I was just talking to my local Husaberg dealer today and I mentioned the prospect of the 70 degree motor being reintroduced at which time he pretty much accused me of smoking crack. He said that he is likely to be a Husky dealer as of next year and fully expects to be selling KTM's with different coloured plastic.
Joined Nov 2001
17K Posts | 774+
Ely, England
you know I've been reading voraciously for the last 20-Months. all about the British bike industry and what went wrong. all the related topics etc.
nobody has ever stayed at the top for ever!
the Japs would have collapsed if they had been challenged, when the Yen was worth too much but luckily for them they have never been behind enough for their market share to collapse.
So for Husaberg to have had this small window of time - a mere 25 years - in the Sun well, I'm happy with that! :cheers:
regards
Taffy
nobody has ever stayed at the top for ever!
the Japs would have collapsed if they had been challenged, when the Yen was worth too much but luckily for them they have never been behind enough for their market share to collapse.
So for Husaberg to have had this small window of time - a mere 25 years - in the Sun well, I'm happy with that! :cheers:
regards
Taffy
It's interesting, my interest in Husqvarna was rekindled with the TE250R and the TE310R. They were getting good reviews getting good race results and Husqvarna as a whole was seeming to gain new life. Even the pricing was very competitive.
Initially, I was disappointed when I heard KTM had purchased Husky. I could see only the loss of a competitor, not a very good thing! However when I heard KTM were planning to roll select models from Husaberg and Husqvarna under the Husqvarna banner, I must say I'm feeling a bit different towards the plan. As wonderful as Husabergs have been, the mention of the name usually draws blank stares. Husqvarna is a far more recognized name.
All in all this almost feels like a reconciliation between a couple of estranged entities and it actually almost feels right. The enthusiust will always know the Husaberg brand and what it's done for 4-stroke off-roading, they will also recognize the Husaberg genetics in KTMs and the future Huskys.
So as a cup half full kind of guy, I am cautiously optimistic about the KTM plan.
Initially, I was disappointed when I heard KTM had purchased Husky. I could see only the loss of a competitor, not a very good thing! However when I heard KTM were planning to roll select models from Husaberg and Husqvarna under the Husqvarna banner, I must say I'm feeling a bit different towards the plan. As wonderful as Husabergs have been, the mention of the name usually draws blank stares. Husqvarna is a far more recognized name.
All in all this almost feels like a reconciliation between a couple of estranged entities and it actually almost feels right. The enthusiust will always know the Husaberg brand and what it's done for 4-stroke off-roading, they will also recognize the Husaberg genetics in KTMs and the future Huskys.
So as a cup half full kind of guy, I am cautiously optimistic about the KTM plan.
Joined Mar 2012
15 Posts | 1+
Canada
I am like most of you here who are sad to see the Husaberg name relegated to the dustbin of history. However, in today's global economic climate mergers are the norm, and quite often necessary to ensure a presence in the future. If Husaberg's DNA, innovation, spirit, or whatever is very much a part of the new Husqvarna then I say good on them and bring it on. Perhaps a quote sums it up best: " A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
Jesus! You guys are making me cry. Who'd guess that a bunch of weekend grease monkeys could write so eloquently?
http://www.enduro.de/husqvarna-und-die- ... iew-12494/
interview with Stefan Pierer.
They (KTM) toss the Husaberg brand because it is relatively unknown in the USA. Husqvarna is much better remembered as an old brand with a rich heritage. In other words; the US is so important for KTM that they rather pull the plug on Husaberg and replace it with Husqvarna even though Husaberg is doing quit well in Europe.
6000 Husabergs yearly against a target of 15000 Husqvarnas in the future.
The other important thing mentioned twice in the article is "synergy" The use of the same parts for both brands.
Here he's says it out loud: the will give the Husabergs simply Husqvarna colours. The Husqvarna motoX cycles will have KTM technology.
Perhaps the part I like best in the article is how he burns Italy for its work/business climate. Only surpassed by France for being unattractive as a country to have factories in! HAHAHA. Hope he didn't start WWIII with these remarks.
Unfortunately the interviewer didn't ask why KTM stopped the 70d engine manufacturing.. it can only be a costs thing.
interview with Stefan Pierer.
