I've come across a Terra at a reasonable price and am looking at it next weekend with a view to buying but I've got a few questions for the assembled wisdom. A bit of background: I've lusted after these bikes since I first saw one in a showroom in 2012. I set about saving my pennies to buy one and went back to the dealer a year later only to be utterly devastated when I was told that they had been discontinued and none were available. In the meantime, life got in the way and the saved money has been spent on renovating the bathroom and feeding the family. But now, the bug has bitten again and I've been searching for a good Terra. What I've found is a 2013 Terra with 7000kms, some basic farkles (bashplate, rack and barkbusters and not much else) at a reasonable price. The vendor seems trustworthy and has said that the brake light is permanently on, there's a few scratches, the seat has been lowered, it's on the original tyres, chain and sprockets but not much else needs fixing. My intended riding is probably 50/50. Mostly dirt roads and fire trails rather than single track. But, if I'm honest with myself, I live in the inner city, in an apartment so most of the miles will be riding on tar to get to the dirt, even if most of the hours will be off-road. I'm reasonably handy - used to be a sheet metal worker and own a BMW R75/5, Suzuki Singer T125, several Suzuki TS100s, a Yamaha AG100, a Yamaha YB100 etc, etc. - I'm a glutton for punishment. I've done a lot of reading of this forum and ADVRider over the last few weeks about the Terra and have an understanding of some of the issues. I've rung around the Husky, KTM and BMW dealers in Melbourne - none of them will touch it. That's ok to some extent because I service my bikes myself but I can't do things like clear the dash messages. So, to my questions: 1. I've been looking online for parts like the brake light switches (most likely cause of the brake light switch being permanently on) but can't find any. I suspect that the parts are interchangeable with the BMW GS/F650 - is there a parts translator anywhere? - I couldn't find one. I have the Terra manual. 2. Is there anyone in Melbourne, Australia who has the GS911 tool? Alternatively, is there anyone in Melbourne who would be interested in splitting the costs in buying one? 3. Vendor said that it needs its 5000km service but my reading of the manual is services are required at 1000kms then 10,000kms. Is he wrong or am I missing something? There is no wrench symbol on the dash. 4. He says the bike has not been de-restricted (this may just be an Australian thing relating to our learner rider licensing laws). What is involved in de-restricting the motor? Is it just removing a throtle stop? 5. I've been reading the various tyre threads here and on ADVRider. The Motoz Tractionator Adventure sounds pretty good (I'm going to replace the original tyres immediately). Is there anything better? 6. I'm going to replace the chain and sprockets immediately. I'll probably never ride over 120km/hr on the road and would like good off-road capbility. Any suggestions for sprocket sizes? That's probably enough questions for now. Thanks Jim
the tab on the brake lever actuating the switch is probably bent upwards a tad. Bend it down a bit to de-activate the switch. Easy fix. The only way to adjust the switch anyways. de-restricting requires a different throttle cable holder and moving the throttle cable to another position. Easy to do just cumbersome to get to the throttle body. Pipes need to come off to tilt the rear sub frame down so that the tank comes up and out of the way. Good opportunity to take the air box off and check for dirt in it then seal it and improve the air filter. Also good opportunity to clean the throttle body and idle actuator and check the valves. You could also fab your own throttle cable holder or modify the existing one but the original one is dirt cheap. If you have access to a GS911 it's a good idea to reset the adaption and TPS after the derestriction. No 5000km service unless you want to change oil and filter more often than 10000km (not a bad idea imho). The original chain set on mine lasted 23000km so i don't think it is as bad as some people think. There's a BMW parts exchange list at the top of this site.
oh, before you buy you should check a) what firmware is on the ECU. Requires GS911 or similar or checking with the dealer that deliverd and prepped the bike. First two versions have issues leading to stalling. 3rd and lates firmware usually works pretty well. b) does it still have the original airbox set up and filter and how much dirt has it seen. The original setup allows dirt to get into the engine which can be a major issue. c) any overheating issues - requires a long enough test ride or checking with the dealer how the bike was prepped. Some early bikes had overheating issues causing blown head gaskets and other issues.
