Honda XL 750 Transalp SP 2026 — Specifications

Is a Transalp decked out in aluminum and stainless steel for less than €700 of extra cost a good deal? The answer is obviously yes, especially when you know that the crash bar and engine protection kit sold separately costs twice as much. Honda UK is launching this special SP series for the British market, a clever marketing operation that clears out stocks of the current version while offering a real off-road bonus.

Underneath its new defenses, the beast remains the same. The 755 cm3 twin cylinder, offset at 270°, retains its 92 horsepower and 75.5 Nm of torque, figures that place the Transalp in the leading group of mid-size trail bikes, halfway between the liveliness of the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and the road versatility of the Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE. The chassis, with its steel frame, Showa inverted fork with 200 mm of travel and 21 and 18-inch spoke wheels, is not modified. It’s a good, solid and predictable base, even if its displayed weight of 222 kg fully fueled begins to weigh down on technical trails.

The real argument for this SP is its armor. Honda has drawn from its accessory catalog to graft on a 2.5 mm aluminum engine guard, tubular stainless steel sump guards, and a set of high crash bars. The whole is serious, designed to absorb lateral impacts and unfortunate encounters with rocks. It’s a shame that handguards are not part of the package, a surprising oversight for a machine that displays off-road ambitions. These additions add a dozen kilos to the beast, an acceptable sacrifice for those who really plan to leave the roads.

This limited edition smells like stock clearance, and that's where the shoe pinches. It is based on the current model, not on the 2026 version which should benefit, among other things, from the optional E-Clutch assisted clutch and probably revisions to the suspension. British buyers will therefore have a better protected machine, but technologically behind the future generation. A strategy that we have already seen with the 2024 Iberian limited series, and which could well arrive in France if stocks allow.

Ultimately, this XL 750 Transalp SP is aimed at the adventurous globetrotter who prefers tangible robustness to electronic gadgets. It offers a valuable shield for those who plan to chart their course off the asphalt, without breaking the bank. For a modest extra cost, you get a more resistant and credible motorcycle in the dirt. But if you are patient and the latest technical improvements matter to you, it might be better to wait for the real 2026 update. The dilemma is classic: take a good deal today, or anticipate tomorrow's improved version.