Honda XL600V

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Honda XL600V
Manufacturer Honda
Also called Transalp
Production 89-90
Engine 600cc
Sparkplug DPR8EA-9 '89-90
Battery YB12A-B '89-90
Front Tire 90/90-21 '89-90
Rear Tire 130/80-17 '89-90
Manuals Service Manual
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos

The Honda XL600V is a motorcycle produced by Honda from 1989 to 1990.

The Honda XL600V, better known as the Transalp, is a dual-sport motorcycle introduced in 1987, closely related to the Africa Twin (its big brother).[1] In 2000, Honda increased the engine size, creating the XL650V; in 2008, Honda bumped the engine size again, creating the XL700V.

History

In 1983 Honda introduced the XLV750, a curious motorcycle that clumsily copied the eyeball searing color schemes of contemporary motocross machines. Though it was an excellent touring motorcycle, the XLV 750 was too heavy for off-road use, and the prospective clientèle could not imagine the purpose for which it had been designed.

Though the XLV had been off target, Honda returned with the 1987 TransAlp (1989 US). 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.

The stratagem was successful, and the TransAlp became a commercial success; Honda has sold more than 100,000. TransAlps [2] Faster and a better road bike than single cylinder trail bikes of the time, the first 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 an image-building bike.

Honda sold the TransAlp in the United States only two years, 1989-90, and only two years in Australia, 1987-88. [3]

Specifications

  • Liquid-cooled, six-valve, four-stroke 52-degree V-twin engine, 583 cm³ (33.6 cu-in) [4]
  • 50 hp at 8000 RPM (1987-1988, 1990-1999); 55 hp for 1989 and 1990 [5]
  • Single-front disk brake (1987-1996)
  • Dual-front disk brake (1997-1999)
  • Dry weight: 173 kg (386 lbs) [6]


1989 XL600V

The XL600V 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.

1989 Honda XL600V Transalp
1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White
1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White
1989 Honda XL600V TransALP in White
1989 Honda XL600V in White
1989 Honda XL600V in White
1989 Honda XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V in White




1990 XL600V

The XL600V 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

1990 Honda XL600V Transalp




1998

  • Not Exported to US
1998 Honda XL600V Transalp




See Also