Bubble not burst mate, unfortunately the USA aint 'world motocross' its one country. Look at sales in Europe and the rest of the world. Look at KTM, when the likes of Langston and Dobb were WORLD champions. KTM sales rocketed. As did Husaberg when Smets won numerous WORLD titles, same for Everts on Honda and Yamaha. I wouldnt mind betting on the best ever sales figures percentage wise was when Jacky Martens was WORLD champion on a husky. Unfortunately mate results do equal sales. Maybe not in American nations or supercross, but thats only your countries championship, not a WORLD champs.
I'm sorry Switchback about my attempt at humor in my last point. You have very valid points and I don't mean to trivialize them or make them sound unimportant just because it appears you don't currently own a Husqvarna. Maybe you do own a Husqvarna an if so I apologize.
Husk Husk, Sorry mate but the facts don't bear that out. I was at KTM when Langston and Dobbs were World Champions and sales of motocross bikes stunk in America. And since America is the largest single market it carries the biggest impact on the overall viability of the brand especially when you consider a the price it took to achieve those results. Keep in mind that the sales growth for KTM was built on Enduro bike sales not Motocross bike sales and that was because KTM was innovating and reinvesting in its product. And come on now everybody knows that the true World Champions are the Americans(Just winding you up mate)
They may well have stunk at the time, but you're telling me sales didnt shoot up after their titles?!! That KTM 125 was without doubt the fastest bike at the time, and seemed reliable too. Since then KTM sales have gone up and up and up and now in WORLD MX (not america lol) are dominating MX1 and MX2. Yeh you're right about the sales being biggest in USA, which is a massive shame for us as whatever goes in the states goes here. Maybe we should come over there and take our country back from you....... (just winding you up mate!)
Don't have to be an owner of any brand to appreciate past efforts. I was really planning on a new Husky in the next year but it will not come to pass. I know the same sorts of things were said when Husky moved to Italy. Cagiva dirt bikes never took off but the husky brand had a following. The Italians infused their passions into the brand name and made some wonderful WEC winning bikes and set numerous records (unfortunately their business practices were lacking). BMW WILL have great influence into the Husky brand. More power and lighter all sound great in print and I am sure there are many engineering marvels they plan to implement. It is what it is and I hope for great things but I am sure this will be a big change for the company. Please excuse me for not drinking the Kool-Aid quite yet.
Based on our current sitaution(re: Barack Obama) please come and take us back! We are half socialist now so it would be an easy fit to assimilate back into the Mother Country!
Interesting, fun, and lively thread.... Anyone know it the intent is to get a 50 state license plate for the USA?
Pardon my ignorance husky relic, I'm new to this forum but who are you? You obviously have lots of info on the new bike etc. Do you know if the 2011 TC250 is gonna look the same? Lewis
The 2011 TC250 will be an improved version of this years bike. The main improvement will be more power and fuel injection. I am the Marketing Director for Husqvarna North America and before that I was VP of Marketing and in charge of racing and model policy for the U.S. for KTM for 20 years. Scot
Don't be shy Scot, you have earned it. Hall of fame Scot Harden. Was a big part of what made KTM KTM in the USA. We are lucky to have him on our team. http://www.harden-offroad.com/about-harden.htm http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2...0&tier=3&nid=888E1497C69D45EF86CC3012A8AC9CBC
What are you refering to 50 state homologation? If so we never dropped the ball? Your splendid feedral govt and the state of California dropped the ball through their own deficiencies. We filed the paperework on time the same way and on the same schedule as years past. Both agencies are back logged because of low budgets and staffing. Ever done this yourself? Know any shortcuts Einstein? Perhaps you deal with another federal beuracracy than we do if so please pass your contact info along.
Where are the current Husqvarna motors made? I love the forward thinking, but this one bit of information disturbs me: (From MXA) As reported earlier Husqvarna will be utilizing the BMW 450X engine in their new Husqvarna 450 motocross bike. Although developed by BMW, the 449cc single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine powering the model is manufactured by KYMCO in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, then shipped to BMW’s motorcycle production facility in Berlin. http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/FIRST-LOOK-RADICAL-NEW-2011-HUSQVARNA-450-REVEALED-6879.aspx
So does that include the same plastics as the 450 then? Cool, so if sales are poor on the new bike its your fault?!! Lewis
We are processing the paperwork now. It will be 50 state legal. Being that these models are all new and the fact the both agencies at the federal and California state level are woefully understaffed and frankly one step above DMV levels of service there could very easily be delays......but not on our account.
Glad you brought that up. The AMA rules require a 400 unit minimum in order to be homolgated. Short of changing the getting the AMA to change the rules(which we are working on) we could be in a position to not get our bikes homolgated again as last year.
