Howdy all,
I just picked up the two most recent issues of Dirt Bike, and Dirt Rider magazines. And in both magazines they have tests of 2008 Husaberg's. Dirt BIKE had the 450, and Dirt RIDER had the 550. I wish I could just scan these articles and put them up on the site but, I don't want to make anyone mad, like a lawyer, and have a negative effect on our site. So, if you've got a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee, and read on.
The dirt BIKE article starts out with the statement "Everyone has heard of Husaberg, not everyone has seen one, and almost no one has ridden one". Hmmmmm, guess they haven't heard about this site eh? They go on to point out that the company has never produced more than a thousand units a year, yet with those meager numbers won more world championships that suzuki and kawasaki put together.
Then we get the history lesson about the Husaberg mark. Why do they do that? These bikes aren't that unknown, they told us that in the beginning. And of course they have to point out that they have had reliability issues in the past. They then talk about the KTM aquisition, and the point out that the quality improved (which it did) when production moved to Austria.
They then go on to claim that there have been several importers who tried to sell them and no one got rich so KTM took over the job themselves. And that doesn't mean that you can see them at any KTM dealer, however, and I quote here, "But the truth is if your local dealer wants Husaberg's he could get them". [sic]
They go on to point out the linkageless suspension, brakes, wheels, controls, are straight off of KTM's. This next line is the second to best bs line out of the article, and I quote here. " The swingarm is very similar to the KTM's a, and if fact we heard that the company experimented with one piece cast design on Husaberg's first. Wow, now there's a shocker! That swingarm design has been around since 2001, and they are just hearing about where it came from? These are the people who make their living off of writing about dirt bikes?
The article goes on to say that Tom Moen was reluctant to give them a 2008 for fear that they would use it in the Glen Helen 24 hour race "making for a ton of use in a short time". Guess they hadn't heard that dirt rider ran their long haul 06 650 two years in a row with their 24 hour test without tearing it down...... They do go on to point out admirably how well the berg works in the single track and get 's great traction even though it is no powerhouse, and are not particularly torquey, it just goes forward with "old world efficiency". And, they do point out that in a round about way the bike is easy to maintain, and it is fast. Fast but not a powerhouse....... And that the bike is stable, but, it would require a completely different suspension setup for enduro cross b/c it hops sideways on hip high whoops and rocks like Yugo's. And they do go onto point out that the bike really thrives on adverse conditions. (thanks for pointing out one it's most outstanding features).
And here is the best line of the article "Actually, unlike virtually everyone else in the country, we're very familiar with Husaberg's (wasn't it like 5 years they didn't even have test of a husaberg in their rag? let me know if I'm incorrect) and all their little idiosyncrasies. The one that Ron (ron lawson editor of the db) rode in the ISDE in 1999 wasn't that different in performance. But in the last nine years the rest of the four stroke world has changed dramatically." I'll leave that series of diametrically opposing sentences for you to pass judgment on.
The article closes by stating that Berg would be outgunned in WORC'S races and even some GNCC'S by more powerful hardware.
I forgot to mention that they brought up the jetting issues of last years bike. I find it truly amazing that they can nit pick about such issues when the carb is so easy to get to, and with their abyssal depth of know how they couldn't change a couple of jets and a needle that would take all of 10 minutes to a closed course setting. And how they will heap praise on a bike like the WR that requires the removal of a throttle stop, cutting of a grey wire, and removal of an internal baffle just to make the bike even come close to decent performance, and makes it a close course bike as well.
DIRT RIDER
The Dirt Rider article begins not unlike the DB article although with a different slant to the small production boutique brands and their challenges faced in their own countries. And how Husaberg suffered due to importer issues, and reliability issues especially in the late 90's. But, for the most part there "has" been a solid dealer network and a consistent flow of parts. I suppose so, if you don't count the change over from KTM, to the first horrible importer who dropped the ball, and to when BMG picked up the ball and got things rolling again. That is for anyone not knowing about our site and our network of getting parts for those in need from outside the country. And the article mentions that the brand is now back under the KTM umbrella, which "should further solidify the brand and it's parts supply".
The next paragraph reads: "Now for the push. KTM is getting behind the Husaberg brand because it want to strenththen it. It knows the bike has some benefits and appeals to different kinds of ridesr than it's own orange bikes. In fact, the 2008 pricing structure, now a bit lower than in the pas is set to get sales numbers up in the United States." This article was definitely written a while back eh? Although it's message is positive.
The article goes on to out line the changes on the 08, changes in tolerances on the crankshaft, upgrades to the the balance shaft and it's water pump seal, a recurring problem we had on our 2006 650. The frame is welded in a new jig for better consistency, new triple clamps which are stronger and lighter and are straight off the KTM's, and some changes to the ignition mapping.
