The whole thing is a mess. There will be two 2014 models this year. One that is the left over Husky's with new graphics and the other the re-branded Husabergs.
This. In the short term, the next few months: I've said this before but I will say it again, I'm not sure there is a plan. Or if there is it is changing so frequently there does not seem to be a plan.
There really is a plan and there is no cause for alarm. But as Bill stated earlier, there is only so much information that we are allowed to publicize and what I have posted above is my best explanation of the current events.
I say mostly white with some blue for 2014s and I only mean the non-Varese models...ehem..you know, the Husabergs by October. After that I am speculating on speculation haha.
Agree with Coffee, the tactical considerations are driving any 'plan' in the short run. If bikes are in transit to US as rumored, then where and when did they get assembled? As any shipment goes out, that part of the story will become clearer...but then whats next...and when. That October announcement date is coming up pretty fast and plans still seem fairly fluid.
leftover huskys / BMWs or husagergs, thats our choices now. Next year very nice Bergs with husqvarna graphics on them. As much I think Husabergs are very good bikes I'm sad. The Brand as we knew it is gone and we are left with what I'm sure will be great bikes but also one less choice.
While I think the 'plan' has a lot of tactical considerations right now, I strongly agree that there is no cause for concern. In the US I think we will see stronger sales and stronger dealers. Those KTM riders and wannabees are going to start cross shopping Husqvarna stores. Less distinctive Huskys seem very likely, but more of them also appears likely. Those starting lines will stop being a sea of Orange.
I'm going to miss the fine handling of the X-lights, the 125 motor, the bastard 449/511, the bastard TR650 and linkage on several models. I'll just hang on to what i got and ride those fine machines.
Well good news is that the 449/511 will officially be a 4 year bike. I think I'll need a TC449 and a zip Ty adventure TE511 . They should last quite awhile lol. I like the smaller race programs Husky has now. I like that its still a pretty small brand. It really is an affordable European bike and that is the reasons I'm not looking forward to the changes. I love my local Husky shop and I know this will be a great deal for them but at the same time Husky will loose a lot of its appeal. I think it was cool that there were only a handful of Huskies at the race I was in. None of this will stop me from a red one but am unsure of my purchase after that. Lets face it, I have a long time to decide lol
Husky = Huskill Berg = Berry So that makes it a Huskillberry Pronounced = Huckleberry Cause it killed the Berg!
As long as they make a 2 stroke bike for a 6'6" 210 lb old man that likes enduro/trials I won't care what color it is or what they name it.
doesn't matter most of us will still be riding our Italian (and older Swedish) built Husqvarna motorcycles for long time still. Need to wait for EICMA........
My 2012 TXC310 has been a really great bike and has taught me a lot and has made me a bit of a 'cool' outsider and has earned me more than $1000 in Husky bucks. I wish everyone had a chance to experience what I have - but it appears the Xlites will be fading into the sunset. I'm not afraid of what will replace them. I've read every post on this forum regarding past, present, and future ... unless I'm mistaken I read some very positive messages between the lines. I fully expect that the Husky brand will see a resurgence. I fully expect that the new 'H' bikes will be different from the KTM's they are based on in signifigant and meaningful ways. I fully expect that Husky will have a strong U.S. based factory and factory-associated race presence. (the possibilities of 'factory-associated' r&d race teams are especially exciting)
I almost decided for the 570 Berg before I got myself a Husky 630. Somehow, I´m glad that Berg & Husky are getting back together again. It´ll take some time before we see what the merger´ll bring. Don´t think we´ll get much that´s new from the next EICMA.
I will call them what I think they are and will be... Husaberg= blue KTM's Husqvarna = will be Red Husabergs.... The story of how to kill two good brands...
They are all setup for enduro style riding, many with very wide ratio transmissions. They may look like their orange counterparts, but they ride differently. They may not do so well over the triple jumps, but they rail around flat corners like nothing I have seen before. They are very well made, with many billet parts which are normally castings.
