Cycle World

Jedi · May 6, 2004

Powercell,

Are you discouraged with the purchase of your FE650e? The dealer where you bought it? Or the support so far, probably not long since you bought it, but....?

Scott · May 6, 2004

I think you're missing the point here. It's not BMG being discourage that concerns us, it's all of the current and potential future Husaberg owners that are becoming discouraged...

My thoughts exactly. You probably dont have much to worry about concerning current Berg owners as they are used this drama but, you should be worried about the potential buyers who base their buying decision solely on what Dirt Bike or Cycle World say about a bike.

Jedi · May 6, 2004

Husabutt,

This site is invaluable.

I have never approached Jason for support other than through information.

Jedi · May 6, 2004

Scott,

Perhaps I put too much validity into the grass roots support.

Our press coverage and support of that will improve.

It can only improve.

PowerCell · May 6, 2004

Jedi, I really wish you didn't ask that question. Unfortunately, I've owned my 2004 FE650e for 2 weeks now, and I still have not ridden it.

It's gone back to the dealer and is awaiting the swingarm recall. My dealer is also repairing a few small assembly problems that we noticed; radiator mount installed backwards, incorrect exhaust studs, etc.

The problem I see is that my 30 day warranty is now half expired, and the bike has yet to be tested... you can bet I'm gonna put a crap load of miles on it in the next 2 weeks!

On a more positive note, my dealer, Z-Racing in Anaheim California, is and always has been an excellent representative of Husabergs. Additionally, I know that there was a question as to weither my bike actually needed the replacement swingarm, but Roy at BMG insisted on making every effort to getting things right.

Even though I haven't had the pleasure of getting the 2004 out in the desert yet, it's still been a positive experience.

This is why I'm so discouraged with the Cycle World review. The Husaberg has great potential, but whenever an opportunity comes along to show the world, Husaberg fouls-out. It's like they're the LA Clippers of the Motorcycle world... :roll:

I think KTM/Husaberg should be more concerned themselves. Maybe North America is not the largest market for 'bergs, but most off-road motorcycle magazines are based here, and that means BMG has the responsability of preparing a demo/test bike that will effect the Husaberg name worldwide.

~ Ken

Jedi · May 6, 2004

Serves me right

We are insisting that the swingarms be replaced. Too much of a safety concern.

Appreciate your comments and honesty.
That goes for all.

husabutt · May 6, 2004

Jedi said:
Husabutt,

This site is invaluable.

I have never approached Jason for support other than through information.

Allow me to clarify a little. How about when/if you advertise or do promotions you mention this site in some way. If I were a potential buyer and knew this site existed and had members like Mr. Lineaweaver it surely would factor into the decision making process.

Thank you for lending your ear (hope it isn't ringing).

Jason meet Jedi
Jedi meet Jason

schwim · May 6, 2004

Hi guys,

No one here has posted anything that makes me say this, but this is mostly for any newer members that may feel the need to vent their anger at the end of this post.

DO NOT FLAME. State your concerns, ideas, disagreements and speculations, but do it in an adult manner. In the 6 years I've run this site, this is the first distributor that will talk to the members, and I've watched threads start that routinely resort to mindless bashing when involving Jedi.

I am asking noone to treat BMG or anyone else w/kidd gloves, by all means, call a spade a spade, BUT-do not, under any circumstances, post a useless, hateful or belittling post here. I will delete it and ban your ip from the site.

We've(the UHE) have waited too long to have interaction with ANY distributor to allow a hothead to screw it up.

thanks,
json

Jedi · May 6, 2004

Hows that for protection :lol:

That being said, your input and concerns are well received.

schwim · May 6, 2004

our protection(i.e. self preservation)

:ninja:

Hope you're doing well Josh, and I'm glad to see you here.

