Raised, chrome-plated 3-D logo emblems accentuate the Transalp s sharper, more aggressive styling.

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1 Lightweight and rugged double-cradle frame surrounds engine with box-section tubes in a stressed-member configuration for excellent overall rigidity, enhanced high-speed manoeuvrability and confident two-up riding control. Smooth-shifting 5-speed transmission takes optimal advantage of engine s strong low-to-midrange power characteristics for swift and easy acceleration where it s needed most. Raised, chrome-plated 3-D logo emblems accentuate the Transalp s sharper, more aggressive styling. Wide, integrated instrument panel features new type face for a cleaner, more modern image, and new light silvercoloured background and red-coloured pointer. Aerodynamically contoured fairing provides excellent long-term riding comfort. Deflecting wind off rider and passenger, its sleek design integrates a large multi-reflector headlight and indicators into its shapely curves. Indicators feature new clear lenses with ambercoloured bulbs for a sharper image that better complements the Transalp s complete range of body colours. Either regular or low-profile seat can now be ordered as standard optional equipment, rather than as an aftermarket item. 30mm lower than standard, the low-profile seat is specially contoured to provide shorter riders especially women riders with an easier, more confident reach to the ground. Smoke-tinted windscreen looks sharp while providing excellent protection against wind at highway speeds. Unique exhaust system with newly designed tapered stainless steel end sections features large-volume subchamber with built-in heat tube located under swingarm pivot and compact silencer under side of seat for both enhanced mass centralisation and lower emissions to meet EURO-2 regulations. Lightweight wire spoke wheels feature new black alumite-treated hollow-section rims. Diamondpatterned dual-purpose tyres provide excellent control on both high-speed motorways and off-tarmac trails. Progressive Pro-Link rear suspension provides a smooth, compliant ride and abundant axle travel for comfortable two-up riding over everything from smooth tarmac to bumpy rutted trails. Powerful liquid-cooled 647cm 3 V-twin engine delivers strong low-to-midrange power and torque coupled with smooth, high-revving performance for superb two-up touring capability, especially at highway speeds and when overtaking on upgrades. Smoothly and predictably responsive gold-painted pair of compact dual-piston calliper front disc brakes complemented by single-piston calliper rear disc brake for confident stopping control. Photo: ED type

2 2005 XL650V Transalp PRESS INFORMATION

3 Introduction Honda s uniquely innovative Rally Touring Transalp made its first appearance on the European motorcycling scene in 1987, in response to the surging popularity of the Paris-Dakar Rally and the Honda rally machines which had recently dominated the motorcycle class. Its dramatic debut shook up the mid-displacement Touring class by introducing a new genre of high-road bike that combined unmistakable elements of a trail-going Enduro or rally machine. This proved to be an especially fresh new direction in motorcycle development in light of the mix of hard-charging sportbikes and streetfocused standards that then dominated the class. Although based in part on the intrepid rally bikes that raced across Africa in the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Transalp also won a strong and growing following for its superbly comfortable ergonomics and inherent ability to cruise the Continent s highspeed motorways with strong and agile performance, and remarkable riding ease. Over the years, the Transalp has undergone two major changes in design, each of which has further solidified its position as one of Europe s most popular all-rounders. Brilliantly combining the best of on-road and off-road riding styles, the Transalp appeals to a wide cross-section of riders who appreciate it uncanny ability to do most jobs remarkably well, from day-to-day commuting to long-distance touring, to exploring unpaved trails that lie well off the beaten path. Its gorgeously integrated fairing and bodywork project a compact silhouette that still provides comfortable protection against the onrushing wind at highway speeds. Likewise, its long-travel suspension systems ensure confidently responsive handling and a smooth and comfortable ride over Europe s varied assortment of road surfaces, all perfectly balanced to carry its passengers to the furthest corners of the Continent and back. As ever, the Transalp is powered by a slim, strong and highly reliable 650cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine which delivers the low-to-midrange grunt to carry two passengers and a full load of touring gear across the mountains that gave it its name. This popular engine also smoothly and effortlessly revs up to highway speeds for enjoyable long-distance cruising that chases horizons with spirited ease. Handling is both nimble and assured over both city streets and weather-beaten country trails thanks to its compliant, long-travel front and rear suspension systems, and sporty dual-purpose tyres, while its responsive set of triple-disc brakes provides confidently assured braking control XL650V TRANSALP E2

4 Colouring The new 2005 Transalp will be made available in four distinctive colour variations, led off by a richly reflective solid black that extends a tough accent to the Transalp s attractive curves. Next, a warm metallic orange grabs attention with the sparkle of sunlight dancing in its richly colourful hue. A brilliant solid metallic silver follows with a modern and exciting sheen contrasting sharply with the black of its wheels and dark grey of its seat and engine guard. Finally, due to its great success, the well known two-tone pearlescent blue and silver version will be continued. New colouring also extends to the Transalp s new black alumite-treated aluminium wheels rims, which project a stronger image of sporty control, as well as new gold-coloured brake callipers and a new darker silver colour applied to both its engine and its wide resin rear carrier. Colours Black Mystic Orange Metallic Spangle Silver Metallic Pearl Breezy Blue/Sparkling Silver Metallic 2005 XL650V TRANSALP E3

