Why would you want a Öhlins damper and forks, when you have Kayaba suspension? Forks on my TC250 -10 are incredible.
This motorcycle will only be issued as a Husqvarna. It is our design/concept. The engine will be built at the same factory it currently is. There is no reason to change unless you want to pay an additional $1500-$2000 at retail. The quality is extremely good and it is built according to our design requirements. Outsourcing like this is the future of motorcycle development and production. Get used to it. As long as it is built according to our design, performance and quality standard I don't care if its made in Tijuana so long as it keeps the retail price in line with what the public can afford.
I'm glad that it will be badged Husqvarna and it sounds like the price will be in line with what we're currently paying. I can't wait to see how she does at the races and some "in the dirt" reviews.
Thanks for the first hand info Scot. I'm excited to see how she does too. I'm a two stroke guy, but I appreciate the thought and ingenuity on this bike. I am anxiously awaiting this bikes development.
They have had trouble selling the G450X. Especially after David Knight's attempts at making it competitive. They then went back to the older engine for WEC. The oddball clutch, fuel tank, drive sprocket and swinging arm arrangement will stop the bike selling in the same way as it did for BMW. I do not see anything different in the G450X engine! Looks the same as in the BMW frame. It's not a Husqvarna!!!
Other than this has a BMW motor in it with reported 8 more HP the bike is totally different. I'm willing to bet it is going to be a winner. Scot's not one to lie and if everyone is turing faster lap times on it I'd say job done. Scot himself has quite a record (been there done that) and loves the bike so I think were in good hands.
IMOA As it is the same engine, crankcases etc. in an untested new chassis with nothing used from the tried and tested Husqvarna bikes they will have trouble selling it. That is all. I saw a picture on here of a 450 TOHC engine in Husqvarna frame and tank. It was in MX trim. What was that all about. BMW have had trouble with quality issues sourcing from Asia, but it makes the bikes cheaper. Not as cheap as bikes from Asia but cheaper than made at home...
all the purists need to to understand that this is a business, new technology, new manufacturing logic. But still high standards. I think most here know where the motor production comes from.... its a super high quality ISO plant that also build their own products and contracts with many if not alll the Japanese manufacturers as well. This company does not in the real world dilute anything about these machines it is just plain good business practice. This is not a mainland China unregulated/no OSHA/non enviro etc etc . all the design and r&d is in eu.
It have been a global economy for a while now. Manufactures outsource and make the bike for 8K or they build it in house and sell it fir 11K which one will you buy? Do we all like this fact? No, is it an economic and business reality? yes. as for the engine it has undergone major modifications since introduced / raced even before husky adopted it. Then more refinements and modification happened. Obviously was a good platform to start with and has seen several years of refinement. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt until I hear otherwise / ride the bike.
I still believe it is just another BMW attempt at selling the G450X. I understand that Husqvarna don't have much say. I just hope that it does not spoil the Husqvarna Product... I believe the issues were with the supply of parts to the Asian factory. Such as bearings. The errors were not at BMW or the Asian plant. I believe SKF are also having this type of issue. Maybe the supply chain is to long! Asian Chinese business conduct is shall we say, different... The oddball clutch, fuel tank, drive sprocket and swinging arm arrangement are still there!
I hear you, I think we all cringe a little when thinking about it. Not ideal but probably necessary to build a competitively priced product and survive this current economy. I personally feel this bike is NOTHING like a 450x true but this does not necessarily mean bad. The clutch is supposed to make the engine lighter and increase feel, the fuel tank is more centrally located making the bike handle near the same regardless of amount of fuel (a common trend these days, YZF450, Berg, KTM, even the 09/10 husky carry fuel way back) and the very controversial CS sprocket is said to make it hook up and hold a line like nothing else. With refinement might just be a good advantage especially off road.
Thanks for the info Scot !!! Please make sure the TE/TXC are 6 speeds, its what we want! You can leave the 5 speed in the TC. Thanks again.
I guess I was really hoping for something more Husky'ish... Engine still even has BMW markings. I can not see any external difference in engine. Frame yes. Engine no. Doesn't even have Husky suspension parts. Still all BMW in my eyes, sorry. The oddball stuff might even be better but it has not stood the test of time... Sales will be affected...
I agree but in increased sales IMHO. If everyone is turning faster lap times, the bike is lighter and more powerful, feels super light, tracks as nice as reported and feels small sales will be up. Time will tell. I know I want one bad I rode the new Bergs and fell in love (lots of out of the box thinking there and a KTM engine so similar deal). I hope this bike out Bergs the Berg.
It would not matter much where it was built as long as the perception was it had nothing to do with the 450x. The 450x has so much bad press and second hand horror stories it will create problems for the ''new'' bike. It's not an easy sell.
One interesting thing -- If you look at the picture of the bike from the side -- it looks to me like the side panel goes from just inside the tip of the radiator shroud all the way back to the the back of the seat. Interesting.
It may do good with the street legal crowd in TE version. I doubt we will see a lot of these at the track. But hey, they still build a great little 250f, it's blast to ride. Not all is lost.
