New patents from Honda have revealed the first specification details of the upcoming and highly anticipated Honda XL750 Transalp.
Rumours of the Transalp revival began a while ago now, and gained traction a few weeks ago when the motorcycle was spotted during a promotional filming exercise.
But, it has not been until now that we have known any of the details of the bike with much certainty.
As expected, the new Transalp will feature the same 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine as used in the recently revealed Honda CB750 Hornet. Its tag will point to its capacity, too, as the full name of the bike will be the “Honda XL750 Transalp”. Whether the Transalp will keep the same performance of the engine as in the Hornet remains to be seen, but considering the more adventurous purpose of the Transalp it might be reasonable to expect slightly less top-end power in favour of a little more punch in the low-to-mid-rpm ranges.
Also coming from the Hornet is the chassis, which in some ways is surprising considering the different intentions of the two bikes, but at the same time Honda is not unfamiliar with creating many models of different categories from one common base.
More similarities between the two include the headlight, tailpipe. Motociclismo anticipates that the similarities in chassis and engine will also result in a transfer of the electronics from the Hornet to the Transalp, potentially including the TFT display and smartphone connectivity.
Despite carrying the same frame, and other pieces, as the Hornet, the Transalp will feature a longer swingarm, larger wheels at both ends (21 inches at the front, 18 inches at the rear), and longer-stroke suspension.
These alterations for the Transalp in comparison to the Hornet provide the XL750 with a longer wheelbase and a taller ride height than its sibling. There is also a wider seat, grab handles and a luggage rack at the rear. All of that is to be expected, of course, to make the Transalp more suited to the off-road conditions, and longer travel distances, at which it is aimed.
We still do not know when the Transalp will be officially presented to the public, and if it were to be this year then the revival of this name would take significantly less marketing effort than that of the Hornet, which Honda teased for many months before finally revealing it earlier this month.
The Transalp is also not the only bike from Honda to have been the subject of patent drawings recently. The Tokyo manufacturer also filed patents which seem to hint at a possible update for the CB1000R in the future, including aerodynamic wings, a new design of the rear indicators, and a single-sided swingarm.
Lead image courtesy of Motociclismo.
