TR650 owner considerations, help needed

[Navigare]

Hi Folks,



I am TR650 (strada) owner since 2014 and I think it's great bike, but I have some second thoughts now. I came from two-stroke enduro land and bought this bike mainly because I wanted to try some tarmac and wanted one bike to do it all. That failed and I don’t think I will ride on tarmac a lot in close future. So I have some dilemma now. I terra’fied my strada, but still this is to heavy bike to ride singles as I like. Then on street it is quite wind prone and sometimes not that stable when doing more then 130kmh…

Let me go straight. I am considering going back to two stroke 250 (street plated) and do dirt only and haul bike on longer distances but I don’t know what to do with my Huska. I did not have any problems with her (but I don't ride a lot, only 6.000 km’s on clock right now) and I am considering keeping her as second bike and don’t know if it’s feasible, so here are questions which might help with my decisions:

1. Are there any TR650 owners who considered/ridden both Huska and VStorm 650 – are there significant differences on tarmac (especially stability during windy days)? Is street on Vstorm day/night difference, compared to TR650?
2. Is ABS in TR650 – two channel bosch 9 generation (couldn’t find any info on this), I know that Huska 900Nuda has exactly this abs generation, which means it is more advanced and there is possibility in disabling rear wheel abs like in KTM’s with some dongle, is it possible in TR650?
3. I read at least two-three stories about total engine failure, I know it is proven Rotax engine, but they did some changes, might they caused such problem or these failures are mainly air filter mods which went wrong?

If I decide to keep Huska as second bike, I need to be sure that she will stay long time with me.

 

[nev..]

The Vstrom and the Husky are not even in the same class when you're comparing them. The Strom is physically much bigger, and probably in the order of 40kg (85lb) heavier. The Vstrom will be a much better tarmac bike than the Strada and much less likely to be affected by the elements on the road due to it's extra weight and greater wind protection from the body/screen. The Vstrom seating position forces you to sit back and makes it harder to get your weight forward (not a factor on the tarmac but definitely is on the dirt highways. I haven't compared the Strada to the Vstrom650, but I have owned concurrently for several years a Terra and a Vstrom 1000 and the difference is definitely day and night. For someone who seems much more comfortable on light twostroke bikes, if the Strada is not to your taste I can't imagine how much more out of your element you would feel on a Vstrom.

 

[Navigare]

I am considering v storm as second bike only (beside 2 stroke softenduro), just need to decide, if I need to let Huska go and have second bike more tarmac oriented. Still need something though, to have possibility for some light of pavement detour, that's why considering v storm and not vfr.

 

[nwrider1]

I have both a Strada and Terra plus the 650 V Strom. "stability during windy days" -- The Strada is more stable at speed and in wind than the Terra and the V Strom is more stable than the Strada ---see the comments from Nev.. Terrarist. However, even the V Strom is affected by strong cross winds. If you're riding only on more difficult two track and single track, then a 2T is probably a good way to go. However, if there is much in the way of pavement riding -- I much prefer a 4T.

 

[Scott Jones]

Variation on your theme: I'm trying to sell a KLR 250 (and an antique tractor) so I can get a Beta Xtrainer to keep the Terra company, plus have a real 2-stroke woods bike that I can plate here in NY. Thought about moving the Terra and KLR for one of the 4T Betas but I think I sort of really need a tractable 2-stroke as a bucket list item. The Terra handles all my road needs nicely,but I don't ride in traffic or interstate.

 

[Navigare]

Ok Guyz, so friend of mine bought new Vstorm 650 and we had few rides, where I could try his bike and for me difference in handling between these two on tarmac is like night and day. Vstrom is much more smooth, gears shifting is milk and honey and far less vibrations. For me it is like riding pickup truck and sedan. Of course there is nothing to compare when you hit offroad - vstrom is ok for gravel and not much more, so still I would choose tr650 over vstorm, but telling you truth, I didn't expect such big difference, between two of these.

 

[mag00]

Ok Guyz, so friend of mine bought new Vstorm 650 and we had few rides, where I could try his bike and for me difference in handling between these two on tarmac is like night and day. Vstrom is much more smooth, gears shifting is milk and honey and far less vibrations. For me it is like riding pickup truck and sedan. Of course there is nothing to compare when you hit offroad - vstrom is ok for gravel and not much more, so still I would choose tr650 over vstorm, but telling you truth, I didn't expect such big difference, between two of these.

There are many different models to choose from. Charlie went to Versys, RIP DR Z

I started out with looking for "that one" bike theory, but now have 8. I guess things could be different and have 8 wives LOL.

If you are not upgrading to shaft drive, I do not see the point. TR650 holds it's own.

 

[Navigare]

I thought 3 bikes (lightweight 250 enduro, tr650'like sweet spot and some vjr cruiser for tarmac) is optimum number but you say 8...

Still far more cheaper then even one wife.

 

[wferrari]

I owned the Vstrom for 7 years and I cannot praise it enough. It's great for touring, it has a great mechanics (particularly the gear), and the handling on tarmac is quite adequate. However, I would never swap my Strada for a V-strom in search of better tarmac behavior, as I think the Strada is superior in that respect, much quicker, forgiving and balanced.

 

[Ogre_fl]

I am kind of surprised you found such a big difference.
I had a Gen 1 650 Strom and a Gen 1 Versys and feel the TR650 with the 19/17 cast wheels is pretty close on the road.
The Strom was a little smoother and the Versys was a bit more planted on the road, but more similar than different to me.

I sold off my Versys (which I REALLY liked) because it really didn't do anything significantly better/different than the TR650 on the road.
I initially bought an FJR1300, which was night & day different to me.
I recently sold the FJR and bought a Triumph Tiger 1050.
The Tiger feels like a bigger/more powerful/smoother/more planted version of my TR650 when on the road.
Not night and day, but better/different enough on the road for me to justify.

 

[dmw_az]

I thought 3 bikes (lightweight 250 enduro, tr650'like sweet spot and some vjr cruiser for tarmac) is optimum number but you say 8...

Still far more cheaper then even one wife.

I agree. I'd love to add a 250cc and a larger 1000cc street bike to my collection someday. But, for now, the TR650 does everything that I need it to and makes a great all-around great bike.

And yes.

 

[GrumpyShamurai]

I agree. I'd love to add a 250cc and a larger 1000cc street bike to my collection someday. But, for now, the TR650 does everything that I need it to and makes a great all-around great bike.

And yes.

I have an two old 70s honda xls a 125 and 350. Got my terra, and picked up an fz1 last season. Its a wonderful full stable. Something for any mood. Now to get a nice 1200 cruiser.

 

[mag00]

I thought 3 bikes (lightweight 250 enduro, tr650'like sweet spot and some vjr cruiser for tarmac) is optimum number but you say 8...

Still far more cheaper then even one wife.

My recent bike is the Strada, and I have a Terra. I sold my Moto Guzzi and bought the Strada.

So if I was willing to give up a beloved shaft drive twin for another TR650, you may see I am partial to the Husky, even with all its quirks. The Strada seems to be alot of fun on the road, I am debating putting nobbies on it or going more SM style. The Terra has an auto clutch so it is much easier for me in more technical off road situations.

I was thinking about turning the Guzzi into a scrambler, but just figured it would not quite make the grade without a much better suspension for the dirt. That Guzzi was just a blast on the road.