Early 90s TransAlp -- worth while?

[bomber]

All -- I have been feeling a need to get back off the pavement in a slightly more serious fashion of late -- while arranging for some new tires for one of the denizens of our motor pool, I spied an early 90s Trans Alp in the back of the shop, with a "Take me home with you" look about it . . . . .

Tell me of these things -- would a KLR of similar price (3K asking, in this case) be a better pick?

I'll admit that riding something a bit left of center always appeals to me . . . . .

thanks, all

[Mrs. DantesDame]

PM dm_gsxr - he had one (might still, for all I know, as the last I knew it was "for sale"). He had it for a few years and should have some solid input for you  

[bomber]

thank you ma'm!

[BlueRidgeKat]

Tell me of these things -- would a KLR of similar price (3K asking, in this case) be a better pick?

Certainly a KLR or DR has lots of used parts out there floating around pretty cheap if needed, not sure about a Trans Alp. That would be my only concern.
Other than that have only heard good things about the bike over the years.

[Scratch33]

Certainly a KLR or DR has lots of used parts out there floating around pretty cheap if needed, not sure about a Trans Alp. That would be my only concern.

^This.  There are other more modern & numerous models of bikes available if you want to do TransAlp stuff.

[bomber]

thanks for the reality check, gents -- I sometimes get lured by the siren song of coolness (and the TA is pretty cool) . . . .

[stromgal]

You want 'a bubble off plumb', you need a Cagiva Elefant.  

[bubba zanetti]

Not so fast ... is the TransAlp stock or had a few mods?  I would not be so quick to dismiss it especially if your reality of off road includes 70 pavement.  I have lusted after the TransAlp for years and often see absolutely beautiful ones on ADV that make me weep ... well ... almost.    Great motor and as you say bomber, sometimes the road less taken and all that ... eh?

KLR is a more, dare I say potent   offroad tool but ... a gentleman's dual sport it is not !!

+2 for the Elefant or an early R100GS ... bumblebee ???

[bomber]

Beej, girl, a bubble off isn't quite enough, generally ;-}

I swore off all things Eyetlian after a heart-breaking summer that featured a Ducati Diana and a lovely Italian girl  . . . seems a blockhead from Chicago wasn't prepared for either, much less both at the same time . . . .

Gentleman? DId I get promoted?

Bubba -- it's stock (appearing), low milage (which makes me a mite nervous) -- I keep telling myeslf I want something to go get dirty with, and not another project . . . . like I've stuck to that before . . . . . .

It IS pretty though (on second look, it's an 89)

[atwowheelguy]

A friend had one, great bike, he loved it. He worked for Honda for 30 years. He sold the bike. He said he had trouble finding parts.

[bomber]

thanks, guy -- I decided to move on to something easier to keep running -- TransAlps have achieved collectible old crock status, and are priced accordingly -- I could pick up a DR650 and through another grand in upgrades at it for about the same money.

thanks, all, for the information . . . . .

[tvpierce]

That's one sweet ride!  

[miles]

Heh. I had an Elefant.  It was names that because of the seat height.

[Meemuh]

Bomber...did you end up getting a dirt friendly 2 wheeler?

[bomber]

Mee -- not yet -- the KLR and DR sellers round here are quite proud of their offerings . . . .

I MAY be on the trail of a likely candidate, though . . . . .

thanks for asking!

[Prubert]

You want 'a bubble off plumb', you need a Cagiva Elefant.  

....Please, Elefant is so mainstream.   Guzzi Quota, now you are talking!

[bomber]

I actually went to check out a Quota - it was way outa my price range, but the coll factor was high, certainly.

I was not convinced I'd be capable of picking it up 7 or 8 times, later in the day . . . . . . .

;-}