Picking up a 2013 Terra Today

Discussion in 'TR650' started by MotocycleWriter, May 6, 2015.

  1. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    I've wanted one since they came out. I could have bought one in 2013 but the Husky dealer in Tucson didn't have one so I bought an 1989 R100GS instead. The BMW has been a great bike, and fun, but totally unsuitable for the riding I want to do. Too heavy. Ancient suspension. Really W-I-D-E. I think the Terra will fit this bill nicely and sit well next to my '07 TE250.

    The one I'm picking up has 7,700 miles, the "cold start mod", and the cats have been gutted. No other performance mods. It does have Safari tanks, heated grips, a Touratech bash plate, an AltRider rear rack, and a Husqvarna tail bag. It's got a new set of Metzler Karoo 2's. Also comes with the original body panels. I'll probably take off the Safaris and go with the original panels as I prefer the look and am not planning on needing 500 miles of range any time soon.

    I'm wondering what other performance mods I want to consider. At the outset I'm mostly interested in correcting any lingering factory problems. All bikes have 'em and I've been reading about the MOSS update. Sounds like I have to take it to a dealer for that and there are no Husqvarna dealers in the anywhere, so where do I get that done? (We do have a local BMW dealer.) And how do I know if I need to have it done. Seems like not everyone experiences problems. I've also read about a "booster plug"?

    The other thing I want to address soon is luggage. I'll be doing some commuting on this bike and have some dual sport camping/riding trips planned. I've seen a few things out there but wanted to get the opinions of the experts.

    I'll post some pics when I pick it up!
  2. nycrider Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Strada
    Other Motorcycles:
    Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, Suzuki DR650
    If you feel like the bike is running fine, then I don't see a real need for a moss unless it's easily accessible to you, which it seems that it's not. My bike personally has a lot of problems. It wants to die very often when pulling from a stationary position, it dies/wants-to-die often when i'm fully holding in the clutch and giving it a slight rev, it's very jerky and the throttle is hesitant/unresponsive between 2.5-4k rpms(cruising at the same speed in that rpm range without twisting the throttle will cut the throttle out/in/out/in repeatedly making the bike tiring to ride.) It's funny because yesterday I was looking through that Moss thread that you've bumped today after it's been dead for quite a while.

    As for the luggage/camping, you might want to check out this thread:

    http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/show-us-your-tr650-ready-to-camp.33144/
  3. redape53 Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650
    Other Motorcycles:
    1969 Norton Fastback
    it doesn't sound like the bike your purchasing needs the update. if it pulls good and strong and doesn't exhibit the problems that nyc has, above, don't do it. i read all the same stuff as you, but the bike ran good so i didn't see a point in it. strong, smooth and over 60mpg. 75mph is 4600 rpm. if it ain't broke, don't fix it .... you know. just ride it.. wasn't that the plan anyway? check for the "pod mod" do that for sure if it's not already there; with all the other stuff that's been done to yours it probably woulda been. do you plan on keeping the safari fuel drum????
  4. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    I'll let you know how well this one rides.

    What have you done to yours to try to get it running properly? Sounds like a fuel delivery problem. My TE250 sort of does that sometimes, of course it is carbureted so there's zero relationship there! Still, I'd be interested in what troubleshooting measures you've taken.




    Ride. That was the plan. Do as little as possible as cheaply as possible. (sounds like a KLR owner, right?)

    As for the Safari's, I don't know, yet. I might be willing to sell or trade for a nice set of TR650 panniers...
  5. nycrider Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Strada
    Other Motorcycles:
    Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, Suzuki DR650
    I have 9k miles on the bike and it has been dying from time to time right from the start so i learned to live with it. The throttle issues became visible maybe the last 1k miles. I've ordered a set of brisk sparkplugs ar10zs since i've read they helped. I've located a dealer with the moss tool but he currently has some issues with husqvarna that he's sorting out. Last step will be the valve check since it's paat due. I'll take it step by step and see what was causing the issue.
  6. wferrari Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650 Strada
    Other Motorcycles:
    V-Strom
    I use a EJK, but the combination of the ar10zs and a 15T front sprocket worked wonders on the stalling issue from stationary in the time the EJK went under service.
  7. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    So... I picked up the Terra last night. My first impression was: "Man, this makes my R100GS feel like an old motorcycle!" I guess that's a good first impression. Slender. Light. Powerful. I'll post some pics when I have a chance to take them and host them!
    jimmyc likes this.
  8. drzcharlie Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Fayetteville, Arkansas with my Redheaded Mistress
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    Burgman 650 (The Barcolounger)
  9. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    I'll definitely get some pics up this weekend. The bike came with a very nice set of Safari Tanks but I think I'm going to remove them and put on the original plastic, which came with the bike. I'll hang onto the Safari Tanks uncase I need them but prefer the look and feel of the original panels. I'm not a big guy and the Safari Panels add about two inches to the width of the bike making it that much harder to get a toe down.

    What's the Pod Mod? I'll be looking but can't really devote the time to it until this weekend.

