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08 Bergs ?

mark550fc

mark550fc

Joined Nov 2005
159 Posts | 0+
I think if nobody has herd anything or seen pictures of 08s by now we are not going to see a major redesign? All the other brands have been seen by now and the amount of time it takes to rework the assembly lines comes into play. If we have no new redesign in 08 my thinking is it maybe over for Husaberg? I know many will jump in and think you can just keep making mimimal changes and get by.( I do not!) I think we are long over due on this and most agree. Major change is in order for many years now and if no real money is being put into R@D by KTM then it may be over? Dont mention things you have herd,just facts on the 08s when you jump in please. We have herd it all before for many years about this and that. I know they made a new welding fixture to relocate the pipe further away from the tire and new valving and barrings etc.(mayber a grand in R@D money with the new stickers included)
Dont get me wrong I do love my Berg,but I am riding an 05 because there is no reason to by a new bike at this time and that is only hurting sales even more.
What have you seen for 08?
 
Oh my god!!!! I just had a thought.....what if there are no 08's!!!! Aaaaarrrrrggghhhhh!!

You know until recently, new models did'nt even make it to some of the dealers until Jan. or Feb..
You can also bet that whatever happens, change or not, it will be cloaked in secrecy. That's just the way it is. It's a surprise :party:
 
Mark550fc,
As much as Husaberg has not made any dramatic changes in the last few years design wise,it is important to note that they have continued development on these bikes.The world junior champion WEC in riding a Husaberg.There were Husaberg riders standing on the podium in almost every class at this years first round of the WEC in Sweden.
Since 03 there have been changes to ignition,carburation,front and rear suspension,swing arm,engines and even the body work.The new bikes may look like the older bikes but they are much better.
For what its worth I too have a marketing degree,as you know I am sure one constant is that marketing guys,weather guys and economists all have one thing in common...we never can agree on anything.
FWIW...Harley Davidson have done very well by following a plan of continual development as oppossed to change.It has worked for them now for over a 100 years.
 
It only takes surfing the net to find them!

Seen the 08 Kaw,KTM exc,Honda,Suzuki etc!
The bikes can be found with the net in almost all cases. My post is due to my thinking that it is not going to happen? I hope we can find a person with photos to prove my thinking wrong. Maybe a factory guy will throw us a bone?
I must admit it looks bad to me!
 
In the US?

I have seen so few Bergs in the US it makes one wonder if they can survive over here for much longer?

In the West I have seen this: Moto=mine only,GPs=two counting mine,Desert= two or three, Enduros=mine only.

Do the bikes show up much in the Eastern part of the US in GNCCs or any other forms of racing?

In the Western part of the US I have people ask me what is that all the time, as they never even herd of them much of the time.

I am aware of all the changes but it just seems to me that a new look and thinner tank and so on is long over due. That is what all my friends and others say as well. I think a change in look will help them distance them self from the reliability issues of the past. (the bikes look much the same,so if one thinks they must be like the old ones then marketing has not done their job to create a new image have they?)

People are not able to keep a secret in almost any industry and since we are not hearing any talk that makes me think no big changes.
 
You are not going to ever see alot of Bergs at the races anytime soon in NA. You have to remember that they only import 4-500 a year. The fact is that 90% of them are owned by old,fat guys like myself. You have a better chance of seeing a Berg down at the Social Security line than the starting line :wink:
As long as there are old, fat guy's, there will always be a market for Berg's :D
 
RE: In the US?

Truth be known, Berg sales are way up compared to a few years ago. The latest generation Bergs are super bikes.

I dont think we will see much for 08, (EFI has been mentioned but I doubt it) but 09 is supposedly bringing us a completely new bike that is like nothing on the market today and from what I have heard, an expanded model line-up with more bike choices.

Apparently the boys in Sweden have got some pretty radical things up there sleeves...
 
RE: In the US?

A New Look?! the bergs, love the color or hate the color, are by far the most advanced looking bike bike out there, with the recent push for reducing unneeded components, and making the motors easier to work on and making things easy to access in a hurry, the berg has them all beat. it is minimalist, sharp, and clean. and it looks like it will kick *** just sitting there...
 
The thing that I remember most from my marketing classes at UNLV is that I was chastised for aiming too high when tasked to construct a proposed marketing campaign. The professor told me that we should target the 8th grade level. I did not believe it then, but I do now.
After meeting so many Berg owners I believe that we are somewhat better than 8th grade average intelligence, but the fact remains that the markets in general are populated with non-thinking, trend following, style conscious, unimaginative cretins. Witness the myriad brands and styles of tennis shoes and all of the other products that live or die due to design or appearance irrespective of function.

I own a '98 FX600 and an '06 Fe650. Both are blue and yellow, both clearly are of the same lineage, and show the evolution of the brand. The newer one is vastly superior.
Hondaberg, Suziberg, Kawaberg? I don't think so!

