I almost bought the Terra, but snagged the Strada for the ABS. The bikes are pretty similar--same suspension, transmission, and so on. The tires and wheels seem to be the biggest difference--both of which I can change later if I find my needs change. ABS was now or never. I am planning about 50/50 riding, maybe a little more street if anything. I hope to run the rubber off of the Tourances first--but I will look into other tire options. At the least I would like to run the stockers for my big trip this May, then I'll swap for a more aggressive tread.
There are five differences in the bikes: Color of the plastics, location of the front fender, wheels, tires, ABS. That's it. The suspension is identical on both. The only thing limiting a stock Strada from tearing up forest roads comfortably is the tires. The wheels will handle it just fine. There is a another guy in the Asheville NC area who is thrashing around a Strada on the regular. I don't think he's here on CH though, but he passes through Eurosport regularly.
I am thinking hard about trying a TKC-80 up front. I'm going to try dropping tire pressure a bit first and see if that inspires confidence. My Terra fender setup should be in any day now--don't worry boys I plan to conform...a little. It may be a "street bike", but it's the most versatile street bike this guy has ever been on. Planning a nice long ride after work tonight.
I think it's safe to say the TR650 threads of CH are mostly read by an older generation of riders. Most of us have been riding for years and the days of picking your bike up 3-4 times a day are behind us. Shall we just say wiser for now. When I keep reading " I was coming around a tight corner" it just bring back SOOOO many memories of riding in the dirt coming around a blind corner and for that instant moment trying to steer around a corner instead of counter steering and making the bike do want you want. Almost drifting (getting you bike to lean over like flat tracking) Been in many ditches where I should have turned instead. So my question to you next do you remember in that split second if you "counter steered" to get yourself out of trouble. I think we have all been there...
Yea I understand the similarities of the two models, the 21" hoop up front is a biggy off road, also the cast wheels are a liability as well off road. To each his own.
Agreed. I'd much prefer 21"/18" spoke wheels for offroad duty. That's exactly what I'm doing with my Strada.
Yeah I have about 12 years of riding under my belt and a very little bit of track time, but dirt is still alien to me. My more experienced dirt riding pal recommended that in dirt/gravel I try standing, weight the opposite peg when turning, stay light on the bars, and try to keep the bike as upright (under me) as possible. He said NOT to take my body in the direction of the turn the way one would on pavement. Perhaps this was not correct advice, or I mis-understood his instructions. He seemed to be having no trouble Husky Dude, I can tell you that in the moment before I realized that I was coming in too hot to control the bike, I feared (felt) that counter steering as I normally would have on pavement would have led to a washout, though perhaps it would have saved me. I am too inexperienced in the dirt to know. If you guys recommend a good read, video, or training course I am all ears. I am going to pull out my old copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" and see what Mr. Hough has to say about all of this. Clearly I need to spend more time practicing some basic offroad skills. I CAN tell you that after a little dirt and gravel riding I feel like a ninja when I come back to the pavement again. The bike seems stable, effortless, and twisties take themselves. It is a pretty amazing feeling. Edit: As per Mr. Hough, "The street response is to strangle the handlebars with a death grip (check, did that), look down at the gravel just ahead of the front tire (uh, huh), keep the bike absolutley vertical (yes, sir), and let it go where ever is seems to want to go, even if that's off the edge of the road." BINGO! It is as though he went to the future, watched me, then went back to the year 2000 to write it all down Seems plausible, right? I know better, read this book twice in years past, it was just a pucker response. He also offers some advice about rear wheel "English" and general off road techniques. I'm done typing about it, time to practice.
Hey the more you ride the better you'll get. There are hundreds of arterials and video on Counter Steering out there but I like this once because it has a pointer on the gas tank to show you what is happening. Counter Steering
I remember watching that video a few years back, sans subtitles. Gotta love Mr. Code. Replacing the body panel that I scratched up is only $14. It was $60 for the entire Terra front end, which I picked up today . Best prices on body panels I have ever seen on a bike. Let's hope KTM doesn't raise prices next year.
Dirt riding is substantially different to pavement, sometimes old habits make more harm than good. You just have to stand in the dirt, you'll be surprised how that helps a lot. Suggest you buy/find a book/DVD about dirt ridin' techniques and/or find appropriate school. And in any case, practice ! You may like: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846
