Since its launch seven years ago, Honda has found great success with the Africa Twin. However, it was the only big-capacity ADV bike from the Japanese brand for India for a while. But that changed as the brand brought the Transalp here, which sits below the Africa Twin but is still a proper middleweight ADV. We spent a few days testing it and here is our take on the Honda XL750 Transalp.
The Transalp may not look aspirational or astounding on the design front, but it appears purposeful and ready to hit the dirt. The styling is simple and contemporary as it has a single-piece LED headlight, a large transparent visor, and a scooped single seat. If you are above six feet, the visor could feel slightly intrusive when riding the bike standing up on the pegs.
That said, the overall quality levels on the XL750 Transalp are immaculate and top-notch. Right from the switch cubes to the welds and even the panel placement, all of it exudes a premium feel.
For once you might confuse Transalp’s sober appearance with a docile and laid-back performance. Despite a hefty build, the bike is quite easy to ride in the city’s bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The engine offers impressive tractability and a good low-end grunt to allow crawling in the traffic. But once you open the taps of its 755cc parallel-twin engine, the Transalp reveals a different and frantic side.
It accelerates with a sense of urgency and will make you crack a smile. Moreover, with such an opulent view, thanks to its roomy build and tall stance, pacing the XL750 Transalp on the highway is just as much fun.
But should you spend Rs. 12.32 lakh on-road Mumbai on it? Read our road test review for a comprehensive report.
