My colleaguge Amber DaSilva announced to the world yesterday that she is done with her BMW F800GS and adventure bikes in general. In her case, she’s probably right to go for something different. If you aren’t happy with your bike, you should get something else. No one forces you to get your motorcycle license or ride, so you deserve to ride something you truly enjoy. That said, I’ve been riding a Honda Transalp for the last several months, and Amber has left me no choice but to defend its honor.
Since the Transalp is a press bike, so I need to be clear upfront that this isn’t a bike I spent my own, personal money on. Honda wanted me to ride it, and one day it showed up at my apartment. I’d never ridden an ADV before, so I truly had no idea whether or not I would like it. I mean, while Honda would have happily put some off-road tires on it, I probably wasn’t going to hit any trails. In theory, an overland camping trip sounds awesome, but I don’t have any friends who ride and going alone sounds like a bad idea.
As it turns out, riding a bike that’s pretty good for most types of riding has its advantages if you use your bike for more than one thing. Huh. Who would have guessed? It’s just as happy cruising down the highway as it is tootling around on city streets, and when I’m riding in a more rural area, it’s still perfectly happy to play along on winding country roads. There are definitely bikes out there that are better at each individual thing, but I don’t have room for three bikes. I have room for one. Also, do I really, actually need something quicker?
On top of that, someone somehow convinced Atlanta to invest in Bus Rapid Transit, which means Hank Aaron Drive has been an active construction zone for about the last year. It might not have been true off-roading, but let’s just say I’ve been very happy to have the extra suspension travel and ride height as I rode to the grocery store or needed to get on I-20. Any bike can dodge exposed manhole covers, but it’s nice not having to worry about how harsh the dips and bumps are going to be.
A soft suspension also adds to the drama when you ride. As much as I loved my Monster, it’s fun to feel the bike dive a little when you shift and squat back when you really open up the throttle. Too much could probably be dangerous, but what can I say? I like a little drama when I’m riding. The Transalp makes me feel things, and I’ll take that over riding whatever the objectively best bike is for whatever I’m doing.
In a way, it’s kind of like buying a Porsche Cayenne or Alfa Romeo Stelvio. You can find alternatives that are more practical, better off-road, quicker, more fuel-efficient or more fun to drive, but how many options out there combine all of those into a single package you can enjoy in almost any driving situation? They’re inherently compromised, but that’s what makes them a great choice for so many people. Plus, if you remember, the Cayenne was actually a surprisingly capable off-roader back in the day. You know, if you were brave enough.