DN-01, Deauville and Transalp tests: one engine, three interpretations !
On the occasion of a pleasant trip through the Vosges, Site went to rediscover the charms of three Honda equipped with the same 680 cc twin-cylinder engine: the futuristic DN-01, the classic Deauville and the adventurer Transalp… Testing !
Honda Transalp: the end of the world at the end of the street !
Launched in 1987, the Transalp 600 surfed at the time on the trail fashion, very popular in France before gradually falling into disuse. A little more than 20 years (!) Later, the Transalp has become gentrified like all its competitors – and like a lot of us? It now offers a small 60 hp and 60 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm for 214 kg all full (219 kg even with the CBS) !
However, the Honda Transalp is easy to handle, with its wide handlebars and its comfortable and well-designed saddle. Its engine is the most demonstrative of the three motorcycles it equips, in terms of performance and sound! The sympathetic Japanese trail "farts" when downshifting and encourages gaudriole on small Vosges roads where its generous ground clearance and road holding are very healthy … once the apprehension of the front wheel of 19 has passed. inches and 100 mm wide !
Sober as a camel (4.9 l / 100 km in sustained mountain driving!) And picking up with conviction from 3000 rpm, the bike is agile without excess, but requires a little skill in rapid changes of direction. In town, the high saddle (841 mm) and the hand guards that hang on the mirrors of the cars spoil the picture a bit, but the Transalp makes up for it with its – modest – ability to engage on rolling paths !
Offered at € 6,990 (€ 7,590 for the ABS version) for the 2008 models still available in dealerships (€ 7,690 and € 8,290 with ABS for the 2009 models), the Transalp is also a very good road alternative which, moreover, does not care about the condition of the road. And then the adventurer look, that’s good !
Alexandre BARDIN – Shiny Black Photos
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