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Strada Demolitionist
I realized today that it has been four years since since I bought my TR650. It's been a while since someone posted about loving this bike and simply enjoying one of the best 650 ADV bikes in recent history--IMHO. My Bike started life as a Strada, but it soon received a set of Terra spokes, racks, and decent tires. The bike is ridden on loads of dirt and gravel in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virgina, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and has never let me down. I also ride it on the road for longer trips on the highway. With the tall Seat Concepts seat and the MadStad windshield it is a very comfortable machine.
Dirty Gertie earned her name because I used to fall a lot when I first got her--she just loved being close to the dirt. She has around 11k miles on the clock, and has had zero issues in four years. Perhaps I am jinxing myself by even mentioning it, but the bike has just been dead reliable despte being ridden all over these mountains. Two times, I've had throttle strangeness (the recall issue we hear so much about), but mostly it has just been an incredibly reliable bike--I'm still on the original battery! My guess is that the recall will go out soon (letters were sent month ago), and those who have had issues will see a significant improvement. The only parts I've had to buy for it were from my own minor get-offs in the bush, and I never waited more than a few days for the replacements. I know others have had issues, but I got a new radiator and a few other bits when I needed them.
My buddy has a Sertao, his bike seems noticeably slower and has a completely different steering geometry and suspension feel. The two of us do annual rides where we camp off the back of the bikes, enjoy campfires, and spend whole days where we see only a handful of other folks out on dirt roads. It's been a great release from work stress, and I can honestly say that this is still the most satisfying bike I've ever owned. It just does a lot of things well. It's not as beautiful as my Griso was to look at, or as as crazy fast as my Speed Triple, nor as comfy as the old Nighthawk was on long trips. But it is the adv bike equivalent to my other favorite bike, my trusty old SV650.
I usually only keep my bikes 2-3 years, but this one is probably be here to stay. Yes the Africa Twin is amazing, but it weighs a lot more and my wife says we are a one bike family. The last thing I want is more weight when off roading anyway--I'm just not that good of a rider. The KTM 701 is also very nice at just 320lbs, but I paid $6500 for my bike OTD four years ago and it has zero issues, and is fully farkled at this point. Perhaps upon it's death, I will find a gently used 701... or perhaps I will try to find another Tr650 for half the price!
Today I had the day off, but it is too cold to ride. As my friend and I plan our next adventure on the bikes for summer 2017 I am reminded how much I have enjoyed the Tr650. If you own one, or are looking, I hope that you have had an experience similar to my own. For the money, I just don't see how the TR650 can be beat.
Enjoy the ride!
Dirty Gertie earned her name because I used to fall a lot when I first got her--she just loved being close to the dirt. She has around 11k miles on the clock, and has had zero issues in four years. Perhaps I am jinxing myself by even mentioning it, but the bike has just been dead reliable despte being ridden all over these mountains. Two times, I've had throttle strangeness (the recall issue we hear so much about), but mostly it has just been an incredibly reliable bike--I'm still on the original battery! My guess is that the recall will go out soon (letters were sent month ago), and those who have had issues will see a significant improvement. The only parts I've had to buy for it were from my own minor get-offs in the bush, and I never waited more than a few days for the replacements. I know others have had issues, but I got a new radiator and a few other bits when I needed them.
My buddy has a Sertao, his bike seems noticeably slower and has a completely different steering geometry and suspension feel. The two of us do annual rides where we camp off the back of the bikes, enjoy campfires, and spend whole days where we see only a handful of other folks out on dirt roads. It's been a great release from work stress, and I can honestly say that this is still the most satisfying bike I've ever owned. It just does a lot of things well. It's not as beautiful as my Griso was to look at, or as as crazy fast as my Speed Triple, nor as comfy as the old Nighthawk was on long trips. But it is the adv bike equivalent to my other favorite bike, my trusty old SV650.
I usually only keep my bikes 2-3 years, but this one is probably be here to stay. Yes the Africa Twin is amazing, but it weighs a lot more and my wife says we are a one bike family. The last thing I want is more weight when off roading anyway--I'm just not that good of a rider. The KTM 701 is also very nice at just 320lbs, but I paid $6500 for my bike OTD four years ago and it has zero issues, and is fully farkled at this point. Perhaps upon it's death, I will find a gently used 701... or perhaps I will try to find another Tr650 for half the price!
Today I had the day off, but it is too cold to ride. As my friend and I plan our next adventure on the bikes for summer 2017 I am reminded how much I have enjoyed the Tr650. If you own one, or are looking, I hope that you have had an experience similar to my own. For the money, I just don't see how the TR650 can be beat.
Enjoy the ride!
