i'm in the market for a 450-510cc dual sport/enduro motorcycle. i know that Husky has had mechanical issues, parts availability issues, parent company issues, and dealer issues. i ask you, have you had so many issues that you would go with another motorcycle company if and when you could? do you have friends that have gone to another bike after they owned a Husky? are the Husky's "high maintenance"? i have been on the fence for awhile and i have defended Husky's but i also know there is some truth to my buddies claims when they bring up what i asked above. thank you for your comments.
In a heartbeat! We now have three and I know I will be getting another soon. BTW the only issue with Husky I have is deciding on which one to get. AWESOME bikes.
Ive been riding huskies since 96, had a few different types 250two stroke, 250 fourstrokes and now my 450. Ive never had any dramas! run like a swiss watch. My mates own ktms and my maintenence levels are no different to them. Now that bmw own them they are going to go from strenght to strenght as a company and quality. Hope this helps
Never rode anything but a Husky ... I owned a 02 CR250 and it never broke, never gave any issues and parts were never a problem .... My 08 TXC250 is good to date ... Not sure what bmw is going to do with legacy parts as it appears to me that they might be killing off these models .... If the 010s turn out OK... might buy one in the future or an 09 model if my money is doing OK ... But again, I'm not sure what bmw is doing wth future bikes ... I don't like some of the ideas on the new bike ... I've never liked any thing bmw made as it is always over priced and over engineered 4 me ... I'm just not a bells&whistle type guy ... They have a sack of money and cool dirt bike name to use We'll have to wait and see on these new machines ... KTM is really looking good to me ... the more I read, the more I like and they are very good with their racing teams it appears ... The GH GP race should be quite a show for them ... And they are really kicking butt in EU ....
honestly, would you buy another Husky ? Well yes, we would. In 2007 we bought a Husky 510 SMR. In 2009, we bought a TXC 450. Then five months later we bought a 610 SMR. All great bikes and they interchange a lot of parts. Very handy. i ask you, have you had so many issues that you would go with another motorcycle company if and when you could? Hmm, well I bought a KTM 250 after I had the Husky 510, but that was mere coincidence. I found a KTM that was bored out to 320 with bling and gadgets out the wazoo for an amazing price. Love the bike! Had it been sitting beside an equally blinged out TXC 250 for the same price? I'd probably have gone with the TXC. do you have friends that have gone to another bike after they owned a Husky? I don't have any local friends that own Huskies. We are loners here in the Sooner state! Pioneers. Hopefully others will follow. We get lots of compliments, though, and its nice to let people know that yes, Husky is still around, and yes its a damn sexy bike! are the Husky's "high maintenance"? Not any more than any other bike IMO. I have spent more time waiting on parts for my KTM than for any of the Huskies. If I need something, I call Halls or Motoxotica and its at my door in less than a week. Now the KTM, on the other hand, seems like it ALWAYS needs something...a gasket...a screen...a this or that...and the dealer NEVER EVER has it in stock. Very irritating. Honestly, dirtbikes are a lot of work to maintain. That has to be considered part of the fun. The only problems I've had with the Huskies have all been on the 510...two bolts bottomed out and broke off in the case (QC issue?) and I've replaced the cam chain. I guess the bottom line is, if you like the Husky, get it. Don't be scared of the name. There are lots of great online resources out there and one can get their hands on a shop manual. And, if push comes to shove, every dealer (BMW, Honda, Suzuki) in my area said they would work on it if I needed something done that was out of my realm of technical ability.
I would buy another Husky. My dealer is three miles from my house. There are enough aftermarket people doing things for them, especially if you look for them on this website. My KTM broke more than my Husky, and my Husky has been as troublefree and as easy to maintain as a Japanese bike (except for the radiators). Most people I know have stuck with their Husky after having other brands.
Three husky's in three years and the closest dealer is 12 hrs away. I'm not afraid to work on my own bike though. Honestly if I had the money I'd have 10 of them. All era's and sizes.