So here's the news on the Red Sticker business. The motor meets the emissions standards but, the gas tank isn't sealed. A new standard you'll be hearing more about in the future.
It then goes on to point out the differences from other bikes, chain on the right side, non conventional air box, non removable sub frame, the cylinder sleeve in the center cases, and the single radiator.
The next paragraph begins: " It doesn't take long to start liking what the Husaberg has to offer, and that's power. If has a lot of it delivered in complete smoothness or with aggressive snap. You have a great amount of control with the throttle, and just how much you'd like the engine to respond is a simple as tqwising yourwrist. Much more than most off road bikes. I feels like it has a very light flywheeel when you want the bike to respond quickly but, then it can also troque along and be smooth as if it had a very heavy crank. The throlttle to rear wheel connectivity is extremely sensitive and quite good. It goes on to praise the wide ration six speed box, hydraulic clutch that has excellent durability. Shifts in tight terrain aren't necessary as the power band is so wide. And will take full throttle shifts with no clutch like you'd expect a F 1 car to do. Overall the Berg is one of the fastest and strongest running bikes you can buy.
The Berg feels like the front wheel feels like it is more underneath you than the KTM, but when turning the Berg feels a little more raked out, and definitely has good front end grip. It talks about the foot pegs being higher which make for a different feel and is a bit more cramped than a "roomy" KTM. The suspension is more on the soft side but with better bottoming resistance than our long haul 650.
It talks about air filter maintenance being a cinch, the one liter oil capacity makes it important to change the oil frequently but that's simple too. The bike will breath excess oil into the air box and will self regulate if you put too much in, and will smoke after extended periods of WOT. Brake pedal reach takes some getting used to. And they talk about the little bird under the seat.
The rider opinions of Scott Forward ( owner of Scott's performance products), Jimmy lewis, and Karel Kramer all generally positive and insightful.
This is basically the reader's digest version of these two tests but it underlines, I feel, the difference between these two magazines. One is an enthusiast magazine, and the other is the off road version of Moto Cross Action.
It's too bad that the fuel tank wasn't sealed to meet the ever evolving whims of the EPA, carb et all so that it would have been green sticker legal. You have to wonder to some extent, as the KTM's are green stickie legal so their tanks must be made of the newer material.
Thanks for reading,
I just picked up the two most recent issues of Dirt Bike, and Dirt Rider magazines. And in both magazines they have tests of 2008 Husaberg's. Dirt BIKE had the 450, and Dirt RIDER had the 550. I wish I could just scan these articles and put them up on the site but, I don't want to make anyone mad, like a lawyer, and have a negative effect on our site. So, if you've got a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee, and read on.
The dirt BIKE article starts out with the statement "Everyone has heard of Husaberg, not everyone has seen one, and almost no one has ridden one". Hmmmmm, guess they haven't heard about this site eh? They go on to point out that the company has never produced more than a thousand units a year, yet with those meager numbers won more world championships that suzuki and kawasaki put together.
Then we get the history lesson about the Husaberg mark. Why do they do that? These bikes aren't that unknown, they told us that in the beginning. And of course they have to point out that they have had reliability issues in the past. They then talk about the KTM aquisition, and the point out that the quality improved (which it did) when production moved to Austria.
They then go on to claim that there have been several importers who tried to sell them and no one got rich so KTM took over the job themselves. And that doesn't mean that you can see them at any KTM dealer, however, and I quote here, "But the truth is if your local dealer wants Husaberg's he could get them". [sic]
They go on to point out the linkageless suspension, brakes, wheels, controls, are straight off of KTM's. This next line is the second to best bs line out of the article, and I quote here. " The swingarm is very similar to the KTM's a, and if fact we heard that the company experimented with one piece cast design on Husaberg's first. Wow, now there's a shocker! That swingarm design has been around since 2001, and they are just hearing about where it came from? These are the people who make their living off of writing about dirt bikes?
The article goes on to say that Tom Moen was reluctant to give them a 2008 for fear that they would use it in the Glen Helen 24 hour race "making for a ton of use in a short time". Guess they hadn't heard that dirt rider ran their long haul 06 650 two years in a row with their 24 hour test without tearing it down...... They do go on to point out admirably how well the berg works in the single track and get 's great traction even though it is no powerhouse, and are not particularly torquey, it just goes forward with "old world efficiency". And, they do point out that in a round about way the bike is easy to maintain, and it is fast. Fast but not a powerhouse....... And that the bike is stable, but, it would require a completely different suspension setup for enduro cross b/c it hops sideways on hip high whoops and rocks like Yugo's. And they do go onto point out that the bike really thrives on adverse conditions. (thanks for pointing out one it's most outstanding features).
