Being part German I try to imagine a less cynical view of BMW's short lived flirtation with proper offroad motorcycles - i.e. ones that don't have panniers, inertial guidance computers and walk-in wardrobes... Some time in the mid 2000's a BMW executive finds some old photos of himself and his big brother with their old Maico. He's in rose-tinted spectacles mode and he conveniently forgets the hours spent trying to bump start it, the broken bones, or his burned lederhosen when the air filter caught fire for the umpteenth time. This trip down memory lane triggers a mid life crisis, but instead of just buying a bike he decides to build one. While the company accountants are away at the local beer festival he headhunts the best designers from BMW's top secret yachting and garden furniture departments and the G450x is born... It's not a bad bike (certainly not for a first attempt), but reviews are less than stellar. Owners complain that there is no provision to attach a topbox, sidecar, or MG 42 machine gun. It won't tow a caravan and it doesn't sound like a Dornier 17 dropping a stick of bombs on an English airfield. Faced with a looming global downturn and several warehouses full of engines that haven't been paid for yet, BMW do the only thing possible - they airbrush their involvement with dirtbikes from the history books and pass the problem onto someone else.
The idea of a Cagiva resurrection may be gaining ground. The blog below argues that they should take advantage of the skilled technicians, designers and engineers that are currently out of work and get them working for Cagiva. It is not unheard of for governments to pump money into supporting local industry. In my mind, you are better off putting these people to work rather than paying benefits to sit at home. And whats more, despite what the Germans tell you about how efficient and wonderful their automotive industry is, look beyond the headlines as they are massively subsidized by the German government. No doubt KTM also receive subsidies from the Austrian government. To me, it is a shame to see the factory and all of the resources go to waste. However, I bet SP will bulldoze the factory to the ground before he allows the re-birth of another competitor. I for one would like to see a re-born Cagiva as a sub-brand of MV-Augusta. http://www.riders-online.it/?p=10195#comments Case Husqvarna. I would have a good idea Category: Letters & Readers Case Husqvarna. I would have a good idea Dear editing, jump compliments to your head saying only that I buy it every year since the first issue. I just want to express today my regret over the affair Husqvarna, for how things turned out for the future that at this time they see black employees at the plant after the announced layoffs. At the same time are strangely pleased that a glorious house as Husqvarana returns to Sweden and attends meetings with Husaberg after so many years. Well for Sport. Okay, the venue will be in Austria, but the original identity will be safeguarded. And we? That will be the talented technicians, engineers, of all workers super qualified Italian? At home? Well, I would have a pretty good idea. It's called Giovanni Castiglioni. That the state will help him, if alone does not have the strength. Because it would be nice if the current plant Cassinetta had at the Cagiva brand. And how nice it would be if you came back, with Cagiva, to produce winning bike, strong, competitive, innovative as only in Italy can and must do. A dream? Let's hope not. Giampiero Letters 4 comments moonshiner19 May 27th, 2013 1:42 pm Look, do not be offended Giampiero, but the hypothesis castiglioni seems frankly impossible! Giampiero Letters May 27th, 2013 6:33 pm Look, I am in favor of Castiglioni for some reason, but I think to "resurrect" a glorious house as the Cagiva is fair and desirable. What better opportunity, therefore, to do this, if you do not take advantage of this opportunity? I say: two birds with one stone: on one hand you retrieve all the great masters left by Husqvarna and other recovered at large Cagiva. If we Castiglioni is not remotely interested, well, I hope it is someone else. If you are then the Chinese or the Indians to buy the whole shebang, do not come and complain, though. Sixdays May 29th, 2013 10:03 am I think in this moment when the motorcycle market falls by 20 per cent a year it takes some courage to embark on such an adventure ... as in all business activities these days ... norbert May 29th, 2013 3:27 pm Husqvarna back in Sweden? Austria is in Sweden? Since when?
