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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 18 Jul 2012
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New RTW kids on the Block
First Look: Husqvarna Strada, Terra Dual Sporters | Cycle News

Looks like BMW / Husky just cant that classic Rotax 654 engine go ... its back again in a pair of biks that look to me to be a great pair of middle-weight bikes.

Basically like the X-Challenge and X-Country, with 10% more power, 4 litres more fuel (100 km extra range), steel subframe, for a cost of about 165 kgs dry (15 kgs heavier than X-bikes)

Personally, these would be the first bikes you can buy from the showroom in quite a few years that I would recommend to just about anyone who came to me for advice about what bike to adventurise and take RTW, or to Mongolia or Siberia.
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  #2  
Old 18 Jul 2012
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I'm quite excited about these, not least the 10 bhp hike in power over the BMW single.

Also the F700GS, but that's just me....
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  #3  
Old 18 Jul 2012
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Same old problem for those with less between their legs than Colebatch.

Seat height!
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  #4  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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The quoted weight is 186kg not 165kg, 410/2.2
A little Porky no? You'd need the extra grunt just to shift them!
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Old 19 Jul 2012
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Thats wet weight fully fuelled - I mentioned dry weight!
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  #6  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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· TR 650 Terra, unladen weight: 166 kg (365.96 lbs) / weight fully fuelled: 184 kg (405.65 lbs). (US-Version n.a.)
· TR 650 Terra without ABS, unladen weight: 165 kg (363,76 lbs) / weight fully fuelled: 183 kg (403.44 lbs). (US-Version: 368.17 lbs / 410.06 lbs)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Huan View Post
The quoted weight is 186kg not 165kg, 410/2.2
A little Porky no? You'd need the extra grunt just to shift them!
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  #7  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
Same old problem for those with less between their legs than Colebatch.

Seat height!
Well the off road version is 100 mm or so lowet than the X challenge - it has 80mm less suspension travel and I assume less ground clearance - so far fat more suitable for little uns. Must be very similar in seat height to your Dakar old boy! Obviously if it were for me I would change front and back to 300 mm travel and have nice soft plush fork sprinsgs
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Old 19 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by Docsherlock View Post
I'm quite excited about these, not least the 10 bhp hike in power over the BMW single.

Also the F700GS, but that's just me....
Not 10 extra hp, 10% more than the xc (5 more hp) - the xc was already up 6% on the old Dakar. Certainly 58 hp is loads for this kinda travel
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Old 19 Jul 2012
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Consider it like the old Dakar, but with 16% more power, the same economy and 14 kgs lighter.

Alternatively its like the xt660z tenere, but 20 kg lighter, 30% more powerful, 15% more economical - but you needto carry 5 litres more fuel to match the range - but thats a minor problem

And onpe thing it has on both those bikes ifs a 18 inch rear wheel
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  #10  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Not 10 extra hp, 10% more than the xc (5 more hp) - the xc was already up 6% on the old Dakar. Certainly 58 hp is loads for this kinda travel
58 bhp vs 75 bhp..... check your maths chubby cheeks!
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  #11  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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From their own press release:
...while a full torque curve and spontaneous response also allow supreme off-road excursions over light terrain on the TR 650 Terra.

That's actually the second time they mention light terrain which makes me wonder just how suitable these would be for serious loaded long distance off-road touring, it's hardly the usual hyperbole manufacturers use to describe their world-beating, all-terrain adventure machines.

And as for this:
The bikes' high aspirations in terms of riding dynamics are underscored by the light-gray sand-cast engine cases, providing a fascinating technical contrast in conjunction with the hallmark Husqvarna red cylinder head.

I was unaware that engine colour played such an important role inn the way a bike performs on, or off, road.

It's all a bit mouth and no trousers. Maybe they are the next round the world bikes but their marketing speak doesn't make it sound like they are.
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Old 19 Jul 2012
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Not very butch lol
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  #13  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
And as for this:
The bikes' high aspirations in terms of riding dynamics are underscored by the light-gray sand-cast engine cases, providing a fascinating technical contrast in conjunction with the hallmark Husqvarna red cylinder head.

I was unaware that engine colour played such an important role inn the way a bike performs on, or off, road.
As any boy-racer knows, painting the cam covers red is good for *at least* 10bhp. You can get another 5bhp if you write "Type R" on it.
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Old 19 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by Docsherlock View Post
58 bhp vs 75 bhp..... check your maths chubby cheeks!
My maths are immaculate ...

58hp vs 53 for the XC and 50 for the Dakar

There is no BMW single that makes 75 hp.
Last edited by colebatch; 19 Jul 2012 at 18:08.
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  #15  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
My maths are immaculate ...

58hp vs 53 for the XC and 50 for the Dakar

There is no BMW single that makes 75 hp.
...but your grammar isn't - "maths IS immaculate....."

Anyway, I was talking about the F700GS rather than the G650GS as it is now known......
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