Honda XL700V Transalp 2009 — Specifications

Does a trail bike necessarily have to be burly to inspire adventure? The third generation of the Honda XL700V Transalp, launched in 2008, offers a nuanced and rather convincing answer. After eight years of loyal service, the 650 gave way to this 700, and the change was radical. Far from the somewhat bland gentleness of its predecessor, this new version displays an assumed adventurer's character, with a muscular fairing and that bulging gaze that really stands out. Honda clearly wanted to inject it with a dose of testosterone, even at the expense of a little pilot protection efficiency. The wink is nice: the GPS coordinates engraved on the fairing point to the Bonette pass, a subtle but clear call to the open road. A Honda XL700V Transalp used today is above all the opportunity to access this balanced proposition without breaking the bank.

The real heart of the metamorphosis is its engine. Honda brought out the scalpel by grafting the 680 cc twin cylinder from the Deauville, but giving it a rejuvenation treatment. Exit the archaic three valves, place for a four-valve architecture, coupled with electronic PGM-FI injection. The result is there: 60 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 6 kg-m of torque at 5500 rpm. It's not a surge, but it's supple, linear and of unwavering reliability. Consumption decreases despite a slightly reduced 17.5-liter tank, which promises correct autonomy for travel. Faced with a BMW F650GS of the time, more lively and slightly lighter, the Transalp plays the card of serenity and ease. It swallows the kilometers without stress, its V2 vibrating with an almost therapeutic smoothness on national roads.

On the chassis side, the modifications are more discreet. The steel double cradle frame and the 41 mm telescopic fork remain safe bets, with a ground clearance of 177 mm that recalls the trail soul. The notable change is the switch to a 19-inch front wheel, a more road-oriented choice that improves stability at high speed at the expense of off-road agility. The real technological progress lies in the optional combined ABS, an ingenious system that links the rear brake to the central piston of the front caliper. It is effective, reassuring in the wet, and avoids many scares. With its 214 kg fully fueled and a 84 cm seat height, it remains accessible, even if its weight is felt when stopped. It is a machine made for the road, capable of digesting a dirt track without making a fuss, but not an extreme adventurer.

So, who rides this Transalp? Clearly for the globetrotter who prioritizes comfort and regularity over pure performance. It is the ideal companion for European road trips or weekend getaways, with a plethora of Honda accessories (cases, top case, dedicated GPS, low seat) to personalize it. It forgives a lot, does not require surgeon-like maintenance and its original price, 7690 euros, made it a reasonable alternative. Today, finding a Honda XL700V Transalp used in good condition is an excellent plan for a motorcyclist looking for a first travel machine, reliable and without unpleasant surprises. It won't give you chills on the track or cross dunes, but it will take you, unfailingly, to the end of your asphalt escape dreams. A beautiful synthesis in the old style, all in justness.