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2015 FS 450 SuperMoto

R

RVJ

Joined May 2014
89 Posts | 25+
Auckland, New Zealand
A new SuMo from KTM.

Husqvarna - HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES LAUNCH FS 450

I’m in two minds about it.

On the positive side, the new FS 450 looks really nice. It’s awesome that someone, (anyone!) still makes a SuMo - I’ll never understand why, but it seems like it’s a dying niche? I’m biased, but can’t think why everyone doesn’t own at least one… :D

On the negative side, I still can’t get past the irony that KTM acquires the best marques in the business and then completely gentrifies them into a re-branded KTM clone. I wouldn’t be surprised that if KTM assimilated Aprilia they’d ditch the chassis and V-Twin or for TM Racing they’d drop the 530… The SMR was an awesome SuMo and had a point of difference, as did Berg's amazing Swan Song; the 70 degree series. I completely understand that maintaining separate and distinct differences across the brands is more expensive than making them all the same - but making them all the same is boring and essentially as good as not making them at all.

R.I.P. Berg & Husky!

OK, that’s all ;)

/rant
 
It does look very very good, that bike.

And I exactly 100% share your view on the KTM gobbling up identical brands. Let's hope that the sub-brands start diverging a little bit more. When the Husqvarna/'Berg change happened, it was hinted at that new Husqvarna would have at least some R&D capacity, iirc.
 
60hp 450 Sumo . . . . I need a napkin! Still going to build out the 650, but damn, I may have to start saving up for this too!
 
Yeah, pretty crazy stats; 60hp out of the 450 SX-F engine is epic! I wonder about the lifespan? Your FS 650 can put out 60 Hp without breaking a sweat, but I guess a 450 SOHC is working pretty hard... Anyway, at 10K euro I should be able to afford one in about 5 years :confused:
 
For racing sounds great but for street that 5spd close ratio trans is not good I've been there done that but love the bike for track use If you can justify the price then of course the bookoo of aftermarket goody's to come.
 
Must be crank hp, right?

Well, a DR-Z400 can be made to put out 60 RWHP (on that day on that dyno) - 470cc bore/stroke ... I'd guess that figure Husky are quoting is at the crank though ... or?
 
Yeah. Even the marketing shots are the same (but Orange) :p

I reckon a 690 re-brand will follow soon.

I'll dont know why there is no factory CRF or RMZ street-tard. Based on the DRZ popularity & sales it seems like a no-brainer I would have thought. My ol' Dizzy was awesome as a commuter... Granted, the 570 is better in every way, but for the cash... ;)
 
Indeed, I'm concerned that Husky is little more than a rebrand with no real plans to differentiate. Sort of a Buick to Chevrolet comparison. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Hey. My neighbour races on the nz ktm enduro team... His thoughts on the whole amalgamation was that husky will take the place of Berg in time... Once they settle down the husky brand will be the premium ktm maque, like berg was, but hopefully with a bit more financial rope... Apparently the berg brand was meaningless in the usa, but the husky brand carried some weight with Steve McQueen and sales history etc hence the marketing decision to can 'berg... Shame, since berg is basically all that made ktm great back in the day... Hopefully, in time the husky brand will be something more than a white and yellow ktm. Even so, the new ktm's are pretty sweet :rolleyes: either way, I have my eyes on a used 2013 te250...not exactly a classic berg but I still love the idea riding a husaberg.
 
I been riding bergs for 7 years now (most of my time riding bikes).
And the fact that this brand possibly completely disapaers in about 5 years makes me sad:(
I hate ktm 5/6 years ago I thought ktm was cool husaberg was still husaberg I refuse to ever buy a ktm or honda because I hate what these brands do to the smaller ones.
I think tm's are pretty cool but still prefer hsb I will probably keep mine til it's 20 years old and still be convinced my bike is the best to date:cool: lol
Typical about ktm/honda oweners is that hey think theyre bike is the best and in comparison husaberg is **** without even ever riding a berg ignorant stupid people they are everywhere :p

The few times I let another rider ride my berg they are always surprised about how good it handles and how good the power is but yeah most if them jap/ktm riders rather stay with what they know/think is best:D
 
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I agree...it gets a bit philosophical to be honest; riding bikes is the most important thing to me, but I do love the passion and ideaology behind berg, TM and some other brands like mv etc. I used to own a Suzuki and it was a great bike so can't bag on the big brands... They are good bikes, they just lack character and passion... I think the 70 degree bergs are pretty amazing... The last attempt at something different, and KTM funded it, (not for long) but it was still cool that something like husaberg was bank rolled while it existed.... Maybe it's the beers talking but I hope to ride my berg as long as possible... (As soon as I fix theproblem that stops the bike from running :confused:) they570 is such a pleasure to ride... All it needs to be perfect is a slipper clutch! Saving up for that now...
 
Yes I own a suzuki gsxr to and I quite like it not much wrong with those bikes but if I have to choose sides it's the berg for sure suzuki's aren't hard to find if you want to buy one later...
A good berg 570 for sale is getting rare...
So that's another reason to keep it if I would sell I would regret it for sure...
I am way to invested in this bike emotionaly and also € lol
 
Dude. Your 570 is an Internet legend... You'll never live it down if you sell! :p
 
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I might sell my second 570 one day, but never the other one that I bought new. Yes I have two 570 -12. One for offroad and the other tuned for ice and tarmac :)
 
Goose916 said:
Indeed, I'm concerned that Husky is little more than a rebrand with no real plans to differentiate. Sort of a Buick to Chevrolet comparison. I hope I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

No you're right, sorta. HSB's have just been blue KTM's since what '12 or '13? Now Huskys are just white Bergs with a linkage on the shock. I have a big HSB "Four Stroke Force" banner sitting behind my TE300 blue KTM with Husaberg badges on it. Thought about putting a "Four Stroke Force" decal on the front fender for ***** n giggles. Love the bike though.
 

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