They (KTM) toss the Husaberg brand because it is relatively unknown in the USA. Husqvarna is much better remembered as an old brand with a rich heritage. In other words; the US is so important for KTM that they rather pull the plug on Husaberg and replace it with Husqvarna even though Husaberg is doing quit well in Europe.
6000 Husabergs yearly against a target of 15000 Husqvarnas in the future.
The other important thing mentioned twice in the article is "synergy" The use of the same parts for both brands.
Here he's says it out loud: the will give the Husabergs simply Husqvarna colours. The Husqvarna motoX cycles will have KTM technology.
Perhaps the part I like best in the article is how he burns Italy for its work/business climate. Only surpassed by France for being unattractive as a country to have factories in! HAHAHA. Hope he didn't start WWIII with these remarks.
Unfortunately the interviewer didn't ask why KTM stopped the 70d engine manufacturing.. it can only be a costs thing.
What about spare parts incase something breaks on the older Husaberg bikes like the FS570? Are they so similar to the KTM that KTM will sell the parts?
I'm sure I'm biased but when KTM bought Husqvarna there were rumors they didn't know what to do with the BMW Engines (built for BMW by Kymco in Taiwan), and of course they won't be using marzzochi or sachs suspension when they have their very own white-power, now with linkage and everything...
So I'm guessing Husqvarna will be the name under which KTM will experiment with more exotic things, many of them coming from the Husaberg philosophy.. Perhaps added to that KTM will position it's own brand as 'ready to race' with a big focus on MX, XC and Rallies while Husqvarna will be the 'Ready for (serious) fun' with focus on weekend trails, reliability, enduro etc.
KTM are you hearing?
So I'm guessing Husqvarna will be the name under which KTM will experiment with more exotic things, many of them coming from the Husaberg philosophy.. Perhaps added to that KTM will position it's own brand as 'ready to race' with a big focus on MX, XC and Rallies while Husqvarna will be the 'Ready for (serious) fun' with focus on weekend trails, reliability, enduro etc.
KTM are you hearing?
dustbite said:
I don't completely buy the cost excuse for ditching the 70d engine. Piston, rings, cranckshaft, even rod can all share pieces with a 'standard' KTM engine.
In terms of costs, I think it compares with the costs of having a new engine option for the same frame (think adding the 350 between the 250 and 450 thumpter class).
As the major markets economy starts to get back on it's feet, the competition will probably push those manufactures into experimentation. Too bad BMW is apparently gone, and Suzuki is falling to it's knees... Beta, Ossa, Sherco and other eurpean are rising though... KTM did a bad move in ditching their 'exotic' brand for enduro...
the 70d engine was quite successfull with only minor problems. At least for a hobby level of rider. Perhaps the biggest problem was the vicinity of the exhaust to the reservoir.
Although the 70d engine holds an estimated 95% of parts with a KTM number it is expensive to make the 70d engine because all the tooling for the casing needs to be setup new for a production run or a dedicated bench would be needed.
So KTM didn't ditch the engine because of engine design problems (like BMWs 450 engine :cry: ) and that leaves pretty much only the costs arguments. At least at the present economic climate in EUROPE.
But the USA is a much bigger market so KTM is concentrating their efforts to that market. Husqvarna's name is much better remembered than Husaberg. That heritage is the only reason why KTM is dropping Husaberg like a bag of dirt in favour for Husqvarna.
For us it could mean simply a swop of plastics and colours, the same Swedish engineering team might be in charge. If KTM would re-introduce the 70d engine.
To keep the suspense up: about 2 years ago I heard rumours that KTM would stop building the 70d Husaberg engine and would re-introduce it in the KTMsa modelyear later!!
I couldn't believe any of that but sure enough KTM stopped building the 70d engine......
Although the 70d engine holds an estimated 95% of parts with a KTM number it is expensive to make the 70d engine because all the tooling for the casing needs to be setup new for a production run or a dedicated bench would be needed.
So KTM didn't ditch the engine because of engine design problems (like BMWs 450 engine :cry: ) and that leaves pretty much only the costs arguments. At least at the present economic climate in EUROPE.
But the USA is a much bigger market so KTM is concentrating their efforts to that market. Husqvarna's name is much better remembered than Husaberg. That heritage is the only reason why KTM is dropping Husaberg like a bag of dirt in favour for Husqvarna.