More news from the Italian media about the factory demise; http://www.laprovinciadivarese.it/stories/Economia/379011_husqvarna_cairoli_e_piazza_pulita/ Case Husqvarna to "Clean Sweep" LA7 of the anger of the workers May 28, 2013 Economy Workers Husqvarna transmission (Photo by Varese Press) Gallery: Husqvarna Clean Sweep BIANDRONNO Workers Husqvarna last night were guests in the motocross circuit connection of Cadrezzate, the transmission of the 7 "Clean Sweep", during which they read their open letter to the motocross world champion, the Sicilian Cairoli, pilot Ktm. The pilot's response came after a few hours on Twitter. 'Hello boys - he wrote - I am honored that I have done this appeal, I come from a land where work is scarce and therefore always understand your thinking and your state of mind. " The connection with "Clean Sweep" was opened by a live performance of a Husqvarna TC 250 model from the motocross circuit of Cadrezzate. "Companies that close, policy helpless," the title of the transmission segment devoted to the case of Conrad Formigli Husqvarna. "We've won 82 world - said Giovanni - beating the Japanese giants and even the Austrians. We are a big family and now Austria takes home a nice gift. " "We are very angry - said another employee Luca - because the Italian government has not done anything in front of this industrial ruin." In connection was Guidalberto Guidi, President of Ducati Energia. "I know Husqvarna - said the entrepreneur - the product is of high quality, I would have expected it to be the prey of other groups rather than Ktm. Given the high professionalism of the employees of the Husqvarna, I think you will find a new job, even if it will not be easy. " "In what he is doing Ktm there is nothing illegal - said Formigli - our system is to be weak and helpless, it is scandalous that you do not defend our excellence." The Province of Varese on newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday 29 May, other details on this story. Matteo Fontana
There are some moto companies, like Beta and TM, that are small operations but seemingly successful. At least they have been around awhile. I'm sure they have to manage well, focus on their customer base, and build very good products. I would guess if they built 10,000 units a year, it would be a wildly successful year. I think they prove, to some degree, that you can build bikes in smaller numbers and still be viable. Husqvarna and Husaberg were once like them. Unfortunately, Husqvarna has such strong brand identity that it has had many suitors looking to capitalize on the brand recognition. But at every ownership turn, something was lost in translation. I think it points to something important... ... a team of dedicated individuals can create great things. But without the will, energy, enthusiasm, and vision the results will be mixed. And because results are tied to time, place, and individuals, the results will only last so long. If you want to re-create past success, it will take the right circumstances. And creating the circumstances is difficult, for any company. No matter how big. I'd like to see them find the right team, be setup independently, and go for it. Then they just might build the bike I want to ride. Just some thoughts... Dave
err.... the german automotive industry is neither efficient nor wonderful, but it earns serious money. r
No one has pointed out the worst part of the whole thing. Huskys will have the worst shift shaft spline ever invented.
Joking aside, we already have a fix for this. We were originally adding it to the 511, but as it turned out, it wasn't needed. But we can fix the KTM shafts.
Interview with Rajiv Bajaj. Info on KTM-Bajaj, little bit on Husqvarna and a view of BMW-TVS. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/bu...iscover-to-launch-2-pulsarsfy14_855509-2.html Q: Where are you fitting in Husqvarna in all this? A: Husqvarna is the peak of the KTM triangle at the top, because Husqvarna is the super-specialisation as far as off-road or motocross motorcycles are concerned and while it maybe very niche they have sales volume of no more than maybe 10,000 motorcycles a year. While Stefan Pierer would know this better, I would guess that that 10,000 is only going to become 20,000-30,000, it is never going to become 200,000 motorcycles a year. But it is very, very meaningful to that audience that wants a bike for a very, very specific and special propose. So I think in this way you could say each brand is individually exclusive in terms of the positions that they occupy, but collectively they present an exhaustive option to the consumer. You can choose something all the way from a Boxer or Discover all the way to a KTM and Husqvarna and that is what potentially makes Bajaj a global motorcycle powerhouse.
The video on that link was fascinating. I had no idea ktm was such a tiny part of bajaj's business. 100,000 Discover motorcycles a month?
Bajaj is huge on this side of the ocean ... Seems kawi and them are just hedging together in this small bike business ... Heres the Bajaj / Kawi connection that is in place here .. (new bike cost < $2,000 new) Bajaj rouser bike Bajaj engine Assembled by Kawi PHIL--- This was really confusing when I first saw the Kawi decals on a these bikes. Nothing in that interview scared me on the outlook for Husqvarna. ...
No wonder BMW are scrambling with TVS to get some share! Husky = 10,000 units per year KTM = 100,000 Bajaj = 4,000,000 It would take over 400 Coffee's to run cafebajaj
thats what i was thinking ail along SP owns husky 100% only makes since he'd want to make husky #1 but he won't do it with red KTMs
