Terra owners, By way of background, I used to own a f800gs, sold it and bought a Triumph Explorer 1200. I am going to keep the Explorer, but am considering adding a Terra. Thoughts on the Terra vs the f800gs. Looking for something smaller for some light off road. I found the engine on the f800gs to be tractor like/boring. I know the f800 engine is bigger, but the machine weighs more too. Can the Terra keep up? Thoughts on the characteristics of the Terra vs bmw engine? Thanks. Mark K.
I currently own both. The TR650 currently has a pumped up G650GS BMW motor, and it is definitely a prime highlight of the bike. Very smooth with strong linear power. Nothing arm-jerking, mind you, but rather deceptive how quickly it gets going fast because its so smooth. A 5-speed gearbox perfectly spaced where its just loafing along at 70mph (4,000 rpm). Enough torque that you don't have to shift in the twisties, if you don't want to. It'll pull from 2,500 rpm in just about every gear. The handling is very nice too. My Terra is very well balanced and feels light, nimble, & compact in motion. Whereas, my F800 feels much longer, bulkier, and heavy (in comparison). I love my F800, to be sure. My Terra has the road manners of my F800 with a better offroad package. Its easier to ride and manage offroad than the F800, because it behaves like a smaller bike. Significantly so when you need to put your feet down and/or pick it up. Its a very fun FUN bike to ride. And radically good in paved twisties! Quite Motard-like. HF
+1 on everything, Mr HF said. I sold my well-farkled F800GS last year to buy a Terra. I did that with great great regret, but I couldnt keep both. I thought my F800GS would take me to the end of this world, and it would I'm sure. For longer ADV travel its THE bike to have unless it does make too rough. And its much more capable in rough terrain than say R1200GS. While saying 'rough' I mean really 'deep s**t' - deep sand, mud, snorkel-deep water crossings, steep mountains etc. Eveything less and that bike was only smiling at that. And I sometimes loved that feeling of 'sure' bike, a bit heavy but totally dependable. I swapped the exhaust with Akrapovic and it never sounded or felt 'boring' anymore And I lost 10 lbs on the bike that way... I sold the bike to a friend of mine. I lost a few bucks that way but I'm sure it is in good hands. And I can alsways hop on it every time we meet for a short drive... Terra is completely different, agile, light-feeling - Motard-like it is. The engine revs higher and when it gets to 4000rpm it starts to roar, more kick than in F8GS. As much as i like Husky 'crowned' exhausts - I would love aftermarket ones (esp. 2-in-1) !
OK. Thank you for the feedback. Kind of what I thought. Just looking for something light and nimble. Sounds like the Terra will fit the bill perfectly... Mark K.
Sorry guys. One final question for HF. Given you have both bikes, which bike are you riding more often, and what dictates which bike you will ride (i.e. what makes you decided to pick one bike over the other)? Are you still riding the F800 alot or is the default now the Terra? Unfortunately up here in the great white north (Calgary) not much riding going on. The roads were dry and you were seeing a few bikes on the road until yesterday, when we got hit with a big dump of snow (6 inches at least). Thanks. Mark K.
Well....the Terra is the newest rage in my stable, so naturally it is getting the most attention lately. It takes a bit to "sort it out" the way I like it to be....whatever bike. Though, I must say that with the Terra this process appears to be simpler and cheaper than all other bikes before. It's not really lacking much, to be honest. In contrast, it seems like I had to buy my Beemer twice to bring it up to my personal standards ($2,000 of new suspension, for example). My F800 is definitely agile, mobile, & hostile. It's perfectly suited for long adventures that have lots of road time, and don't stray too far offroad into the nasty zone. Great heavy laden pack-mule losing no performance at speed due to anything being strapped on. Just fabulous on the open road, but a bit more than desired (in bulk & weight) in the mountain two-tracks, rocky creeks, & sugar sand I often encounter. When I took a test ride on the Terra, I was shocked....never saw this coming. It looks big on paper spec sheet, looks a tad portly in person, and fairly close to F800 in side by side, but feels significantly smaller in motion. Hard to explain. You have to ride it to comprehend it. So with the great road manners, I think the Terra will be grand for long distance riding, once I sort out the wind protection to my satisfaction. Otherwise, I missing or lacking nothing when transferring over to the Terra from my F800. The stock Beemer was no good here either, until I drank a 6-pack then pushed the BUY button for the $800 Deiserto 3 fairing. Wow that thing is fantastic and I would buy one immediately for my TR650 if it existed. With the Terra, I can afford to experiment on mods since the bike was so much less expensive. You could buy two Terra's for LESS than the price of an F800GS, and hardly need to spend much more on aftermarket for a good time anywhere. I've been pleasantly surprised how well behaved it is offroad too. The steering is light, the bike holds its line, is well balanced with good traction control. Consequently, it has serious potential to knock the F8 from its throne. I may very well sell my F800 in the near future. Generally speaking, my Pucker Factor will be comfortably lower offroad on the Terra than it was on the F800. There are places you really don't want to ride your F8. These spots will probably be no problem for me on the Terra. There is the difference you were seeking between the two (I think). The TR650 is also a less complex bike....only one cylinder and fewer electronic whizmos onboard, than the F8. Love the 18/21 wheel sizes. The F800 is 17/21 and you still need a step stool to mount. I'm comfortable with tall bikes, but many people are not. I can't even remember when I last could put both feet flat on the ground. It's become addicting on the Terra....I like the feeling, though not sure why. People complain about things, who have never ridden the bike. Like the suspension being only 7.5" of travel when everything else is taller. Longer is not better if it doesn't work well. The stock F8 suspension is horrible in front...long soft & mushy....so it's terribly hard to manage offroad. The Terra is shorter with a real cartridge fork that works quite well. A much better design for maintaining traction and control in rough conditions, with less rider effort....every time. Terra wins again, out of the box. I could go on at length, but it doesn't matter. I really don't care what you choose to ride. Simply suggesting you test ride one and feel it out for yourself. I found the Terra owners to be very accurate with their descriptions of the sensations. I'm betting you do to. HF
Fascinating thread. While I know nothing about an F8, I agree with the TR650 comments (I have one too).
