Here's a photo from another site - purportedly to be the 2015 KTM390 Supermoto - and, a 390 'Trailbike' will come from this, the Duke, and the RC. This is how they can really pick up on sales - a good quality product, made in India / China, for a price that should equal Japanese bikes, such as the Thailand made Honda 250(s). These, and making Freerides in India / China, are the sort of thing that could bring them from a just over 110 / 120, 000 bike a year manufacturer, to on the way to those sorts of figures, per month - of course, that would take a few other, more basic models. Everything I've seen and heard of the Indian made KTMs, has been good, so far. I'd expect them to do the same with Husky - well, judging by a few quotations attributed to SP, Husky might be the more logical one for more Indian / Chinese made, simpler bikes. I've noticed that you Yanks may have a bit of a wait on 2014s - this may indicate good things to come - KTM / KTHusky using up a goodly proportion of base stock, leading to either new engines - and I'm 'dreaming' 2ts, as my preference - coming in as 2015s / 2016s, earlier than the KTM version. Sort of how the EFI on 4ts came in far earlier with 'Bergs - the 09s, as against the KTM 4ts being in 2012. Though, I'd seriously doubt there would be such a gap, the 2nd time around. Well, perhaps it may just mean you Americans getting 2015s (that are that further step to individuality) in June / July, like you get with KTMs.
The 390 as a trail bike may be cool. The price should be about right even for KTM. A reliable ride all day kinda bike. I'd turn it into a Dakar look alike bike, like a mini adventure bike
390cc's would be pretty good if the weight was at or under 250lbs. Could prove to be a good platform. I hope it's plated...
I wouldn't count on that. It's their cheap street bike motor that was meant to be cheaper. Even the wr250r are just over 300. Really if it could hover around there, I'm good with it.
The 'base unit' 390, has been intended to serve a lot of different functions from the very start. They'd be mad if they didn't do an ADV form of it. I'm pretty sure that the 370+cc engine with grow to a full 390, or more, so it won't really be a 'mini' ADV bike, in relation to 450 Dakar type bikes. There's a market going begging, and that Indian made, trellis framed base bike, would make for a very affordable ADV platform. The longer KTM / KT'varna leave it, the quicker another manufacturer(s) will bring a 450 sized ADV bike to market - and no, not a 450RR priced one.
By mini adventure bike I meant lighter then the 650's and up. I'm really excited about a 390 version of something like the Terra if it's done right which I'm sure they'll do.
Come on guys KTMs get ridden to the top of the top races, trail ridden like crazy and local raced to death and are quite reliable. Lets not get silly here. I have MANY friends with them and they have been as reliable as anything. Huskys are great bikes, KTM are great bikes, they all are great bikes these days. Lets not make stuff up. I was on a 15 person ride yesterday, one bike failure, a brand new husky that already had the customer supplied "fixes" and still failed at a known failure point. I like huskys a lot but they are no better or worse than any of the other bikes out there. Rant off.
If you're referring to me, I don't mean reliability (even though I typed it). I mean to say less maintenance. If there's anything I'm excited about coming from KTMs it's that 390 motor. It'll get great gas mileage and be much less maintenance then plated dirt bikes. I picture a lighter Terra which would be awesome. I really hope Husky gets those motors and the rumors true. Honestly, I think it's exactly what Husky is missing for 2014 (not to mention plated race bikes). The Terra seems to have done really well and a even smaller adventure bike has yet to be made, great concept. Hopefully this time it came across as a complete thought, I get excited and post without looking over it again lol.
I looked hard at a Beta 400RS. Looks like great fun too. Just not sure about making it an adventure bike.
The prices are crappy. The bike are good, just never have been worth the premium they charged over huskys prices, but that has changed now with the ktm huskys..
The demise of the Italian Husky, was caused in part by... Husky not charging enough for their product, plain and simple.
They're all just toys. I got so excited about his business model I went out and bought a Volkswagen so I can pretend I'm driving a Porsche. For some reason though, I never wanted to pretend I was riding a Husqvarna... (or a Cagiva ). Cafe Cagiva, a truism.
I agree with norm, the always fire sale prices did not help husky survive. All bikes are in the 8-10 range now. New 450 MX bikes are $8700-9000 for the japanese models.
I remember back in the late 70's up to the late 80's, Husky's were the premium brand for off road. If you had a Husky, you were obviously a serious rider. They were generally the gold standard in off road [except for those forks!]. Premium sells, I think. I don't really have a problem with this at all -- the only question I have is HOW do the make a KTM "MORE" premium while sharing platforms? Time will tell, but I don't have a problem with this at all. Mark my words, in 3 years people will see a Husky and think -- "That guy is serious!" Just a couple of pennies for you....
i think ur rite i just HOPE by MY 15/16 its a whole new bike i dont think S.P. platform engineering is gona work on dirt bikes
I would say the problem was poor marketing. Look at the difference in marketing and the results. Both bikes were great off road bikes but 1 had poor marketing and the other was everywhere.
