Difference between revisions of "Honda XL600V"
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Always on the lookout for new ideas, in 1983 [[Honda]] presented the XLV750, a curious motorcycle that clumsily copied the eyeball searing color schemes of contemporary [[motocross]] machines. Though it was in fact an excellent touring motorcycle, the XLV 750 was too heavy to be an off-road bike and the prospective clientèle could not imagine the purpose for which it had been designed. | |||
==Return to the Theme== | |||
Though the XLV had been far off target, Honda was not discouraged, and returned with the 1987 TransAlp (1989 US). This time the product, was much more highly developed, and intended specifically for Europe. But to position its motorcycle precisely in the marketplace, Honda created a new category especially for it: "Rally-Touring." To make doubly sure, Honda even sponsored an annual rally reserved for TransAlp owners. | |||
==Jack of All Trades== | |||
The stratagem was successful and the TransAlp became a huge commercial success. Faster and a better road bike than the single cylinder trail bikes, the TransAlp cost little more than its rivals. Without pretending to be a sports machine, it could handle rough | |||
going in style. Its enveloping plastic shield made it a machine that stayed clean and was easy to maintain While its kinship with the dominant off-readers -including the NXR Honda which had four times won the [[Paris-Dakar]], made it a supreme image-building bike. Which explains its long success. | |||
==1989 XL600V== | ==1989 XL600V== | ||
[[Image:1989_honda_Xl600v.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V Transalp]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-3.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-4.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-5.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-6.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]] | [[Image:1989_honda_Xl600v.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V Transalp]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-XL600V-White1-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-3.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-4.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-5.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]][[Image:1989-Honda-Transalp-XL600V-White-5207-6.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White]] | ||
Revision as of 14:00, 14 February 2007
Always on the lookout for new ideas, in 1983 Honda presented the XLV750, a curious motorcycle that clumsily copied the eyeball searing color schemes of contemporary motocross machines. Though it was in fact an excellent touring motorcycle, the XLV 750 was too heavy to be an off-road bike and the prospective clientèle could not imagine the purpose for which it had been designed.
Return to the Theme
Though the XLV had been far off target, Honda was not discouraged, and returned with the 1987 TransAlp (1989 US). This time the product, was much more highly developed, and intended specifically for Europe. But to position its motorcycle precisely in the marketplace, Honda created a new category especially for it: "Rally-Touring." To make doubly sure, Honda even sponsored an annual rally reserved for TransAlp owners.
Jack of All Trades
The stratagem was successful and the TransAlp became a huge commercial success. Faster and a better road bike than the single cylinder trail bikes, the TransAlp cost little more than its rivals. Without pretending to be a sports machine, it could handle rough going in style. Its enveloping plastic shield made it a machine that stayed clean and was easy to maintain While its kinship with the dominant off-readers -including the NXR Honda which had four times won the Paris-Dakar, made it a supreme image-building bike. Which explains its long success.
1989 XL600V
The XL600V'89 Transalp was sold in 1989 in Pearl Crystal White. The fairing stripes were red and blue. The engine was a 583cc OHC 3-valve liquid-cooled V-twin linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2PD060*KM200001.
1990 XL600V
The XL600V'90 Transalp was sold in 1990 in Moonstone Silver Metallic (beige) or Fighting Red. The red bike had silver stripes while the other bike had brown and black stripes. The engine was a 583cc OHC 3-valve liquid-cooled V-twin linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2PD060*LM300001
1998
- Not Exported to US
See Also
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