adventure motorcycling
HONDA TRANSALP

A great all-rounder, with over 100,000 sold. Produced since 1988 as the xl600v, it is light, nimble & easy to ride, with a smooth v-twin engine. It has a lower seat height than many trailies, I'm 5'8" & can flat foot it.. Handles surprisingly well. I've owned a 1988 Transalp & was really impressed. Drives ok with a pillion too, but I think luggage & pillion would get the wheel in the air unless the driver is alot heavier than pillion & kit.

transalp
The mark 2 transalp with a rear disc (pre 1996)
 
Best model
Personally I find the new 650 transalp a bit dull, & I had gearbox problems on the one I hired. The older XL600V is great, but the brakes let it down. So my recommendation is to go for the twin front disc model, 1997 onwards. I call this the mk3 model.
This is the Mark 3 Transalp, notice the disc at the back & twin discs at the front.
OFF ROAD
Off roading - Not the best choice, as there is lots of plastic, although you can get metal sump guards & engine bars. The engine is reliable, but complex to fix (twin, water cooled, 4 plugs).
TRANSALP XL600v Specifications
Dimensions
Overall Length
Overall Width
Overall Height
Wheelbase
2265mm (89.2 in)
865 mm (34.1 in)
1265 mm (49.8 in)
1505 mm (59.3 in)
Weight
Dry Weight
173 kg (386 lbs)
Capacities
Engine Oil
Fuel Tank
Cooling System
2.8 liter (2.9 U.S. qt., 2.5 Imp. qt.)
18 liter (4.7 U.S. qt., 4.0 Imp. qt.)
1.8 liter (1.9 U.S. qt., 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Engine
Bore and Stroke
Compression Ratio
Displacement
Spark Plug Gap
Valve Tappet Clearance
Intake
Exhaust
75.0 x 66.0 mm (2.95 x 2.60 in)
9.2:1
583 cm³ (33.6 cu-in)
0.8-0.9 mm (0-03-0.04 in)

0.1 mm (0.004 in)
0.1 mm (0.004 in) not VH 1988
BHP 48
Chassis and Suspension
Caster
Trial
Tire Size, Front
Tire Size, Rear
28°
108mm (4.3 in)
90/90-21 54S
130/80-17 65S
Power Transmission
Primary Reduction
Gear Ratio,
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Final Reduction
1.888

2.571
1.777
1.380
1.125
0.961
3.133
Electrical
Battery
Generator
12V-12AH
AC Generator
TRANSALP XLV650 SPECS
Engine
Engine Type  Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 6-valve SOHC 52° V-twin 
Engine Displacement  644cc 
Bore & Stroke  79 x 66mm 
Compression Ratio  9.2: 1 
Carburation  34mm slant-type CV x 2 
Max. Power Output  52 bhp at 7,500 rpm 
Max. Torque  55Nm at 3,500 rpm 
Ignition  Digital transistorised with electronic advance 
Starter  Electric 
Transmission
Gearbox  5-speed 
Final Drive  'O'-Ring sealed chain 
Dimensions and Weight
Length x Width x Height  2,260 x 920 x 1,315mm 
Wheelbase  1,505mm 
Seat Height  843mm 
Ground Clearance  192mm 
Fuel Capacity  19 litres (including 3 litre reserve) 
Dry Weight  191kg 
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Wheels Front  21 x 1.85 aluminium rim/wire spoke 
Wheels Rear  Aluminium rim/Tangentially Located (TL) spokes 
Tyres Front  90/90-21 (54S) 
Tyres Rear  120/90-17 (64S) 
Suspension Front  41mm leading-axle fork, 220mm axle travel 
Suspension Rear  Pro-Link with adjustable compression damping, 172mm axle travel 
Brakes Front  256mm dual hydraulic disc with dual-piston callipers and sintered metal pads 
Brakes Rear  240mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and resin mould pads 
 

GENERAL

Manufacturer/Country/Year

HONDA/Japan/1987-1996, HONDA ITALIA/Italy/1997+

Country specific versions

(1) AR, E, F, G, 2-G, IT, 2-IT, JP, ND, SP, SW ("2-x" versions have reduced power), US (1990-91 only)

Models (production year) 1987(H), 1988 (J), 1989 (K), 1990 (L), 1991 (M), 1992 (N), 1993 (P), 1994 (R), 1995 (S), 1996 (T), 1997 (V), 1998 (W), 1999 (X), 2000 (Y?).

 
GALLERY
XL650V
 
 

Haynes Manual

Essential guide to any repairs or maintenance on the Transalp.