Hello. Back in October 1997 I purchased a brand new Honda Transalp, this very bike.

I've long been aware of my seriously limited skills as a mechanic, which added to my total lazyness make me be the perfect client for a workshop: the kind of guy who doesn't even wash the bike by himself.
So, every job other than filling the tank, (occasionally) lubing the chain and checking the tire pressure, I've had it done by my mechanic.

The following is a record of all money I've invested in my bike's maintenance. I must say that despite the fact I haven't had my hands dirty by caring of my bike, she's always slept inside walls,  been ridden with care, and had anything which might become a symptom of malfunction been checked at once. As a result, my beloved Transalp is in a fairly good condition.

If you are thinking of buying one, here you'll be able to assess the actual cost of keeping it in good shape.

By the way, I burn between 5.4 and 5.6 litres of gasoline every 100 km.

Note: Unless stated otherwise, the currency conversions below have been done with The Universal Currency converter.

Date:03/10/24  km:105000. Rate 1 EUR=1.1786 US$ used
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Schuberth Concept screen	45.00	53.04	My original one had too many km run in quite a dusty environment
Suspension oil (20 sintetic)	17.08	20.13	Front suspension didn't feel well
Suspension oil (5 sintetic)	12.76	15.04	and I didn't want to but new springs...
Coolant organic (2000067)	15.71	18.52	I had a mess in my cooling system
Chain lube	0.90	1.06	As usual
37760MT2003 switch	40.19	47.37	A part of cooling system
19108MB0000 tube level	3.89	4.58	and another one
17359419670 connexion pipe	1.28	1.51	yet another one
Oil 4HP ECO 10W40	9.67	11.40	One litre was needed
Water pump	60.00	70.72	An used one, from a Revere (all 600-650 V52 Honda twins use this same part)
Labour	112.70	132.83	5 hours, gulp!
VAT(16%)	51.07	60.19	That's what we call "a shovel hit" :-((

Date:03/08/26  km:103000. Approximate rate 1 EUR=1.0888 US$ used
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
YB12A-B Yuasa battery	41.95	45.67	First replacement after 103000 km and almost 6 years
Labour	11.27	12.27	Half an hour
VAT(16%)	8.52	9.28	One of my last Aznar's pound of flesh

Date:03/07/29  km:102000. Approximate rate 1 EUR=1.12 US$ used
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil 4HP ECO 10W40	27.92	31.27	2.6 l, no filter replaced
Chain lube	0.90	1.01	When will I start to lube my chain properly?
Labour	22.54	25.24	1 hour
VAT(16%)	8.22	9.21	Aznar's pound of flesh

 

Date:03/07/02  km:96800.
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Chain kit	141.95	162.97	Hardly 20000 km, but I didn't want to start a trip with quite a worn one
Oil 4HP ECO 10W40	30.07	34.52	2.8 l of this ECO (?) oil
Oil bottle	11.15	12.80	To add during trip
Oil filter	9.05	10.39	Time had come
Air filter	23.20	26.64	Time had come, 25000 km!
Castrol chain spray	14.05	16.13	Specially needed when one lives away from asphalt
Anakee front tyre	75.00	86.11	Time to give Michelin a second chance
Anakee rear tyre	121.00	138.92	A second chance after an old unsatisfying one
Labour	77.09	88.51	3.42 hours, gulp!
VAT(16%)	80.41	92.32	At the moustache guy's disposal :-(

Date:03/05/19  km:94000 approx. Euro/US$ rate from newspaper.
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
44806MV1003	15.03	17.51	This f****ng speedo's f****d again!
Labour	18.71	21.80	0.83 hour (49 min 48 sec? :-) )
VAT(16%)	5.40	6.29	Less than other times, still too much

 

Date:03/01/30 and 03/02/05 km:89900. Note: I couldn't ride for 37 days due to a drop in a not properly repaired road.
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Rear brake pads	40.72	43.99	As, seemingly, every 30000 km
Oil 4HP ECO 10W40	27.92	30.17	2.6 l of this ECO (?) oil
Front brake pads	81.44	87.99	The same 06455MAW761 and 06456MAW761 that lasted half than original ones did
Chain lube	0.90	0.97	In this workshop, they seem to believe I don't lube my chain properly. They're right.
Labour	38.77	41.89	1.72 h at 22.54 euro/h, no 2003 increase so far
VAT(16%)	30.36	32.80	To clean Atlantic beaches? To finance Eastern wars? To fill local pockets? Who knows!

