Custom Honda XL750 Transalps at Wheels and Waves 2026 – Gallery
Honda is holding its seventh Hondacustoms.com build competition at the 2026 Wheels and Waves event in Biarritz, France. While most years feature one bike as the starting platform, this year's competition features the CB750 Hornet and XL750 Translap, adding an "on-road vs off-road" theme.
At Wheels and Waves, the Transalp's designer, Valerio Aielillo from Honda’s R&D centre in Rome, will be reviewing the five entries based on the adventure-tourer he created.
We're featuring the Hornet entries in a separate gallery, but here are the five Transalp-based entries (including one three-wheeler!).
Photos by Honda.
Ruth – Honda Austria x Reier Motors
Channelling the world-famous Baja off-road race, ‘Ruth’ is a joint love letter to competition machines from Honda Austria and build partner Reier Motors. Built to a clear brief that required high performance, long range and distinctive style, the resulting bike is a unique take on an enduro adventure bike. Rebuilt from the ground up, the bike carries a very different appearance to a Transalp thanks to all-new fairings finished in a violet and opaque neon-red hue, complemented by custom headlights and additional lighting. Liberating the parallel twin’s voice is a full custom high-exit exhaust that hints at the sporty performance characteristics within.
Ocean Nomad – Honda France x CB77 by Gauvin
A vision of costal living, ‘Ocean Nomad’ mixes together the adventurous spirit with old-school surf culture in a nostalgic, patinaed aesthetic. A simplified silhouette comes courtesy of the removal of frontal fairings, an old-school round headlight which houses modern-day LED internals, and an all-new brown leather seat. This is matched to an aged ocean blue, ivory and burnt orange paint finish over the tank and remaining Transalp panels. Ocean Nomad is finished off with a stubby exhaust, custom US-style licence plates, side surfboard rack complete with matching skate and surfboards, giving the impression the bike has lived a life with many stories to tell.
Honda ATC750 - Honda Benelux x Dealer Anquety Motor Sport
Taking inspiration from the wilder corner of Honda’s comprehensive off-road back catalogue is the ‘ATC750’ - Honda Benelux and Dealer Anquety Motor Sport’s vision of a modern-day off-road trike. Amplifying the go anywhere intent of the Transalp, the main focal point of the ATC750’s build is the all-new custom swingarm, rear-axle, and axle retention system, all to accommodate the heavily revised bespoke drivetrain. Custom bodywork keeps those huge rear tyres in check, and reprofiles the front end to house a custom stubby windscreen and revised auxiliary lighting system. The ATC750 packs an imposing stance and is a truly unique take on the Transalp.
Saharja – Honda Italy x DRS Custom
The rally concept ‘Saharja’ is ‘inspired by the desert, built for the journey’ and blends a deeper Dakarian soul into the Transalp base. Boasting a handcrafted navigation tower (DRS) with digital road book and TFT speedometer, the bike also sports the iconic HRC Tricolour livery over a redesigned front end with integrated high-output LED lights. Gold wheels and handlebars provide exquisite detailing. A raised, long one-piece (monoblock-style) seat is paired with CNC-machined aluminium race footpegs for improved grip, whilst handguards, steel side protection bars (with 8‑litre dry bags) and an aluminium skid plate provide added protection. Extra handcrafted aluminium side fuel tanks, knobby tires and a high-mounted exhaust complete the transformation.
40th Anniversary ’86 Dakar Tribute – Honda UK x CJ Ball
Paying homage to Cyril Neveu’s win aboard the iconic 1986 NXR750, CJ Ball’s interpretation of the XL750 Transalp channels pure Dakar vibes through a highly-detailed desert paint scheme that puts the race’s brutal backdrop front and centre, a high-exit blacked out twin exhaust system and upgraded long-travel suspension. The front fender has been raised to amplify the off-road intentions, whilst upgraded off-road tyres and race number boards complete the racing look. Also integrated into the new livery is a tribute to Dakar founder, Thierry Sabine, with his famous quote “A challenge for those who go, a dream for those who stay behind” added to the bike.
