I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the Versys, Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that is currently most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my current KLE500 (both wet weights).
Casting my net further I read that the TDM is some 10kg lighter than the Transalp. Well, Yamaha give 192kg dry and Honda 219kg wet, so I estimated 20kg to wet a TDM.
Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
> I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the > Versys, Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that > is currently most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my > current KLE500 (both wet weights).
> Casting my net further I read that the TDM is some 10kg lighter than > the Transalp. Well, Yamaha give 192kg dry and Honda 219kg wet, so I > estimated 20kg to wet a TDM.
> Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
I think the 900cc engine of the TDM would swing it for me. I owned one of the later 850cc ones and really liked it.
Just beware that TDMs depreciate rapidly in year 1. Consider buying a used or heavily discounted pre-reg one.
>> I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the >> Versys, Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that >> is currently most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my >> current KLE500 (both wet weights).
dunno much about bikes, only had about 5 or 6 in my life, and the one before the transalp was a yamaha virago!!
but i love my transalp, never really looked at much else, appart from the kle500... but the plank seat put me off,
the saddle on the transalp is almost the most comfortable one i've ever sat on, i still get a sore arse, but that's got i got a fecked up back, even the corbin saddle i put on my virago didnt feel as good as the stock transalp seat.... i feel i could do some half decent touring on the transalp.
i like the sit up and beg riding position, i'm 6 foot and dont get any buffeting till over 90mph, the bike is pretty flickable i find, but i've not really had a bike before that can be thrown about like the transalp can, so what do i know.
she feels a heavy bike first couple of times you sit on her, but i dont notice it now, it feels pretty well balanced, not too top heavy as i thought it would feel coming from a low down cruiser style bike.
mines just turned 1900 miles, and i'm getting 51mpg out of her, doesnt seem to matter how i ride it i get around 50mpg, can get another 10 mpg apparantly by cutting the oxidising cat box out of the zorst, something i'll do when the warrenty runs out, or i can get a price for a set of custom headers.
engine has plenty of low down torque, but again this is the most powerfull bike i've ridden to date, V twin motor is fairly smooth, been told it gets a lot smoother when 6000 miles is clocked up, but it's deffo smoother than the viragos V twin was,
I went for the transalp cos i've always liked the look of them, and didnt want an engine any bigger than a 650 for fuel economy reasons, but of course you may prefer bigger engined bikes.
<waits for the barage of abuse to start for my opinions>
Eatmorepies wrote: > I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the Versys, > Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that is currently > most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my current KLE500 (both > wet weights).
> Casting my net further I read that the TDM is some 10kg lighter than the > Transalp. Well, Yamaha give 192kg dry and Honda 219kg wet, so I estimated > 20kg to wet a TDM.
> Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
None whatsoever. Btw, yes, they are pricey, but they age very well.
Eatmorepies <j...@ali.co.uk> wrote: > Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
Depreciation, and generally iffy duild quality on the 850s.
I've never rated the 850, despite what Wessie says. Insubstantial and with a feel like a big Honda Super Dream circa 1979. The 900 might be a better bike: I've never ridden one.
They're easier to find, used, than the Transalp.
Were it my choice, I wouldn't buy either: my money would go to Triumph for a Tiger, but of these two, I think I'd prefer the Transalp.
-- BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F & SL125 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 The bells, the bells.....
>> Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
> Depreciation, and generally iffy duild quality on the 850s.
> I've never rated the 850, despite what Wessie says. Insubstantial and > with a feel like a big Honda Super Dream circa 1979. The 900 might be a > better bike: I've never ridden one.
You need a different adjective. There is nothing *insubstantial* about a TDM850. You should see the chunk it took out of the shed door, and the bruise on my leg, when it decided to take a little rest.
The 900 in white with red trim looks quite nice.
> They're easier to find, used, than the Transalp.
> Were it my choice, I wouldn't buy either: my money would go to Triumph > for a Tiger, but of these two, I think I'd prefer the Transalp.
Well, I'd agree with the first part of this sentence. Go large.
I'm not convinced by the Transalp though. Even with the new 700cc engine, it's still going to be hard work on a long trip. The bike needs a another 20bhp.
Of course the OP is coming from a zoom lolly KLE. The Transalp will feel wonderful after that abomination.
Best bet is to sit on the bikes to see if your feet touch the floor, blag a test ride then haggle.
Eatmorepies wrote: > I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the > Versys, Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that > is currently most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my > current KLE500 (both wet weights).
> Casting my net further I read that the TDM is some 10kg lighter than > the Transalp. Well, Yamaha give 192kg dry and Honda 219kg wet, so I > estimated 20kg to wet a TDM.
> Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
On May 11, 11:19 pm, "Eatmorepies" <j...@ali.co.uk> wrote:
> I've been looking at a new sit up and beg style of bike. Of the Versys, > Vstrom650, GS650(800!) and Transalp: it is the Transalp that is currently > most appealing. But it's about 25-30kg heavier than my current KLE500 (both > wet weights).
> Casting my net further I read that the TDM is some 10kg lighter than the > Transalp. Well, Yamaha give 192kg dry and Honda 219kg wet, so I estimated > 20kg to wet a TDM.
> Other than price, is there any reason to avoid buying the TDM?
forget what TOG says on this one - I'd take the TDM over a Transplant any day of the week - buy an 18month old 900 - you'll get a lot of bike for the money.
Having said that, TOG is correct about big traillies - buy the biggest, fastest one you can. I'd offer to sell you my Tiger, but I already have a prospective buyer (assuming the deposit cheque arrives at some point).
On May 12, 9:15 am, Ace <b.rog...@ifrance.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 May 2008 00:46:54 +0100, totallydeadmail...@yahoo.co.uk
> (The Older Gentleman) wrote: > >Were it my choice, I wouldn't buy either: my money would go to Triumph > >for a Tiger, but of these two, I think I'd prefer the Transalp.
> But why? You haven't said a good word about it?
he's losing it.
I still think it's hilarious that Tog reckoned the dark, fatty meat we had on the Friday night in France was veal. It was clearly horse.
Ace <b.rog...@ifrance.com> wrote: > >Were it my choice, I wouldn't buy either: my money would go to Triumph > >for a Tiger, but of these two, I think I'd prefer the Transalp.
> But why? You haven't said a good word about it?
I've ridden Transalps, and I just like them. They're not gutless. They're softly tuned, granted, but the prob with the Dullsville is that it's basically a Gold Wing sized bike with a small engine - the Transalp is much less bulky.
They're incredibly well made, and the engine is just nice and torquey. Fast isn't everything. They're genuinely good bikes but, as Wessie says, they might struggle two-up.
A million Frenchmen can't be wrong. Can they?
-- BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F & SL125 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 The bells, the bells.....
