Lets just say Husqvarna dropped the Terra/Strata from their next years lineup... And let say BMW continues with it. It already has their engine and a lot of other BMW parts. Would that make it alright? Would you still buy one? What's your thoughts...
Dunno. Possibly yes. Pros: - they make some good ADV bikes; - have experience with Rotax engine; - well developed aftermarket 'jumps' on new model at once Cons: - bikes are expensive - service is expensive - I like Husky image/colours more.
I really don't need more than 1 650... so no would be my answer. I seriously do not think it would hit the 'sweet spot' the tr650 hit.. price, looks, riding position, power, low center of gravity...
Yes and yes. The day before I put money down for the Terra I went to BMW of Denver and looked at the Sertao to make sure I was doing the right thing. If the Terra didn't exist, I would own a Sertao. Lucky for me, that didn't happen.
I keep looking at that bike from the online pictures, but I am really not sure I've seen one in person. So for giggles I looked up what dealers are near me... ironically there are more Husqvarna dealers than bmw dealers around here. Or maybe a better way of putting it is - there is a Husqvarna dealer near me, but the nearest bmw dealer is not really that close.
The Sertao is a very nice machine, but in canada it would cost probably 11-12 K with tax OTD. The TR was 8K OTD. Quite a difference with the Husky being the better machine IMO. Warrantee and dealer support is in BMW's favor around here. That is certainly worth something, but the Cool factor is Husky all the way!!!
I have to say no to your question based on the following assumptions. 1. The price would be a couple of grand higher to cover the BMW badge. 2. Canbus 3. Ridiculous service fees
I would also say no, or better, absolutely not. You will pay quite a bit more for it. A good percentage of the cost of the Sertao is the money you are paying for the warranty. Don't think for one minute BMW is offering the 3 year 36k warranty to you without a cost involved that they are passing on to you. The one year warranty on the TR's is one of the reasons it is substantially less. No, I would be riding a KTM 690, 990 or something similar. Not knocking BMW here, but in the end, to them, it is all about the money. IF BMW planners had any foresight at all, they would continue the TR under BMW logo and call this a Sertao, but they won't and don't think they can since the Italian plant is not theirs any longer. Maybe an impact, maybe not. The TR is a perfect combination and I plan on keeping it for a very long time, tweaking and mod-ing it the whole time. Once in a blue moon, a bike like the TR comes along and it is that kind of bike that you will spend countless time and lots money on to make it your own. It is like that for me with this bike. Crazy to say this, but for me, one of the things I like the most about this bike at this point, is that after all the personalizing and mods etc, there won't be a "new and improved" version in a year or two to make me want to say' Got to have it" and sell it and start all over. :-)
Interesting that you are only getting a 12 month warranty. In Australia, the Husqvarna importer offers a 24 month unlimited km warranty on the TR650.
I'm reasonably certain the 24 month warranty is an Australia thing (or possibly a few other countries too).
I posted this up over on ADV a couple days ago, but it applies here. I love the TR650, but the Sertao is just not the same machine. IF BMW sold the TR under their marquee, I would definitely be interested but only if at the current price point. So a recap of last weekend on ADV. "I spent a little time at a BMW (only) dealer yesterday. The Husky was the main attraction from the moment I pulled up. Everyone at the dealership came out and looked and chatted. I really just wanted to look at a used 650gs for my wife. Then the owner came out and we talked bikes for about an hour. A good dude who cut his teeth racing Husky's and Triumphs in the 60's. We talked about my choice, and the comparison to the Sertao. He said " the great thing about the TR is the price point and the off road capability. The Sertao can do off road, and it does have more suspension travel, but it really is an on road oriented mile eating machine that looks off road worthy. That Husky captures the essence of a 50/50 dual sport perfectly, and can definitely go more places than the Sertao." Well, that about sums up why I bought it too. The Sertao just seemed a little quirky and more expensive. Not a bad bike by any means, but I felt confident in my ability to take the TR anywhere. I just found it interesting that a BMW dealer said that. "
Yes good point. I failed to included this when I first started this thread. If it was for the same price.
The Guys at Touratech in Seattle have the Sertao and Husky. They've drag raced them, compared them etc. they'll tell you in person the Husky is a winner hands down.
I'd definitely consider the TR650 under the BMW label. As others have said, the price would need to be close to $7K. The day I bought my Terra I test rode a Sertao. It's a fine bike, I liked the ABS and the heated grips, and the dealer really wanted to sell it to me. but I loved the TR. Six months later, I still do.
Yeah they do appear to be higher, but its very hard to compare apples against apples when the different countries and even states within countries have different ways of calculating the "out the door" price, and what that includes. eg I'm aware that buyers in the USA don't pay sales taxes, registration fees etc at the place of purchase, but rather at their local DMV in their home state at a later date so my guess is that these are in excess of the out the door prices you guys state. In Australia, the list price is $9,995 for the Terra. This includes everything except property insurance, which costs about $300 for me for the Terra. An approximate breakdown of price where I live is. $8200 dealer retail price (incl any dealer fees) $ 325 4% state stamp duty $ 400 compulsory 3rd party insurance (medical insurance that covers anyone injured in a road accident regardless of fault) $ 250 vehicle registration fee $ 820 10% federal Goods and services tax $9995 Total (all of this is paid to the dealer at time of purchase) Then it costs me an additional $ 300 for accident insurance (covers property damage to bike and anyone else's property damaged by my bike) (actually I paid a few hundred dollars less than that. I didn't ask for any discounts or do any deal on price, but as I have bought several bikes from the same dealer in the past he dropped the price a bit. I didn't expect that there would be much room to move on the price with the bike being so 'relatively' cheap as it is.
Nev, just looking at the dealer retail to dealer retail. I did the conversion, and doing all in US dollars, your retail to ours is 8525 to our 6995. Dealer invoice here is 6492 or close. No big mark up but again, intentional to keep price in the 6ish range even if only by 5 dollars. Dealers and reps really drove this point home to then BMW to keep the bike competitively priced. Not all of the difference would be warranty charge, I think you guys have ABS? We do pay sales tax at the dealer if you are purchasing the bike in your home state. Here that varies too. PA is 6% sales tax, 18 for tags. New Hampshire has no sales tax but they get you when you register, not sure exact amount but in makes up for no sales tax I am sure.... All in all, the government get theirs, one way or another. Thanks for sharing info, interesting to see the differences between countries.
