What Everyone's Been Waiting For 2023 XL750 TRANSALP

Honda's Transalp lineage dates back to the late '80s as the XL600V. We saw the motorcycle only briefly in the U.S., and then it disappeared in the great adventure dual-sport extinction event of the early '90s. Although, some aspects have been carried over from the 700V model, like the large dash area and color options (which we'll discuss later), the all-new platform comes with a host of modern features. So, what's the 2023 XL750 Transalp all about, and how will it stack up against the competition? Let's dive in....

- Carl Parker

First, gone is the 700cc V-twin from the previous generation. It's replaced by a new 750cc parallel twin with the increasingly popular 270-degree offset firing order. And it includes a slipper clutch that not only reduces the engine braking effect but is much easier on the clutch hand.

Parallel twins are well on their way to dominating the multiple cylinder motorcycle market because they're compact and more cost-efficient to manufacture. They also have an amazing sound. KTM, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Aprilia, and now Suzuki have promising parallel-twin engines in their adventure bikes. We were a huge fan of Kawasaki's Versys 650, which has a race-tested parallel twin. Triumph, who has parallel twins in their Bonneville series, uses triples in their adventure-oriented Tigers. And Ducati runs V4 engines in some machines, V-twins in others.

However, we don't yet know how the new XL750's engine performs, but we naturally assume it'll continue Honda's reputation for reliability. It's the same engine that's used in the new CB750 Hornet, with several other models rumored to be in the works, so no doubt Honda took the time to get it right.

The new Transalp comes standard with 21- and 18-inch tubed wheels mated to Showa legs and rear shock. They're only preload-adjustable, which can be expected on a bike at this price point that touts other benefits like more robust electronics. That said, it's not uncommon for first-generation machines to have non-adjustable suspension as it provides an upgrade opportunity for future revisions and serves as a differentiation point between models of different price brackets.