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17'' (with ABS) or 18'' (without ABS) that is a question...

mario33

mario33

Husqvarna
AA Class
I know its rather a hypothetical question for you guys in US, but I have a choice over here - either can order 18'' back wheel without ABS or 17'' with ABS. 17'' version also having lower seat.

While separately its a no-question (I like ABS on roads), but this time its hard to decide (although I tend to 17'' as I'm 'not that tall' ;) )...

18''/no-ABS version:
PROS:
- much wider choice of tyres;
CONS:
- no ABS

17''/ABS version:
PROS:
- ABS
- easier to place feet on ground (lower seat)
CONS:
- choice of tyres restricted

What do you reckon guys? Which way to go ?
 
Think of it like this. Seat height can be changed and its typically on the cheaper end of mods. Changing wheels can be done but it is very costly. ABS cannot be put on that I know of and would be unreasonably costly. It's sounds like you prefer the Strada.
 
Unless you have any intention of going off slab i'd stick with the strada. It will exhibit favorable characteristics on the street. Besides, you only need one decent brand of tires that suits your style of riding. I had an 650 x bike with 19/17 and it was a really great combo for that bike, which actually did amazingly well off road also. As for the ABS, i'd guess it will be possible to add on non abs models. Personally i wouldn't let that play too much in a decision between two totally different machines. The Terra does amazingly well on the street even with d/s tires. But it won't turn in nearly a swift as the strada. I could see situations where abs might come into play, but i certainly don't miss it on the terra. Engine braking is excellent!
 
I obviously would be exploring the opportunity of light off-roading, therefore Strada is not the option as for now. Its rather 21/17-ABS Terra or 21/18-noABS Terra :)
 
I would go with the 18" without ABS if you intend to do anything off pavement, period! There are plenty of good tires available for the 18 and you can choose whether to bias toward pavement or a little loose stuff. ABS sucks when the surface is loose, and can get you into trouble when you least need it. Just my opinion.
 
plenty of good tires exist for 17 inch wheels.if i was going to be on the road 80% of the time i would get a strada.if i was going to be on the road 50% of the time i would get a terra.dan
 
Kenneth Webb said:
I would go with the 18" without ABS if you intend to do anything off pavement, period! There are plenty of good tires available for the 18 and you can choose whether to bias toward pavement or a little loose stuff. ABS sucks when the surface is loose, and can get you into trouble when you least need it. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

This is dead on! If you forget to shut off the ABS (and sometime you will) before you hit the dirt, you can get in serious trouble real fast. Almost went off the side of a mountain more than once with the old F650GS with ABS. It is useless, it will make the bike cost more money, and the 18" tire is a serious up side too for all the reasons above.
 
Based on how fast they are selling, do you have a choice?

(I really dislike abs offroad)
 
Hi guys :)
there are 3 TR 650 models available.
two TERRAs:
- with ABS and 21/17 wheel combo
- WITHOUT abs and 21/18 wheel combo
one STRADA:
with ABS and 19/17 wheel combo.
So the answer cannot be: "get a STRADA" as the OP asks for advice on which TERRA of the two available to him to get.
As stated by the OP the ABS-Terra is not available in the US but in Europe for example.
Being a "short" person as he says, I would probably get the ABS model and maybe disconnect the ABS permanently.
Depends on the difference in price (400€ I think) and his riding preferences.
¿Are you from Italy?, Mario.
I will definitely try to get a Strada as it seems the perfect substitute for my Aprilia Pegaso 650 GA from 1995 ;)
basically same layout, wheel size and engine, just more modern. And Italian :-) sexy xD
cheers, KaterM
 
KaterM said:
¿Are you from Italy?, Mario.
Click to expand...
Not really:) I'm Polish.

Well, I'm 90% convinced I will be aiming at ABS-Terra next spring. ABS is of real use over here (more humid/rainy than most of US). And its no problem for me to switch it off when on gravel or similar lighter off-road. I got used to BMW-type ABS as in my F800GS.
 
This thread is a couple months old but I figure I should say what I am planning. I bought the Strada...(wife insisted the ABS was safer) I knew I'd preferred the 21"-18" shod terra...but kinda liked the black and I know the phone # to woodys wheels...so my mind was already planning the next step. I am adding 21" f 18"r spoked wheels..excel ...I hope the abs will still function on the blacktop...I do wonder if it'll need the "Moss" computer hooked up to change the size? That's my plan...hope it works....now I just have t decide which tires...tkc80s.? Or Heindau K60s? Others.? Remember I have the cast wheels with Tourance for pure street days..(seldom)
 
My understanding is as follows. It's based entirely on stuff I read on the internet in so it must be true!

During the initial start of the bike, ABS is disabled until the bike has rolled a while above about 3-5MPH. During this time my understanding is that the system is measuring (so to speak) the front and back wheels, or more specifically, the relative size of the two wheels. This way variances in mounted tires, tread, inflation, load, etc. can be accounted for.

We know the Terra with ABS runs 17/21, but the non ABS model comes at 18 in the rear. Not clear to me why. I think your chances are better at 17/21, just like the ABS Terra, than they are at 18/21.

We'll know for sure as soon as you mount them up. :-)
 
I figure the aspect ratio is different between brands/ sizes of tires...so there's bound to be some margin...since I already have the cast wheels with 19"- 17" I am going for the 21"-18". Woodys opinion was that in Europe it's more common to use dual sport tires/tyres in the 18" for the rear...makes as much sense as any other explanation I've heard.

I will know soon. Now I just have to decide which brand of tires ..??
 
Reviving an old thread here with a question we've danced around for a bit. Has anybody put a 21"/18" spoke combo on a Strada? Were you able to keep the ABS functioning?

Trapper, it seems like you were going that direction and stopped. I'm pulling the trigger on something this weekend (KTM690 or TR650) and I'm trying to sort it all out before I hit the dealerships.
 
Well I had picked out wheels and even sent in a deposit to Zach @ Woodys. I just couldn't justify nearly 1/3 the cost of the bike new in wheels/tires. I reckon if I shod her 19"-17" with proper tires she would go anywhere I'd want to take her..a little slower perhaps... So that's the direction I decided to go. I ended up ordering a set of wheels for my GS though...should be here next week.

Maybe that'll give me motivation to knock the dust off & ride the GS again...she's been neglected since the TR came on board. The more time/miles I spent on the Strada the better she feels. Easy to ride pretty fast on without working too hard..(me.. Not the bike) I just didn't want to mess up something Husquvarna got so right. I may still run into a deal &buy wheels off a older Dakar. Myself & Woodys think the ABS will function fine.
 
Are the Dakar the only BMW 650 wheels that will work? I don't know much about the BMW's, but I'm assuming all the F650 wheels are the same hub size.
 
Just had a great conversation with Eurosport in Asheville, NC. They are checking into the feasibility of making this happen. Hopefully this goes well and I can report back with good things.
 
That is precisely what I'm looking for, a 21"/18" package with ABS. I don't feel the need for ABS because I've never had it before. I've also never had a bike with fuel injection. But if I'm going to dabble in fancy electronics, I might as well go all in.
 
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