Date:02/07/31 km:84400. Note: US$ column dropped; according to The Universal Currency converter both currencies are within 2% from one another.
 

Concept	Euro	Remarks
Oil filter 15410MM9P03	8.87	I wonder why it's 0.20 more expensive
Lock sets (three)	20.13	My three cases finally operated with one single key
Oil 4HP ECO 10W40	27.92	2.6 l at 10.74
Chain lube	0.90	Something I should do more often myself
Labour	22.99	1.02 h (?) at 22.54 euro/h
VAT(16%)	12.93	To pay for free motorways made far from home :-(

Date:02/07/19 km:80500. Note: US$ column dropped; according to The Universal Currency converter both currencies are within 2% from one another.
 

Concept	Euro	Remarks
Spokes 42610MN9405 (OEM from '89 Dominator)	43.20	36 (4 more than necessary) at 1.20 euro each.
Labour	45.08	2 h at 22.54 euro/h
VAT(16%)	14.12	To pay for Mr. Aznar's Perejil adventures :-(

Date:02/07/16 km:80400. Note: US$ column dropped; according to The Universal Currency converter both currencies are within 1cent from one another.
 

Concept	Euro	Remarks
Metzeler Tourance tyre 90/90-21	76.00	It had 20000 km., I think it should've lasted longer
Metzeler Tourance tyre 130/80R17	130.80	It had 14000 km, and had a few left, but I preferred to do my next week trip with new "shoes"
Labour	45.54	2.02 h at 22.54 euro/h My mechanic has increased his prices :-(
VAT(16%)	40.37	Our government gets more than it expends

Date:02/07/12 km:80200. Note: US$ column dropped, computations are left to the reader :-) 330 ml beer bottles in the bar, at 1 euro each, are not included.
 

Concept	Euro	Remarks
J&J muffler	0.00	The old one needed a replacement. This one had unbeatable quality/price ratio :-)
Labour	0.00	Some 10 hours at 0.00 each, mine not included :-)

Date:02/05/13 km:78000. Note: chain kit replacement.
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Chain kit	135.48	123.56	Didn't last much... Price after 10% discount
Oil 4HP 15W40	26.10	23.80	Again, 2,7 l . At 10% less too. Mmm... not the same as usual
Screw 90124MM9000	1.88	1.71	Er. don't know why
Labour	52.59	47.96	2.50 h at 21.04 euro/h
VAT(16%)	34.57	31.53	This bill's vulture share

Date:02/01/10 km:73100.
 

Concept	Euro	US$	Remarks
Speedo gear 44800MV1003	67.00	59.79	I know, I never lubed this, but couldn't Honda make this thing more sealed and/or solid?
Speedo cable 44830MAW760	13.00	11.60	It wasn't broken, but it caused premature wear of the above part
Labour	11.00	9.81	0.50 hours
VAT(16%)	14.59	13.02	I wish this was for something useful ...

Date:01/11/19 km:71800. Note: the oil level was low, I did not refill, but replace instead.
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Chain lube	150	0.90	0.79	Necessary, after a wash
Oil HPM 15W50	4,825	29.00	25.50	For some reason, 2,7 l
Oil filter	1,433	8.61	7.57	As every 12000 km
Air filter	3,674	22.08	19.42	Again lasted 18000 km
Labour	6,125	36.81	32.38	1.75 hours
VAT(16%)	2,593	15.58	13.71	I regret this one sixth increase

Date:01/07/23 km:66300. Note: euro-US$ rates as of 01/08/03
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Chain lube	150	0.90	0.79	For some reason, I tend not to lube my chain properly
Oil HPM 15W50	4,646	27.92	24.60	2,6 l
Metzeler Tourance rear tire	16,610	99.83	87.96	20% discount welcome!
Rear brake pad set	6,577	39.53	34.83	Second replacement
Labour	6,720	40.39	35.59	1.92 hours
VAT(16%)	5,552	33.37	29.40	This would mean fuel for many km, even in the UK

