Smaller Honda Africa Twin: Transalp Comback possible

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Smaller Honda Africa Twin: Transalp Comback possible
Honda

motorcycles

Enduro

Smaller Honda Africa Twin: Transalp Comback possible

Smaller Honda Africa Twin
The Transalp could come back

Rumor has it that Honda is working on a smaller Africa Twin. It could be part of the mid-range enduro segment as the new Transalp. However, there are no pictures or confirmed information yet.


Uli Baumann

02/25/2021

As early as 2019, the refreshed big ones came in the run-up to the presentation Honda CRF 1100 Africa Twin Rumors are emerging that Honda will be working on a new and less powerful Honda Africa Twin that could compete with the currently very popular mid-range travel enduros such as the Yamaha Tenere 700 or KTM 890 Adventure.

These rumors are now being fueled by a patent application filed by Honda in the USA. The Japanese have chosen the model name for the US market Transalp have new protection. The entry dates from February 12, 2021 and applies to motorcycles and related parts. Honda let the original naming rights to Transalp expire in 2016. Honda Transalp had already had new protection for the European market in 2012. In Australia, the patent protection was extended in 2017, in Japan in 2019.

Reduced row twin from the Africa Twin


Smaller Honda Africa Twin: Transalp Comback possible


Honda

For a new Transalp, Honda would probably renounce the old V2 engine concept. Too complex and too expensive. More likely is an in-line twin cylinder from the Africa Twin with reduced displacement. From a displacement of 800 to 850 cm³, there would then be a healthy 75 to 80 hp ready, which would make the new Transalp competitive without getting too close to the large Africa Twin. In addition, DCT would be available as an option.

The rumors of a new mid-range enduro are also fueled by Kenji Morita, the project manager of the Honda CRF 1100 L Africa Twin, who is said to have confirmed that there is too big a gap in the manufacturer’s model range between adventure motorcycles with 250/450 cm³ and 1,100 cm³ there. A new Transalp could close this gap.


Smaller Honda Africa Twin: Transalp Comback possible


Honda

Honda Transalp XL 600 V.

the Ur-Transalp was introduced in 1987 as the 600, from 2000 the displacement was increased to 650 cm³, from 2007 it was offered as the XL 700 V. Production of the Transalp ended in 2012. In Japan, the Transalp was also available as a 400 for a while.

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Conclusion

It will be interesting to see whether Honda is actually working on a small Africa Twin. In principle, the Japanese have to step up if you want to have a say in the middle-class travel enduro segment … in any case, we wouldn’t mind.

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