    And where's a good place to download the owners manual?
    Link likes this.
  10. hasenpfeffer Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    CO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Strada
    The TR has a poorly designed air intake box and filter. It is extremely likely to ingest dirty air. There are 2 possible modifications owners have come up with. Search here or ADV forum and the thread index charlie has painstakingly put together (:thumbsup:).

    1. Pod Mod. This mod puts a pod filter directly onto the throttle body, eliminating any potential for dirty air ingestion.

    2. 3D printed filter bracket. This mod uses an Australian TR650 UNI filter fitted into a 3D printed bracket that is glued into the other side of the OEM filter cavity. You must also replace the air box's perimeter seals with more appropriate materials.
    PaulC likes this.
  11. Link Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Modesto, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650
    Other Motorcycles:
    Aprilia, Honda, HD
    Owners Manual pretty much junk, go here for service manual: http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/husqvarna-shop-and-parts-manuals.31418/
    Here for how much the stick sucks: http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/usb-stick-manuals.28449/
    Personally, I looked at mine once, stuck it in the file drawer. It sucks.
    PaulC likes this.
  12. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    "Booster Plug." That's another thing I'm seeing. I'm going to do a search but does anyone have opinions on that?
  13. drzcharlie Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Fayetteville, Arkansas with my Redheaded Mistress
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    Burgman 650 (The Barcolounger)
    Scroll up to my last post ^^ and you will see the link to TR650 Tread Index. The pod mod/3d fixes can be found there.
  14. nwrider1 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    SW Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Other Motorcycles:
    Too many to list
    Re: Booster Plug -- I just took a Wuka Booster Plug off of my Strada. I'd sell it for $50 or an EJK for $100 but those didn't work well for me and I just installed an AF-XIED unit that I've already been using on a Terra. If it were me, and if I were having stalling/fueling issues, I'd go with the AF-XIED unit. Also, check out the BR Moto side racks. They're set up to use the Wolfman luggage, but you could use others. The BR Moto racks tie to the rear fender which prevents it from breaking and falling off. www.brmoto.com
  15. drzcharlie Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Fayetteville, Arkansas with my Redheaded Mistress
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    Burgman 650 (The Barcolounger)
    BR Moto no longer has racks for the TR.
  16. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
  17. duibhceK Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Chapel of the Well, Belgium
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    TRX850; WR450F; XT660Z Tenere
    the SWM rack mounts to:

    - the frame near passenger foot peg
    - front mount of grab rail
    - rear mount of grab rail
    - rear fender
  18. glitch_oz Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    AUS
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Strada
    That's the Quicklock rack, I assume...
    Unless the rack stays on the bike permanently (and the whole idea with those particular racks being removable within seconds)
    the rear crossbrace should NOT get bolted to the fender. It weighs a ton and hanging off the edge of the fender, the weight will crack
    the rear fender quicker than the US-style numberplate bracing.
    The crossbrace fits between the fender and the plate itself, for the bigger trips I tend to tie those 2 together with a cable tie to prevent the vibration
    of the fender plastic and don't bother for the shorter rides.
  19. duibhceK Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Chapel of the Well, Belgium
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR650 Terra
    Other Motorcycles:
    TRX850; WR450F; XT660Z Tenere
    I never really ride with the side racks off. Only take them off for working on the bike or cleaning it. The crossbrace works great to support the rear fender.
    But you are right, if you go riding with the side racks removed, better also take of that crossbrace.
  20. MotocycleWriter Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    North Alabama
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TR 650, TE 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    BMW R1150RT, BMW R100GS
    Did a major clean up of the bike today and came away concerned. Bike runs great so that's not a problem, but ran into some weird stuff. For one thing, it was really dirty under the plastic. I am a bit anal about taking care of my machines but this looks like it has been submerged. That telltale grit you get around bolt holes when you've been in a deep mud hole...

    Also came across a few mismatched screws. Could be nothing but it always bothers me when someone putting the bike back together didn't use the right screw.

    Someone already did an airbox mod. Seems to be the 3D printer mod but the little frame is broken. Not even sure how to get that air filter out.

    The rear wheel has what looks like an ABS ring but I'm guessing that might be a hall sensor ring for a speedometer pickup?

    There was a good bit of oil-dirt spooge on the inside of the front frame downtube and on the bottom of the radiator and charcoal canister. Looks like someone missed the oil fill hole...

    The clutch cable has gotten between the radiator and the frame. Not even sure how it's supposed to be routed but it's worn through the plastic sheathing. It works fine but needs to be replaced. And rerouted. Anyone care to share where it's supposed to go?

    A PO did a "Cold Start" mod leaving a microswitch at the end of a wire exposed. I don't know where it goes and I don't know what it does.

    I did get the Safari tanks off and the stock panels all back on and in place. The bike looks great and runs great, but when I got it all back together that little snowflake symbol on the dash was blinking. I was in my garage and it was about 70 degrees so I don't know what that's all about.

    I hope owning this bike isn't just going to be this kind of crap all the time. Sort of has me bummed about the whole experience and I haven't even really gotten to ride it yet. I'm really careful about my motorcycle purchases. I do a lot of research, gather a lot of opinions, and vet my sellers pretty rigorously. Might have messed up this time.