I was planning to visit a friend in Providence, RI in a few weeks when the idea hit me to possibly rent a BMW dual sport and also visit other friends in NH and ME. I called around a few places and no one rents DS bikes so my only option was a Harley and I'm just not going there. While on the phone with a BMW dealer one of us mentions a Terra and he said that they had a demo there that I could buy and ride back to NC. I kinda took it as a joke and said I would think about it. I'm currently waiting on my local dealer to get in their next shipment of Terras but know that it will be several months before they come in. I'll also be quitting my job very soon so I'm not as confident in getting the great financing deals that are available if I wait. So over the last couple of days this gets me thinking, what if I could work out the purchase over the phone, pick up the bike and spend a few days riding around the northeast before heading back down to NC. I should be able to get the financing deal I want, enjoy a great trip, and have the bike to ride before it starts to get cool and I'm in between jobs. If I don't buy one very soon I may not be able to purchase the one that should be here in a few months. I'm assuming the warranty will still be good and I can have it serviced at my dealer but I hate to take them a bike that I didn't buy there and expect them to do my warranty work. My biggest concern is the bike itself. He did say it was broken in as it was a demo but I failed to ask any real questions so I don't know how many miles are on it or what service has been done. What are the services that need to be done within the first few thousand miles? While we all know that anything can happen, what issues might I encounter on my trip? I'm certainly no mechanic and don't really plan to be traveling with any tools. They aren't open today but I've sent them an email asking for details about the bike and if they happen to have the hard bags and rack in stock. About me: Just returned to riding after a 20+ year layoff and the only road riding I've ever done is about 400 miles or so on my TE511. I've never ridden a bike this heavy and I've certainly never spent this much time in the saddle. While I may regret it I don't think I'll be buying the seat concepts seat in advance. I will be alone and don't really plan to do any off road riding at all and will even limit my forest service road usage to a minimum as I just don't want anything to go wrong in the wrong place. What I'm really hoping to get out of this thread is possibly what to expect from the bike. There's a lot to sort out and I may even post over at advrider to get some more questions answered about routes and other things. Thanks in advance,
Just do it! I am 51 have several bikes...I bought a Strada in January. I love the bike. In fact, I just rode from Knoxville TN to Orlando FL & back a couple weeks ago. The trip could not have been any smoother. I have some soft bags from Giant loop. A bags connection tank bag and a medium sized tailbag. All my stuff fit easy on the TR. I have a 2012 R1200 GS rally too. Some of my riding buddies thought I'd flipped out not taking the GS. I never once regretted taking the TR. It's a great bike & Will do whatever you ask and not complain. It'll chug like a tractor through muck...or rev up and like doing slab too. My 2 cents would be to buy from a dealer who's sold a few....get it Mossed...add a booster plug or one of the many other devices that do the same. Change the oil @ 500 -600 miles...add 92 or 93 octane & ride..repeat! I added some led lights from Adv. Monster along with a rotary dimmer switch. Cheap ($80-$100 each) Chinese lights that light up the world. I have them on most all my bikes. Wouldn't ride at night without them. I'm old. The seat is better than you'd think. I spend hours on mine without complaint. I did add 2" bar risers too. I also added a sheepskin pad that made long hours taste better. It also allowed me to scoot around easier. I have 3 different seats for my GS. I go back and forth all the time with it. The TRs seat may surprise you.
You only live once,,buy the bike don't sweat what you have no control over, and get the dealer to take care of any problems before you head out on your awesome road trip!!! You'll do great!!
