2013 Husqvarna 650 Terra

[rcd389]

Bought a Terra at BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas on Wednesday 5 Dec 12. It's the second one sold in Vegas! All the guys at this shop are awesome! Third bike I have bought there and have been happy everytime.

Have a GSA for long distance but felt it was too heavy and expensive for off road. I will use the Terra for exploring 2 track trails in Nevada, So Cal and Utah.
I have plated 3 off road bikes in the past and they were killer off roaders, however they sucked on the street. With those bikes I used to haul ass off road and took a lot of risks. Now I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery and I feel that the Terra will let me do that. Plus, I can ride it on the street and not get beat up.

I have only 100 miles on it and love it so far! First thing I noticed was the bars are too low and the bend doesn't want you to stand up. Easy fix, different bars. Of course off road protection is the next thing. Skid plate, radiator guard and handguards are a must have before I take it off road. I've bought AltRider farkles for my GSA and the fit and finish of their stuff is awesome. They are in development of a skid plate and radiator guard so I will get them when they are available.

Tires are another thing. I want a 50/50 tire so I will try some TKC80's and see how that works out.

That's really it for right now. I will post some pics later and post when I start tricking it out.

[Pantah]

Congratulations! I think you made a wise choice. You have such incredible dirt road riding in every direction from where you live. I keep a Yamaha 250R in Phoenix and have ridden much of the area. My latest was Smokey Mountain Road through the Staircase Escalante wilderness. About 100 miles worth between Page and Escalante. Two water crossings of note plus some of it too much for a big twin because of deep sand, but perfect for a large thumper (or my little thumper ).

Regarding tires, might I suggest Michelin MT 21's? They came OEM on my KTM 690, and I really like them in mud and rocks. They last pretty long on the highway too. Best part is they are quite a bit cheaper than the Conti's. They have a 140 for under $100 and a front is about $90 I think. The speed ratings are appropriate too.

Originally Posted by rcd389

Bought a Terra at BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas on Wednesday 5 Dec 12. It's the second one sold in Vegas! All the guys at this shop are awesome! Third bike I have bought there and have been happy everytime.

Have a GSA for long distance but felt it was too heavy and expensive for off road. I will use the Terra for exploring 2 track trails in Nevada, So Cal and Utah.
I have plated 3 off road bikes in the past and they were killer off roaders, however they sucked on the street. With those bikes I used to haul ass off road and took a lot of risks. Now I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery and I feel that the Terra will let me do that. Plus, I can ride it on the street and not get beat up.

I have only 100 miles on it and love it so far! First thing I noticed was the bars are too low and the bend doesn't want you to stand up. Easy fix, different bars. Of course off road protection is the next thing. Skid plate, radiator guard and handguards are a must have before I take it off road. I've bought AltRider farkles for my GSA and the fit and finish of their stuff is awesome. They are in development of a skid plate and radiator guard so I will get them when they are available.

Tires are another thing. I want a 50/50 tire so I will try some TKC80's and see how that works out.

That's really it for right now. I will post some pics later and post when I start tricking it out.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by rcd389

First thing I noticed was the bars are too low and the bend doesn't want you to stand up. Easy fix, different bars.

Congratulations.
I did read in one review that you can adjust the bar position forward and back by rotating (?) the clamps. Can any owners confirm whether that is correct or just journalist talk.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by Pantah

Regarding tires, might I suggest Michelin MT 21's?

Heidenau K60s may also be worth a look. I think that they are closer to 50/50 than TKCs.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by tbarstow

Here's Scheffelmeier's website:

http://scheffelmeier-metall.de/shop/...jD&shop_param=

I have one on my XChallenge and it works great. It was less expensive to get that one shipped from Germany than it was to buy the Touratech skidplate.

Wow! Some nice fabrication, there.

[perennial]

Originally Posted by K1W1

I just spoke with B&B. At this stage they have no plans for a Terra plate because they have not had any other calls (not suprising seeing as the bikes have not arrived in Australia yet) but they will look at a plate if there is interest.

The test model is on the ground in Brisbane atm. It's here until the end of dec and then I think it's heading down to Sydney.

[slip]

I just see this bike as a winner, and I want one. I believe they will sell a lot of these bikes. Heck, it is only $500 more than the KLR650! This is the bike I have been waiting for. I just watched the following video review of the bike, and it looks awesome. I was also considering the new CRF250L, but the TR650 has about 30 more ponies, and in the end, I just think it would make an all around better dual sport bike. That's my 2 cents.


http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1538/M...ide-Video.aspx

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by eakins

my new fav for the price the tr-8 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ront-Tire.aspx i've used a tck and the tr8 works just as well for 1/2 the price. it grips great in the dirt and rails on the street. it's very well made from japan.

Used to love 6 ply IRC rears back in the late 1970s. I might look at this one.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by perennial

The test model is on the ground in Brisbane atm. It's here until the end of dec and then I think it's heading down to Sydney.

I presume that you mean the demo bike. The first shipment is due in Sydney on 17 Dec and should be at dealers later that week.

[Pantah]

eakins - Thanks for the tip on the TR8 front tire. I see lots of big bike riders are trying them. I wonder what the speed rating is?. Not that I care since I ride a couple of singles.

Also is a 4.0 or 4.50 X18 similar to a 140/18?

Thanks

[K1W1]

If you go to IRCs web site there is a little more info about tyre sizing and rim requirements.

From the load index rating "P" I would say that the backs are rated to 150 kph (93 mph) and the fronts at "PR" are 150-170 kph. Looks like the load rating on the rears is 280-300 kg depending on which size you use.

[RidingDonkeys]

Just drove an hour and a half to look at the Terra, convinced that I would probably hate it in person and settle on a DR650. Boy was I wrong. I was thoroughly impressed with this bike. Now i just need to sell a bike to make room in the garage.

Sent from the voices in my head and transcribed by their drinking buddy.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by eakins

is your new bike in there?

Unfortunately they all look like left hand drive models to me. I need shots of right hand drive production.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by eakins

speaking of the Mitas E07 rear. Hard tire to come by in the US http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706242
but has been found to be one of the highest mileage rear tires going.

Never heard of them. Interesting company history.

[Wallachian Spikes]

Originally Posted by eakins

a technique alot use to maximize dual-sport tire life while still getting great dirt grip: a mullet (some say emo) = agressive dirt front tire & 50/50 rear dual-sport tire. great dirt grip (front wash out is the biggest issue not rear traction) w/ great street grip and long life. both wear out at the same time (vrs the typical rear last 1/2 the time of a matched front)

use a more aggressive tire up front like a tkc, mt-21 or my new fav for the price the tr-8 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ront-Tire.aspx i've used a tck and the tr8 works just as well for 1/2 the price. it grips great in the dirt and rails on the street. it's very well made from japan.

then on the rear use a european longer lasting 50/50 tire such as mefo explorer http://www.twistedthrottle.com/tire-...0se-exc-others heidenau k60 http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/h...cout-rear-tire mitas e07 (ships to usa) http://www.mx1canada.com/mitas-e07-d...rear-tire.html D908RR http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx enduro 3 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx or the more aggressive xcmh http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx
or more street oriented w/ mt91 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

i think the biggest issue alot of you will find is that rear 140-18" is a harder tire size to find in dual-sport tires as 130(5.10)-17" is more of the standard.
you will find many more 130(5.10)-18" however and these will work just fine.

good 50/50 tires are the 244 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx & 700 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

and then of course the more aggresive 606 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx T63 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Thanks for the tip a buddy of mine runs K-60s & says they run forever but, he complains of front end wash out. I may try this "Mullet' or "Emo" that you speak of.