But what if you want something cheaper than the Tenere 700 that matches its capabilities (and is even better in some ways)? Well, that’s exactly where Honda comes in, with a capable middleweight ADV under $10,000. Here’s a deep dive into the Honda ADV that competes with the Tenere 700 at a lower price.
The XL750 Transalp is the Honda ADV that can match the Yamaha Tenere 700 at a lower price
Honda’s ADV lineup isn’t as prominent as some of its peers (particularly Suzuki and BMW). So there are only three main names: the NX500, XL750 Transalp and Africa Twin. Of these, the only comparable Tenere 700 rival is the XL750 Transalp. It retails for a very aggressive $9,999, which makes it a significant $1000 cheaper than the Yamaha.
Both have their prices for 2025, so this price difference could change if the MY26 models drop. Given recent trends, we expect the Tenere to cross the $11,000 mark, while the Honda could maintain its MSRP below $10,000. The Transalp did this in 2025, even though it had some striking novelties for this year.
As for the colors, both bikes are available in two options. Yamaha has the Team Yamaha Blue and Tech Titanium for its Tenere 700, while Honda has the White and Pearl Gray for the XL750. Neither brand charges you more for choosing between colors. Between the two, we like the XL750’s colorways more. But hey, this is a subjective matter, so feel free to disagree in the comments.
The XL750 Transalp is the most powerful ADV under $10,000
With a lower recommended retail price, you would expect Transalp to make cuts. But that is not the case. In fact, it beats the Tenere 700 in several respects, the most important of which is performance. The Transalp is equipped with Honda’s new 755cc parallel-twin engine, combined with a 270-degree crankshaft. That, along with an 11:1 compression ratio, allows for 90.5 horsepower and 55 pound-feet. This is the highest return for an ADV under $10,000, and almost 20 ponies higher than the Tenere.
Fuel efficiency exceeds the 50 MPG mark
The 270 degree crank has a number of advantages, such as greater traction and force distribution compared to conventional 180 degree cranks. Both of these things also help with better fuel economy, as evidenced by Honda’s claimed figure of 54 miles per gallon. That’s similar to the Tenere (which has the same crank setup), although the Honda has a slightly larger tank for longer range.
Showa Suspension helps the Transalp handle a variety of terrain
The Transalp may not look as off-road capable as the stripped-down Tenere, but there’s no shortage of impressive parts here. The suspension comes from Showa specialists and consists of 43mm USD forks and a monoshock. These are long-travel units, with 7.9 and 7.5 inches front and rear respectively. Yes, that’s less than the Tenere, but still enough for all types of terrain. Both ends are also adjustable.
A set of wire wheels adds to the rugged character
Plus, the Transalp rides on a set of 21/18-inch spoke wheels shod with inner tubes – a big miss in our books. These hoops include dual disc brakes in the front and a single rotor in the rear. All the while, the entire package weighs 463 pounds, just four pounds more than the Tenere. That’s pretty low by ADV standards for middleweights, which is a good thing considering the tall saddle height.
Main justifications and dimensions
Wheels: 21/18 inches
Front brakes: 2x 310 mm
Rear brake: 296 mm
Weight: 463 pounds
Seat height: 33.4 inches
Ground clearance: 8.26 inches
Wheelbase: 61.5 inches
The Transalp really surpasses the Tenere 700 in terms of functionality
Even with a lower recommended retail price, the Transalp leads the way in terms of electronic functions and comfort. A five-inch TFT instrument cluster is standard with smartphone connectivity and several display modes, similar to most middleweight Honda motorcycles. You also get five riding modes, five-mode traction control with integrated wheelie control, switchable ABS, engine brake control and power modes.
You also get an adjustable windscreen, a USB connection and a rear wagon. There’s also an emergency stop signal that lights up all four indicators when you brake hard, automatically alerting the vehicles around you. Somehow Honda has skipped cruise control here, which isn’t even an available accessory. Speaking of accessories, you get a handful of them, such as:
Panniers: $839
Center Stand: $200
High windshield: $142
Heated grips: $156
Comfort seat: $169
Engine protector: $274
Skid plate: $426
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