And here is the best line of the article "Actually, unlike virtually everyone else in the country, we're very familiar with Husaberg's (wasn't it like 5 years they didn't even have test of a husaberg in their rag? let me know if I'm incorrect) and all their little idiosyncrasies. The one that Ron (ron lawson editor of the db) rode in the ISDE in 1999 wasn't that different in performance. But in the last nine years the rest of the four stroke world has changed dramatically." I'll leave that series of diametrically opposing sentences for you to pass judgment on.
The article closes by stating that Berg would be outgunned in WORC'S races and even some GNCC'S by more powerful hardware.
I forgot to mention that they brought up the jetting issues of last years bike. I find it truly amazing that they can nit pick about such issues when the carb is so easy to get to, and with their abyssal depth of know how they couldn't change a couple of jets and a needle that would take all of 10 minutes to a closed course setting. And how they will heap praise on a bike like the WR that requires the removal of a throttle stop, cutting of a grey wire, and removal of an internal baffle just to make the bike even come close to decent performance, and makes it a close course bike as well.
DIRT RIDER
The Dirt Rider article begins not unlike the DB article although with a different slant to the small production boutique brands and their challenges faced in their own countries. And how Husaberg suffered due to importer issues, and reliability issues especially in the late 90's. But, for the most part there "has" been a solid dealer network and a consistent flow of parts. I suppose so, if you don't count the change over from KTM, to the first horrible importer who dropped the ball, and to when BMG picked up the ball and got things rolling again. That is for anyone not knowing about our site and our network of getting parts for those in need from outside the country. And the article mentions that the brand is now back under the KTM umbrella, which "should further solidify the brand and it's parts supply".
The next paragraph reads: "Now for the push. KTM is getting behind the Husaberg brand because it want to strenththen it. It knows the bike has some benefits and appeals to different kinds of ridesr than it's own orange bikes. In fact, the 2008 pricing structure, now a bit lower than in the pas is set to get sales numbers up in the United States." This article was definitely written a while back eh? Although it's message is positive.
The article goes on to out line the changes on the 08, changes in tolerances on the crankshaft, upgrades to the the balance shaft and it's water pump seal, a recurring problem we had on our 2006 650. The frame is welded in a new jig for better consistency, new triple clamps which are stronger and lighter and are straight off the KTM's, and some changes to the ignition mapping.
So here's the news on the Red Sticker business. The motor meets the emissions standards but, the gas tank isn't sealed. A new standard you'll be hearing more about in the future.
It then goes on to point out the differences from other bikes, chain on the right side, non conventional air box, non removable sub frame, the cylinder sleeve in the center cases, and the single radiator.
The next paragraph begins: " It doesn't take long to start liking what the Husaberg has to offer, and that's power. If has a lot of it delivered in complete smoothness or with aggressive snap. You have a great amount of control with the throttle, and just how much you'd like the engine to respond is a simple as tqwising yourwrist. Much more than most off road bikes. I feels like it has a very light flywheeel when you want the bike to respond quickly but, then it can also troque along and be smooth as if it had a very heavy crank. The throlttle to rear wheel connectivity is extremely sensitive and quite good. It goes on to praise the wide ration six speed box, hydraulic clutch that has excellent durability. Shifts in tight terrain aren't necessary as the power band is so wide. And will take full throttle shifts with no clutch like you'd expect a F 1 car to do. Overall the Berg is one of the fastest and strongest running bikes you can buy.
The Berg feels like the front wheel feels like it is more underneath you than the KTM, but when turning the Berg feels a little more raked out, and definitely has good front end grip. It talks about the foot pegs being higher which make for a different feel and is a bit more cramped than a "roomy" KTM. The suspension is more on the soft side but with better bottoming resistance than our long haul 650.
It talks about air filter maintenance being a cinch, the one liter oil capacity makes it important to change the oil frequently but that's simple too. The bike will breath excess oil into the air box and will self regulate if you put too much in, and will smoke after extended periods of WOT. Brake pedal reach takes some getting used to. And they talk about the little bird under the seat.
The rider opinions of Scott Forward ( owner of Scott's performance products), Jimmy lewis, and Karel Kramer all generally positive and insightful.
This is basically the reader's digest version of these two tests but it underlines, I feel, the difference between these two magazines. One is an enthusiast magazine, and the other is the off road version of Moto Cross Action.
It's too bad that the fuel tank wasn't sealed to meet the ever evolving whims of the EPA, carb et all so that it would have been green sticker legal. You have to wonder to some extent, as the KTM's are green stickie legal so their tanks must be made of the newer material.
Thanks for reading,
