that deep double v type fender is not just a styling exercise (IMHO) it gives strong structural triangle beams to support the fender on its own without fender braces. also its wide and looks almost overkill, but I think the engineers are considering all climate conditions (read mud races) to keep as much of the muck contained under the fenders as possible. Teams can always use foam pads to repel the sticky stuff in muddy GPs. Just an fyi for fun, In Italian the fender is called a parafango, literally a "against(anti) mud"
Very well said ! As much as I would love to have the new 450 I know from experience that I am faster on my 250F. I'm still exhausted at the end of a moto but on the bigger bikes I'm exhausted with 3 laps to go and the risk of crashing increases.
I gather there's some sort of distributor briefing going on as part of the fun over in Italy this weekend. No idea who it involves except that there are UK reps going, so hopefully we may get some more detailed information next week. Like a price... :shocked: BTW I definitely *can* use all the extra 8/10/200/think-of-a-number HP. Not on the track as I don't race, but on the road getting to the next trail I can see extra HP coming in handy for the odd overtake if the bike's geared for 100+mph like the BMW! Rear tyre life will be measured in yards rather than miles but hey... :smirk:
Marko Tarkkala the other team rider will debut the Husky in Italy. Juha had 2 screws put in his ankle today. Juha indicated the bike was near perfect.
BMW Group Konzernkommunikation und Politik Press release 20th May 2010 * * * Firma Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft * Postanschrift BMW AG 80788 Munich * Telephone +49 89 382-0 * Internet www.bmwgroup.com BMW Husqvarna Motorsport enters prototype motorcycle in the EWC. Evolutionary concept set to make its debut in Lovere (ITA) at the weekend. * * * Munich/Cassinetta. BMW Husqvarna Motorsport is preparing to send a prototype bike into action for the first time in the upcoming round of the FIM Enduro World Championship (EWC) in Lovere, Italy on 22nd/23rd May. The bike, which will compete in the E2 class at the event, is built around the Husqvarna chassis concept and powered by the innovative and highly capable 450 cc four-stroke engine developed by BMW Motorrad. * Rainer Thoma, President and CEO of Husqvarna Motorcycles, explains the decision: “Back in February we signed up to race in the E2 class of the Enduro World Championship under the new name BMW Husqvarna Motorsport. This collaboration of BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna Motorcycles aims to pool the two brands’ expertise in off-road competition for 450 cc four-stroke machines. The forthcoming debut appearance of the prototype bike is the logical next step following a very promising phase of testing. Although our leading rider Juha Salminen will have to sit out this coming weekend through injury, we’re approaching the event in optimistic mood with our prototype bike, our other regular rider Marko Tarkkala and stand-in man Andreas Lettenbichler.” * Over the past few months, the people at the Husqvarna Motorcycles development department have been working closely with specialists at BMW Motorrad and Speedbrain to develop a bike combining the Husqvarna chassis concept with the innovative and accomplished 450 cc four-stroke engine developed by BMW Motorrad. The testing phase, which got underway at the start of the year, is now completed, and the bike will be entered in competition from this weekend. * “Our aim for the 2010 season was to be fighting for the title in the E2 class of the Enduro World Championship with the BMW Husqvarna Motorsport team,” adds BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser. “With Juha’s injury and his absence from the next race as a result, that’s going to be tough. In order to be successful despite this setback, it’s imperative that we make best possible use of the available synergies. With the testing phase completed the aim now is to use this genuine Husqvarna with BMW G 450 X drive concept to be up there fighting for success and victories in the sporting arena.” * BMW Motorrad Motorsport will remain actively involved in off-road competition with the BMW G 450 X. The team is planning to continue racing the bike in the European and the German Cross Country Championship and a range of Extreme Enduro events. Meanwhile, the Husqvarna CH Racing team will continue to compete in the E1 and E3 classes of the FIM Enduro World Championship. The Supermoto and Motocross segments will also remain under the Husqvarna banner. * * If you have any questions, please contact: * Martino Bianchi, Husqvarna Communications, * Benjamin Titz, BMW Sports Communications *
A couple of little snippets of info from a highly placed source at the weekend's festivities in Italy: The enduro tank capacity will be around 8 - 8.5L so a little larger than the current ones. A step in the right direction at least. While the 'crosser will be 5-speed, the enduro version will be 6-speed (at least here in the UK so I'd assume everywhere). Not sure whether that means a wider spread than the 5-speed or just smaller gaps between some of the gears. The crosser and enduro engines will also be built to different specs in ways other than the gear ratios - not sure exactly what yet so it might be minor, but they won't be identical engines. Can't wait for the press launch next month...
A TE5xx (480cc) with 6 speed is on my wish list, but there's been a lot of conflicting info on that, most of it indicating no 6 speed.
Well I guess you can never be sure about anything until the full launch, but that info came from someone who was one of those invited to Italy by the factory over the weekend in his official capacity. I questioned it since most of the buzz seems to be that it will be 5-speed, but he says he was told 6-speed for the enduro. I'd probably be happy with 5 speeds so long as they were spread a little wider than the current gearbox, but that's just for my type of riding and I can see why some would prefer 6. Only time will tell what we actually get...
Yes I believe he did. Then the comment about 6-speeds was made by someone at the factory while talking to distributors last weekend in Italy. Was that comment wrong, or have the previous talks about 5-speed perhaps only been referring to crossers and not the enduro models? Or have plans changed at some point? And why is there air? And if a tree falls in the forest can you hear the sound of the resulting one-handed applause? Who can tell? I think I need to lie down in a dark corner. Maybe Scot can let us know whether he's heard anything recently on this either way? I guess we'll find out in a few weeks anyway, and I still want one whether it's 5-speed, 6-speed, or 12-and-a-third-speed.
Why the 6th speed? Where would you use it...other than the interstate? 3rd or 4th gear wot between trees and rocks I'd say is pretty darn fast.
What he said! I have to do some road mileage to get to the dirt, and I'd like to be able to keep up with most of the traffic flow on the faster roads without feeling I'm thrashing the engine (70-ish would be ok). I had the TE geared up 1T on the front at one stage which definitely helped on the road but not in the tight stuff so I went back to standard and just have to live with a slower transit speed. A wider range between 1st and top would sure help me - if that can be done with 5 gears without leaving any awkward gaps then that's fine with me (I guess it can if the torque spread is wide enough, and the G450X seems to manage from what I hear...).
Ok that sounds logical. But why would all the ktm 300 2t guys ask for a 6th gear then? Wide open desert? You can't run a 2t on the road hardly anywhere in NA...
I've been wanting a Husky since I was a kid, looks like I picked a good time to make it happen! Can't wait to see this one in TXC form. Now just need to decide if I can wait for it to show up.
