Husqvarna gets adventurous with TR650

Husqvarna has launched its first dual-purpose motorcycle in Australia, where sharp pricing and the booming adventure bike market are expected to make the all-new TR650 its best-selling model.

Slotting neatly between Husky’s established TC/CR motocross and TE/WR enduro bikes and the Nuda 900 road bike, two variants of the TR are now available priced from $8995 plus on-road costs for the off-road oriented TR650 Terra, which can also be ridden away nationally for $9995.

That makes the cheapest TR650 the same price as Husky’s TC250 and more affordable than the entire TE enduro range, as well as about $1000 pricier than its most direct Japanese rivals, including Kawasaki’s top-selling KLR650 ($7999 plus ORCs) and the Suzuki DR650 ($7990).

However, the dirt-focussed TR650 Terra is also at least $2000 cheaper than all other entry-level adventure bikes, including the BMW G 650 GS Sertao ($10,990) upon which it’s based, plus the Yamaha XT 660R ($11,499), XT 660Z Tenere ($13,999) and KTM 690 Enduro R ($14,295).

The road-oriented TR650 Strada, meantime, is priced $700 higher from $9695 or $10,795 ride-away, undercutting all of its direct competitors, including the BMW G 650 GS ($9990) and Yamaha XT 660X ($11,499).

A full range of genuine Husqvarna accessories and special parts will be available – including a long-range Safari fuel tank – with options available from launch including hand guards ($143), high windshield ($176), aluminium off-road footpegs ($202), alloy skid plate ($254), rear soft bags ($303), alarm ($358), 33-litre top case ($414), 46-litre top case ($434), heated grips ($507), 46-litre top case with support ($562) and 33-litre hard side bags ($1089).

In addition, there will be an optional ‘city kit’ comprising an alarm, hand guards and top case for $860, and a ‘touring kit’ comprising a high windshield and hard bags for $1060.

Key differences between the TR650 Terra (available only in red/white colours) and TR650 Strada (black/white only) are that the road-biased model comes with a switchable anti-lock braking system (ABS), low front mudguard and 19/17-inch cast wheels instead of the Terra’s 21/18-inch spoked hoops.

In Australia, the TR650 Terra runs on Metzeler Enduro III tyres (110/80-19 front, 140/80-18 rear), while the Strada wears Pirelli Scorpion MT 90 A/T rubber – 90/90-21 M/C 54S front, 140/80-18 M/C 70S rear.

Compared to the Strada, the Terra’s 865mm seat height is 5mm higher, its 184kg unleaden DIN weight is 2kg lower and its 63-degree steering head angle is one degree steeper than the Strada’s, while top speed is listed at 170km/h – 5km/h less than the Strada’s.

Both TR650s models are LAMS-approved as standard but can be purchased in derestricted form by full licence holders, and both come with an industry-standard 24-month/unlimited-km parts and labour warranty.

As standard, Husqvarna claims a fuel range of more than 400km at 90km/h (3.2L/100km) or 300km-plus at 120km/h (4.3lt/100km) from the TR’s 14-litre tank and service intervals for the BMW-sourced 652cc single are a sizeable 10,000km.

Both models come standard with the same 35kW (48hp, at 7250rpm) and 54Nm (at 5750rpm) output as the G 650 GS engine (which has smaller valves, a heavier piston, different fuel-injection system, different camshafts and lower compression), while the derestricted non-LAMS version ups that to 43kW (58hp) and 60Nm.

The liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve single has oversquare cylinder dimensions (100mm bore, 83mm stroke), runs 12.3:1 compression and can drink standard unleaded petrol. It is matched to a five-speed gearbox via a cable-operated wet multi-plate clutch.

The frame is a steel bridge type with bolt-on steel rear subframe, 46mm upside-down Sachs forks, a steel swingarm with a Sachs rear shock adjustable for rebound damping. Wheelbase is 1501mm, there is 190mm of travel at both ends and braking is via 300mm front and 240mm rear discs gripped by hydraulic twin- and single-piston Brembo calipers respectively.

Both models feature a digital instrument cluster displaying road and engine speed, two trip meters and a clock. There are also polypropylene panels, a mow-mounted fuel tank, high-mounted airbox, pillion pegs, a rear luggage rack with built-in pillion grab handles, tool-less seat removal, adjustable levers

The 110-year-old Swedish-born, Italian-based and, soon, KTM-owned bike brand expects the world’s two biggest markets for the TR650 to be North America and Australia, where – unlike Europe - the Terra is forecast to comprise 70 per cent of sales.

Both TR models are expected to attract adventure tourers, returning riders and commuters and it’s hoped the Strada will conquest sales from learner, supermoto and small road bike buyers.

“We think we’re on a winner here price-wise and volume-wise,” said the principal of Australian Husqvarna importer Paul Feeney Group, Paul Feeney.

“It will be a volume bike for us. There’s every chance it be our top-selling model. The TR650 will create volume in areas we haven’t been in before.”

Both TR650 models are available now from 29 of Husqvarna’s 52 retail outlets nationwide. Each specially trained TR650 dealer also has a demonstration bike available for test.