Honda verifies full Transalp name, revealed with Hornet at EICMA?

Honda has taken another step towards the official unveiling of its new mid-size adventure model with the registration of its full name, the Honda XL750 Transalp.

Rumours of Honda’s return to the middleweight ADV class have been rife for some years now, with confirmation of a trademark for the Transalp moniker coming during the early months of 2021.

However, while initial talk described the model - which will rival the Yamaha Tenere 700 and Aprilia Tuareg 660 - as having around 850cc and be based on the Africa Twin platform, it is plausible Honda delayed its debut to instead develop it from its incoming 750cc platform.

The new twin-cylinder engine is primed to make its debut in both the Transalp and the sister Hornet, a new roadster pitched directly at the Yamaha MT-07, Triumph Trident 660 and Kawasaki Z650.

Having been previewed in a series of sketches and teasers, the Hornet - expected to be known more formally as the Honda CB750 Hornet - is highly-tipped to be getting its world premiere at Milan’s EICMA show in November.

However, there is growing talk it could be joined on the main stage by the new Transalp, after Young Machine unearthed documents confirming its full trademarked XL750 Transalp moniker.

Deciding against a CRF750L term that would bring it into line with the Africa Twin, the XL750 Transalp is a full revival of the name given to Honda’s most recent mid-size adventure model, which dropped off price lists in 2012.

Originally launched in 1985, the XL750 was inspired by Honda’s success in the Paris-Dakar Rally.

As well as the Hornet and Transalp, Young Machine has previously indicated the 750 platform could spawn a total of four models, including a cafe racer inspired ‘Hawk 75’ and a CBR750R(R) sportsbike that could spearhead Honda’s return to the Supersport series’ it dominated between 2002 and 2010.