5 New Features New Tinted Windscreen Featuring the same familiar aerodynamic lines it s had since 2000, the Transalp s compact and curvaceous front fairing is now topped by a more darkly tinted windscreen, for a crisper, more cosmopolitan look. New Clear-Lens Indicators Further accentuating the Transalp s more modern image is a set of clear plastic indicator lenses covering amber-coloured bulbs, which provide a more stylish and attractive complement to its four new body colours. Featuring highly reflective silver painted reflectors, these indicators provide a brilliant output that really grabs attention in traffic and out on the highway. New Instrument Panel Design The Transalp s wide instrument panel fills its compact fairing cockpit with an attractive and high-visibility view of all its operating parameters. For 2005, the meters have been modified with a new type face that accentuates the Transalp s clean and modern image with a bolder simplicity. The dials themselves are (from the left) fuel, speedometer, tachometer & coolant temperature, featuring a new light silver background and red-coloured pointer. New Standard-Order Low-Profile Seat Last year, in 2004, a new 30mm lower profile seat was made optionally available to allow shorter riders to more easily join the swelling numbers of satisfied Transalp owners. This seat offers an easier and more comfortable reach to the ground for shorter riders and especially the growing ranks of women riders who are attracted to the Transalp s delightful all-round riding experience. For 2005, this lower seat can now be ordered as original standard equipment alongside the Transalp s standard-height seat, and need not be purchased separately, thus reducing the overall cost of joining this unique Adventure Sports machine s allinclusive travelling club. The Transalp s new seat (in both its variations) also features a new dual-texture seat cover with a more comfortable fit, in a lighter grey, on the actual seating areas, and 2005 XL650V TRANSALP E4

6 the usual black material on the sides of the raised pillion passenger section, with Honda markings boldly printed. Behind the seat, the Transalp s sturdy and wide moulded resin rear carrier also features a new darker metallic grey finish that complements the black of its tail area. New Black Rim Wheels and Tapered Exhaust Ends Giving stronger emphasis to the Transalp s sporty and adventurous nature, the new 2005 model features new detailing touches that really catch the eye. One of the first changes to be noticed is the new black alumite finish gracing its lightweight aluminium wheel rims. Sharing the same colour shade and semi-gloss finish as the dual-sport tyres they mount, these new rims project a tougher image that perfectly complements the Transalp s audacious new colours. Providing another detailed accent on this aggressive new black image, the inner rotor of the Transalp s rear disc brake has also been painted with a new matte black finish to match the front wheel hub and the black of the new rims, for a contribution to the bike s overall sense of functional good looks. Another attractive new design touch can be seen in the Transalp s new stainless steel dual exhaust ends. Tapering at the ends like air jets, these decorative new pieces also extend a more exhilarating tone to the Transalp s exhaust note. New Raised Transalp Logo The new 2005 Transalp also features a set of new raised, 3-dimensional logos prominently displayed on its side shrouds in place of the decals that have until now announced its name. These new, chrome-plated raised letters proudly boost this popular riding machine s sense of quality and value with sharply angled lines providing a perfect counterpoint to its bodywork s attractive curves. Coloured stripes underlining the logos and new slash stripes on the sidecovers complete the Transalp s intrepid look of adventure and style. New Handlebar Mounting Bolts The Transalp s tubular steel handlebars are held in place with traditional clamps which are now secured by countersunk and covered Allen-head bolts instead of the chrome-plated hex-head bolts that have been used till now. The new covered bolt design lends a further touch of class to complement the Transalp s sleek and stylish cockpit area XL650V TRANSALP E5

7 Specifications XL650V Transalp (ED-type) Engine Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 6-valve SOHC 52 V-twin Displacement 647cm3 Bore Stroke 79 66mm Compression Ratio 9.2 : 1 Max. Power Output 39kW/7,500min-1 (95/1/EC) Max. Torque 55Nm/5,500min-1 (95/1/EC) Idling Speed 1,200min-1 Oil Capacity 2.9 litres Fuel System Carburation 34mm slant-type CV-type carburettor 2 Aircleaner Viscous, cartridge-type paper filter Fuel Tank Capacity 19 litres (including 3-litre reserve) Electrical System Ignition System Ignition Timing Sparkplug Type Starter Battery Capacity ACG Output Headlight Digital transistorised with electronic advance 10 BTDC (idle) ~ 32 BTDC (6,000min-1) DPR8EA-9 (NGK); X24EPR-U9 (ND) Electric 12V/12AH 310W 12V 60W 1 (low) / 55W 1 (high) Drivetrain Clutch Wet, multiplate with coil springs Clutch Operation Mechanical; cable-actuated Transmission Type 5-speed Primary Reduction (67/38) Gear Ratios (35/14) (31/18) (28/21) (30/27) (25/26) Final Reduction (48/15) Final Drive O-ring sealed chain 2005 XL650V TRANSALP E6

8 Frame Type Semi-double-cradle; box-section steel tube Chassis Dimensions Dimensions (L W H) 2, ,315mm Wheelbase 1,505mm Caster Angle 28 Trail 108mm Turning Radius 2.4m Seat Height 843mm (Low-profile seat: 813mm) Ground Clearance 192mm Dry Weight 191kg Kerb Weight 212kg (F: 102kg; R: 110kg) Max. Carrying Capacity 180kg Loaded Weight 362kg (F: 133kg; R: 229kg) Suspension Front Rear Type 41mm leading-axle telescopic fork, 200mm axle travel Type Pro-Link with adjustable compression damping, 172mm axle travel Wheels Type Front Aluminium rim/wire spoke Hollow-section triple-spoke cast aluminium Rear Aluminium rim/tangentially Located (TL) spoke Hollowsection triple-spoke cast aluminium Rim Size Front Rear Tyre Size Front 90/ S Rear 120/ S Tyre Pressure Front 200kPa Rear 200kPa Brakes Front 256 4mm dual hydraulic disc with dual-piston callipers and sintered metal pads Rear 240 5mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and resin mould pads All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice XL650V TRANSALP E7