Ok I like it.. I'd ride that for sure. Of course....I like the Kawi retro bike above, Studebakers, 59 Chevy El Caminos, Hudson Hornets and old Dodge Power Wagons...so maybe I'm not the best judge of current design. Is it a lightweight dirt bike? No. Is the name lame, since it can't be used to race Baja? Yes. I see it as a do it all (KLR/DR650 etc) kind of ride with some retro styling. The weight will be the big factor as to what type of riding will be it's forte. Looks like it'd be a great city bike that can also do fire trails/mild offroading adv type stuff, while still having some euro non Honkawzukyamaha styling. If I was in the market for something like this, I'd give it a look....and then buy a used 610/630...cuz I'm cheap Cheers
I like it and I give Husky credit....its cool !!! its not in any way shape or form meant to be a competition bike...its "retro cosmo" street fighter with all the Husky nostalgia built in I could see myself ripping around on that
Some good folks here suggested it's going to be this kind of a street fighter.... right?, I know I don't care, I think it's cool too
So, after a lot of testing the water in the US with the 610 and 630 (which didn´t sell at all well), Husqvarna have now decided that this is what the US market really wants. And so the 630 etc. will now only be sold in Europe, NZ and Australia. Just goes to show how genetically different we´ve become over the years.
They are certainly going after this look for the new bike. I believe this new bike is more intended to reintroduce "Husqvarna" as a brand more than cater toward the crowd they already have. Maybe I'm wrong but it's more marketing at work than evolution in design. They need a bike for people to remember the brand and nothing is a better foot in the door than Steve McQueen and a bike he rode. With this in mind then a 650 X-Challenge rehash is the engine and bike to use, the engines bullet proof reliable and has a very user friendly power-band. I think it could work if they get a better dealer/larger dealer network. I think this is the beginning of a reintroduction of Husqvarna as a brand to the consumer as well as giving them a way to expand into the road bikes sector. I like it......but I will need to see one in person to really be able to tell.
I think your right on the money.... we keep saying how we need new this and that....and it will come....eventually a new 250 2T for example but for long term we need to think of stability...a base if you will....this will take time to develop the concepts that will build a foundation for the brand..this needs to be done the "Big H gunsight logo" has tremendous marquis value....I feel there is lot at stake here and BMW knows this for sure.... long term you need to be strong...that means cultivating additional markets IMO I just hope the management doesnt forget the core market that Husky created for itself in the first place.... as Robertaccio pointed out
