Honda Transalp 750: review and rental in Lisbon

Some motorcycles make sense in ten minutes and others need a week. The Honda Transalp 750 belongs to a third group: you get it as you leave the first roundabout, because it does not try to impress anyone. It does not shout, it does not scare you, it does not ask to be ridden in any special way. It simply goes well, and it keeps going well after 300 kilometres, which is exactly when many more ambitious bikes start to send the bill.

This text is my take on the Transalp as a rental motorcycle in Lisbon: how it behaves, who it suits, who it does not suit and how it compares with the other adventure bikes we have in the shop. When I talk about rental figures, they are those of October 2026, taken from the pages of our website.

In short:

• 755 cc twin-cylinder engine with 67.5 kW (91.8 hp) at 9,500 rpm, a power output that most riders handle with ease.
• 208 kg ready to ride, 850 mm seat height and a 16.9-litre tank, with a range of about 390 km.
• Rental at €110.35 per day (October 2026 prices), with 400 km per day included and a €1,000 deposit.
• Requires an A licence, being 21 years old and, because it is over 700 cc, two years of proven experience on similar motorcycles.
• It sits between the simpler NC750X and the bigger, more expensive Africa Twin.

What the Transalp 750 is and why it makes sense

The Transalp is a mid-size adventure bike. That means it has the tall stance, wide handlebars and long-travel suspension of an adventure motorcycle, but without the weight, power and price of a 1200 or 1300 cc big trail bike. It is a balanced proposition. Whoever picks it almost never wants the maximum of anything, they want enough of everything.

The engine is a 755 cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft, a configuration that gives a fuller sound and a more linear power delivery than is usual in a parallel twin. According to the Honda spec sheet, the stated fuel consumption is 4.3 l/100 km and the service interval is 12,000 km. Those are catalogue figures, of course, and on the road consumption rises with pace and luggage, but they give an idea of the bike's economical character.

In our fleet, the Transalp's sheet lists 67.5 kW (91.8 hp) at 9,500 rpm, a six-speed gearbox, a 5-inch TFT display, an 850 mm seat and 208 kg ready to ride. The bike we rent comes as standard with an engine guard, a crash bar, hand guards, a centre stand and Puig auxiliary lights. That is no accident: people who rent an adventure bike tend to take it on roads that are not always in perfect condition, and these protections spare you many scares.

How it rides

In the city and in traffic

At 208 kg, the Transalp is not as agile as a 125 naked bike, but it is not the barge that its apparent size suggests either. The weight is low, the wide handlebars give leverage, and the balance point at low speed is more forgiving than on a big trail bike. Riding the Segunda Circular at rush hour, or crossing Almada on the way to the bridge, is perfectly tolerable.

The 850 mm seat deserves a word. If you are 1.75 m or shorter, you will feel the tips of your toes touching the ground, not the whole sole. It is not a deal breaker, but it calls for some care when stopping on an incline, especially with luggage on the back. On the other hand, the riding position, standing or seated, is natural and leaves your arms relaxed.

On the open road

This is where the Transalp shows its worth. The twin's power delivery is full from low revs, which means you can ride lazily, letting the bike work in high gears, or stretch the gearbox and use the 91.8 hp when you want pace. When overtaking, the response is immediate with no need to drop three gears.

The range of about 390 km, with a 16.9-litre tank, is the number that weighs most for anyone planning routes. The rental includes 400 km per day, so in practice the tank and the included mileage match almost perfectly: a full day on the road, one stop to refuel, and the bike is ready for the next day. If you go over 400 km in a day, each additional kilometre costs €0.35.

On dirt roads

The Transalp is not an enduro bike and does not pretend to be. On packed-earth tracks, forest roads or rural roads with gravel, it behaves well, and the standard protections give you confidence. What you should not do is treat it like a rally KTM. At 208 kg, a fall on loose ground takes two people to pick the bike up, and the Transalp is happier on good dirt than in sand or heavy mud.

Who it is for, and who it is not for

Who will like it

The Transalp is a good choice if you hold an A licence and have already ridden medium or large motorcycles, but do not want to deal with the 145 hp of a big trail bike. It is a bike that forgives small mistakes and rewards smooth riding. It works well for couples, thanks to the room on the seat, and for multi-day trips with luggage in panniers, because the engine has the headroom to carry a load without complaining.

It also suits anyone moving from a naked bike or a small trail bike to a bigger adventure bike who wants to find out whether this format appeals to them. With its ratio of weight to power, the Transalp lets you learn without punishing you.

Who should look at another one

If you are under 1.70 m and have no experience on tall motorcycles, the seat can be a nuisance. If you are looking for a bike for lots of heavy off-road riding, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 is more suited. And if you want the full big-tour feeling, with more power and more electronics, the Africa Twin is a few steps above.

Comparison with other adventure bikes in our fleet

These are the four adventure-category motorcycles to rent in Lisbon that are most easily confused when it is time to choose. The figures are those on our website's sheets in October 2026.

Model	Power	Price per day	Deposit
Honda NC750X	43 kW	€100	€1,000
Honda Transalp 750	67.5 kW (91.8 hp)	€110.35	€1,000
Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally	54 kW (73.4 hp)	€120	€1,300
Honda Africa Twin	75 kW (102 hp)	€140	€1,100

The reading is simple. The NC750X is the most affordable and the most comfortable for anyone who puts comfort and fuel consumption first, but it has quite a bit less power. The Ténéré 700 is the rawest and the best off-road, with less power and more demands on the rider. The Africa Twin is the most powerful and the most expensive. The Transalp sits in the middle, with the most power of the two mid-size bikes and a price difference of just €10.35 per day compared with the NC750X.

