2023 Honda Transalp 750 Imminent

[Hugh Janus]

This overlay shows how the new Transalp 750 will differ from its stablemate, the CB750 Hornet. (Honda/)

Honda’s decision to launch its new CB750 Hornet at the relatively low-key Intermot show in Cologne this month, rather than waiting for November’s much larger EICMA event in Milan, is a strong indication that something even more significant is planned for the Italian expo. That arguably more important bike is expected to be the new XL750 Transalp, and a new patent application from Honda gives us a glimpse of its final styling.

With the launch of the new Transalp, Honda will have revived three legendary badges in a matter of weeks. The names CB750, Hornet, and Transalp all have a strong heritage, and Honda isn’t going to throw them around without being confident that the models they’re attached to are worthy. The CB750 Hornet certainly appears to have hit its target with laser-guided accuracy; in markets such as the UK, where its price has already been revealed at 6,999 pounds sterling (around $7,780), it’s less expensive than the Yamaha MT-07, despite having significantly more power and higher-spec electronics, suspension, and brakes. If the Transalp can manage the same trick—and there’s little reason to believe it won’t—then it should prove to be instantly competitive in the middleweight adventure-bike arena.

While it’s usually sensible to take patent applications with a grain of salt when it comes to cues to styling, in this case there’s good reason to believe it’s a genuine representation of the Transalp’s appearance. The styling matches long-distance spy shots that emerged earlier this year, including an identical nose fairing, side panels, windscreen, and headlight design. The patent confirms suspicions that the Transalp shares the engine with the Hornet and appears to show that the frame is also largely identical to the Hornet’s steel diamond unit. Additional fork travel and a larger front wheel give it a longer wheelbase and a more relaxed steering head angle. It also appears to have an extended swingarm.

Patent drawings show the profile of the new Honda Transalp 750. (Honda/)

The shared engine means we know the Transalp should match the Hornet’s power output of 90.5 hp at 9,500 rpm and 55.3 lb.-ft. at 7,250 rpm, unless Honda has opted to detune the engine for the adventure bike. That seems unlikely as reducing costs by sharing as many components as possible appears to be key to the firm’s strategy. For instance, the Transalp appears to use the same LED headlight unit as the Hornet, and if you think it’s familiar, that’s because it’s the same unit that’s already fitted to the CB500F and CB500X. Components like headlights are expensive to develop and certify, so sharing them among multiple models can represent substantial savings.

The styling has a family resemblance to the CB500X beyond the headlight, with a similar (perhaps identical) front fender. The side panels also have a resemblance to both the CB500X and the current Africa Twin, and the exhaust silencer, while repositioned, is identical to the unit used on the new Hornet. The similarity to the Hornet means we can also expect to see the same instruments: a TFT panel with smartphone connectivity and voice control.

Compared to the Hornet, the Transalp’s seat is larger and flatter, with a much more accommodating pillion pad flanked by large grab handles leading to a built-in rear-carrier rack. Unlike the road-biased CB500X, the Transalp is due to get wire-spoke wheels, with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, matching its closest rival, the Yamaha Ténéré 700, and allowing a wider range of trail-oriented tires to be fitted.

Just as Honda has clearly made a point of pricing the Hornet just below the Yamaha MT-07, the target will surely be to get the Transalp into the market with an MSRP below that of the Ténéré 700. The strategy of low pricing may well be through minimalist base specifications with a wide range of options, like engine guards, a skid plate, and a host of luggage and comfort-related accessories. All these are sure to be offered to riders wanting to tailor the Transalp more toward its adventure or touring roles.

Source

[Sir Fallsalot]

It will probably just be a CB750x and nothing even close to what the transalp was

[boboneleg]

5 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

It will probably just be a CB750x and nothing even close to what the transalp was

Exactly, this has been played out on various forums for the past four years.  It'll be nothing like the concept of the original.

[XTreme]

They'd be aiming for a mini AT I'd have thought.

[Sir Fallsalot]

7 minutes ago, XTreme said:

They'd be aiming for a mini AT I'd have thought.

Yes but it will just be an X model and disappoint everyone again

[Pedro]

I have hope for Honda, they did ok with the Africa Twin, plus there’s no shortage of brands showing them what a good idea it is, Yamaha with the T7, Aprilia with the Tuareg, Ducati with the whatsitsname, all after BMW’s 800, 750, 850 name mess, so they might just pick up on it. There’s nothing like a nice Honda, though.

Even Suzuki is like a coma guy twitching a finger with their naughty VStrom talk