Well, I brought the TR650 home on Wednesday. The first day I put about 75 miles on it, it was a blast. Today I took it out with my KLR buddy and we hit even more dirt. The bike did very well, but I am very new to "offloading" of any kind. I was coming around a tight corner and headed toward the shoulder, the gravel there was deep, and I dropped into what I can only describe as silt-like mud. My tires hit the mud and down into the ditch we went. The whole bike sliding into a deep muddy mess. The left side of the bike was in the dirt, and My pal ran off toward the horizon on his KLR completely unware. No worries, it's a light bike, I picked it up and hopped back on. The ditch was pretty deep, so I made a running start and tried to head back out onto the graveled area. NO LUCK! As soon as I tried to climb the steep hill of the ditch it was all Paul Simon... Slip Sliding Away. The bike slid horizontally again and I landed squarely on the opposite side. I literally started laughing at my ineptitude... it was pretty dern classic. A newbie learning that dirt riding ain't easy! So I lifted the bike up again and rode to the lowest point I could find in the muddy ditch and BARELY hopped back out. I proceeded to run down the gravel road (a little more slowly) and finally caught up with my pal who was just turning around at this point to see what had happened. We both laughed about it, and he and I marveled at how well the bike fared a double drop!!! I joked about how I had to keep it symmetrical! I will say this. No other bike I have owned would have fared this well, seriously. Hats off to the folks at Husky/BMW for building a bike that can actually hold up to a little operator error. Right after the drop on the left side: Right side didn't really show much in a photo--I will snap a shot tomorrow to demonstrate just how well the bike handled a fall. From a distance: I cleaned her up once we got home and you wouldn't know she went down unless I told ya, or you were looking for it her really close I should have taken "after pictures" once I got it cleaned up. I'll snap a few in the morning. All this to say that the bike is built to take a drop or two on the trail and keep on going. The only thing that got a little wonky was the throttle cable, which got pinned on the second fall and revved up a bit. The Touratech guards did their job admirably, and shined right back up afterwards. NONE of the plastics were scratched other than the textured lower on the left side that is pictured above. I can't wait until my Altrider crashbars and skidplate come in... clearly I am going to need them. I will take a few shots tomorrow to show how well the bike fared--it is astounding! I have only been in "off road" on a bike twice ( both times on this bike) and I am still learning a lot despite 13 years of riding experience on roads and track. In so many ways this bike is exceeding all my expectations. It is comfortable, nimble, and clearly handles a bang or two quite well.
Already did Bill! And it looks great, I can't wait to take it out tomorrow and try that same trail again!
Thanks for letting us know how well the bikes hold up! Might want to meet up with some people that may have an old dirt bike you could use for a little while, it would be far less painful for your wallet, and possibly your body.
Ya know, I've had all kinds of bikes. Push the limits a bit, but don't go too crazy. You will get better only if you ride and do new things. If you ride it all tentative, tense, and afraid of what will happen, you will wipe out time and time again. You gotta stay relaxed and accept that if you ride a bike, you are going to drop it every now and then. Period end of story! You bought the bike to ride. You were using it for what it was meant for and what you bought it for. While, nobody likes to have their precious bike dinged up, you bought it for a reason... to ride. Glad you were able to wash the dirt off and walk away with no major damage to you. Toss a leg over her next weekend and go have some more fun. Better yet, ride your buddy's KLR!!
Main thing is you didn't get hurt to bad and you can ride another day. About the scratch on the plastic. I've used Armor All for many years...you seemed to have to keep applying it doesn't last very long. I found this new stuff that last a lot longer and works on paint, plastic, rubber just like AA but not in a spray bottle. You should try it. It great on your bike or car. ICE
Yep, we all go down, no matter how much experience you have. It happens less and less as the time goes by, but you will still eat a little dirt now and then. Since you have the Strada I'm not sure what to suggest for a front tire, but the stocker just doesn't bite like it needs to in the loose stuff. For my Terra, I have an IRC TR8 which is a good compromise, and grips pretty well dirt or pavement. I think there is a TKC 80 that will fit as long as you aren't into super moto type squirling around. Check it out.
I like to think out this as a learning experience. I haven't had a get off since 2002 , so I was probably due, though I'd like to have continued my streak. This, like all my get-offs, was what I call a pucker moment. I was going a hair too fast, saw/knew what I should do, but clinched when I could have avoided the shoulder. Instead of risking a high peed manuever that would likely have been fine I opted for the shoulder, thinking it would easier to go wide and scoot up the hill. If the shoulder hadn't been so dern soft it wouldn't haven been an issue. So, dirt riding lesson #1 for me learned, not all dirt is created equal--don't allow yourself to go into the soft stuff. My main reason for posting was to let folks know how well the bike held up to my ineptitude--I really couldn't be more impressed with the bike. Coffee, you are correct, but sadly I got no source for a beater. If I had a buddy with a beater bike I'd probably have used it a while ago to tune up my skills in the dirt, but all my pals have bikes that are in good(ish) shape. This Husky replaced a Moto Guzzi Griso, that thing never touched dirt or gravel... Period. I need to remember my skill level here and adjust instead of trying to keep up--Lesson #2 . Anyway, I'd rather knock my own ride around, I cant imagine how guilty I would feel if I dropped someone elses bike. I bought her as an adventure bike, and that's how she'll be used. I have a long trip planned to Connecticut in May, and after that I will spoon on some TKC 80s and I suspect that will make the dirt a little easier.
At least you earned your first scuffs on the trail. I dropped mine in loose gravel...in my driveway. I really need to get that thing paved.
Glad you and the bike are OK. The radiator mounts are the weak link on the bike. I can't wait for my crash bars! Here's what happens when you're not as lucky as you are... http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/crash-test-dummy.30452/
I saw that, good to know they do not always break though, at least he didn't break things in this thread.
HA! Maybe a little H1, glad I didnt' have the same fate as you on the trail. I think I got lucky sliding into the soft silt of the ditch. I went hiking today and every time I saw a silty patch I went back to the wreck in my mind. The more I think about it, the more I think how easily it could have been avoided. Live and learn. I will take a shot of the girl all cleaned up tomorrow, she is still kicking!
scotch brite pad and some NAPA bumper black. Perfect satin finish for anything in satin black on the Husky (bmw) parts....
Even the frame? Or just the plastic bits? The lower front shroud seems to be a textured black anyway.
Have to echo the same question as Mike-Ak, Isn't the Strada more street oriented? Why didn't you buy the Terra?
Works well for frames too. i would just make sure it matches. I will take a look and compare. But again, pretty sure it will work. Cheers
Get some more aggressive tires and you'll be fine - I would recommend at least putting a more dirt-worthy tire on the front end if you like to off-road your Strada. You can do a search for what this guy or that guy thinks is the best dual sport/adventure tire, but I won't get into that, LOL. Tires are especially important during the off-road learning period before your body learns to react automatically to losing traction. I bet your buddy's KLR had a set of more dirt-capable tires on - Oh, and don't forget to turn the anti-lock brake system off before you go offroad.