Hey Turtle, I will try to answer your questions: 1. You should have no issues riding it back to NC. I rode my Strada from NC to Connecticut and back again a few weeks back. It was a pleasure. 2. Have them check the coolant and be sure the oil was changed if it has more than 600 miles--if it hasn't finished the break in period you might ask them to ride it a little and do the service before you pick it up. The 600 mile service is essentially an oil change where they torque all the bolts down, and sometimes hook the bike up to the MOSS (scan) tool to be sure all is in order. The 6000 mile service is the next one. It consists of an oil change, air filter, and valve check, spark plug check/change, along with the usual fastener torquing. Then you pretty much repeat every 6k miles. Some of us change the oil more often, but the factory only calls for 6k intervals when using synthetic. 3. Warranty should be a full year from your purchase date on a demo. As for dealers, if you don't like the service from the dealer near Greensboro, you should consider Eurosport in Asheville. Justin and the gang are EXCELLENT and will take care of you the same as if you bought from them. I have owned a lot of bikes over the last 12 years and I have to say the TR650 is one of my favorites, and certainly the most versatile. It will tackle fire roads, light touring, in town, you name it, and do it all with a grin inspiring purr. It's a heck of a fun bike, and perfect for NC adventuring. I am out near Pisgah, give me shout if you find your way out near the Blue Ridge and are looking to explore.
You should totally do it. But should you decide to do a rental instead, I would like to note that Twisted Throttle does adventure bike rentals now and they are quite close to Providence. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/factory-store/rentals
I rode 81 pretty much the whole way with the occasional detour to adventure. The bike was great. I added an airhawk seat cushion and tool tube to double as foot pegs. The airhawk may not have been necessary since the seat is actually pretty comfy, but a 3 inch, capped PVC pipe can be attached to the front of the bike in seconds using a couple of hose clamps. It cost me about $20 to make it and added serious comfort to the trip as well as being a water tight place to keep some tools. Oh yeah-- bring a few tools with you. A crescent wrench (or two), some torx allens, zip ties, pliers, and a good phillips and flat head are a solid start. Like most bikes, the factory tool kit is marginal.
I simply used my GPS..except I disabled the interstate in the menu....which picks quickest route staying off the big road. I did this because I like small towns and wasn't in a rush. Not because the TR won't do it...it'll do slab just fine. I just prefer back roads.
There will be no more Terra's, if you want one, better buy it now. One on ebay, a used demo, is at $5,500 already with more time to go.
If you have to ask... ...enjoy your new bike and have a great trip. (You've already bought it, you just don't know it yet)
I just heard that the load of bikes waiting in customs ended up being parts and not motorcycles. I would buy it while you can, the bike on order might be longer than you think!
Financially speaking, the cost of renting a bike deducted off the purchase price would probably be substantial so in reality you are getting the bike even cheaper if you thing about it. Opportunity wise it is the stuff great memories are made of....... PS Twisted throttle in RI, I just bought Trax bag mounts (had bags) and engine crash guards from them, so you can get good bags while in the area. What a great rip, I am envious!!
Any chance you can share your source of info? Rumors are everywhere but seeing as you and I frequent the same dealer you are making me a little more nervous about waiting.
My plan has taken a major setback as upon researching the two dealership in the RI/MA/CT area I was considering I'm finding nothing but negative reviews. Apparently the guy in this article is now the sales manager at one of the dealerships. Forget the crack charges for a minute, how does a 35 yr old sandwich delivery guy get a job as a sales manager anyway: http://www.newstimes.com/policereports/article/Man-charged-with-selling-cocaine-4417702.php
Not sure I would let the bad reviews stop me given the opportunity to make a venture like yours. You are only buying a bike there with a full year warranty and no intent of ever going back. If it is a moral issue etc, I can understand and my hats off to you, other than that, I would make sure that all the costs, 600 mile service if done is documented, all charges etc are up front in writing from the dealership, get in, get the bike and get out.....and enjoy the ride :-)
Saw the bike. Perfect. Tried to tell a friend to buy it during the RA Rally but he opted for a used F650GS that was there on consignment. Really liked the shop. Turns out I knew one of the techs who transfered there froma local shop here in PA.
Justin at Eurosport. I don't think it was anything secret and if he says your bike is for sure on the way, you can trust him. If he doesn't know when or if your bike will show, I would go ahead and buy the demo and ride it home.
I believe the Strada demo was just sold and picked up on Saturday while I was getting my bike serviced. You should call first.