G'day Jim, there are several of us TR owners in and around Melbourne who've all had the bikes long enough to sort out most issues. They're a terrific bike - I use mine as a daily commuter to the CBD from Beaumaris and as an adventure tourer several times a year. It's close to perfect for both those applications. You'll find it great for gravel and fire trails. Less so for rough trails and single track obviously. As Carsten mentioned, the brake light stuck on will almost certainly just be a bent tab on the foot brake lever- fixable in about 30 secs. The real issue is to ascertain as best you can if it's been used off road much and if it has, if the airbox has leaked. He/she may have done the Podmod which if done properly gives good protection against dust infiltration. If not ask the vendor if he can remove the airfilter (3 x Allen bolts) and check if there is dust behind the filter. Re parts, many parts are interchangeable with the G650GS but as far as I know they will have the same part numbers. There is a parts interchangeable thread on this site and ADV. Parts availability also seems to have been resolved- R&D Husky in Sydney are one of the best dealers around and they're ordering parts not in stock which they reckon will only be 2-3 weeks. Most of the dealers are of little use but I've found a guy down here in Cheltenham who specialises in BMW and has agreed to some major work on mine as the engines are nearly identical to the G650GS. Good luck!
Welcome Jim Some Tyre threads http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/tires-opinions-and-performance.33473/page-4#post-577519 http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/here-we-go-best-tires.41682/ http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/mitas-e-o9s.42190/page-3#post-543012 http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/kenda-big-block-vs-mitas-e10-front-tyres.79400/#post-528107 http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/tire-choice.50326/page-3#post-507559 Regards
Thanks All Don't think he's done the pod mod, He says he's done a few off-road rides but through the highlands of Victoria so not likely to have hit a lot of dust. He's the second owner and doesn't know what firmware it has. Is there anyway of checking this without a GS911? Is there anyone in Melbourne that can check this and is it possible to get the firmware updated if necessary? I'll be changing the oils immediately and, if I have to get serious to do the derestriction, I might as well do the valves etc at the same time. He says there's no problems with overheating but I'll burp the radiator anyway. Thanks in advance for any further input Jim
Thanks, I've read them ,including a few on ADVRider but I'll have a look at the gearing info. Re tyres: the Tractionator from Motoz looks good from what I've read. Nearly everyone seemed to like the rear but a few said the front tended to follow road imperfections. Jim
Had a look at that gearing page. That's pretty cool. The bike was imported in January 2013 which, I suspect, means it came with earlier firmware. Given no dealers in Melbourne seem to want to touch this bike, how do I update the firmware? Jim
DeLewis mentions an independent BMW repairer in Cheltenham, he will have a GS911 and should be able to do an autoscan to check the firmware revision At the worst if you cant cajole a BMW Dealer into doing any updatte needed then it would be a ride up to Dahlitz in Canberra and have it done there
Correct. One man business - very helpful, honest and moderately priced - the very opposite of most bike shops.
Just my $.02.... Pick another ride. You will have no or limited parts support and no dealer support because KTM doesn't give a shite!!! It may be better in OZ, but it is bad here. I talked to a KTM/HUSKY rep that blew me off about the recall. May just part it out for those that will need the parts.
Took my 1972 R75/5 to him a while back when I spun a rear wheel bearing. Needed the hub machined and new spacers made - all of which he did on the lathe in the back of the shop while I watched. I remember my first thought at the time was "Good luck getting Southbank BMW to do this". My second thought was "When this guy retires, those of us with older bikes are screwed". Does anyone know if he has a GS911? I might give him a call tomorrow and ask. isdltime, I understand your view but I'm pretty handy myself - the BMW was rebuilt from parts in boxes. Most things I can fix myself and, when I can't, I can usually find someone who can. Just for giggles, I once asked the BMW dealer how much a minor service would cost. Their answer was $800. I interpreted that as "piss off mate, we don't want to touch this". Older bike owners are use to little to no dealer support and lack of parts. Anyhoo, meeting with the vendor on Saturday. If all goes well, an exchange will occur and I'll let you know.
I'm handy too but that doesn't help the fact that if you take a fall and crunch the inst. panel or loose the only key you are stuck with a junk yard on wheels. I got mine right after the KTM buy and thought, like the automotive world I worked in all my life, that KTM would support the brand. Between BMW and KTM that is not the case. I can keep my Ural running forever but that's not the case with Husky. I already made the mistake so I'm just warning you.
I bought a TR650 Terra at the end of June and absolutely love it. Having had 2 KLR650's in the past has made me appreciate just how good a bike the Terra really is. The motor is fantastic compared to the tractor engine in the KLR. Super fun bike to ride and cruise on.
Thanks tho CarstenB for the tip on the brake light tab - a few minutes with a lever and all is fixed. K&R was closed on Monday. Will give him a ring and see if he's got the GS911. If he doesn't, well, I got a pretty good deal on the bike, so I might even look at buying one myself. Anyone in Melbourne interested? Jim