I wish to believe that whatever changes are coming will maintain the Berg identity and not be just for the sake of appearance. I like my bike's differences and appreciate it when someone asks me " Whats a Husenburg?".
I have a tougher time roosting their Hondas and Kawi's than I used to, but it isn't the bike's fault.
Dez
 
Sometimes the latest and greatest has its price .....anyone recall what happened to the latest and greatest.. 95 years ago today?
 
nsman said:
Sometimes the latest and greatest has its price .....anyone recall what happened to the latest and greatest.. 95 years ago today?
Click to expand...

Leonardo de caprio painted a nudie of kate winslet onboard the TITANIC?

and then the boat sank.

or 51 years ago the first McDonald's being opened in Des Plaines, IL in 1955... it was the latest and greatest at the time....
 
With My Limited Intellegence The One Thing That Stands Out With Honda,Yamaha,Kwacker Or Suzuki Is They're Always Being Changed,Drastically Sometimes,Every Year.
This Says To Me That They Cant Produce A Sorted Bike And Spend Big Bucks Trying To Get Basic Package Up To Scratch.
It Also Says That With Big Bucks Comes Big R&D Departments That Cant Talk To Each Other And Thats Why They're So Different Every Year.
Too Many Generals And Not Enough Soldiers.
 
Not sure I agree that things need to drastically change at Husaberg. I have been vocal in older posts regarding "What changes would you like to see?" that Husaberg needs to suck up the pride and go to a KTM style counter balancer. KTM crank bearings and water pump drive wouldn't hurt as well. Also asked for racier suspension. We got the better suspension now. Other than the above mentioned motor changes I don't have anything else to complain about or ask for.
Remember, Yamaha has been refining the YZF since 1998 and the 2 strokes that were only recently phased out saw nothing but refinement since the late 80's.
Yes older, wealthier guys do tend to buy Husabergs and the things they have to do to maintain their wealth doesn't allow lots of extra time for quality yen time with the bike. Husaberg will sell more bikes when there are less stories in the bike shops and online about bearing failures. Just my opinion.
dan
 
Firstly, I promise to post or link pics of 08s as soon as I see them.

But to the dabate. Going to an event and counting bergs and actually seeing one, considering that about 500 units ( for the sake of easy math ) have been sold in NA for the last 5 years lets say, 2500 units. Suzuki sells that many RM 250s in California, then they sell DRZ 400s, RMZ 450s, RMZ 350s, RM 125s, hmm you get the pic. Thats one brand with 5 models. Husaberg has 3. KTM has countless. Mark, it is not even close to the time to be crying that the sky is falling. Rest easy, your not riding a dying breed.

Also. 08 will be the eighth year of the latest generation husaberg engine. Ktm is changing for 08, which will be its, 9th year. Berg will have its new toy in 09, the 9th year. Same company, same trend.

vote for Dez +
 
KTM has always been known for making incremental changes year-to-year that don't seem like much, but when you get a couple years down the road, the newer bikes are obviously better. Husaberg is the same.

The 2007 suspension was a huge step forward, especially the front. I'd be on one in a heartbeat if I could swing it. It's definitely a better overall package than my 2005.

No Chicken Little here. I think the brand is as strong as ever.
 
Now its 09?

I have herd it would be 08 for two years from my local shop and now you guys are saying O9?
The tank is much to wide for me in Moto and that is about all I have to complain about.
The people I talk with and ride with are the ones saying they will not consider one for the stated reasons. The 450 is a nice ride but in no way in the same class as a new Honda 450X or a Kaw 450 KLR in my opinion or a 450f. It takes a 550 Berg to produce the same numbers as a modern 450. This should tell you a little about all the development that is going on in the industry. The 450 is down 6 or more horsepower so that is not competitive in most forms of racing. The 550 has much more of a top heavy feel than a modern 450 because it is! This results in a bike that is much harder to back into a fast turn on a track. If some of you would take the time to ride a new 450 that is set up for Gps and Worcs type racing you will see the problem. I love my Fc 550 berg 05 with six speed and Dicks Racing suspension. But it is much harder to handle in a turn than a new 450 and that is a fact.
Ride a new 450 and then get back and tell the truth about how they stack up. The shocks are much better than WP forks even with Dicks magic done to them.
This post is not intended to cause an argument but to start facing the facts about Husaberg falling behind. In fact Husaberg knows that the FC models were not competitive and that is why they discontinued them.(moto bikes) The offroad 450 does well in a test because it is lacking hp and that helps handling, but not in most forms of racing. I do not let my brand loyalty confuse the facts as some of you do! Or maybe you have not ridden a new 450 that is well set up? The new 450s are years ahead of the 450 Bergs and it only takes an Int or Exp rider to take one lap to confirm it. Husaberg might last a few more years with such blind loyalty but that is about the only reason why!
It is way past time to see a new design is all I am saying guys, and you know it.( FOUR YEARS IS THE NORM)
 
Re: Now its 09?

