Gday everybody. I'm an Aussie living in Washington DC and have the itch to get back on a bike. All the reviews I've read about the Terra/Strada read positive. Ownership it a mixed bag. Some have issues, some have flawless machines. But with the change from BMW it has be worried. is there any support in my area? Would you buy a second hand TR650? Appreciate your thoughts. Cheers.
In a heart beat ... provided the owner had ensured the air cleaner was sealed and the bike had been serviced! For the price I honestly believe they are a bargain, capable of a lot more than they should be
You don't need to buy used, there is a new one on the showroom here in Tucson. I have bought new and used and love both. With any used vehicle you need to check it out good. The airbox is a major point, but not a deal breaker. I bought my Strada with 18k miles, stock breather. It was a commuter on the road, so did not see the heavy dust that my Terra does. The bore scoped out like new at 18K miles. Work the questioning around to over heat. Try to get a candid conversation and see if it has had problems, and for how long. That would be the deal breaker for me. On a recent outing, both the Terra and Strada got 64 and 66 mpg. Try that on any other bikes of this size. (I used octane boost)
Yeah, my experience has been great. Owned mine since new with no issues. New or used, you should do well. Really, there are only a handful of people who have had any major issues... Find me a bike on the internet that doesn't have a few detractors. IF you get one for under $5k (which you should be able to) it's hard to beat. I would buy another one... or get an Africa Twin! Until my TR blows up or gets totaled the AT will have to remain a dream. The TR is just too good, reliable, and cheap to justify selling it.
I have to recant. Went to the dealer today to check for you, and they are closing the shop. Evidently last Tuesday they decided to close up shop. Not sell, close. They were shipping all bikes back to manufacturers and the Terra went back yesterday. Oh, NO, who is going to service my bike, LOL. They were the Triumph dealer too. So that is gone from Tucson now. When the recall happens, if it happens, I'll have to run to Phoenix to get it done.
Too bad about the Tucson shop, but Phoenix isn't far and I've had absolutely no reason to have any dealer service on my Terra. Which, by the way, is going up for sale. Maybe one of the best equipped Terras around. In fact, it is now fully prepped, and serviced, for the TAT. Was going to take the Terra but have decided to use the 630 instead and turn loose of the 650 to free up some garage space. Will be posting an add soon. My Terra from an earlier trip.
I liked Performance for parts. I got good prices from them and parts came reasonably quick on ordered stuff. Glad I got my spare key when I did. I won't be inconvenienced much, but no KTM dealer in town now, and if Ride Now picks up the dealership, well who knows what it will be like. Terra's seem to be holding their values well. SprinterboyAus should drop you a line, great bike you have. Surprised you are parting with it.
That sucks to hear about Performance. I'm glad that I was able to get my bike while they still had them. It sounds like all of the original owners from 2013 have lost interest and are now unloading the bikes. It's sad.
Thanks everybody!. Some really good feedback here. I'm still a little concerned with the recall situation and the quirks the bike has. These are the two in my area currently for sale http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/5681577108.html http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/mcy/5669614437.html I spoke with the owner of the $5700 one. He said it's had the stalling issues for a while now. Havent spoken to the owner of the cheaper one yet. I have been looking at the new Africa Twin. The piece-of-mind factor with it being a new bike with strong dealership support does play into my thoughts a lot. But it is twice the price of either of those TR's Kenneth - Shoot me a PM with some details if you like.
As much of everything that I can! Will also try to commute on it as much as possible. Free motorcycle parking at work vs parking the Truck for $12day. has convinced the missus that it's a "cost saving" for me to get back on a bike.
I would highly recommend the Strada for the ABS. Don't know if you've had the pleasure of ABS on a bike, but it saved my butt (maybe life) in a high speed situation on the freeway a few years back when a semi-truck a few lengths ahead plowed into a sports car in lane. Traffic stopped instantly, and the ABS on my Strada saved my bacon. It's come in handy a few other times, but that one moment has turned me into a firm supporter of ABS on motorbikes. I personally wouldn't buy one I was planning to ride on the street without ABS these days. Plus, that Strada has the Madstad windshield--and some other great accessories. That windshield and that custom seat transform the bike in my opinion. if you can get that bike anywhere near $5000 it would be quite a deal. I have a similarly kitted Strada, but with spoked wheels, and I would say I have close to $8-9k in it all told. Buying an already farkled machine will save you a ton.
I'm not sure what the go is, but every time I respond to somebodys comments it takes more than 24-48hrs for the post to show up. Its saying I need moderation approval... So my apologies for the delay in any replying to your posts.
I'd go for the mag wheeled Strada. Better yet, I'd buy one from Atlanta, GA and not get the northern road salt and rust. But that's just me. Good luck!
I doubt anyone up here is riding in the winter when they salt the roads, to dam cold and slippery. My riding season is in dry conditions from March to December the rest of the years is unfit. My Maine bike has never seen any salt, just sayin. If your looking to purchase a TR650 I do recommend ABS as my broken collar bone slowly heals from a locked up rear tire high side getoff.
So the plan is to take this one for a test ride next weekend. He's lowered the price a few hundred dollars, but it hasnt moved yet.. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/mcy/5669614437.html alternatively, another one just pop'd up. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/5703743897.html Still looking over Kenneth's bike too. Question? Is the power-commander mod a good fix for the stalling issues? Are they easy to install and tune? I'm not completely unfamiliar with stand alone systems for cars so if they're similar or simpler that would be preferred.
Just for reference, my Terra was Mossified by the dealer when brand new and I've had no stalling issues at all. The Moss update works if you can find it. I have a Power Commander on another bike (it was the test mule) and as long as the bike is set up exactly as the mule, you should have no issues. When the bike is moved from one place to another via trailer (change in elevation) "they" say that it is important to start and idle the bike for three minutes. This is with the stock controller. I do this, just because it doesn't take any effort, and you never know. Bike runs great!
Putting my 2014 Terra up for sale. Located in Reno, NV. $5500. 6200 miles. All the necessary upgrades have been done to the bike. Pod mod and wuka king booster plug. No stalling issues. BR Moto racks, Happy Trails crash bars, barkbuster hand guards, Nomadic rack, Seat concepts low seat, center stand, 3 chipped keys and 3 non chipped keys. Plus a lot of little things. Kenda big blocks with 60% left on rear, front like new. Including pelican type cases for racks.
Hi Sprinter Haven't looked at your bikes you posted but I recently bought a 2nd hand Terra that had what seemed to be an "Eruption" style temp spoofer installed. It went alright but not any better than any other 650 single which was a little disappointing. Didn't have any stalling issues due to the temp spoofer which richens up the open loop part of the fueling. Yesterday I finally tracked down an old Husky shop in the ACT that had the BMW interface gizmo and a dude that could that could drive it. They dialed up BMW Motorad in Germany and 2 1/2 hrs later I had Terra with a new brain. Today I went for a ride in the Watagans up the back of my place and man what a weapon. Definitely the most powerful big single i have ridden (650gs KLR dr650 but no 690's) and no stalling infact just the opposite you have to be careful with the right hand. If you are resourceful and don't mind marrying an orphan you'll have a ball. Dont worry about the PC until you've sorted out the ECU update. I'm selling my 800gsa now. Cheers Mate
