Ladies and Gentlemen ! Here comes Husqvarna TR650 Terra ‘Lady in Red 2’. Don’t get discouraged by the nickname of the bike I simply like it red. And it’s the second bike of this color I got. The first one, now long sold, was that : You can see all my previous bikes here: http://bikepics.com/members/mario33/ Why this thread I’m starting this thread to show what I’m going to do with this bike, all the changes I do and the way I’m riding it. I don’t observe this as ‘my thread’ – I’m open to comments, opinions, lessons or criticism if needed be. I’m trying to learn and develop on all of them. I believe this bike needs some tweaking for myself being fully comfortable on it. This place is left for adding list of tweaks. I’ll add comments in further posts. How this bike would be ridden. First of all, I’m not an MX or Enduro rider in any sense, be it my skill level or my mentality. I’m not going to thrash this bike into tight single-track or MX course. Secondly, I’m not observing this bike as much dirt-oriented. It’s just too heavy. And, finally, I’m only marginally going to use this bike as long-range touring machine. I wouldn’t have sold my F800GS otherwise. I will have no time for longer bike travel until my now 18-months girl is grown up enough I’m going to use this bike for: - commuting to work or around city and suburbs (35% of the time); often wet/slicky pavement; - short-range mild offroad wandering (45% of the time); there are no ‘serious’ mountains around for 300 miles; plains and plains, although nice woods, gravels, sand; - occasional long-range travelling – eg. to bike friends meetings or to the seaside where I have my own refuge (maybe 20% of the time). Most of the time I’m riding alone. I like it that way. I like my own pace and my own stops. There are times I ride in groups (smaller or larger) and I have no probs with that. Sometimes its even advisable (remote areas, foreign countries). I like meeting people, be it on bikes or not. For the way I’m riding, I’ve adopted my own logo, that you can see on my helmet: FAQs, why’s and why-not’s (ask’em if you like) Why I didn’t choose Strada instead ? Because I like 21’’ front wheel. And red color sure thing. Why I chose ABS version ? I like ABS, it saved my ass on wet pavement couple of times. ABS version is also lower which is more friendly for my short legs.
I do believe this bike needs some upgrade to fit my own needs. The list is made up on the basis of expected usage of the bike. Therefore I'm not planning any kind of luggage side rack as of now. Only soft luggage planned to be placed on pillion seat, like GL one (there's an alternative locally anyway). Apart from tweaks, I'm planning to visually lighten this bike a bit up by adding some red elements here and there. Here's my provisional list of tweaks I'm planning. Absolute must-have's (TOP priority) 1. skid-plate - I'm worried about those exposed lines below; SWMotech; DONE 2. tailrack tidy - after seeing some of them crack I think I need one; R&G. DONE + TT extension 3. radiator cover - all those plastics are easy to crack so in serious need of one; R&G. DONE 4. crash bars - to save the plastics I like Alt-Rider's ones, they look awesome. DONE. Performance tune-ups (secondary priority) 1. Folding gear lever - original lever is just too small and too tight; TT. DONE 2. Enlargement of leg brake lever - same as above; looking for solution (TT needs tweaking) 3. Larger windscreen - useful while riding on wet; in fact I already ordered Husky own one with the bike. DONE 4. Rear brake fluid reservoir and rear brake master cylinder covers - to prevent damage by branches/stones; Alt-rider. DONE. 5. Side stand foot enlargement - doesnt help when it gets buried in sand or mud; Alt-Rider. DONE 6. Handguards - i like aluminium ones and those that does not require my balls to be cut off ; for original handlebars - SWMotech's Kobra + enlarge CHANGE ? Comfort tune-ups (tertiary priority) 1. Wider off-road pegs - again something that maybe fits thin Italian feet but not mine ;TT; DONE 2. Frame/top yoke plugs - I dont like those nasty open 'holes'; something has to cover them up; R&G; DONE 3. Luggage rack - Alt-Rider; DONE. 4. Voltage regulator radiator guard - not so much performance, much more of tidying up the mess with wires on the right side. Alt-Rider. DONE Nice-to-have's (possibly next winter) 1. New bars - original handlebars are too low for standing even for myself; Renthal 7/8 RC High will do; DONE 2. Folding mirrors - dont like those of Terra and would like them to fold down while riding in the woods; Double Take; DONE 3. GPS mount - Garmin Montana with special Touratech anti-shock mount; DONE 4. One exhaust can - GPR ? Staintune ? 5. Comfort seat - locally; DONE 6. Steering stabilizer - GPR; DONE 7. Front sprocket cover - Scheffelmeier; DONE 8. Suspension rework - usually suspension is well underspung for my needs; I'm currently 220 lbs dry YSS springs worked wonders for my F800GS; in need of supplier. 9. PowerCommander V+ Autotune ?
Just threw me right out there didn't ya....thanks for the PRESSURE! Looking forward to this build Mario!
Looking forward to seeing what you do to your Terra I have the MOD sidestand extender. Even in Australia, to buy it from Canada was about half the price of buying the Touratech version locally (and the Australian Touratech distributor probably won't have any in stock yet). $CA30 including postage is a great price. I did have to get the angle grinder onto mine though. It was starting to touch the swingarm when the sidestand moved around.