Not only 'would' I buy another Husky, I did! My first was an '05 TE510, that bike has been extremely reliable, now I also own a new leftover '09 TE450. Parts are actually easier to get than my previous Japanese bike, everything had to be ordered for my Suzuki, (this part sounds like a broken record) one call to MotoXotica and I can get almost any OEM part on my doorstep the following day. As far as aftermarket,, there is not as much of a choice as the others but with internet you can find anything you may want.
My only issue with the current husky offering in this cc range is the close ratio transmission. Makes it real hard to be geared for both the road and trail. My thoughts are that Husaberg and KTM do a better job at offering wide ratio trans. On a side note rumor has it the 2012 450-510 may have a wider ratio.
I've had my first Husqvarna (a 2004 TE450) for a year now and I'd be happy to park another Husky alongside it. Availability of genuine parts is no problem here in the UK thanks to Husky Sport - almost everything I've ordered (which hasn't been much) has been in stock. Aftermarket parts are less common than for Jap bikes + KTM, but they are out there if you hunt hard enough. I've had a lot of bikes over the last 25+ years and IMO dirt bikes from all manufacturers can be lacking in build quality, detail design and quality control compared to flagship roadbikes. I expect it's a budget thing. However, my TE has better paint and plating than my XR600 and aside from the useless sidestand and marginal fit of some of the plastics it's very solid. One thing that would make me think twice about buying a new Husky is the lack of a local dealer for warranty servicing. But an SM630 is pretty close to the top of my "want" list.
honestly, would you buy another Husky ? YES! ......... I don't expect it to seemingly run forever like an old XR100 thats ran around farm fields, with sun rotted paint/seat and rusted chain, that never get the oil changed or air filter cleaned, only getting gas dumped into it, and ridden until the tires fall off........but my 510 has been as reliable as any bike I've owned and a low maintenance, easy to maintain bike for the performance level bike it is. Can't comment to how hard/easy parts are to get, because I haven't needed any Husky specific parts. Oh....guess I did need to get a new OEM side panel/graphics due to rider error, but had it in a few business days. Now which Husky I would by again is a tougher choice. IMO.....the 450/510 is not the best bike for tight steep technical below 10mph single track trails (450 slightly better).....a geared down 250/310 would be easier to handle and less tiring there, and still be able to do some light duty road time. Again, IMO....the 450/510 is not the best bike for 50mph+ road riding or daily commuting either (510 maybe slightly better).....a wider ratio, more street friendly 610/630 would be more comfortable and while heavy, can still do some pretty decent trail duty. I think a person has to be honest with themselves as to where and what riding they really will be doing and find the best compromise they can......for me, that might still be the 450/510
Spoken like a true Trooper Raced the Big two-smokes for 11 years had a new one every six months from the 320 to the 500 xc and the 430 WR, Left riding for 18 years and then started with a BMW 650 Dakar a XR650R A XR400R A XR 250R A 230crf and then my bikes of the moment a 450TE and a 09-610TE the 630 is on its way and i will have 3--love them to bits and are easy to work on and maintain--My best friend has a KTM agency and he does not even ride one food for though ? Will definately buy another one--
I currently own three and want a 2011 TXC450. great bikes. Most my friends ride them as well and are on their 3rd or 4th. Seem well loved around here. We do have three real good dealers semi close.
I like you guys, and I like this place.... but I'll probably not buy another one. I like the bike just fine, but neither my dealer nor the only contact info I could find for husky corp [STRIKE]addressed[/STRIKE] RESPONDED the ONE problem I've had to date. Bad taste in my mouth... KTM's for me.
Unfortunately sometimes you need to call the good dealers to get the straight scoop. Halls, Taskys, Bills, up-tite, etc.
Agreed--i have found more informative info from dealers and members on this Forum than in South Africa--And people are only willing to help in any way possible
I'll take a Husky over a KTM any day. All bike brands have good and bad dealers just like anything else man made. I do agree with Halls being an excellent dealer.
if i had the funds i would buy another...to me you have to go with what you have dealers to support you...i have a crap honda dealer 45 minutes away....so i go with what i like and know...huskys....i have had zero problems getting hard parts....aftermarket has been hit and miss... as far as reliability...i think they are as good if not better than most...
