Honda XL750 Transalp E-Clutch

From a press release issued by Honda:

The The XL750 Transalp – which debuted in 2023 – was designed to fill a gap in the mid-capacity sector of Honda’s range as a model to attract customers with a different set of adventurous aspirations. Fittingly it took inspiration from the original and has proved perfect for an extended touring trip as well as the urban cut and thrust – and all points in-between

It’s at home slicing through an Alpine pass or kicking up dust on rough tracks. And adds to the formula a high-performance engine and top-draw equipment level that modern riders demand. With updated suspension for 2025 (after an extensive European riding tour by both Japanese and European development engineers) and refreshed front fairing housing a powerful LED dual projector headlight, the Transalp offered an even stronger all-round package.

For 2026 Transalp gains further revisions to suspension settings, as well as a major advantage for on- and off-road use with the option of Honda E-Clutch, a technological evolution of the manual transmission that takes riding to the next level.

The XL750 Transalp’s design projects an unmistakeable feeling of adventure touring in a package that works superbly on the road. The tough, long-legged look is headed up by a dual LED projector headlight – drawing design influence from the Africa Twin – that adds to the adventurous styling and throws out powerful beams. Paired with this is an upper fairing that utilises a central duct to direct airflow around the helmet area, while the high-transparency DurabioTM screen is profiled to aid air flow around the rider’s body. Internal mid-cowl aerodynamics also work to enhance handling agility.

The engine packs a great deal of Honda’s engineering prowess into a small space and provides strong response across the rev-range – just what’s needed for either solo or two-up touring. The 755cc, parallel twin-cylinder unit (shared with the CB750 Hornet) produces 67.5kW peak power and a strong helping of torque right through the rev range, peaking at 75Nm. Settings of the Throttle By Wire (TBW) system orientate the engine character towards touring and comfort.

Compact, competition CRF-derived Unicam eight-valve cylinder heads employ downdraft air intakes and Vortex flow duct to ensure optimal combustion. The 270° crank delivers feel and character. Electronic rider aids run via Throttle By Wire (TBW) and include five riding modes, four of which contain pre-set combinations of Engine Power, Engine Braking, ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with integrated Wheelie Control. The 5th ‘User’ mode allows the rider to fix their own preferred combination.

And, for 2026, the option of Honda E-Clutch, working with the sophistication of TBW, provides some key advantages for the XL750 Transalp rider. Starting and stopping in the city is so much easier, and less tiring, by not having to use the clutch lever. More importantly, the system provides next level riding enjoyment, working much more quickly and smoothly than a quickshifter, up and down the gearbox. And off-road it is possible to change up smoothly, even when the rear wheel is spinning.

The Transalp’s handling is light, nimble and confidence inspiring. The steel diamond frame is light weight thanks to optimisation of wall/pipe thickness and stiffness. For supple on-road performance and off-road bump absorption, suspension is top quality: Showa 43mm SFF-CA USD forks and rear shock operating through Pro-Link. Set to deliver compliance on rougher terrain, while maintaining on-road composure both receive compression and rebound damping adjustment for 2026. Dual two-piston calipers provide efficient stopping power while the tyres – 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 front and rear respectively – deliver versatility on or off-road.

The rich specification list is headlined by a customisable, five-inch TFT colour display which relays information through a choice of three display types and management of all systems, as well as the connectivity of Honda RoadSync system for both Android and IOS devices. It’s operated, easily, by a 4-way toggle switch on the left handlebar. The indicators auto-cancel and include Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology to warn other road users of sudden braking.