Phil's 2010 Honda XL700VA-A Transalp

Bought from CMC at Daybrook Square Nottingham, here I am posing for Lee Kearney (who handled the sale) to
take my place on their wall of fame.


Collecting my Transalp from CMC Nottingham, both side and centre stands down.

On collection the bike had 9,166 miles on the clock, some of which were due to my test ride.

Modifications:

The modifications made by the 2 previous owners were to fit:
* Honda full luggage set (top box and paniers)
* Heated grips
* Honda touring screen
* Crashbars
* Bridgestone Battlewing tyres

The modifications I've already made were to fit:
* Honda centre stand (which I got CMC to fit as part of the deal)
* MRA Vario Touring screen with spoiler to replace the Honda touring screen - done 9/3/13
* Twin power sockets to power my mobile charger and sat nav - done 10/3/13
* RAM mount for my Garmin 1490T sat nav - done 9/3/13
* I've moved the tax disc holder from it's location on the front brake caliper to behind the screen - done 9/3/13
* I've realigned the mirror stalks so that I see more of the road behind me and less of my arms in the mirrors - done 9/3/13
* Front fenda extenda fitted - fitted 9/3/13
* A Tutoro automatic chain oiler - fitted 31/3/13 but still fettling
* A custom chain guard - fitted 31/3/13
* Waterproof holder for mobile phone - fitted 31/3/13
* A bigger foot (bigfoot/cameltoe) for the side stand - fitted 6/4/13

The modifications I've already got plans to fit:
* A louder horn
* Some rubber "bumper" strips on pannier lids (on order 1/4/13)
Plus maybe, but not definitely....
* A rack mounted on top of top box
* Auxilliary lighting (riding lights)

Impressions so far:

The pros:
The engine appears so much more peppy than the Deauville, and I love the burble that it makes.
It is tall (well, taller than the Deauville) but not uncomfortably so, my only difficulty being actually getting onto it, but once on I'm comfortable and happy.
Once on board the view is excellent and being white cars seem happy to move over as I approach so it obviously has presence.
The view in the rear mirrors, I can actually see what is behind me (always something of a mystery on the Deauville).

The cons:
I'm having some difficulty getting it up onto the centre stand which is positioned slightly further back and behind the natural fulcrum point due to the catalytic converter, but there appears to be a knack and I'm getting there. Higher bars and grab handle position don't help in this respect either but are perfect for the riding experience.
I'm not a fan of always-on lights, but hey, I can live with it. Also I'm not impressed with the way the top box and paniers operate and the lack of cubby holes to store bits in, but then in that respect the Deauville knows no peers.
Honda have just announced that production of the Transalp (like that of the Deauville) ceased at end of 2012.

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