If you have read our review of the Honda X-ADV 750, you know that the engine of Honda's 750 family is, above all, an easy-traction engine. The Transalp takes advantage of that character and gives it a chassis closer to the countryside.

How much it costs to rent the Transalp

The price is €110.35 per day in October 2026, with all fees included (23% VAT), third-party liability insurance, roadside assistance, the rider's helmet, a padlock and 400 km per day. We do not apply discounts for long-term rental, so the cost scales in a straight line: three days cost €331.05 and five days €551.75.

To book, you pay only 30% of the total. The remainder is paid at pickup. The €1,000 deposit is held on your card, separately, at check-in, and returned within 5 working days. Pickup is at the Sobreda shop, every day between 09:00 and 19:00. Delivery to the airport or to your door exists, but it is a paid service and depends on availability.

For those without gear, the extras are cheap: a full-face helmet at €5 per day, gloves at €2, a protective jacket at €5 and a phone holder at €3, according to our terms and conditions. For those who want to cross the border, there is an extension insurance for Spain at €58 per 10 days.

If you are thinking of how to rent a Honda Transalp 750, pick your dates on the bike's page and check the real availability before going ahead.

What you need to be able to rent

The strictest rules of our contract apply to this bike. Above 125 cc you must be 21 and hold an A category licence. Above 700 cc, which is the case here, we also require two years of proven riding experience on motorcycles with similar characteristics and power. You also need an ID card or passport and a card on which to block the deposit.

Category A is the broadest. According to the IMT (Portuguese mobility and transport institute), to obtain it you must have turned 24, or be 20 with 2 years of holding category A2. A2, in turn, requires being 18. If you only have A2, the Transalp is not for you, even if your licence lets you ride motorcycles up to 35 kW in other contexts. The Transalp's power is 67.5 kW.

We reserve the right to assess the rider's experience at pickup. If the team concludes that there is not enough skill for the chosen bike, the rental may be refused, with no refund of what has already been paid.

Three route ideas from Lisbon

On the Transalp's page we list three road destinations: Monchique, Peniche and Guimarães. Each asks different things of the bike.

The Serra de Monchique, in the Algarve, is the one that lets the Transalp show its value the most. It has mountain curves at a relaxed pace, and an engine with low-end strength that lets you climb without constantly swapping gears. The Câmara Municipal de Monchique (Monchique town council) has local information about the mountains and the town, useful for planning stops.

Peniche is the road with a view of the sea. What counts here is comfort at a sustained pace, with the Transalp's upright position sparing your back. The Câmara Municipal de Peniche (Peniche town council) gathers information about the municipality.

Guimarães is farther away and is a proposition for two or three days, with historic streets at whatever speed you like. With 400 km per day included, there is room to make the outward trip in one day and use the next to sightsee.

To choose the day well, remember that the 390 km range is a reference value. At a brisk pace, with luggage and wind, the real distance to reserve will be shorter, so always refuel whenever you pass a petrol station in sparsely populated areas.

Luggage, passenger and comfort

A 208 kg motorcycle with 91.8 hp does not complain about carrying two more bags and a person on the back. With a passenger, the behaviour changes, as on any motorcycle: braking needs more anticipation and the front gets lighter in tight corners. The Transalp handles this well, but it is a good idea to ride the first kilometres slowly to feel how the extra weight affects the balance.

As for comfort, the strong point is the upright position, with your knees only slightly bent and your back supported. After a 350 km day, you notice your backside more than your back, and that is solved with regular stops. The 5-inch TFT display shows the information legibly and needs no lengthy explanation.

The hand guards that come standard on the bike make a difference on cold, windy days.

How to get the first day right

The first day is always the one that teaches the most. If you have never ridden a 750 cc adventure bike, spend the first 20 or 30 minutes getting to know the bike on familiar roads. Test the braking, feel where it starts to get heavy when leaning, get used to the seat height at stops. Only then start to stretch the pace.

At pickup, a full inspection is done together, and existing damage is noted and photographed. Take the chance to ask about anything you are left unsure of, from how the display works to how to put the centre stand down.

Also bring your phone with a holder, if you want navigation, and check the weather forecast. Anyone who rented at the end of October knows that the afternoons get cooler, and a protective jacket at €5 per day makes all the difference when the sun goes down.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent the Transalp with an A2 licence?

No. For motorcycles above 125 cc we require an A category licence and an age of 21. As the Transalp exceeds 700 cc, we also ask for two years of proven experience on similar motorcycles.

How many kilometres can I ride per day?

The rental includes 400 km per day. Each additional kilometre costs €0.35. With a range of about 390 km per tank, the daily limit and the tank capacity are very close.

How much is the deposit and when is it returned?

The Transalp's deposit is €1,000, held on your card at check-in and returned within 5 working days. Booking requires payment of 30% of the total rental value.

Can I take it to Spain?

There is an extension insurance for Spain, which costs €58 per 10 days, according to our terms and conditions. You should request it before departure, from the team, so that everything is recorded in the contract.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

It is not mandatory. The rental includes a basic helmet with a visor, whose replacement, in case of loss or damage, costs €50. You can add a full-face helmet (€5 per day), gloves (€2), a protective jacket (€5) and a phone holder (€3).