Well I own a Honda VFR800 mwhich is a great sports/toer bike and I bought it in 2004 but it was the "old"model of 2001. I got it for a strong discounted prize, a little more then a second hand. New they were 13.500,- euro new and I got mine for 8.500,- euro. I got a give set on it and tankbag and navigation a Garmin Quest. I went to Italy in 2005 but after that I almost never drive it, but I like my bike a lot. I also have a property in the Philippines and almost everybody in there drive a very light bike. So at a fair in NL (actually I am Dutch, but I live in Belgium for almost 6 years now) in feburari I saw a KTM 390 Duke, I sit on it and I was immediately crazy by the weight and it looked so easy to handle. I thought it is a perfect bike for the Phillipines as well. Offcourse the Duke has a hard suspension and therefore it is not ideal to travel the bad roads in there, but in NL or B it is fantastic, I am sure. Well I read a lot in the internet that KTM would develop a adventure 390 and that looks like my dream bike in the Phillipines, light, quite cheap as they produce these at Bajaj India. Just a few weeks ago when I planned to go to the Eicma fair in Italy I found out that KTM did not have any plan or development for a 390 adventure, so my dream splashed apart. Then I found the video of on 2 wheels where they compare a 690 Duke with a TR650 Strada, well that get a little interest as they both thought it was a better bike then the KTM. I did not like a small power range, strong brakes and an agressive bike, but I wanted a balanced bike that I can use for touring and fun (a little like my VFR but then for bad tarmac roads and much lighter). After looking again in the internet I found that the Husky in NL was 5.999,- euro and in Belgium only 5.499,- for a new Strada or Terra. Well that was more or less the same as for the 390 Duke. Then I found the amazing offer for a Husky TR650 Strada which was a demo for only 4.200,- euo. I call to hear if it was really true, because that is absolutely dirt cheap. It was true and I also worried a little about the ending of the production by the CEO of KTM to get parts. Actually any other comparable bike, like the Yamaha XT660 costs 7.000 euro, so if i need to wait sometimes for a month or 2 or 3 to get my parts, weel that is then not a big problem for me. Besides many parts are BMW parts. Did I only go for the prize ? No, definetly not, I am only small with my 1.70 cm or 5,7 if I am correct in US sizes and these off road bikes are useally much to high for me. As I am quite spoiled by the hydraulic clutch of my VFR I will never ever by a bike when I need heavy power to handle the clutch. I like to ride for my pleasure, not for bodybuilding my wrist. So I decided to go to the Husky dealer and test if the bike fit to my needs. At the dealer I first test the cluch and it was remarkable light, perfect so to say. Looks of the Husky were not my ultimate taste, but it look better in real then on a picture. I climed on the bike and I could just touch the ground with my toe's (is this spelling correct ?. The dealer explaned that the bike could be lower at the front and also at the back. I wanted to ride the bike and that was ok for the dealer. My testdrive made a big smile on my face. I really liked that the bike is extremely light to handle, and the gearbox is also fine. Only 5 gears and the engine like to rev, but also it was very relaxed to drive in touring mode. The brakes work fine, not agressive and especially the rear brake seems to work fine as well. Enginebrake also good when you close the gas. I drove 80 km roads, slowly though the center and also on the highway. On the highway with 120 km or more I catch a lot of wind, but 100 km or below it was no problem for wind and indeed a real nice ride. After the testdrive I was impressed but I doubt about the Strada or the Terra. I thought about the testing and getting a Terra, but I almost never ever drive dirtroads. 3 days later I ordered my Husky TR650 Strada with handguards and a windscreen. Yesterday I get my Strada and I already drive 300 km on it. It is a large difference with my VFR800, but both have their own purpose. That was my maybe strange story how and why I bought a TR650 Strada. I plan to keep both of my bikes and for a long time. This TR650's are most likely going to be collecteritems as there are only a few made and this for a brand with a history of 110 years old. Actually it is a waste of development money to stop the production, but who am I to advice the CEO of KTM. I do understand that he does not like to sell partial BMW motorbikes, that is their competitor. Maybee when I go to Phillippines when I retire (in 20 years) I will put the TR650 Strada on a containerboat and transport it in there, or another option is to buy a Husqvarna TR650 Terra in the Philippines as well because I see that the Husky's are now being dumped all over the world. I see it on facebook and www.ayosdito.ph already for real dumpprizes as low as 220.000 peso which is a 3.800,- euro. This is only a little more then a container transport by boat and does not require import tax and paperwork in the Philippines. Next time I will not post a lot of text, but I like to post nice pictures. It seems that most people in here are in the states or Australia and have a lot of dirtroads but beautifull places. Maybe these pictures also convince me to enjoy life life more by driving through places which are nice to see. I try to catch some nice spots in Netherlands, Belgium or Germany as I will use the Strada for short distances like max. 400 km a day. John
I went from a Triumph Tiger1050 to a Harley Xr1200 to the Strada and my Ole Ural on the side. I know parts may be tough down the road, but with the BMW 650 cousin anything is possible. I don't need big, fast and heavy anymore. I really like my Strada. Check out Seat Concepts lower seat (what I have) or lowering links.