Date:01/07/01 km:59500.
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil filter	1,290	7.75	6.60	This time, I had some discount
Oil HPM 15W50	3,100	18.63	15.86	2,5 l at a lower price
Metzeler Tourance front tire	11,563	69.50	59.15	The ME33 didn't last much...
Front brake pad set	11,838	71.15	60.55	Left and right are referenced differently
Levior nylon boot cover	3,191	19.18	16.32	Likely to be useful in Scotland
Labour	12,250	73.62	62.66	3.5 hours for all above plus a wash, replace grips, adjust suspension and weld a couple of muffler tubes
VAT(16%)	6,941	41.72	35.50	This is in what I get less reward for my money

Date:01/03/05 km:54000.
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Air filter	3,499	21.03	19.54	After 18000
Oil HPM 15W50	4,030	24.22	22.50	More expensive than ever
Head lamp	2,057	12.36	11.49	Prematurely dead due to vibrations.
Labour	7,000	42.07	39.09	Includes checking a number of things
Spark plug DPR8EA-9 NG	2,596	15.59	14.50	Replaced after 30000 km, yet looked in good condition
Chain and sprockets kit	23,855	143.37	133.20	The previous one lasted very little.
VAT(16%)	6,886	41.39	38.45	The usual rip-off

Date:01/01/12 km:51300.Note.Euro/US$ rate is as at 01/01/23
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Steel front brake line	12,460	74.89	70.24	My share of a joint purchase
Labour	0	0	0	Home installation :-)

Date:01/01/04 km:50900.Note.Euro/US$ rate for this bill is approximate, allow 1% discrepancy
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
GIVI PL131 rack	14,410	86.61	80	Allegedly discontinued.
Labour	3,500	21.04	19.50	A small part had to be custom made, because it was missing due to the former installation of top case holder
VAT (16%)	2,866	17.23	16	Tax abuse: the never ending story
GIVI E460 cases (2)	20,000	120.20	111	Bought used, in good condition, for less than half its price!

Date:00/11/06 km:48300. Note.Before this bill, I rode some additional 2500 km on a F650GS and a Y2K TA :-) !!
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil filter	1,364	8.20	7.04	As every 12000 km. This time the air filter has not been replaced...
Oil HPM 15W50	3,426	20.59	17.68	These 2.6 l never cost the same. Why?
Spokes (19!)	4,910	29.51	25.33	One was broken, many needed replacement. I should've cared
Labour	10,500	63.11	54.18	Includes replacement of nineteen(!) spokes.
VAT (16%)	3,199	19.23	16.51	If polititians just spent this well :-(

Date:00/09/14 km:46200. Note.Euro/US$ rate for this bill is approximate, allow 1% discrepancy
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Head bearings (2)	4,295	25.81	22.14	It seems they had premature wear
Front tire. Metzeler ME33	14,500	87.15	74.74	A tire 20% more expensive than any other, but bought with discount
Rear tire. Metzeler Tourance	16,610	99.83	85.61	Time to try something new, yet not that different
Dust seals (2)	857	5.15	4.42	Two different, each with its part number
Tube	1,170	7.03	6.03	Replaced, even if not punctured
Labour	10,500	63.11	54.12	Includes replacement of one broken spoke, and arrangement of the remaining ones, most of which were tightened up.
VAT (16%)	7,669	46.09	39.53	Couldn't they reduce VAT? Or fuel taxation? Or both?

Date:00/05/08 km:42000
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50	4,030	24.22	22.64	2.6 units, 5% more expensive than last time
Labour	10,500	63.11	58.99	3.5 hours billed for: washing, changing oil and doing the very first valve adjustement.
VAT (16%)	2,325	13.97	13.06	As soon as commerce is really free, buy orders will flood taxless countries

