1.3- Adapting my motorbike

In the summer of 2024, I purchased a XL750 Honda Transalp. It might seem ambitious for a new A licence rider, but when determination is fueling a long-time dream, who cares? As long as you take enough precautions to ride safely—and given my love for challenges—I'm all in. I, however, strongly recommend having some prior experience riding smaller motorbikes before moving up to a more complex motorcycle, as I am currently struggling to manage the weight of my motorbike while learning how to use the bike in some situations (i.e., steep roads, red lights on curves, etc.).

Why choose this motorbike? I conducted research to find a motorbike that is versatile for primarily road use, yet capable of handling off-road conditions, as South American roads can differ from European ones. Here are the features I sought;

• Main use (road or off-road). Mostly road riding with some off-road capability.

• Cost saving. I bought a test bike from a local dealership in Spain, which had some mileage on it, making it more affordable.

• Comfortable for long trips. Larger motorcycles offer greater comfort with bigger, ergonomic seats. Many also have fairings and windshields to shield you from wind and weather.

• Maintenance, the ease of finding parts worldwide in case of a fault or breakdown.

• Power and Performance. providing quick acceleration and an appropriate top speed.

• Advanced Safety and Technology: This bike comes with advanced safety features like ABS brakes, traction control, and riding modes, offering greater control and confidence while riding.

Over the past few months, I've encountered some issues that I've had to learn the hard way. These experiences will be useful for those who, like me, are just starting out with big bikes.

 Trouble reaching the ground with the feet

I was surprised at how difficult it is to get advice or support from mechanics on lowering a motorbike's height. I collected advice from different sources (like online platforms and experienced riders) and followed these steps to lower my motorbike. Jr Works Murcia handled all the modifications to lower my motorbike by up to 4cm.

Lowering the Forks (bajar horquillas):

Lowering the front forks can help reduce the overall height of the motorcycle. This involves adjusting the fork tubes in the triple clamps to lower the front end. It's important to ensure that the front and rear suspension are balanced to maintain proper handling.

BEFORE

AFTER

Change the Seat (viscoelastic memory foam):

I altered the original seat by adding viscoelastic memory foam to decrease its height and width. The foam enhance overall seating comfort.

BEFORE

AFTER

Lowering Kits (alpha technik kit de suspension 40mm para honda XL 750):

I purchased a lowering kits that reduced the bike's overall height without greatly impacting its performance.

BEFORE

AFTER

Reducing the stand:

I reduced the stand, this was necessary to keep some angle on the motorbike, reducing the motorbike by around 4cm, it left the stand too told to keep the motorbike stable.

BEFORE

AFTER

Footwear:

Opting for boots with thicker soles can provide a slight increase in your reach.