It is an open secret that Honda is working on the resurrection of the Transalp. Honda filed patents and drawings allow us to get a good idea of what’s in the pipeline at Big Red.
Ever since the return of the Africa Twin, there has been a persistent rumor that Honda is also working on a mid-range version of the popular Allroad, a rumor that gained momentum when Honda upgraded the Africa Twin from CRF1000L to CRF1100L.
Those rumors gained momentum after the ‘little Africa Twin’ was spotted in the wild during testing, raising suspicions that a launch was imminent, with the Transalp name also being mentioned more than once.
The latter was a logical choice, given the heritage of that name, and was confirmed this year when it turned out that Honda had re-established the Transalp name in several countries worldwide. After the Africa Twin and the Hornet, the Transalp is the third strong name that Honda is reinstating.
After the already announced CB750 Hornet was unveiled at the Intermot in Cologne last week, everyone was convinced that the Transalp will be the second model of that CB750 platform, which now seems to be confirmed by patent drawings. Just put them on top of each other and you can clearly see the common denominator.
The new Transalp, of which we already wrote in August that it will be marketed as XL750 Transalp, will – just like the NC and CB500 family – have the same frame and engine as the CB750, but tailored for Allroad use.
Based on the Hornet’s figures, a peak power of 92 hp @ 9,500 rpm and maximum torque of 75 Nm @ 7,250 rpm, we don’t think Honda will have transferred the block one-to-one in the Transalp, but the power which have been skimmed off for more torque at the bottom.
It is still conjecture about the performance of the block, but the necessary deductions can be made from the patent drawing filed by Honda as far as bicycle part and design are concerned. See styling has many similarities with the CB500X, and it might not have stopped there.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the new Transalp is only a fraction larger than the CB500X, just like the new CB750 Hornet is only a fraction larger than the CB500F. With the difference that the Transalp is equipped with larger wheels, based on the patent drawing 21″ at the front and 18″ at the rear. With this, Honda seems to position the Transalp closer to motorcycles such as the Ténéré 700 and Tuareg 660, than the V-Strom 650 and Versys 650.
If Honda manages to position the Transalp just as sharply as the CB750 Hornet, which with a price tag from €8,999,- is only 500 euros more expensive than an MT-07 and even 545 euros cheaper than the Trident 660, then we think the competition to get his chest wet.
With the CB750 Hornet presented at the Intermot in Cologne, we assume that the XL750 Transalp will be the curtain lifted this year at the EICMA in Milan.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.