Hi Mark PM sent. Waiting to hear from you. Heck it's only a 7 hr ride and just over 400 miles (that's 650km to us Cunucks)
Huskydude, Be careful what you wish for. My wife's brother lives in Kelowna and we might be there for Easter. I would love to try it out. I will have my Triumph Explorer with me if you want to swap rides. Lots of good dual sport riding in the area from what I understand. I can already see me being in the dog house for this trip. Would much rather rides bikes then hang out with the in-laws if you know what I mean... Mark K.
I do know what you mean... in-laws are all in Vernon. We might be there for Easter. Lets keep in touch.
Never ridden a Terra, but I have owned an F800GS since the first model year in the US. They changed the head the following year, which tamed the feel noticeably, but made it more friendly on crappy 3rd world gas. So my 800 is peppier than most, which is part of what I love about it. On tight twisty pavement and goat roads, this bike is awesome. A lighter bike like the Terra would be more nimble, but the 800 has way more power. I spank sport bikes on those kind of roads and I'm not a track guy or expert rider. I've been riding street for 30 years and I'm no slouch, but I have no illusion that I'm REALLY good. The bike excels in those roads and it incredibly fun to ride when it's in it's zone. Most fun bike I've owned. The 800 has better suspension travel than the Terra as well. Which one is right for you really depends on what you want to use it for. The 800 is a better road bike. The power make the difference here. It's also going to be better for any significant distance trips. The Terra is a short haul bike and probably less intimidating in the dirt since it's lighter. But not that much. The 800 is just under 400lbs dry IIRC. But it feels BIG when you get on it. And it doesn't feel like my TE310 geometry wise. There's something different about it (and I'm not talking the massive weight difference). But you get used to it. It's just it's character. I really like my F800GS, although I have considered selling it just because I have too many bikes. I just can't bring myself to sell any of them, though. I love them all.
Well at some point, you should ride that thing up here, and ride my Terra. I'm reasonably sure there are a couple of tight twisty roads around here.
Kelowna, love to be there in the summer, looks like a lot af great trails and boating there. Skied at Silverstar and Big White a few times and love the area.
If you've never ridden a Terra then how do you know that the 800 has better suspension travel? If you've never ridden a Terra then how do you know the 800 is a better road bike? I've never ridden a Terra either so I can't compare it to anything yet. Except of course, I do know it's not a good as my Wee-Strom cause I read it on the internet.
How do I know? I can read specifications. They don't tell the whole story, but in the case of suspension travel... Power, carrying capacity and weight make it a better road bike. Yes, more weight is good... (to a point). A lighter bike is more vibey (especially a thumper), a heavier bike is more solid, smoother, easier to ride for hours on end at 70mph. I've put lots of miles on 550s, 650s, 800s, 1100s and bigger. There's a very noticable difference the further below the liter mark with respect to rider fatigue on longer rides.
Rode with my buddy and his WeeStrom and after we traded off he is working on selling his weeStrom for a Terra :>) Was faster in every drag race and is a far better bike off road. Neener neener :>)
Riding the bikes back to back is really the only real test. you can read specs all day long, they don't translate into how the bike handles or the type of power they put out or lots of other variables and intangibles. My buddy John sold his F800 because he said the EFI was so lurchy off road it almost killed him a few times. IMHO Spec give you a 50,000 foot view, nothing more. Heck even "real" tests sometimes are BS as in the case of the polarizing 449/511. Mags hate it, customers love it. Go figure.
Uhmmmm.....truth is....my TR650 is actually smoother running, with less vibes than my F800GS. And, I find it to be more comfortable in several ways. These assumptions presented a few posts back, by the person who has not ridden (or owned) a Terra/Strada, are simply not accurate. At least not according to my own personal experience. Plus, my F800GS weighed in 465 pounds with a full tank of gas BEFORE I started strapping on farkles. She's 510lbs now with the basic good stuff and a full tank of gas. i have a forklift-size, certified postal scale at work. I can ride the bike right up the ramp onto the scale. My KLR was 425 lbs. I'll weigh my Terra tomorrow next chance I get. Screw the Spec Sheet...Go Ride! HF
I rode my Terra to Hotlanta today 135 miles one way running it between 70 and 80 mph fully loaded. I was in heavy traffic the last half with lots of truck wash. Throw a little cross winds in for good measure. I kept waiting for the handling to fall apart. No weaves, no wobbles, no nuthin! It just stayed planted waiting for rider input. Don't know how they did it but they did, planted like a bigger bike but has a light touch. This ain't no KLR
perfect description. I sold my big street bike for this and was in fear longer street rides might not be good but quickly found out this bike has fantastic road manners.
+1 Same here, I sold my Super Tenere to purchase the Terra. This bike with a few mods will make a perfect Adventure Tourer for this old man.
I command a unique super power: the ability to look at two different numbers and subtract one from the other to determine the difference. I hope, one day, to utilize this power to ascend to world domination. And I will take my fellow Husky fans with me. Even the ones that ride TR650s or... gasp! ... red and white KTMs with a big H on them. If it has two wheels, you can have fun on it. One can debate the merits of one bike over another, but different people have different needs and interests. And although a 250cc bike is probably not the ideal choice for a circumnavigation, it's been used for it and got the job done. Don't take my comments personally. I like the Terra. I just think the F8 is better and I don't mind the much higher price tag because mine's already paid for.
Well said - but there is something unique about this bike: specs say its a little better than a KLR: in reality, to me, it is worlds better than highly farkled KLRs of my past. Specs say my GSA is significantly better ride, but it will be gone by the end of spring ------