thanks,
json

[subliminal]you ever going to send me that dealer list? Partial is better than the incorrect names I now have[/subliminal]

tm-enduro · May 6, 2004

Jedi
Thanks for showing up, and thanks for getting a bike to the US magazine press.
In defence of BMG, this Cycle World test came out of nowhere, when is the last time that CW did a serious enduro test and had all the mfgs supply bikes? Maybe 1978?
If you look back over the years at tests on Husaberg and note when the reviews were good, you'll find a few things in common. Early '90s under Surdyke, Tom Web was racing enduros and ISDE's and wanted the best bike possible, Surdykes responded by giving TW a sorted out bike. Later on when **** Burleson was testing for mags, the fe501 was voted best enduro bike of all, DB demanded a light weight great handling bike and was used to setting up bikes. Just before KTM USA dropped Husaberg, Chuck Sun was devoting lots of time to marketing Husabergs and was sending set up bikes to the magazines to play with. Remember the auto-clutch fc470's that was aimed at the vet MX croud? What do these all have in common? All the bikes were set up for the particular riding area by knowledgable riders.
Also note that Husky invited all the magazine editors to Italy and personally set up the bikes before shipping the setup bikes back to the US for longer term magazine testing, that my friends is hard to top.

wildbill · May 6, 2004

Jedi said:
Scott,

Perhaps I put too much validity into the grass roots support.

Our press coverage and support of that will improve.

It can only improve.

That is the best news I have heard in quite a while.I know it takes time to improve just don`t take to long :wink: .Thanks and take care.

dougn1 · May 6, 2004

what actually happened that resulted in cycle world testing an "un-sorted" bike? was it used or beat up or what?

fryguy · May 6, 2004

Jedi

With regard to tm-enduro's comment above, perhaps you need to accumulate some feedback from your sponsored riders. For example, I know that Dan Watt has ran his 550 on dyno, and used a sniffer to adj jetting accordingly, at least to get a basic foundation to start with. His suspension settings are also different than std.

Someone like Dan or Dale needed the next time a test bike is needed. And I trust there will be a next time.

Perhaps a mistake made in the past, but also a lesson learned. It is sad to here the test went bad, as we were all hoping, finally for some positive media feedback in NA.

Keep up the effort Jedi.

fryguy

t-jet-tim · May 7, 2004

To get retested Husaberg is going to need a gimmick.
All the new bikes have E-start now.We need some more
innovation.Lighter weight with all air-suspension(no springs).
Hydralic valve adjusters.Honda did this on their 1984 11,000
rpm fours.Auto clutch(standard or factory option.)
How about computer controlled suspension valving?The
hydralic systems in planes may be applicable.

Taffy · May 7, 2004

all it needs to be is 5% better at everything with a great engine. the 300-350cc market will be the next market. more than a 250 but a lot lighter than a 400/450.

husaberg have tecome single minded. the kind of thing KTM have done to get to the top.

Taffy

Scott · May 7, 2004

Taffy, you hit the nail on the head.

The KTM guys are crying for a 300-350 cc LIGHT WEIGHT thumper. Just like you said, more grunt than a 250F but lighter than a 450.

The first company to bring out such an animal will sell thousands of them regardless of brand. If Husaberg could get into this market before the other guys, it could give them a HUGE headstart on rebuilding the brand.

t-jet-tim · May 7, 2004

When Honda releases the CRF450X they will
eat up a lot of that market.A high performance
low maintenance 4 stroke,light,actually e-starts,
is what Husaberg needs to make.

fryguy · May 7, 2004

I picked up the CW issue today to read for myself.

That test IS NOT the like the 450 I rode in OCT at Jedi's 04 introduction. Hard starting!!!!!!!!! Did JL ride it in Mexico and use fuel syphoned out of an old truck!! I hope JL is in NB at your next intro.

Makes me think I just overheard someone talking about a nasty old hag, only to realise that he is talking about my lovely wife!!! The story he tells is totally untrue, but nonetheless, spoken and heard.

again, let the force be with you

fryguy

Taffy · May 8, 2004

Dale i know i'm over in blighty but i have to say 'iceberg!' all you see of BMG is the following:

the '04s have only just arrived
a test ride on one of their machines is pretty bad
rider support is zilch at the races (from what i can make out)
parts?
warranty?
back-up?

another thing lads; with all the other manufacturers the factories say "what does the USA want us to do for '05?" but without the bikes having a full run in the USA the next biggest market is the UK and who is going to listen to that bloody *****!

where doe the feedback come from? who can influence and sway the factory enough to re-direct them when they can't see the wood for the trees?

you look at it like that and it gets even rougher!

let's hope the teutons can work without foriegn input, work in the right direction AND come out with one helluva lot of changes that get the bikes going in the right direction next year!

Taffy

BTW, "next year" is just 4-5 months away and the USA has had the bikes a month.

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