2013 Husqvarna 650 Terra

[E365]

Nice! Where can you buy loops like that?

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by ducnut

I dropped Cycle World, a couple years ago. There has to be a reason their editors/writers don't stick around.

You obviously don't follow Cycle World's history. David Edwards was there well over 10 years, IIRC ... and current editor Hoyer has been with the mag for over 10 years as well.

I said I did not like this article ... but in general ... I believe Cycle World do a pretty good job. Hey guys, don't shoot the messenger here ... now go ahead, put your head back in the sand.

Originally Posted by klxmack

Ok, the question to ask is how many Kawasaki ads did you see in this issue? Bet you there was no husky ads either.
It's bad business to critique your paying clients.

Have you ever worked in the Moto magazine biz? Obviously not. You have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Total, 100% BS. Husky Ad? Wrong again!

The fact is Kawi don't advertize much in CW, never have. ... but in the issue in question I DO see a full page ad for the Husqvarna Terra!
But the ads were paid for before the sale of Husky and are now appearing
(and have been) for months in every major mag.

Imagine that! Also an ad for BMW (full back page . $$$$ ), also ads from Ducati and Triumph. No ad from Yamaha or KTM. Advertising budgets rarely affect editorial content. Cycle World has the widest distribution of any MC mag in the USA by a large margin.

[DirtyOldMan]

Originally Posted by E365

Nice! Where can you buy loops like that?

I got these at Back road moto. I copied what some guys over at Cafe Husky were doing.
They have a cool build thread going called Terraformers. I'd link it if I knew how on this tablet.

[Telman]

After test riding a Strada version, I have put a deposit on a Terra and will pick it up as soon as we get back from our holiday.

[Chuffa]

We had a holiday long weekend so I took the Terra into the southwest of my state. I'm not sure how far it was but I would guess around 2k km's all told.

After a comfortable few hours on the highway I reached the south west coast I used to regularly visit during my youth. The surf breaks around this region are some of the best coastal breaks in the country. I spent the afternoon visiting surf breaks. Unfortunately it was pancake flat.



I then met up with some mates & we headed further east down the coast. Plenty of dirt roads in between us and our destination with some fantastic scenery too. Winding forest roads - awesome!



I was extremely cautious with the Terra for the 1st day of dirt roads. It's new. I love it. I didn't want to kill it. Plus I was only carrying a basic supply of tools. Wherever the Terra felt a bit loose, it was the same spots as the guys on the KTM's felt it too. Cool - it's not just the Terra then.



The next day & more dirt roads and perhaps a better feel for the bike. More speed! This bike just eats the miles. I didn't expect to love it on the dirt as much as I do.



Two more days of blacktop riding with other friends and I was home again. Tired for sure but with one big smile on my face. Mates, bikes, whiskey & conversation .

I totally love this bike. Comfort on the blacktop & comfort on the pea gravel. Next is to put some knobblies on it and some crash bars and take it deeper into the bush.

[FabOneUp]

While there is a lot of talk over here, we've been getting our bikes ready: http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/terraformers.30499/
[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

[FabOneUp]

[Cruz]

How do you like the HP4 on the front?

[rodm850g]

Guys,
Magazines schmagazines....I have commented once jere this bike, went and test rode one....Went back and bought one....whats my experience with dual sport bikes ? Well other than having been in the business selling in a 4 line dealership I got to ride about everything that came from Japan.....I'm too aware of the short comings of the DR, the KLR the XR and the various Yamahas that have been set up for the road....
Now then the Terra comes along and its short comings have been listed....or are they from my limited time on the road and in the outback of Eastern,N.C. I have had a ball on it.
So its a 5 speed if you are in the woods is 5th or 6th a decision ? and the brakes are very good w/ steel braided lines from the factory....The suspenders seem fine to me ....I'm not about to set our to cross any major desert soon but the Terra doesn't nose dive like the others I have mentioned here...it stops so much good for suspension.....and brakes
I don't have to fiddle around with carbs with the Fi and so far its been spot on....heavy it may be but that will no doubt be beneficial on the road where this bike of mine will no doubt be spending a lot of its time.
Would I drop 8, 9, 10k on a play toy bike no but working with my dealer we came to an agreed price and the deal was done. I am awaiting a few accessories to come available for the Terra like the racks from the Terra Formers and some nice bags for it and a few other itemsd and I'll be a happy camper so far so good will I want totrade up for a different bike any time soon...I don't think so it hits a happy place for me....price point, seat height and its handling is okie dokie....it may not be the right fit for a hard core entheuseist but for me I'm diggin my new Terra
Rod

[Wallachian Spikes]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

http://www.cycleworld.com/
This Comparo is not yet posted on line, probably in a few weeks.

The Terra got decidedly mixed reviews in this latest Comparo. CW took a weird mix of bikes and screwed up a number of things (IMHO), but surprisingly even Jimmy Lewis was critical of the Terra. They used this weird survivalist post apocalyptic theme to underscore the whole test.
Nonesense, IMHO.

