Honda unveiled the CB750 Hornet at the Intermot show on October 4, and now it is the turn of the XL750 Transalp.
A full-fledged adventure tourer will surely make its debut at the Milan show starting November 8.
Will it be equipped with the same 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine as the CB750 Hornet?
The XL750 Transalp, which is expected to be launched in Japan as a 2023 model, is said to be powered by a parallel two-cylinder engine, which is expected to be the same as the CB750 Hornet that was announced earlier on October 4.
It has a displacement of 755 cc and uses the same Unicam SOHC 4-valve unit as the CRF1100L Africa Twin.
This engine seems to have been developed for the Transalp rather than the Hornet, and its configuration is a scaled-down version of the Africa Twin. It has the same 90-degree-phase crankshaft as the Africa Twin as well as the parallel two-cylinder + Unicam. If the Hornet were the main model, it would have a sportier design with a DOHC head and a parallel four-cylinder layout.
On the other hand, the bore x stroke ratio of the 755cc parallel twin engine is shorter than that of the Africa Twin, which would be more suitable for the on-road-oriented Transalp as opposed to the off-road Africa Twin. The CB750 Hornet uses a diamond frame, and the XL750 Transalp is expected to share the same platform.
Compared to the Africa Twin, which uses a semi-double cradle frame, the diamond frame is more on-road oriented, and the segregation of the two vehicles since the 1980s seems to remain unchanged in the new generation. Still, we are informed that the Transalp will use 21-inch spoked wheels on the front, so it is expected to have the sufficient off-road capability as a dual-purpose vehicle.
HONDA XL750 Transalp. A CG of a motorcycle magazine's forecast, shows 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, the same as those on the Africa Twin.
The Hornet's 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine is also expected to be used in the XL750 Transalp.
It delivers a maximum output of 91.8 PS. This is higher performance than the 688cc/73PS of the Ténéré 700.
HONDA Transalp 600V. The first Transalp was launched in Japan in 1987. Its symbol was XL600V, and it was positioned as one of the XL series. The meaning of the motorcycle's name was "over the Alps," and it became a long seller in Europe as a tourer.
HONDA Africa Twin. The first generation Africa Twin was released in 1988 based on the Transalp. The symbol was the XRV650, which was also used as a racer in the Paris-Dakar Rally. At the time, XL = dual-purpose, XR = racer.
CB750 Hornet will not be released in Japan; Transalp is likely to be released.
The new CB750 Hornet, which was announced earlier in the year, has apparently not been released in Japan, but the XL750 Transalp is certain to go on sale in Japan. We expect some kind of announcement for the Japanese market at the same time as the official unveiling at the Milano show on November 8. Stay tuned for more news!
HONDA CB750 Hornet. New generation Hornet equipped with a 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine. It would be the successor to the CB600F Hornet, which had evolved independently in Europe. The XL750 Transalp would also appear on the same platform.
Main Specifications of the 2023 CB750 Hornet for Europe (for reference)
Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 2090 x 780 x 1085mm
Wheelbase: 1420mm
Seat height: 795mm
Vehicle weight: 190 kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder SOHC 4-valve 755cc
Maximum output: 91.8 PS at 9500 rpm
Maximum torque: 7.65 kg-m/7250 rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 15.2 liters
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=W disc, R=disc
Tires: F=120/70ZR17, R=160/60ZR17