Heavy

Reread those specs, if you would. The Transalp is 458 lbs where the Tracer is 501. I am chill and I am very much enjoying the bike.

Don't forget the deer whistles. 😉 I use Seafoam in all the stuff that sits for periods of time ... chainsaw, whipper snipper, lawnmower, snowblower, etc. I put some in the bike's tank when I fill it the last time before putting it way for the year. Supposed to be a fuel stabilizer. Hasn't hurt anything, that I can tell, and most of my stuff starts when needed. Unfortunately, my bikes do get left, unridden, for periods of time. Waddya do? RIDE THE SLED!! That's a Honda Fit and an F150 in the background, just to clarify. 😄

Got out for about 250 kms today. Mostly quiet, twisty, secondary roads. Cold and clear day with almost zero traffic. Really miss having cruise control but, beyond that, I feel the Transalp is a far better fit for me. More comfortable riding position, for me. Much better wind management, for me. Much narrower down low so easier to manage when stopped or paddling around, for me. Far easier to get your toe on the sidestand tab to put it down, for me. The gas gauge shows the level dropping by individual segments more representative of the actual fuel level. First tank of fuel got me over 65 mpg (Imperial). Wonder if that will get better as it breaks in or worse as it breaks in ... and I start using more of the tach. 😉 I put over 10,000 kilometres on my Tracer last year. I really liked the bike but, overall, I think the TA and I are going to be much better friends. 👍

Seat height is the same as my 2020 Tracer 900 GT. Also, Honda has a factory low seat (-20mm available). Maybe read a little more. Not telling you to like the bike but don't shoot down what you don't know. Tracer Transalp https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/xl750-transalp/2023/ https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/tracer-900gt/2018/

Must just be you. Shows stock when I look.

There are shocks and cartridges available already. There is a company working on a cruise control option. Sounds like they are getting close. https://veridiancruise.ca/products/pre-order-honda-xl750-23-transalp

I did a test-fit of my SW Motech semi-soft bag. Sits on the bike really well. I think it's going to work great. Bonus is that, once I load the bag, I'll be able to slide it forward to work as a backrest. 😉

I have a few pairs of boots but the A-Stars Belize look to be a good step up. Gaerne mid-cut dirt ... nice rigid soles so great for standing on the pegs but not comfortable. A-Stars Ridge ... comfy and easy to walk around in but not a lot of protection A-Stars SMX ... higher cut and better protection but getting old and certainly not waterproof

I've been waffling about buying a pair ... think you may have given me the required nudge. Thanks.

I haven't really given the handling a real test. Certainly seemed to change directions easily and tracked well once set into a curve. I hope to get more miles in the next while. I'll get a better feel for it. I think the available bash plates are overkill. I'd prefer something smaller to just give the sump some gravel/rock/stone/debris protection. Not planning on doing any log hopping or rock bashing. I've got a few different throw-over luggage options. Don't think I'll bother with racks and hard cases.

Let me see what happens with the sale of the cradle. You'd, probably, be better off ordering one off aliexpress. I bet you could buy a new one, delivered to your door, for less that what it would cost for me to ship this to you. Maybe, fill out you location in your profile. Not sure why people don't do that. Not criticizing, just don't understand. Anonymity? Lazy?

The GSX certainly has good reviews and the cost of ownership, likely, kills the BM.

I wanted your red/black initially but found a reasonable deal on the blue. It certainly grew on me over time.

Forgot to mention an important factor ... the sidestand is easy to find with your foot and deploy! 😃 I found it took a pretty precise toe to find the sidestand on the Tracer.

Thanks. Ya, wasn't happy about the messy roads but now I've got the first time out of the way.

Don't think I'll bother with changing gearing. I'm perfectly happy with the acceleration and the long legs should give me great (better?) fuel economy out on the open road. Since I'm just breaking it in I stayed off the main highway and wound my way home on secondary roads so I could vary throttle openings. Interesting how displacements have grown. I was getting back into snowmobiling a few years ago and was amazed to find that 550's were considered beginner sleds. Before I got out of it (many years ago) I had a 250 Elan SS and a Citation SS with a 370. The Elan was a lightweight and great for playing in deep snow or exploring off trail ... something suitable for a friend or girlfriend to ride. The Citation was a quick machine for running trails and lakes. Times change. 😉

You can get them with a RAM ball or just the bare mount. I have one that I modified so I could just bolt the cradle for my GARMIN 396 right to it. I'm selling my Tracer and don't need the mount. If you're in my area I might offer it to you for free. Have someone who wants to buy the cradle for another model bike and doesn't want the mount.

Finally got the TransAlp. Crappy day for it but at least I have it. Rode 125kms home in 7ºC (45ºF) and rain/drizzle. Very happy with the purchase. Feels an awful lot like a lighter version of my old 1000 V-Strom. It feels like a better "fit" for me and my riding style/expectations over the Tracer. Think with a couple of small modifications I will be able to make it my new Geezer Glider. 😄 As my friend said ... "It's a more appropriate bike for an old guy like you." Bought the low seat and that allows me to flat-foot, with my 30" inseam. The low seat combined with the narrow engine makes the bike feel much more manageable when stopped or paddling around. Low seat does seem to have a "spot" and doesn't feel like there's much room to move around and change position. Stock windscreen, with the small fairing wind deflectors, seems to be excellent airflow for me. Have a GIVI add-on windshield spoiler and don't think I'll even need it. Gearing is very tall. No point in using 6th on back roads. Acceleration is more than enough for me ... even being gentle during break-in. I like the display and the button/toggle to change settings is easier than the scroll wheel. Feels much lighter to roll around the garage and to put up on the centre stand. Sure miss the cruise control from the Tracer. The Transalp looks a little awkward/gawky. Certainly not the muscular/purposeful look of the Tracer. Only 125 kms on the odometer ...

I have a nice 2020 for sale ... $10,500 Canadian (which is about $76 US 😄) and I'm only about 2,500 miles from you. 😉

Tomorrow never comes. Right? 😉 The shop had problem getting the bike to recognize the Honda heated grips I had them install. They finally sorted it and I'm picking it up today. um ... I'll tell you about it tomorrow?

Ya ... I could see there was a GIVI key on your ring. I'd still separate them but just my preference.

You might mention where you are located. Someone close by might consider a pick-up.

I always keep my bike, car, snowmobile, tractor key on it's own fob. The rest of my keys are all on a separate carabiner. I can't stand the jumble of keys bouncing/rattling around in the ignition.

I'll be able to tell you all about it tomorrow ... I pick up my 2024 TA around noon. I opted for heated grips, centre stand, rad guard, low seat and the little fairing-mount wind deflectors. I've got a fender extender (ALIEXPRESS) and handguards (ACERBIS) on order.

You should find the part numbers on any of the online resources. I use mrcycles myself. https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts