If you follow my new YouTube channel you will be aware that I have been test riding the Transalp or NT1100 as possible replacement for the NC750X if I did not upgrade it.
Well I plumbed for the Transalp and here I will let you know why.
Upgrading the NC750X ?
Was an option, a £1500 ish option, but with no guarantees that the ride after a suspension upgrade would be better and my butt would benefit from an expensive custom seat option.
These two issue Honda would do well the address as the NC750X is a fantastic bike bar these to issue IMHO.
The NT1100?
Is a brilliant bike and on my new YouTube channel the test ride video showed I not only enjoyed the NT1100 but also got rid of any reticence I had regarding DCT. SO much so that on the ride back to HGB Motorcycles, I had forgotten I was using DCT and rode the bike as if I had owned it for years. A tremendous motorcycle with everything I could ask for including a very comfortable seat.
So why did I not buy the NT110?
I had the papers to electronically sign on my phone, literally a couple of clicks away from ownership buy a quick check of online comparison sites for insurance came back with a £3000+ nail in that coffin.
I called my current insurers how have looked after me via my CB125, CB500F, NC750X to first check on the uplift the Transalp would be, ended up being £150 plus £50 fees and then asked if I could get a quote for the NT1100.
The person at the other end of the phone chuckled palyfully and said no lol.
She knew that it would be a pointless exercise for me at this early stage of my motorcycle journey and to try again when I have at least 1 years no claims in April 2025.
I went with the fun option, the Transalp.
If you watched my Transalp test run video you will see that at the first roundabout I decided to buy it there and then, well nearly, as that handling, which lasted all day and is still doing, proved that the upgrade to the Transalp was the way for me.
I have now ridden the bike for 4 days, back and forth to work and a jolly around the Dorking area, stopping off at Ryker’s café Box Hill because, well why not, and have added 250 miles already.
Everything in the test run video still holds and is getting better as we grow to know each other.
The handling is incredible, which has been noted by more senior and experience riders than I on various YouTube videos, in that the 21″ front wheel seems not not behave like a 21 but rather a 19 and holds the line perfectly. Real confidence building for cornering and twistys.
The engine, even though it is not run it yet but not for long, is a powerful and frisky lump indeed. It promises more to give when I can open her up more after the first services at 600 miles so will wait and report back more on the engine soon.
The Comfort is great. I did mention in my test ride video that I go a bit of a numb bum, which was part of the test ride to see if I could get a more comfortable riding experience, but for some reason I am not getting any issue on the few hundred miles
The Electronics are modern and as I added the Quick Shifter and Heated grips, the menus to manage those and much more are easy to navigae, adjust and set into action. Typlical Honda.
It is very early days but I do feel that this final upgrade in my first year of motorcycling with a full UK licence was the right move and I am already planning great adventures with bot the motorbike and my photography (PHOTOMOTO) which I chat about in the video below and you can get involved if you like.
What the video and leave a comment about how many miles I should set the Calimoto app to send my on an adventure to areas I reckon we have both never visited and if I find great things to photograph either on film or digital then we can all share that fun as well.
As a guide 250 miles would be about a day if you include the photography 😉
My new adventures begin on the Transalp and I hope you will join me when you can via my YouTube channel.
I wish you well and safe journeys
DC x