HF, Thank you for the update and for taking the time to write a comprehensive response. I get what you are saying. I am looking for something smaller/simplier than the f800 which from all accounts the Terra is. I actually had a BMW X Challenge for 1 season and liked it, but am looking for something with a little more range (the biggest problem with the X bikes in my view) and a little more street oriented, both of which the Terra has. I am 90% sure I am going to buy a Terra. In addition, it is also a simple bike that my dad, who is a novice rider, can ride too, which is a big plus. Now that he is retired I would like to get him our riding, if for no other reason so he doesn't drive my mom crazy.... The difficulty with buying bikes in my city is that demo rides are very hard to come buy. Unless the manufacturer has a "demo day" there are no demo bikes, so for the most part you have to buy a new bike on "faith". Not the best idea but unforunately that is how it is here. Thanks again. Always enjoy your write-ups. Mark K.
I am going to guess that half of all TR650 owners have purchased them on "faith", myself included. I liked it a lot on paper. I love it in real life. I put early dibs on the first one to hit our dealership to insure it was mine. I picked it up, rode it, crashed it, ordered another one, picked it up, and ride it now. I would do this again, again, and again...providing my nine lives hold out. Like so many others here, I was extremely surprised at how good this bike is. Do what you will, but I wouldn't worry about that test ride so much.
No test ride here, either. Sold my BMW R1200RT and the Terra is the road/adventure bike now when I want to cover long miles of pavement along the way. For rides that you might do on the R1200GS or 800GS, the Terra will make them easy and be looking for more. The bike is everything it's said to be. Just get one. I think some good accesories are coming along and before long you won't need a shop to make your own stuff.
+1 Since I did some adventure touring through NZ on a thumper March 2012, I've had this feeling that I needed a lighter bike, something more nimble. Something that could eat the dirt roads more comfortably than my DL1000. As soon as I saw the TR650 pictures, (and price) I was sold. I was the first person to ride the demo bike which the local dealer got (it had 2km on the odo when I took it for a test ride). I got the OK from him to take it for an extended test ride, 150-200km of backroads and dirt near where I live. I took it back 70km later. He thought I mustn't have enjoyed it. I told him on the contrary, after 35km I had made up my mind it was the bike I wanted so I turned around and took it back. My reason for the test ride wasn't to see if I liked it, but to see if there was anything that I didn't like.
Took mine "around the block" in 18deg temp just before signing for it - 1 mile on the clock! My R1200GSA will go and my "stable" will be set with the Terra and a DRZe. I agree with Kenneth: farkles are starting to come on line and folks are going to do some crazy fun rides on this bike! Paul
I have a R1200GS in the garage. It's a great motorcycle. It's pretty (the rally is kinda pretty for a pig) capable and safe. Trouble is so is my Strada. Except for 2 up the little bike does about everything I ask. It doesn't have heated grips yet. I am waiting on Husky instead of aftermarket. The new LC GS is hitting dealers now. I have the last of the old BMW..some say maybe the best?? I have thought of selling the big GS because the Strada does fit my needs. Just can't do it right now. The 2 make good stable mates and seem to get along. Once the "new" wears off the TR..maybe I'll ride the GS again. It's cool to be a motorcycle guy right now. We have some great choices.
the TR650 is the best 7K light weigh adventure bike made. Great motor, excellent street manners / all day long riding and fine for some light off road. Not a lot of bikes will do what this one will and it is a bargain. Go get it.
mkearl, I'm the newbie around here and this is my two cents, I got a test ride...it was very coldthat day too. My ride was less than 15 miles and all street which is what I'll do mostly, recently I've done my first and second day off pavement and I loved it...I worked in a 4 line japanese dealership so I got a chance to ride all of the big four bikes....They all had short comings, the Terra surpasses them in a good way,it may not be a pure off roader but its street manners are good and the stuff we went through would be a challenge for almost any other bike I 've seen or sold.....Do some homework in pricing....I wouldn't be ashamed to admit I called around my state to get and idea of an offer to buy...but I'll say I made my sales man an offer and he accepted, oh I just got my title in the other day.... Rod
You guys are not making this easy. I will make it happen. Who knows I might even take the Terra on the continental divide ride (as made famous by BigDog - who bought a Terra I believe) with my old man on a WR250R. I agree. A good time to like motorcycles right now. Lots of good choices... Mark K.
Maybe start a thread here asking if anyone has a tr650 that you could test ride? http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/canada.87/ I think HuskyDude bought one, he is in British Columbia.