Welcome, John. It's nice to see other TR650s coming on the road in Belgium, as there are very few about at the moment. My gf and I both ride Terras and do pretty much everything with them, from gravel roads and farmer's tracks near where we live to weekends in the Ardennes, Eifel or Vosges to camping trips through France, dirt riding in the UK and longer high mileage trips like we did in June through the Balkans. The TR does it all. Gives us a wave if you happen to come across 2 Terras on the Belgian roads.
You guys ever get to the Hautes Fagnes, the areas around Eupen/ Malmedy to St. Vith and Spa to the German+ Lux borders? No idea if it still is, but it used to be the Royal Woods of the Belgian King, and an area full of history hidden in those huge pine-plantations. Old ruins, many border-stones with the chiseled coat-of-arms in the woods denoting the old border lines across the centuries, the fabulous Grottes de Remouchamps, http://www.mondesauvage.be/grottes/fr/ , the High Moors , Flamish waffles and cream...a magic, tucked-away pocket of Belgium and all it's own.
Oh yeah it defenitely a nice area, even not so far from here. I will try to make some pictures, so you can all enjoy it too. I really enjoyed looking at the picture topic in here, that's were it is about. Regards, John P.S. Real friendly forum in here with good tips/advice and beautiful photo's. Same relaxed as the TR650, great !
It is a very nice region indeed. The forests and moors of the "hautes Fagnes" or "hoge venen" are now part of a larger natural park covering parts of eastern Belgium and the German Eifel region. There are more interesting parts of teh country for riding, but it is great for walking and cross-country skiing.
Thanks for the info...heard that they had somewhat gone "cross-border" and linked up parks with the Eifel. It's from bushwalking and cross-country that I know the area...long before one was only allowed onto the moors with a registered guide. There's certainly some good riding in the backblocks, though...and across the border in the Eifel. From memory, this is a sweet little loop taking about 2-4 hrs or so....also includes lots of places to either stay or eat along the way. http://goo.gl/maps/HCtG2 Got married at the Moulin de Bayehon at pt. F (despite Google maps placing it a bit further up the road), they've got their own trout ponds. Sweet little place, used to have exceptional food and Italian style thick hot chocolate/ waffles. Sorry for the thread hijack!
Hello John, Well I'm in the Philippines and my 1st concern is trying to bring/smuggle a Terra/ Strada to here. It can be done, but it's a PITA (Pain in the Ass). I will visit a dealer in Manila (Grandstar) on Tuesday (Oct. 21st) to place a Security Deposit on a Terra Demo Bike with about 1,000 K's on the clock that will come with a 2 year warranty, Owners Manual & Tool Kit. Price as quoted with the LTO (Land Transportation Office) Registration = 309,000 pesos or $ 6,943. That's a VERY GOOOD Price here in the Philippines for a New/Demo 650cc Motorcycle. Considering a new Kawasaki Versys is 378,00 pesos. If you wait 15 to 20 years there may only USED/ Abused Terra's around. I should pick up my Terra on 14th. Enjoy your Strada. Regards, Chris
Thanks Chris for your very true comments. I did realize after my post that shipping (20 foot container costs about 2200 euro)and do never forget bureaucracy in The RP with customs and LTO. (I know how paperwork does not work in the Phillipines). I did see the price at Grandstar Manila and on ayosdito.com in RP was 299.000 for a nearly new Terra and yes I do know that the prices in RP for new motorbike are western / European high. But 1 thing for sure, the second hand prizes in the RP are absoluty crazy. Bikes do not go down in prize, it is amazing how much people ask for their second hand or even completely rotten motorbikes out there. You use the right term, abused bikes or should we say raped bikes for terrable high prices. For the current prize it is much much better to buy a new 1 in the RP, for this 299.000 peso then pay the same in here and go through the hassle. I am sure your did a right thing, the huskies are fantastic for use in there and I wish you many save and enjoyfull years in that absolutely wonderful beautyfull country called the Republic of the Phillipines. Thanks for replying and this weekend was great weather in Belgium so I take my Strada and my Filipina out for a ride. Regards, John
Hello John, I went to Grandstar (took me 3 hours from my home near Tagaytay) and spoke with Lester Tiu the GM. After all the BS I placed a 20,000p security deposit on "My Terra" a Demo TR650 with Only 381 k's on the clock. Grandstar has lowered My Terra 2" using a locally produced Links and I will return to check the seat height on Nov 4th or 5th and do my own "PDI" pre delivery inspection to ensure all is well. My big issue will be trying to get the parts & components to do the POD air filter mod, do the rear fender fenderectomy, and change the coolant and burp the system before I really start to ride her. Already have shopping list & parts numbers to get the spares I want to maintain the Terra here, plus some accessories when I travel to the States early next year. FYI I'm 66 and only 5'4" tall. Regards across the miles, from the land of smiles, Chris
Hi John and Chris, We have a Husky Club here in the Philippines. You may want check it on FB see the group. The Terras and Stradas are best suited for Philippine roads. I have owned scoots, sport bikes and standards bikes but my Terra 650 serves me best. In fact, it is my daily ride to and from the office because traffic is really bad here in Manila. mike