Mario, great helmet graphics!! How and where did you get this done? It has to make the bike at least ten mph faster, or ten pounds lighter; take your pick!
Well, I know it has not practical reasoning, but hell, I ride because I like to, otherwise I would use my car I have a friend around, who's making it for living. He's a f..g artist, I tell ya... his homepage is in Polish but easy to navigate - click galleries on right: http://www.aerograf.com.pl/9-galeria-motocykle.html http://www.aerograf.com.pl/16-galeria-kaski.html
The Lady in da house... Well, too much snow to ride it... Your mirrors were also mounted the wrong side ? And the cap is missing... well, talk to the dealer tomorrow.
Absolute must-have's (TOP priority) 1. skid-plate - I'm worried about those exposed lines below; I've already chosen Motosportz one for being also structural add-on (this bike has no structure below its engine !); I'm keen on adding wings to keep those exposed lines covered. 2. tailrack tidy - after seeing some of them crack I think I need one; R&G's one looks perfect. ORDERED 3. radiator cover - all those plastics are easy to crack so in serious need of one; no solution as of yet; I believe front fender has to be moved away slightly from radiator for the cover to be fitted (spacers on fender mounting bolts might be a good idea); 4. crash bars - to save the plastics (SW MOTECH looks the part). 5. take side panels to AEROGRAF Added one to your list
Managed to get that stuff by SWMotech in. Sorted out most of my TOP and secondary priority needs out already (parts just waiting to get mounted). What I cant solve now is sturdy rear rack and GPS-over-the-dashboard-mount. PITA as of now... Needs that f...g white fluffy thing to stop falling down to try it on now... FFS, its almost April already !
I like the swmotech stuff. If i get the Terra, i'd hold out on the crashbars until the Safari 25L tank is in production, looks like it might interfere
Finally, got first miles on my Terra whole 50 of them... Well, its definately one of the lightest-feeling bikes I owned for the several years. Its the first single-cylinder bike since those early days anyway. The engine seems smooth. Couldnt exceed 4'000 rpm so I feel like driving tractor now. A bit of buzzyiness around 3'000 however. Still waiting for it to 'grooooaaaaammmm' I've been well spoiled by that BMW 800 ccm twin . Transmission seems not-so-perfect but somehow similar to that of BMW. Lots of gear changes due to that 4'000 rpm limit. In such circumstances, 4th gear is mostly used for riding around. 100 kmph (65 mph) @ 5th gear @ 4'000 rpms. You bypass a car when stopped by red light, and then he has to overpass yourself as you cant exceed those f....g 4'000. Annoying !! Mounted first batch of accessories, and got mixed feelings: Tail tidy by R&G - tad hard to mount as mounting points didnt fit bike factory mounts needed some drilling and bending; also electrics not really prepared - needs new joining links to be done yourself; in the end I think its awesome ! Much better looking and just panzer-proof; ideal for supermoto/enduro looks I'm looking for; highly recommended ! SW Motech Kobra handguards - another good gear - not only they fit bike's looks and they're protecting much better than plastics (alu insert looks very durable); recommended ! SW motech skid plate - looks solid and mounts perfectly (you need to remove footpegs before mounting though); hard-solid below and a bit disapointing on side protection - looked much higher sidewise on pictures than it really is, IMHO oil lines are not protected well enough; good for occassional gravel, but for serious 2-track I would choose other product (and I probably will sooner or later). Decided I dont need SWMotech's crash bars - will sell it unused for good price if anyone wants them. Feeling much and much more towards Alt-Rider products, all-blacks ! Would need to wait 1 more month for all of them to be available though.
If you still have the crash bars I'll take them. Please send me a PM....Wow just noticed where you are at......shipping could be a problem......
I wish I had waited for the SW Motech skid pan......toura tech one is nice but the Motech protects better......Mario33 you have mail....love the helmet
Been there exploring... And I quickly put my farkles to the test. R&G tail tidy looks perfect on pavement but lets some mud to fall on the bike at the back. I was delicate at throttle (still cant exceed 4'000 rpms) so this time only on seat and rear bracket. At full throttle would probably throw it at my back. I like mud therefore I'm OK with it. But if you're afraid to make your clothing dirty - beware... And - handlebars. There was one spill. I thought it was delicate but plastics on handlebars gave up. thats why I choose handlebars with alu inserts - made its job... Plastics are expendable anyway.
I have to factory plastic wind deflectors and they will snap off it you hit anything. I think an upgrade is in order....
Well, easy fixes are either already on the bike or waiting on the shelves to be mounted (see mods list). I've just added TT reg plate extension to the R&G tail tidy and it worked out great to stop the mud from falling on my back ! Now to the more complex mods... with the help of able friend with AutoCAD and CNC machining. Renthal Fatbars already on the shelf and custom riser is on order. Will look like this below, but Im still moaning about the link between the risers to make the whole set-up more... well... beefy ? I've long been thinking about GPS bracket from TT mounted above the instruments cluster as its much safer while driving and navigating at the same time. After a session of thinking with a friend - figured it out. Special mini alu-rack will be mounted to front shield mounting points and new windshield will be done, similar to rallye fairings. Its complicated but might be done. Concept sketch below.
