So I decided that I needed a new bike for a recently purchased cabin (near Sonora, CA). I live in the SF Bay Area. I started reading the forums, including this one. I then called a couple of dealers. Not too much in stock within 2 hours of me. This morning....I had to run an errand down South, and the next thing I know this red thing jumped onto my truck ramp (rated for 600 lbs + air suspension on the GL, not to worry).
My first impressions are very positive.
I only started riding a few years ago, so late in life. I have an MV Agusta Brutale and a Ducati Hypermotard 1100s. The former replaced a BMW K1200rs, as this broke my mental rule about bikes needing to weigh around or under 400 lbs. I never rode dirt bikes, like most seemingly did in their youth on this forum. I grew up in Europe, and was more interested in making other sort of trouble. But I digress.
The shiny new Terra made a good first impression, aesthetically. Great proportions and the ergos were perfect for me. At 5 ft 10 + and 175lbs I can flat foot it wearing cowboy boots. Bars are perfect height, even after standing up. Maybe I am doing it wrong. The throttle is so amazingly progressive and can really be finessed. Clutch take up is perfect. In comparison...My MV Agusta is so snatchy and nervous. It can really buck you off when maneuvering in slow traffic. The Hyper wheelies at anything more than 1/2 throttle in the first 2 gears. This Husqvarna beastie is civilized and very easy to ride. The sound at idle was at first disappointing, or a little "agricultural". I am new to singles, so please do not take offense. But when revved to 5K it developed a very nice snarl. I think I will get used to the character. What really surprised me was how tossable this thing is in corners. It lays right down when I push on the bars. The brakes seem to be up to par, and I am used the bite that the Brembos can deliver. I am very pleased overall, and I cannot wait to see how much I can do on dirt. Or how much I suck. I have taken the Keith Code superbike school to improve my road skills, and I might take the equivalent course to learn the other surface (any recommendations are welcome). I am off to ride her home, but I wanted to send this quick into and add to the buyer count. I paid msrp, btw, which seemed fair enough considering the old rule about supply and demand.
It is also fitting that this bike is a mixed breed. Made in Italy, with some bits made in Asia, owned and managed by the Germans. I do not mind that it is not a pure generic Swede. I look forward to mixing it up, and I cannot wait for some of the accessories to land stateside, and of course to get some miles under my belt.
regards
lk
) and you're not alone in having it end up a wrestling match. Different brands offer various levels of wrestling frustration, though, so maybe try a different brand? I've managed to have good luck with Cycra Pro-Bends, with the extra added benefit of the bend in the metal part of the guard keeping me from thrashing the outside edges of my hands in a get-off.
). I am currently looking forward to a large gathering in Bend OR next week for instance