Date:99/12/01 km:36000
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	3,832	23.03	23.10	2.6 units
Oil filter	1,324	7.96	7.98	Cheaper than last time
Air filter	3,398	20.42	20.48	More expensive than last time
Chain lube	150	0.90	0.90	Necessary after a well deserved wash
Labour	6,000	36.06	36.17	2 units. Includes third time any dirt is removed by other than rain . Also spoke adjustement.
Coolant	130	0.78	0.78	First time any is added
VAT (16%)	2,374	14.27	14.31	Equivalent to gasoline for 343.7 km, according to my latest estimations

Date:99/08/30 km:32500
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Drive chain kit	22,539	135.46	141.63	10% discount price
Brake pads (rear)	5,475	32.91	34.40	10% discount price
Labour	3,000	18.04	18.85	1 hour
VAT (16%)	4,962	29.82	31.18	I could have had a great dinner with this

Date:99/07/08 km:30500
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	3,685	22.15	22.54	2.5 units
Labour	1,500	9.02	9.18	0.5 units
VAT (16%)	830	4.99	5.08	I could have had 5 beers with this

Date:99/04/06 km:27019
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Metzeler Enduro 4 rear tire	20,762	124.78	133.92	After 20,400 km (12,750 mile), the old one did need replacement
Labour	2,250	13.52	14.51	0.75 units
VAT (16%)	3,350	20.13	21.61	I'd rather spend this money in gasoline, instead

Date:99/01/14 km:24100
 

Concept	pta	Euro	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	3,113	18.71	21.91	2.7 units
Oil filter	1,595	9.59	11.23	After 12000 km (7500 mile)
Air filter	3,236	19.45	22.78	Also changed after 12000 km
Spark plug (DPR8EA-9 NGK)	2,400	14.42	16.89	2x2=4 units have replaced the stock ones
Chain lube	150	0.90	1.06	I've got no Scottoiler, you know
Labour	6,000	36.06	42.23	2 units. Includes second time any dirt is removed by other than rain!
VAT (16%)	2,639	15.86	18.57	Gov't contribution to make bad things worse
Coffee & croissant, including VAT :-)	205	1.23	1.44	Fine when temperature outside is just +3 deg.

Date:98/11/19 km:21900
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Metzeler Enduro 4 front tire	12,885	77.02	90.71	Some 1 US$ cheaper than Enduro 1
Chain lube	150	0.90	1.06	None
Labour	1,500	8.97	10.56	0.5 units
VAT (16%)	2,326	13.90	16.38	I still think 16% is too much

Date:98/10/06 km:18700
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	2,998	17.86	21.57	2.6 units
Chain lube	150	0.89	1.08	None
Levior gloves	8,000	47.67	57.57	Thinsulate GoreTex
Labour	3,600	21.45	25.91	1.2 units
VAT (16%)	2,320	13.82	16.98	Lots of civil servants, as me, can live thanks to taxes...

Date:98/05/21 km:12000 Currency exchange: as in 98/02/20
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	2,998	17.90	19.45	2.6 units
Oil filter	1,595	9.53	10.35	None
Air filter	3,236	19.33	21.00	None
Labour	4,500	26.87	29.20	1.5 units. Includes first time any dirt is removed by other than rain!
VAT (16%)	1,973	11.78	12.80	I've been told it's even worse in other countries, isn't it?

Date:98/02/20 km:6600
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	2,883	17.22	18.71	2.5 units
Metzeler Enduro 4 rear tire	19,670	117.47	127.64	Special price
Chain lubrifier	150	0.90	0.97	None
Labour	3,000	17.92	19.47	1.6 units
VAT (16%)	4,400	26.28	28.55	Too much

Date:97/11/07 km:1060
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Oil R HPM 15W50 6x4	2,883	17.27	19.83	2.5 units
Oil filter	1,551	9.29	10.67	None
Chain spray	153	0.92	1.05	0.1 units
Case holder	5,400	32.34	37.15	For a Givi Monokey
Labour	600	3.59	4.13	0.2 units (free change oil)
VAT (16%)	1,694	10.15	11.65	Same as below

Date:97/10/23 km:0
 

Concept	pta	ECU	US$	Remarks
Purchase	857,969	5,152	5,866	Special sale price
VAT (16%)  and other taxes (>12%)	253,831	1,524	1,735	Damn!

Disclaimer. The data above must be taken as they are: they are the result of what I like or dislike and the result also of my own driving skills.