Honda XL600/650V Transalp / XRV750 African Twin 1987-2007 Service Manual

Haynes' own manual scope confirms exactly what this reference covers across a genuinely long span: "XL600V Transalp 583cc 87-99, XL650V Transalp 647cc 00-07, XRV750 Africa Twin 742cc 90-03" — three distinct model generations sharing enough fundamental V-twin architecture and chassis philosophy that Haynes bundled them into a single comprehensive manual rather than three separate references.

The Transalp launched in 1987 with a 583cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin, MCN's own review noting the platform's off-road styling paired with a genuinely soft, forgiving state of tune — "should struggle with a weighty 191kg to cart about, but actually it does it quietly and efficiently." That same review confirms 1994 brought a revised fairing and improved instruments, while the significant 2000 update took displacement to 647cc, added a new rear shock, twin front discs, and HISS ignition-based security — the genuine dividing line between the earlier XL600V and later XL650V variants this manual documents. MCN's own testing found the reliability genuinely strong throughout: "the motor is very reliable. It's in a soft state of tune and, provided it's regularly serviced, should go on forever," though older 600cc examples deserve close inspection of wheel bearings, Pro-Link shock suspension bearings, exhaust corrosion, and spoke condition.

The Africa Twin, by contrast, traces its lineage directly to Honda's genuine Paris-Dakar racing pedigree — Wikipedia's own account confirms HRC developed the water-cooled NXR750V works racer specifically for the rally, winning it four consecutive times from 1986 to 1989, before Honda adapted that design language (though not the actual racing platform) into the production XRV650 in 1988, quickly followed by the larger XRV750 in 1989-1990. Power comes from a 742cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin, SOHC with 6 valves (3 per cylinder) and four spark plugs, delivering a claimed 60.7 hp at 7,500 rpm and roughly 46 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm through a 5-speed gearbox with chain final drive. Genuine long-travel suspension — a 43mm air-assisted telescopic fork with 220mm of travel and a Pro-Link rear shock offering 214mm — insulated riders from rough terrain, backed by an aluminum bashplate protecting the engine from flying rocks and trail impacts, twin 276mm front discs, and a distinctive twin-headlight, tall-windscreen silhouette that's remained instantly recognizable across the model's entire run.

This factory service manual covers the procedures, torque specs, and diagrams needed to keep a 1987-2007 XL600V/XL650V Transalp or 1990-2003 XRV750 Africa Twin running the way it was built to.