With the TR650 Terra it’s done that with a motorcycle that offers a great riding experience, features quality components, is very user-friendly, fuel-efficient and comes in at a price tag of $6,999. The Strada, which has ABS as standard, retails for $7,499.
Husky started looking into this market given that sales trends show that the single-cylinder 600cc-700cc dual-purpose segment is very strong. The U.S. alone has about half of the worldwide market share for this segment — 44 percent.
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For the TR, they used BMW’s G650GS motor platform and retuned it to include a lighter piston, higher compression, larger intake and exhaust valves and some other tweaks to bump power by a claimed 20 percent to 58hp -- nice, when combined with the bike’s 408 lb. curb weight.
The price point is such, Eastman points out, that customers can tap into the available lineup of accessories like hard panniers, heated grips, hand protectors, an engine guard, a top case, a tank bag, and an alarm system to name few, to make it their own. The bike’s can-bus electrical system is built for plug-and-play accessories. And, there is also a complete lineup of related riding apparel.
As mentioned, the overall package works well. The upright seating position makes for comfortable riding through traffic, even in busy, do-or-die Southern California freeway traffic. For a single, it’s amazingly smooth at high speeds and top-end power is strong and forceful, not jarring. It’s agile and sure-footed in most conditions — a testament to its wide handlebars, slender build and the fact that the 3.57 gal. fuel tank is located under the seat.
Cranking through some of the hairpin turns of the roads into and out of Crestline, Calif., was a pleasure, and whether it’s my mostly-good riding abilities or the features of the bike, I never felt over my comfort threshold.
Just about the only spot where I just wouldn’t feel comfortable in commenting on is along the long stretch of hilly fire road we hit. My abilities combined with a recent knee injury — and subsequent surgery — had me tender-footing it along the dirt while my fellow scribes blasted by me at speed. Oh well, there’s next time.
According to the background marketing materials Eastman provided, Husqvarna is looking for the Terra to appeal to the active enthusiast and those riders looking for something new. The Strada is aimed more at the new or returning rider and city-dwellers seeking a more efficient form of transportation.
Don’t know about the Strada (yet), but this active enthusiast has definitely found something new and very cool with the Terra.
