I'm a 65 year old geezer and have not been without a bike in 53 years. I currently have an H-D Road King,a BMW R1150RT,an '81 Yamaha 650 Twin Bobber that I built as well as an all original 72 Honda CB750 K@ garage queen. I'm thinking about getting a new Strada at a decent price. Since I have a bunch of bikes (and cars-that's another story) I am wondering if all the problems inherent in these bikes are worth solving. I like big singles-I've had a couple of KLR's,some SR500-SRX600's and a few XL500/650's. I suppose what I'm asking is:Would you do it again?" Keep in mind,I've got several bikes already....Thanks! Hal
G'day Hal, I'll dive in... In short, yes, I would do it again and my impression is from this forum is that most other Strada/Terra owners are pretty happy with the TR overall. The main flaws with the TR are easily and cheaply fixed (and I'm no mechanic!). For me, the TR represents one of the best bikes in its niche and at the price. It does have the fun of a big single but is also incredibly smooth, revs hard and is comfortable at highway speeds for long spells. Downsides are it's heavier than I'd like (but doesn't feel it on road) and the components are obviously not top end due to its pricing. In summary, it is a very good bike depending on the criteria you're looking for. I use it 95% for commuting and it is great. I will defer to my far more experienced inmates re off-road & touring performance - but the feedback seems very positive on the whole. Cheers
Hi Hal, My Terra has 3k trouble free miles. The only mods I made were functional and not to solve (or create) a problem. I get 55-60 mpg, use it for commuting and light trail/dirt road riding. Being an old geezer myself with a small fleet I appreciate its sorta throw back styling and simplicity. I call it my "utility bike." I would do it again, especially at a big discount! Rich in PLacitas
I am approaching 22K commuting miles. The only thing I have done so far is oil change, air filter change, spark plugs, chain and tires. Have not even checked the valves. The only issues I have with the bike is the lean stumble, and the 3500 rpm dead spot. I have corrected the lean stumble by letting the bike idle for 3 minutes BEFORE touching the throttle on every start up. A little annoying, but I do it while I'm "suiting up". Have not attempted to fix the 3500rpm dead spot. I too had a KLR650, and liked it for its tank size, and fairing size. Other than that, I would prefer the Terra.
I wouldn't buy a Terra again. I'll probably keep this one, but the inability to tune it proper is the main reason. First, it ain't a BMW. BMW to me is an opposed twin with shaft drive. It really isn't a Husky either. This is a chain drive single, like the rest. The reason I bought this over other bike is because I like the headlight to turn with the bars. It is obsolete already, parts can be impossible to get, service will be impossible down the road. I am waiting on a spare key for about four months already. Yes, this bike has an immobilizer ignition system. You cannot get keys made for it. If you lose your keys, your bike is parts. But I am a masochist, so no big deal. I have owned so many oddball cars and bikes over the years, it is kindof nice not blending in with the herd all the time. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. I bought this to explore the back roads of the Dersert Southwest. This bike is really too big for that. Last night I picked up a DR200, and am already stoked. I had to drop 2 teeth on the front of the Terra to get it geared low enough for me on the trail, and that killed the highway speeds. Well, the 200 will not do the highway speed either, but much easer to drive on the tougher trails. I put a taller sprocket back on the Terra, and will use it for the shorter long hauls. Phoenix and back or Nogales and back, with a few groomed dirt roads to go explore and find the real gems of dirt roads for the 200. If somebody offered me decent money for my Terra, I would sell it. But the values of these have dropped to a point where I will keep it.
I am at 7K plus on my Terra, and am presently on the Heart of the West route. A couple of days ago we ran some very nasty washed out roads in Nevada; steep downhill with nothing but big rocks as the small stuff was washed away. Scary to look at, but the fully loaded Terra (500 pounds) took it in stride. Lots of freshly sculpted sand and gravel washes too. Yesterday we made a three hour detour on the road at 65 to 70 mph and the bike just sings. I'm running one tooth lower on the front sprocket and that feels good to me on the road, and just enough for trail work. Have to slip the clutch a bit in first sometimes. After being Mossified there is no flat spots and fueling is great. 55 mpg on this trip so far. The Terra, to me, is a more modern KLR, and is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Would I buy it again knowing that it is an orphan bike? Can't give an honest answer to that one. However, there is nothing else out there to replace it, and with the exception of the air box/air filter mod any other changes are very easy, and minimal. I'm very happy with this bike and have not been worrying about parts, at least not yet. I'm just going to run it!
