I'm starting to keep a log of all the people that approach us at races to ask about the CR 125. Yesterday it was 19. That doesn't sound like many when there are 100's of folks at the race. But these people actually seek us out and come to our pit area. I find that some, if not most of the people we talk to are completely unaware that Husky is still making current model competitive MX machines. They see Cody holding his own, or better yet, passing the standard fare of Jap bikes and KTM's on the track and they seek us out to ask about the bike. Standard questions are: "Is it fast?" "How's it holding up?" "How's it handle?" "Didn't Honda quit making 2T CR's? " We also get a few compliments from some observant (techie types) who comment about how the bike "screams" or how it never burbles or bogs like some of the other bikes on the track (this thanks to my constant fiddling with jetting to get things right for the temps and alt. ) If I could offer any constructive advice to Husky management based on our experiences at the track, I would say get more bikes on the track! Do whatever it takes, sponsor some riders on the grassroots level and get the name on the boards! I think there's some pent-up demand for something different at these races. The bikes are obviously competitive enough. The curiosity is there on the part of on-lookers.
Krieg, Hey Bro most awesome report. Could you paste and copy the whole thing to FEEDBACK...Or maybe you already did. I pretty sure that's why it there and it would the Bossman happy. Coffee do I get any (Brownie points)
After realizing that I should have posted there to begin with, I did just as you suggested. I stuped out. Sorry. But now it's posted in two locations!
Only the "Gods" can see it in the other place... And if you would have only posted on "Feedback" We...meaning us... could not have enjoy it. It's all Good.
That would be the preferred way of doing it actually. What seems to work best for reference sections like the Tech Ref & Feedback forums is a copy of just the first post with a link to a discussion thread. Why don't you edit you post in the Feedback forum and put a link to this thread? That way people can follow the link to find out what the members think... and maybe even ask a question and join in the discussion. The details of the Feedback forum are yet to be finalized - it is simply a place to collect input so the people like Scot don't have to sort through thousands of posts to get to the good stuff... Just like the Tech Ref section is for everyone else. Make sense?
Assuming there is not a lot of $ left over to sponsor riders what specific things would you (or anyone else) recommend? Kudos to the riders from Husqvarna Corp? Maybe a letter or a post on a forum? Swag? (Husqvarna memorabilia) Other? Anyone have ideas?
I know the only thing I have in my pit area that says husky is on my grips! I just bought some graphics for my box truck,but I am not too happy with the quality, A nice husqvarna EZ-up would attract alot more attention here,alot of guys think mine is a CRF at first
5 years ago it was universal. Guy rides up or walks over and says " i didnt know Husky still made bikes" 2-3 years ago it was "so how do you like that Husky" with a glint of envy at the license plate, or just the cool look and the nostalia that comes with the name. Now its really different. Guys ride up, or walk over and ask specific questions about the different models. Questions like " is that a Te or TXC'? or "how is it getting parts?" Guys seem to know lots more about the brand, and more often than not it ends with a "i am thinking about getting a Husky next time" It was the great bikes, with the DOT deal worked out, meeting up with the internet and word of mouth that got Husky to this point. Not since Hodaka has anything like that happened. Its really a pardigm shift. Magz and pro race teams did little in the US to spur sales. Maybe the 'underground, word of mouth buzz' has played out as far as it can. Maybe its time for magz and pro teams. Maybe not. I dont know. But it is really interesting to have seen the way the growth played out over the last 5 years.
That's a great question Coffee. With Husky Bucks, it's almost like every rider is "sponsored" so to speak, so I can understand from the factory perspective if they don't have tons of money to put into real sponsorships. I just wish we weren't the only Husky at the tracks week after week after week. I really believe people would think hard about buying a Husky if they saw them holding their own or winning at the local outlaw races and amateur AMA events.