For us it could mean simply a swop of plastics and colours, the same Swedish engineering team might be in charge. If KTM would re-introduce the 70d engine.
To keep the suspense up: about 2 years ago I heard rumours that KTM would stop building the 70d Husaberg engine and would re-introduce it in the KTMsa modelyear later!!
I couldn't believe any of that but sure enough KTM stopped building the 70d engine......
The End of Husaberg?
Hey guys, I read this comment on YouTube, so take it for what it's worth. But, I've been dreaming about owning a Husaberg FE570 for so long, it nearly sent me into a deep, dark depression. Alright, maybe a bit overkill there, but you get the point. The guy said:
"Since KTM bought Husqvarna, they are looking to kill off the Husaberg brand. Sadly, there will likely not be a 2015 model."
Is there any truth to this statement? (Please say no, please say no ... :cry
Any insight y'all can offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Hey guys, I read this comment on YouTube, so take it for what it's worth. But, I've been dreaming about owning a Husaberg FE570 for so long, it nearly sent me into a deep, dark depression. Alright, maybe a bit overkill there, but you get the point. The guy said:
"Since KTM bought Husqvarna, they are looking to kill off the Husaberg brand. Sadly, there will likely not be a 2015 model."
Is there any truth to this statement? (Please say no, please say no ... :cry
Any insight y'all can offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Joined Sep 1998
3K Posts | 57+
NC, US
Re: The End of Husaberg?
You should consider hanging out with us a little more often. This thread has been around the top of the forum since April:
End of The Husaberg name????
P.S. Welcome!
You should consider hanging out with us a little more often. This thread has been around the top of the forum since April:
End of The Husaberg name????
P.S. Welcome!
Re: The End of Husaberg?
Alright man, appreciate the link and the warm welcome schwim, but I have to say this is a lot to process all in one day. I got heavy into researching my dream bike about 3 years ago. I spent hours pouring over websites, weighing pros and cons, etc. And no matter what, it always came back to Husaberg.
I printed out a picture of the FE 570 and hung it in my office.
[attachment=0:33lta6f7]photo.JPG[/attachment:33lta6f7]
I've been looking at this picture for 3 years thinking, "One day..." But I've been living in North Texas where there are no trees and almost no public land to go and ride. When you're in the DFW, you can't just bust out your driveway, go up the road a few miles and tear up a nasty two track. You've got to load up your gear and go to a suboptimal (read: flat, brown and no trees) "bike farm" and enjoy the arid, desolate plains in all their glory.
If anyone on this forum is from Texas, I'm sorry. I've done everything I can to like this place, but I'm from Michigan and I need tall trees and green forests and rugged, windy single tracks that are less than 9 hours from my house back or I'm going to lose my mind!
Anyways, the point is I've been out of the loop for 3 years. But over the past week we've decided to move up to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho which is pretty much a dual sport playground. My Dad and brother live across the border in Spokane and I went out to visit for a couple weeks in 2006. Pretty much the best time I've ever had on a dirt bike!
Since I'm headed north, I resurrected my dream and thought I'd check up on the latest Husaberg models and get all fired up to buy one next year. Then I come to the forum and find out KTM not only discontinued the 70* engine (seriously?!), but they also bought Husqvarna so they could gut my dream bike of all it's best technology and dump it in a Husky - WHY?! :angry:
I feel like the guy in that old South Park episode who wakes up after being frozen in time for 32 months. The Atlanta Falcons are in the Super Bowl?!!! I might as well just put on some Ace of Base and cry myself to sleep in the corner.
Seriously though, I appreciate the heads up. I read all 8 pages of the thread and from what I took away, we're looking at a new line of Husky's soon and our best hope is those bikes will carry on everything that was awesome about Husaberg.
Is that a fair summary?
Alright man, appreciate the link and the warm welcome schwim, but I have to say this is a lot to process all in one day. I got heavy into researching my dream bike about 3 years ago. I spent hours pouring over websites, weighing pros and cons, etc. And no matter what, it always came back to Husaberg.
I printed out a picture of the FE 570 and hung it in my office.
[attachment=0:33lta6f7]photo.JPG[/attachment:33lta6f7]
I've been looking at this picture for 3 years thinking, "One day..." But I've been living in North Texas where there are no trees and almost no public land to go and ride. When you're in the DFW, you can't just bust out your driveway, go up the road a few miles and tear up a nasty two track. You've got to load up your gear and go to a suboptimal (read: flat, brown and no trees) "bike farm" and enjoy the arid, desolate plains in all their glory.
