor.

Honda XL750 Transalp technical details:

Suits you sir

Honda offers its customers five different customisation packs for the new XL750 Transalp, to adapt them to their preferences plus a list of accessories such as fuel tank protectors and wheel stickers, which are available separately.

URBAN PACK (practicality and storage) 50L top box, aluminium panel, mounting base, pillion pad and inner bag plus tall screen and main stand.

TOURING PACK (comfort and storage) Rear panniers (R26L / L33L), aluminium panels, support stays, inner bags and heated grips.

ADVENTURE PACK (style and functionality) Side pipes, LED fog lights and radiator grill.

RALLY PACK (style and functionality) Quickshifter, engine guard, bash plate, off-road rally footpegs and knuckle guards with extensions.

COMFORT PACK (comfort and practicality) 3L tank bag, wind deflectors, comfort pillion footpegs and AAC charging socket.

More information: www.honda.co.uk &  www.powersports.honda.com