Wednesday 18th July 2012

PH2: Husqvarna unveils TR 650 Strada and Terra

Swedish-Italian-German manufacturer unveils two more fruits of its takeover by BMW

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In much the same way that the Nuda and Nuda 900R were essentially pimped-up BMW F800s, with the new TR 650 models Husqvarna has taken the BMW G650 GS and given it a bit of a styling makeover and injected some much-needed grunt into the motor.

The liquid-cooled 652cc single-cylinder engine has an improved fuel injection system, altered camshafts, a new forged piston and a redesigned cylinder head. The net result is an increase in compression from 11.5:1 to 12.3:1, and power boosted by 10hp to 58hp at 7,250rpm. Interestingly both the power and torque are made 750rpm higher in the rev range on the Husky compared with the BMW.

Despite these modifications, Husky claims the TR can still return 88.3mpg at 56mph and 65.7mpg at 75mph, giving it a theoretical 217-mile range from its 14-litre tank.

On the chassis side of things the tubular steel split-backbone chassis with the sub-frame bolted on looks fairly similar to the GS, but the steering head geometry has been altered to 64 degrees for the Strada and 63.5 degrees on the Terra (the BMW is 61.9 degrees). In keeping with Husky's more upmarket positioning, both TR models get chunkier 46mm inverted forks rather than the GS's weedy 41mm telescopic units.

With the Strada aimed at on-road riding (see what they have done with the name...), it comes with 10 spoke cast alloy wheels with a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear and ABS as standard. The off-road inspired Terra runs 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels with ABS an optional extra.

Styling-wise both bikes get the traditional Husky red cam cover, an LCD dash and under-seat pipes, but the off-road Terra comes in red with a high mudguard while the road-based Strada is black with a more traditionally mounted mud deflector. As you would expect, Husky has a whole range of extras including panniers, a taller screen and heated grips. No word on price/availability as yet.

[slevin911]

What a shame I didnt think it was possible to make a Husqvarna dull but they have done just that.Sad day.

[marcgti6]

slevin911 said:

What a shame I didnt think it was possible to make a Husqvarna dull but they have done just that.Sad day.

I have to agree with you there - it does look rather dull.

[alexpa]

For a fun Husky, check out the SMR511. 118kg of joy!

http://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/en/motorcycle...

[philkermeen]

yeah, they do look dull but if i can get a test-ride there might be a bit more them them in a ride. I always found my smr 450 ran out of puff on big roads - these might be a bit more suited to that kind of riding.

But i still think i might say 'screw it' and get the 510 :-D

[sledge68]

i used to own an SMR510, MCN said its a bike everyone should ride, and boy it was so exciting.

I sold my last Husky a TE310 just as BMW were taking over as I thought i knew what they would do to the brand, and they have done.

If you want a real thrill, buy or borrow an Aprilia SXV550, i owned a full power one, 75bhp and just over 100 kgs, frightening

[Getsis]

Dad, can you knock me up a mudguard for the front of my bike please!

[_g_]

Nice idea.
Though this seems to be even heavier than the TE630, which gained weight from the reasonabe-weighted TE610.

When looking for an 'adventure' bike (one to do proper off-road on, not one that weighs more than a sports bike) I was stuck between the TE610, KTM 690 enduro and G650 X-Challenge.
As I couldn't find a second hand TE610, which I'd prefered, I went for the KTM.
If they could get this in to KTM weight levels - smidge under 140kg, it'd be a bit more reasonable.

But at 166kg, that's a hell of a lot of pies I'd have to forego to make up for it!