They use many BMW components including the engine. They would have to purchase these from their opposition to continue production. Lots of discussion on this subject in the Cafe. Do a search...
After BMW sold Husqvarna the new owners closed the factory in Italy in about May 2013. Apparently they had been building and warehousing bikes so that they would have enough to continue sales through to when their new production in Austria got underway, about 12 months worth. So although the TR650 has been available new from about Oct 12 till now, as '13 and '14 year models, the actual TR650 production run might have been as short as 6 months or so.
Dude who owns KTM who bought Husky from BMW doesn't want any road models from the husky line. Only KTM will produce machines designed primarily for the streets. He has said that he wants to model his brands like Audi and VW. Different brands, same parts. It's a real shame too. I think at this price point the TR650 could have been a real contender in the 650 market. The 690 is too expensive for many and for those who want to ride primarily onroad, the vibes and ergos just don't work. If you don't like the BMW set up then design one with a KTM engine in it but make it affordable. Given some time and exposure this bike would have absolutely crushed the competition. Well, at least I got my piece of the pie!
Agree, if the TR650 had been given a real run it would have crept up on the dinosaurs from the 80s. Trouble is it was too good for KTM to continue...work with all the BMW bits....and too good for BMW cf with their so average 650s. If the suspension options had developed widely this bike for the price would have been big.
We have a 690 KTM Duke and a tr650 Strada. The 690 motor is a powerhouse . snappy and brilliant when used aggressively. Brilliant slipper clutch. But vibrates a fair bit. Even after o2 controller mod and fuelling mod , is still unpleasantly twitchy on constant throttle. Pleasently light. It has the best seat EVER....EVER! Looks beautiful. Light weight and amazing suspension for a stock bike. Absolute thought machine. Ridden hard it requires almost no excess rider input to carve even the tightest roads. The 650 motor is smooth and just plain pleasant to ride with. With the Booster plug fitted ( like a lot of BMW's) the fuelling is pretty dam good. No bad part of the rev range or throttle position. The bike is way heavier than it should be. Suspension is OK for a stock bike ( not perfect but tolerable). Seat is OK but you notice after a couple of hundred k's. It may be one of the most enjoyable cruising road bikes I have ever owned ( actually probably THE best ). It is not real good if you start getting aggressive on the road. 19" front wheel and dual sport tyres require a large amount of rider input to get it to corner hard. A tr650 bike with the 690 motor would be a different beast altogether. Fussy vicious motor and vibey . It would lose the easy cruisability in exchange for raw power ( and a superb slipper clutch). Hopefully they would fit a 17" wheel to the front of the road version and give it road tyres. The suspension would be way better if fitted with WP suspension, even the bottom of the range.
G'day Greg, I also have a Strada and have changed the front Tourance (Radial) out for a Pirelli Scorpion Rally (knobbier). The Pirelli is a bias ply and the front end now drops into corners very nicely, it no longer needs to "roll over" it is more of a "drop-in". I still have the Tourance on the rear. It does feel a little more twitchy about 130+ (km/h).
Well it sucks that the models will not be carried forward. I chose the Strada over the 690 because of the vibrations, ABS, and the ergos. BMW used to have a motard model from 2007 which I drooled over. After the last one disappeared I have been looking for a decent motard since. DRZ didn't have enough ass to get out on the highway. Unless they fix the vibration issue with the KTM it isn't worth it. Aprilia and others have them but they are way to heavy to be really functional.
Actually Sally was riding a DRZ SM before she got the KTM Duke. It was geared down as well. She found it find on the highway but we don't exceed the speed limit except when passing. Admittedly I had done a bit of performance work but main motor was stock ( carb rejet, Yoshi system, DNA filter opened airbox and most importantly a Safari tank so you could get as far as the next town). Cant get her back on now she has the Duke though...
Gas Gas bought out 'Italian' Husky engines from KTM. I wonder if that might mean that Terra/Strada/Nuda technology would be also sold off to someone... http://www.enduro21.com/index.php/c...lls-off-‘italian’-husqvarna-engine-technology
I don't think the deal would include engines for these bikes as the "seed" engines were BMW products.
As a side note: Bill's Motorcycle Plus is saying on his site that 2015 shall see the return of a Husqvarna Dual Sport. What that means is anyone's guess--I hope it is the Duke 690 engine in a bike similar to the TR...and at a similar price point. I know, keep dreaming.
You do NOT want the 690 motor as it is at present. The fueling is really crap. We have one as well as the TR. Rough and jerky . And the motor is very vibratey compared to the TR motor. Off road you probably won't notice but on road I MUCH prefer to TR BMW motor ( the 690 is an animal and fun when not useing slow speed and not using a constant throttle)
Six words: Wish I had a Nu Da! It's original, bad ass, sounds great, and totally unavailable for sale in Canada View: http://youtu.be/7nntjw8ZJMg
That's because they know what kind of unruly hooligans there are in North America. The world might burn if they gave us those hooligan enhancing machines
Not wrong... The more I read about this bike, it seems a pity (like the '650) they ceased production because of the ownership change. The mods to the BMW 800 twin really transform the engine but a 13L fuel tank would curtail long, spirited highway rides. I like how they have an upside down third conrod in the c/case operating a lever to help with balancing.
13 litre petrol tank is EXACTLY why I didn't by one. Wouldn't even get me to the next big town. 17L min. please. My f800R motor done properly with a brilliant crankshaft angle. AND without the bloody aweful CANBUS problems.
