Loving my Transalp, a jack of all trades, but master of none.
Had my 92' Transalp for a little more than a year now. Put close to 27.000km on it, bought it with only 31k. (many more to come) It's just an amazing bike.
One weekend you make it shiny and put on your matching suit to ride in the Distinguished Gentlemansride. The next weekend you are hauling tools, food and clothes for a job on the other side of the country. And in between you can take it offroad and try not to fall.
I feel like this bike isn't the best in anything really. There are way better off-road machines out there, even from its era. So many bikes are better suited for touring and the long drives with luggage. And there are for sure, far better looking machines to ride for a classic style event.
But although it's not the best in anything, it can do it all, without complaining, or it can easily be modified so it performs better in certain areas.
Some mods I've done so far and my opinion:
- Hyperpro springs+oil in the front - definitely a must have it makes braking so much better, more feel, less nose dive and better for off-road.
- Sw-motech pegs - the old ones get really slippery with water, no problem with these ones, far better suited for riding standing up as well.
- Crashbars - Very handy, those earned themselves back easily.
- Full Givi case set - I don't use them all that much, but with a total of close to 100L of space they do come in handy sometimes.
- Side pannier rack - Looks ugly, but it has a double duty as protection.
For tires i highly recommend the Heidenhau k60 Scout. Great tire for riding a mix, but also won't destroy itself riding sporty on asphalt.