mark550fc said:
I have herd it would be 08 for two years from my local shop and now you guys are saying O9?
The tank is much to wide for me in Moto and that is about all I have to complain about.
The people I talk with and ride with are the ones saying they will not consider one for the stated reasons. The 450 is a nice ride but in no way in the same class as a new Honda 450X or a Kaw 450 KLR in my opinion. It takes a 550 Berg to produce the same numbers as a modern 450. This should tell you a little about all the development that is going on in the industry. The 450 is down 12 or more horsepower so that is not competitive in most forms of racing. The 550 has much more of a top heavy feel than a modern 450 because it is! This results in a bike that is much harder to back into a fast turn on a track. If some of you would take the time to ride a new 450 that is set up for Gps and Worcs type racing you will see the problem. I love my Fc 550 berg 05 with six speed, and Dicks Racing suspension but it is much harder to handle in a turn than a new 450 and that is a fact.
Ride a new 450 and then get back and tell the truth about how they stack up. The shocks are much better than WP forks even with Dicks magic done to them.
This post is not intended to cause an argument but to start facing the facts about Husaberg falling behind. In fact Husaberg knows that the FC models were not competitive and that is why they discontinued them.(moto bikes) The offroad 450 does well in a test because it is lacking hp and that helps handling, but not in most forms of racing. I do not let my brand loyalty confuse the facts as some of you do! Or maybe you have not ridden a new 450 that is well set up? The new 450s are years ahead of the 450 Bergs and it only takes an Int or Exp rider to take one lap to confirm it. Husaberg might last a few more years with such blind loyalty but that is about the only reason why!
It is way past time to see a new design is all I am saying guys and you know it.
Click to expand...

Dude, you're all over the place in your arguements against the Husaberg. 12 hp down to an ENDURO version of a Japanese 450? No way. That comment set my BS radar beeping and lighting up to beat the band. The last dyno test I saw of the Honda 450x was 45-46 hp. The Husaberg is also lighter than the Japanese four stroke enduro bikes, even the new Kawasaki. Husaberg's focus going forward won't be motocross related, so comparing a Husaberg to a Japanese motocrosser is a moot point. Everyone realizes the FC is/was at a huge disadvantage to the Japanese motocrossers. So what. KTM can't figure that out either. Must be that terrible WP suspension. 8O

I've ridden lots of motocross 450's, most recently the Honda 450. It's basically useless for anything except moto, and 90% of the riders on them can't come close to using all the power.

Blind loyalty? Give us a bit more credit. Husaberg has a championship winning rider in the WEC Junior class. FOR IT'S INTENDED PURPOSE, compared against the same class of bike, Husabergs stack up fine.

So, what you need is a DOHC, linkage suspended (w/ Showa or Kayaba) motorcycle. Why wait for 2009? Buy a Japanese bike and be happy right now.
 
Re: Now its 09?

mark550fc said:
I have herd it would be 08 for two years from my local shop and now you guys are saying O9?
The tank is much to wide for me in Moto and that is about all I have to complain about.
The people I talk with and ride with are the ones saying they will not consider one for the stated reasons. The 450 is a nice ride but in no way in the same class as a new Honda 450X or a Kaw 450 KLR in my opinion. It takes a 550 Berg to produce the same numbers as a modern 450. This should tell you a little about all the development that is going on in the industry. The 450 is down 12 or more horsepower so that is not competitive in most forms of racing. The 550 has much more of a top heavy feel than a modern 450 because it is! This results in a bike that is much harder to back into a fast turn on a track. If some of you would take the time to ride a new 450 that is set up for Gps and Worcs type racing you will see the problem. I love my Fc 550 berg 05 with six speed, and Dicks Racing suspension but it is much harder to handle in a turn than a new 450 and that is a fact.
Ride a new 450 and then get back and tell the truth about how they stack up. The shocks are much better than WP forks even with Dicks magic done to them.
This post is not intended to cause an argument but to start facing the facts about Husaberg falling behind. In fact Husaberg knows that the FC models were not competitive and that is why they discontinued them.(moto bikes) The offroad 450 does well in a test because it is lacking hp and that helps handling, but not in most forms of racing. I do not let my brand loyalty confuse the facts as some of you do! Or maybe you have not ridden a new 450 that is well set up? The new 450s are years ahead of the 450 Bergs and it only takes an Int or Exp rider to take one lap to confirm it. Husaberg might last a few more years with such blind loyalty but that is about the only reason why!
It is way past time to see a new design is all I am saying guys and you know it.
Click to expand...
 

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I intend to!

I am talking about the uncorked Fc version of 05 and stand by the numbers because they are very close. The Fe 450 is very much slower than a new 450F as we had each in the desert a few weeks ago. My points are fact about blind loyalty as we will have the same design in three years and some guys still saying whats the problem? For the most part riders that race Worcs and the like are just using the moto versions with a heaver flywheel and yes we are talking about 10 hp. Many riders use all the power of a 450 on a track for short moments to pass etc! My comments are primarily about the FC line---you know the performance version? By the way I thought your Jr Champ was on a 496 from what people were saying. Sounds like he needed 50 more ccs to compete to me!
The 550 still has a place in vet racing and can do very well with a strong rider,but the main racing public wants the handling traits of a 450. Less energy in turns and a quicker revs are the future of four strokes. John: I am not all over the place but have over 130 races on Husabergs and my opinion has been earned. People that do not push a bike to its limits once in a while just have a less accurate opinion.
How could they possibly know if they don't?
 

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