KTM/Husqvarna... now how will this play out?

The term modular can alos have to do with the machinery to make the product. The 4.6 ford triton engine I had in my 2000 pick up was called modular and I believe this pertained more to the way they could re configure the manufacturing equipment than stuff like the exact placement of motor mounts.

fran

I like reading about Husqvarna's on Cafe Husky, not automobiles.

I would like to see the 630 back in the Husky line up. It is a solid, proven, reliable bike. A gusseted sub frame and compression clickers from stock would be welcome editions.

The 630 just about slipped under the radar of EU legislation on the covert understanding that buyers would re-plug and power-up. Without the p/u it was just about unrideable, died at every apportunity and was decidedly underpowered. Don´t think it could be returned onto the market here in Europe. The 610/630 range has had its day.

The old Swede based motor lived a long time, but I think it's fair to say it's race has been run...

look how long the DR , DRZ and KLR have been running basically the same motor. People still keep buying them , and the manufacturer's keep making money off a old design. Not nice high tech bikes but definitely money makers.

No question, they will continue to milk every last cent out of the tooling, marketing, reputation etc, for as long as they can, but Kawasaki and Suzuki didn't (thankfully) drop their KLRs and DRs and get bought out by a progressive European manufacturer, that wants to copy the VW model. Did you read Norman Foley's post:http://news.yahoo.com/insight-volks...inance.html;_ylt=Ao_k1AWSjjQ_7aoDGx4vodnQtDMD, or the many references that Stefan Pierer has made to the VW business model?
The other thing to remember is that the TE610/630 was never in the KLR/SUZ market, because they were priced 2000$ (+-) higher. The way the 630s were sold (finally), was to discount them 2000$ and many were bought by people who would have most likely bought a KLR/SUZ .
The real surprise to me is if there isn't a way to continue the TR650. The TR650 actually is in the KLR/SUZ market and in a big way. The TR is a great modern KLR type bike, but better and can meet modern and the feared 2014-15 Euro regulations, that the old Swede motor can't do and still run great.
I will also be interested to see how well the old Japanese designs do meeting future clean air standards and how long they are continued....
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the "Old Swede" motor. I had an 08 and I have a low mile 07 that I will start testing a Lectron carb on this week.

I have to admit , i bought 2 TE630's when the $2,000 price drop happened. I'm doubtful i would have paid another 5 grand (with taxes for them).Our last few bike were a TE450 , TE 250 , TXC 450 and we loved them all. As ride areas in North America shrink i believe this type < TE 630 > of bike has the potential to out sell a lot of the MX bikes.

I hope Husqvarna has only great things ahead for them. Please give me a dealer so i can continue to support them.

Randy

Couldn't variable valve timing, a new head, and fuel injection stuff be added to pretty much any existing cylinder down four stroke platform? Is there any variable valve timing in the motorcycle world at this time?

If for the sake of discussion Husky is going to be the compete against the Oriental big four (though stuff like klr isn't made in japan any more) if it isn't street then there still is closed course, off road, dual sport, dual purpose, and adventure. I guess it is wait and see.

fran

Honda VFR used VTEC for a few years and the Kawi Concours 14 has VVT. Not sure if you meant single cylinder only but there are production bikes that have used or are using variable valve timing.

I for one will just see what happens --and when it happens as to what we will see come out of this whole thing will then decide what i will be buying next --
Have 2 - 2009 610TE's one with 30,000 km on now. Have a new one that i have just uncrated and running in -have a 2007 450TE that just goes and goes --Had a crated 510TE that i sold last month for a small profit -- not often that happens --but it was new --brand spanking new Then My Favourite 634 SMR Eddy Seel Factory works Replica -- As well as an Aprilla 750cc that i kept and sold my SM610.

I would love to see the 570 Knox --same motor as my Eddie Seel Bike back in one or the other Husqvarna -- THE Strongest Single i have EVER Ridden Has so much soul and charachter it should be illegal --

Who will be responsible for having on stock the spare parts for the bikes, that came out in the last few years (example from 2009-2013)? What is the responsibility of the new owner in the context to guaranty of the availability of spare parts for the engines, that they will no longer produce (for example: te 310 will very probably be no longer as it is today, since as we can see, in the future, the engines will be much more identical in 3 brands).
So hypothetically: if I will own my bike still 5 years (husqvarna te 310 2011), will I have a problem on the availability of the spare parts? Who will be responsible to to have them on stock?

Husqvarna will still be responsible and Stephan bought that responsibility.

What would make you say that ? We found out a few years ago that spare parts dont have to be made for any length of time at all after the bike is nolonger in production. This is based on a Buell we owned. As the spare parts ran out that was it.

Don't forget though that there is money to be made selling parts. Very few of the parts of any MC are made by the manufacturer these days. I can't see why the vendors that are making them now would want to stop.