never rode the old alp .. but this is how i found the new alp.
From the outside:
The new bike has great new curves. The previous model has been around for a while and it needed a fresh new look. The 21? front wheel has been changed to a 19? which will be better suited for the road but can be a negative point in the dirt. The bike is fitted with Metzeler Tourances and they prove to be a very good all road trail tire. The fuel tank is a modest 17.5L (including a 3l reserve) and you should see about 300km on a tankful. The seat is pretty high, so you might battle if you come in around 1.7m , its wide and also comfortable and should make long trips a breeze. The major restyle of the bike, apart from the body, is the front light cowl area. Its now a rather large round light and produces very good illumination at night for the road.
On the Road.
The bike handles far more like a road bike than a dirt bike. When I received it, the back preload was too hard for my liking and with a quick turn of a screw, I had managed to soften it up a bit.
The bike has noticeably more torque than its predecessor and you will definitely notice the increase from the older models 38kw to the new one's 44kw. The clutch felt light and the gearbox was smooth when the bike warmed up. I never once missed a gear. The turn-in feels rather light for such a big bike and I was very surprised that it handled like a road bike. On gravel road one can easily travel at 100km/h without a problem. I did however find that the tires need to be correctly inflated to keep the bike from moving around too much. It will do moderate offroad but as its not fitted with a bashplate, you have to be careful where you take it. It will do some sand, but remember its not a motor-cross bike and care should be taken. The bike is perfect for riding to work during the week and exploring the county roads over the weekends.
The Transalp cruises comfortably at 120kp/h. It will run to its top speed of 180kp/h with relative ease, but lets face it, its not intended for highway blasting. This bike excels on the country roads where its just man and the machine. The little front screen is useful but I sensed slight turbulence around my head above 140km/h. Fuel consumption is rather good and you could see around the 6l/100km mark if you treat your hand with respect.
The Transalp is a blast to ride, whether its to commute on as weekend toy, it will please any rider who wishes for an alternative route every weekend.
Topic: Wich DS Bike (Read 600 times)