I really love my Strada (looks like a Terra 18/21 tires and new bodywork). I have about $8k all in on farkles, wheels, luggage and such, but I bought it for about $6k. I felt like I stole it, and would buy it again. It's given me one or two hiccups, but both were quick fixes related to mods I had done (wrongly). I use a K&N air filter and it seals well, no issues there like some. I payed $300 to have my valves done... I do all my other service myself and it was well worth letting the dealer do it. Have about 8k miles on it. I have ridden KLRs, BMW 650s, and the BMW 700. It's a good bike, better than the three listed. It will tour surprisingly comfortably, go darn near anywhere, and surprise you with how well it does such a wide variety of tasks. If I were you I'd wait to see what the Ducati Scrambler looks like, and what the pricing is like. If I were buying right this minute that's what I'd do. The Ducati would have to be at least as good on paper (suspension travel 7.5in or better, more HP, weigh in at/under 400lbs, etc.). Then it would have to be less than double the buying price. If the Scrambler meets all those criteria then I would go test ride it. Compare it to the TR650 and then decide. When I bought my bike I was planning to buy either a BMW 700 or an 800. Then I saw the TR650 and test road it back-to-back with the BMW 700. After the ride I was sold. I bought a bike I loved and it was about $4000 less than the BMW which I would have had to farkle as well. Looking back I would do it again, and feel very good about my choice. If I totaled the TR650 I would probably even look to find another one second hand.
Being as i recently totaled my TR seems like the perfect segue to jump in. I truly agree with much of what's been said above. Ken's right, in it's class there's really nothing to replace, or touch it. Coming down from an F8 i agree with Next. Once you chuck a leg over the TR it's all over frankly. Especially if you have a bent towards big singles, then you'll be easily seduced by the silky smooth Rotax mill. The all around rideability, that just keeps the grins coming. Sure it has some short comings. But of the modern fi bikes, the mods don't out way the fun factor. I put 20k trouble free miles on mine and would most likely do it again funds permitting. Best all round bike i have ever owned in honesty. That's a good many in 40 yrs. I know we'd all love it if it were lighter. But even the added weight makes for a really stable platform on the street. The weight goes away at best once on the move. Proofs in the puddin', take a 'taste' ride!
Being as i recently totaled my TR seems like the perfect segue to jump in. I truly agree with much of what's been said above. Ken's right, in it's class there's really nothing to replace, or touch it. Coming down from an F8 i agree with Next. Once you chuck a leg over the TR it's all over frankly. Especially if you have a bent towards big singles, then you'll be easily seduced by the silky smooth Rotax mill. The all around rideability, that just keeps the grins coming. Sure it has some short comings. But of the modern fi bikes, the mods don't out way the fun factor. I put 20k trouble free miles on mine and would most likely do it again funds permitting. Best all round bike i have ever owned in honesty. That's a good many in 40 yrs. I know we'd all love it if it were lighter. But even the added weight makes for a really stable platform on the street. The weight goes away at best once on the move. Proofs in the puddin', take a 'taste' ride!
I have done the air temp sensor mod and not looked back...I would buy another without hesitation. I have had no trouble except for the lean stumble before the air temp sensor mod....just let it warm up a little while gearing up. I have about 7K miles on mine and love it.
Owning a bike isn't a headache. If it is, you're doing it wrong. I don't like threads like this, started by non-owners, making negative assumptions about the bike, but with no ownership experience. The only time this bike gives me headaches is when I forget to put my earplugs in and I give that throttle a big handful and let the big thumper do it's stuff.
I would do it again...bike rides without luggage....nice with my 160lbs. Loaded down 40lbs more, even better. Off road was slow going for me....thinking the mefo explorers....needed deeper and fewer knobs, but able. Put new plugs in @10k !! I did @18k my bad! simple maintenance after the valve check! Needs new wheel bearing soon...easy fix. Did the mods and I use all the throttle cable i can pull, motor is still strong and subframe is holding up....with my small leaps loaded. For the money its a.....slice of pie
Hal, I have not experienced any issues yet, but I only have 2 years and about 1.5K miles on my Strada. I did have the bike MOSSED last fall and it did improve the bike. I did not have the stalling issues others have noted prior to that. I purchased the TR as it was the most interesting option at the price point I chose. Coming off of a DRZ 400 SM, I wanted that bike with more power and torque and throw in a better seat and more fuel capacity. That left 3 options. Modify a DRZ 400 SM (too expensive), buy a TR650, buy a BMW F650. I would buy the TR again given the same options. Second choice would be the F650 BMW. By the way, did I mention the power compared to the air cooled 650 singles?
I'm a 65 year old geezer too. Owned it since May 13 about 6000 trouble free mile, bike is stock, I purchased the booster plug but never have installed it. I think cooler Maine temps contribute to less random stall. Its happened to me but not all the time. Plenty of smooth power for the road, single track riding is somewhat restricted by the weight, woods roads and double track dirt are a fun ride. If I had lots of money I'd buy a Zaeta 530, I don't so I ride the TR650 still a big grin factor.
That's exactly my thoughts. I was looking for a replacement for my '09 KLR, took a year looking around, then ended up on this sweet TR650. I'm very happy with the bike so far. Is it perfect, no. I haven't met that perfect bike yet, every one of them needs some sort of fiddling to get them dialed in. But what a great basic package. My only regrets, I do wish it had 6 gears so the spacing could be tightened up just a bit. I wish the suspenders were fully adjustable and higher quality, I wish it carried 5 gallons of fuel. But...... the suspenders can be upgraded or fixed, the ratio spread and spacing of the 5spd is pretty good on this bike, and it carries "just enough" fuel given it's good mpg. So I'm happy overall, especially considering the price. The only thing that truly bums me is that the bike got killed of as it deserves a long run, it's that good.