If anyone on this forum is from Texas, I'm sorry. I've done everything I can to like this place, but I'm from Michigan and I need tall trees and green forests and rugged, windy single tracks that are less than 9 hours from my house back or I'm going to lose my mind!
Anyways, the point is I've been out of the loop for 3 years. But over the past week we've decided to move up to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho which is pretty much a dual sport playground. My Dad and brother live across the border in Spokane and I went out to visit for a couple weeks in 2006. Pretty much the best time I've ever had on a dirt bike!
Since I'm headed north, I resurrected my dream and thought I'd check up on the latest Husaberg models and get all fired up to buy one next year. Then I come to the forum and find out KTM not only discontinued the 70* engine (seriously?!), but they also bought Husqvarna so they could gut my dream bike of all it's best technology and dump it in a Husky - WHY?! :angry:
I feel like the guy in that old South Park episode who wakes up after being frozen in time for 32 months. The Atlanta Falcons are in the Super Bowl?!!! I might as well just put on some Ace of Base and cry myself to sleep in the corner.
Seriously though, I appreciate the heads up. I read all 8 pages of the thread and from what I took away, we're looking at a new line of Husky's soon and our best hope is those bikes will carry on everything that was awesome about Husaberg.
Is that a fair summary?
Attachments
Joined Sep 1998
3K Posts | 57+
NC, US
Re: The End of Husaberg?
I think you're pretty spot on. You also have the option of running an older Husaberg. This will not be the first time that the community became the support and parts network for the bikes and it worked pretty well in the past. Often, better than the official network
bergdreaming said:
I think you're pretty spot on. You also have the option of running an older Husaberg. This will not be the first time that the community became the support and parts network for the bikes and it worked pretty well in the past. Often, better than the official network
Re: The End of Husaberg?
All I can say is my first bike was a Yamaha, then a Suzuki, then a Vespa, then a Villiers motored Ambassador, then a Honda, then a Suzuki, then another Honda, then about a dozen other brands including Greeves, Maico's Kawasaki's, KTM's and now a Husaberg. I love my 2011 Husaberg FE570S, and have over 11,000 miles on the odometer, but I confess, I'm a bike whore. If Husquvarna builds a bike that does what I want, has the features that I like and will outperform similar models offered by KTM or anyone else, I'l be riding that. Of course, if BMW builds that bike, I'll be on a BMW next. When I'm in the middle of no where riding over logs and rocks headed into the high country, what brand name is on my tank means nothing to me. What means something is how much power do I have to climb that next hill fully loaded down, how does the suspension work, what is my fuel range, is the FI working properly, is there enough power for good lighting and heated grips, and can I get parts quickly if I bust something? There are a few other things to but basically, it's all about the bang for the buck with me, if I traded wives like I trade bikes, I couldn't afford a motorcycle, so I'm just a bike whore. I trade em like a cheap woman in a cat house. I love my current Hussy, but I'll swap if something better comes along.
All I can say is my first bike was a Yamaha, then a Suzuki, then a Vespa, then a Villiers motored Ambassador, then a Honda, then a Suzuki, then another Honda, then about a dozen other brands including Greeves, Maico's Kawasaki's, KTM's and now a Husaberg. I love my 2011 Husaberg FE570S, and have over 11,000 miles on the odometer, but I confess, I'm a bike whore. If Husquvarna builds a bike that does what I want, has the features that I like and will outperform similar models offered by KTM or anyone else, I'l be riding that. Of course, if BMW builds that bike, I'll be on a BMW next. When I'm in the middle of no where riding over logs and rocks headed into the high country, what brand name is on my tank means nothing to me. What means something is how much power do I have to climb that next hill fully loaded down, how does the suspension work, what is my fuel range, is the FI working properly, is there enough power for good lighting and heated grips, and can I get parts quickly if I bust something? There are a few other things to but basically, it's all about the bang for the buck with me, if I traded wives like I trade bikes, I couldn't afford a motorcycle, so I'm just a bike whore. I trade em like a cheap woman in a cat house. I love my current Hussy, but I'll swap if something better comes along.
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