Bikes tested and how they finished:
1. KLR650
2. KTM 990 Baja
3. Yamaha R1200 Tenere
4. TR650 Terra
5. T800XC Tiger


A few Key quotes:

Jesse Ziegler (Dirt Rider staff writer)
" ... The KLR is really easy to ride off road ... despite rubber covered footpegs, it's really a dirt bike chassis and feels like one".

Editor:
"Not far behind, but much less confidence inspiring, was the Husky."
(refers to ON ROAD behavior)

Jimmy Lewis:
" ... The TR's handling is a bit awkward. The bike has lot of weight on the front wheel and feels unstable at high speed." (Lewis's comment refers to ON ROAD handling, not off road)

Further comments deride the Terra for lack of weather protection and highway capability at speed and short range. They had cold weather and sounds like they'd rather be on Gold Wings than dual sports. The KLR rated high everywhere, a huge surprise to me, having owned one. It out did the Terra every where but in deep sand and more technical rocky tracks.

But remember the theme of this "Comparo" was a sort of ridiculous post apocalyptic theme, with a survivalist tone, IMHO, not a valid way to pick a good dual sport ... but hey, I guess that gets the ratings.

The Terra rated next to last. Here are some final comments:
Just a few more modifications would have vaulted the TR650 into the mix.
"It's a dirtbike wth blinkers and luggage - sort of," said Ziegler. "It was like cheating in the sand and rocks. It's maneurverable and fun and makes a really good dual sport bike, but in this comparison, its on-road shortcomings stood out too much. It's not a survival bike. "

My personal view is that staff need to grow a pair!

In terms the getting through the Mojave (where I've ridden since age 14)
I'd pick the Terra every time. As a RTW bike? Dunno. Loncin motor is still unproven.

The KTM rated high everywhere yet came in 2nd to the KLR because it's high tech nature did not jive with the theme of the comparo. Stupid, IMO.

Anyway, there it is. It is, IMO, a poorly done article of little value. Just thought you guys would need something to reinforce that the press does not always get it right.

Our national debt is now OVER $16,664,000,000,000* so an actual Zombie apocalypse may not be a problem but, a collapse of the dollar is very possible. Add to that the chance of yet another war in oil country & the tankers could stop rolling. I'm actually shocked that the number crunchers have been able to hold the house of cards togeather as long as they have.

The KLR is hands down the best bike of the 5 that were compared, if the number crunchers ever lose their magic or gas gets hard to find. I was surprised that the Terra scored so low but, IMO it was more due to the Terra being a first year model (making replacement parts hard to find), the fact that it may already be an orphan & wrenching on it is a bit more technical than a KLR.

Perhaps cycleworld just wanted to cash in on the popularity of shows like "Doomsday preppers" or maybe they just wanted to try a different angle to the old beat to death formula of moto journalism. I enjoyed the article & I'm glad more people are becomming aware of the fact that maybe the party isn't going to last forever. Mainstream media is only talking about such things because they realize that there is a segment of "consumers" that are thinking that way.

I know it seems silly to get worked up over a $16,664,000,000,000 plus debt but, mankind has always had it's irrational "the sky is falling" segment.

*Source - usdebtclock.org

[klxmack]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

You obviously don't follow Cycle World's history. David Edwards was there well over 10 years, IIRC ... and current editor Hoyer has been with the mag for over 10 years as well.

I said I did not like this article ... but in general ... I believe Cycle World do a pretty good job. Hey guys, don't shoot the messenger here ... now go ahead, put your head back in the sand.

Have you ever worked in the Moto magazine biz? Obviously not. You have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Total, 100% BS. Husky Ad? Wrong again!

No but I have and will buying advertising in the motorcycle media and when I see a bad article about a product that i'm representing I certainly think twice before advertising with them.

Everybody knows that the KE100 is the best bike for the apocalypse. It burns less gas and oil that a KLR.

[VxZeroKnots]

Originally Posted by FabOneUp

.

MORE.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

You obviously don't follow Cycle World's history. David Edwards was there well over 10 years, IIRC ... and current editor Hoyer has been with the mag for over 10 years as well.

I said I did not like this article ... but in general ... I believe Cycle World do a pretty good job. Hey guys, don't shoot the messenger here ... now go ahead, put your head back in the sand.

Off the top of my head, they've lost: Brian Catterson, Jimmy Lewis, Don Canet, and Peter Egan. John Burns and Nick Ienatsch are, now, only contributors, to the best of my knowledge. I don't know what their personal reasons are for no longer writing for CW, but, have enjoyed all their past contributions.

Wasn't trying to shoot the messenger. I shouldn't have threadjacked and will probably be banned, now. Just as well, since my head is stuck in the sand.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by klxmack

Everybody knows that the KE100 is the best bike for the apocalypse.

First motorcycle I ever rode, even if it was too short of a trip. Popped the clutch and wheelied right into the bushes. My brother said "That's it! You're done."

[wolftrax]

I've owned this bike for 3 days now. During this time it's snowed twice and hasn't gotten above 45. This is Georgia for crying out loud. Guess I'll go wire my Heat Troller in.