Hello world. New to the forum, and excited to be here! I actually currently ride an old Honda but am dying to upgrade to a larger dual sport - the TR650 Terra is at the top of my list. I've done quite a bit of research and see that Husky has been bought again by KTM, and from my local dealers impression, it did not seem like they would be continuing the TR650 line, though clearly it seems like they are continuing Husky as a brand. Which got me to wondering... with this very short run bike (TR650) - hybrid BMW engine, Husky body, but now owned by KTM, what are people's forecasts for parts availability 10+ years out? ie, will parts likely become more difficult to find than say, a more classic standard model from a bigger company?
Just bought by KTM for the first time. Husaberg was an off shoot of, but it was not Husqvarna. So, it's the first purchase of them by KTM. Pierer said parts will be available for all current models for the foreseeable future. Husky and Husaberg brands will merge under the Husqvarna name, and exclusive new models will be made. More difficult, than say a Honda XR? A Kawasaki KLR? a Suzuki DR? Yep, those have been in production for decades with relatively no change other than bold new graphics and price tags.
Maybe 10 years ago I would have been worried, but I have to say that in these days of the net and ebay, finding parts is a whole lot easier. Also being a BMW derived engine I am sure you can get support from your local BMW dealer if they play ball nicely but you may have to shop around a bit. I am also seriously sniffing around buying a Nuda before they are all gone and I have the same concerns as you about future parts & support. But then again, I also have a Cagiva Navigator and several old swedish huskys, and there has not been much in the way of consumables such as sprockets, chains, brake pads etc that I have not been able to find on the net. In fact parts supply for my swedish husky is better now than when I used to race them in the early 80's when I had to rely on my local dealer for back orders. Probably the hardest thing to purchase in the future will be custom plastic parts panels, chain sliders, etc, so buy some spares now before they disappear. That is what I find with the Cagiva which was a low volume bike, the plastics are difficult to find and you have to source somebody parting one out on ebay. So after all that, go for it. It is an awesome bike at a great never to be repeated price. Get it before KTM take over the world and restrict supply and raise prices.
I read this too in Australian Motor Cycle News. I read that Husaberg was formed when some Husky engineers didn't go across when it was sold to Cagiva in 1997 so they started Husaberg which was interesting. AMCN have speculated that it's the end of production for the Nuda, Terra & Strada as they're all BMW powered although they will still be supported with spares in the future. I wonder what this means for resale value for our bikes?
Most Huskies (and almost all bikes) are made up of parts from any number of specialist component manufacturers, so you´re better off contacting them direct, rather than paying the markup from maker of the bike. My 15 year old CCM 640 has been out of production for many years and I can still get the parts I need from all over the place. So ... no worries.
Personally, I've never owned a bike and kept it for more than a few years, so this whole what will I do for parts in 10 years time seems to be completely foreign to me. I'd have thought it'd be the question potential buyers of 2nd hand Terras would be asking in 2020.
IMHO, resale value would be low. Therefore either you intend to keep it lifetime or just forget it. Parts would probably be no problem. Access to MOSS computer might be. PS: Only 2 sold across my country which makes it even worse. But I still like my Terra. Going to make this a very beautiful bike until next riding season
I keep my bikes minimum 10 years and set about personalizing each one to my comfort and usefulness, so it does not matter to me about the bike being sold in small numbers or now possibly no more to being made. The parts will still be there and its the bike I want after a lot of research its just a shame that they are being discontinued but that's the market for you! I will have my Strada with the appropriate parts that make it my own and will enjoy every moment of ownership. So if you want a bike that suits your requirements then just do it
Thanks for the all the input. I did talk to a dealer, and they said that Husky is obligated to manufacture and supply parts for at least 7 years, so at least parts will be available for that long. Agreed, too bad they are probably discontinuing this line, its a very interesting niche.
Maybe this will be a positive thing as we have an excellent machine that was only a limited production run. I don't see that parts will be an issue - especially as so many of them are BMW bits. Maybe these bikes will be highly sought after once production stops..... I certainly wouldn't swap mine for a G650 gs, Sertao or DR.
I think all the current versions in the form they are in at present with BMW engines will be discontinued, I cannot see KTM building bikes using BMW engines. My opinion this is. I do how ever see new versions of Husqvarner's hitting the market at some point in time, how they are made up is anybodies guess. I think most parts will still be available in 10 yrs time, and certainly an alternative be sourced.
I think they'd be cursing because the TR650 only had a production run of around one year they will have to buy parts from BMW to support it for the next ten years. The cost of re-engineering the bike for KTM running gear wouldn't be viable. If they're interested in having a bike for the dual-sport market, they will develop one. I'm not sure if there's one in the current KTM range.
Due to the short production run/low volume of this bike, the expense of tooling up would not be cost effective. There also would not be parts interchangeability with any of their current product range. Parts availability will not be an issue.
So in light of this thread (and all the other queries in regards to the future of the Terra and Strada) This morning I called Paul Feeny group which are the Husqvarna importers for Australia and spoke to their sales director about the future of the bikes as well as spares availability. He said that production is continuing well into next year at the minimum and that full parts and support will be available for ten years from the date manufacturing ceases. I told him of some of the rumours circulating about the BMW sale/KTM acquisition and he told me to go on record (on this forum) and let people know what I have said above. So the future looks pretty bright to me.
They *could*. And Ford could license the Chevy LS6 engine, build them, and fit them in Mustangs if they really wanted too. But, there's cost, marketing issues, and narrow margins on things. It wouldn't come close to making business sense. <sarcasm> I don't think you're going to get bolded confirmation on anything. Reread the thread and you'll see its a lot of reasoned speculation, some sketchy commentary, the occasional plausible hearsay, and nary an authenticated written or company linked source saying, "The TR650 is being discontinued." Of, if you like....I'll confirm for you! The KTM CEO said at dinner last night that they're not only going to continue the line, but also add 5 hp via a stroked 650 motor next year (rumor it will be a 672 cc unit from Bangalore with an even redder anodized head), 4 pounds lighter, two new models & colors (The "Tuscana" that is Cyan colored and "Fritatta" that is as yellow as a school bus). I asked him, "Stef...anything else?" And he winked, "Oh....and the side stand will have bold new graphics to complement the further improved self-retracting feature we designed. A heavier spring and closer pivot pin are undergoing testing now." </sarcasm>
