When I buy a box of Stella Artois, I look for the import label... Because if it's brewed under licence one hour down the road, it ain't Stella to me. (but it is stella right?!) When I got my first Husqvarna, I didn't know much about the brand. My dad gave me a quick run down of the deep Swedish roots and winning heritage... Then I saw the made in Italy sticker. I was like WTF, this ain't no Husqvarna! (it sure was a husky, right?!) It doesn't really matter. Jacob won that day on a first class bike backed by a determined team and I bet he didn't care where his bike was made when he was standing on the podium. Ok I'm going to go load up my "brewed under licence by Husqvarna in Italy" bike on the trailer and go ride with a bunch of Yamahahas. That is all. Later.
theres something i think made the swedish to italian switch easier than the italian to austrian switch. when cagiva took over, cagiva off road bikes pretty much ceased to exist...they started a new line that was different than the italian or swede made bikes...plus all the four strokes remained with swedish dna for quite awhile...maybe it felt less intrusive? some of you here need to understand we are into the brand quite abit. dont belittle us because we dont like this new takeover.. theres going to be alot of whining and moaning about it...that being said, im glad husky will be more prominent now, even if only in name...the company is close to death as far as im concerned..
I remember it a little differently.... Lots of unhappy Husky riders and dealers, with many who to this day, have never reconciled the change of ownership. My Husaberg/KTM dealer was a big Swedish Husky dealer in the day. He's still bitter about how Cagiva NA treated him back in the transition. He's not positive, that even with KTM at the helm.... that he wants to be a Husky dealer again. A big difference is that Cagiva took 2 years to do what KTM did in 2 months... Shut a Factory and move production to the home Country. No Inter Web back then, to spread news and innuendo like wild fire. Bikes... Husky WRK 2 strokes... pure rebadged Cagivas plain and simple. Really not different from a '14 Austrian Husky TE and TC bikes. The 4 strokes stayed Swedish. It would be 1991 before new and different Huskys. Yes Cagiva kept the 4 stroke line going, because this was the most advanced technology available at the time. KTM has swept the plate clean, because they feel their 2 stroke and 4 stroke tech is better. This point can be argued forever, as Swedish Husky 2 stroke riders did 25 years ago, when the rebadged WRK's appeared. Ask Colemanapp... he still loves his WRK125! I've said this before.... I'm a fan of the brand plain and simple... I made this transition before and will do it again. I feel a twinge of remorse, just as I did last time this happened. I respect all who choose to go to another brand, so please respect my choice to stay with Husky....
i agree, everyone got screwed after the first takeover... i definitely wouldnt look down on someone for buying a newer white husky..they obviously blow anything i ride out of the water, thats for sure..norman you have quite the range of huskies and having all 3 nationalities of husqvarna is definitely something to be proud of
I I wouldn't care either if a team gave me a bike to ride!! I don't really care what i ride either or who makes it. When cagiva took over and rebaged the husky, they were still actually huskies! It's just a peeve to here someone call a ktm a husky. I would have no prob at all riding it. At the end of the day it's a db!! And it's a damn good looking one at that! One thing is for sure, some damn good styling on the new dare i say husky. I seem to have been mis understood because of the way i worded things. I'm jumping ship yes, but will most likely continue riding the shit out of my 12 wr 300. I just simply miss the cheap parts of jap bikes.
I'll just get one of those cheap Rolexes and start hanging out with the Rolex crowd. Why not? It says Rolex on the watch right there. Wadda ya mean not a Rolex? Think of it, I'll just start putting new labels on my stuff as I see fit. I think my car will turn into a Hummer tonight and tomorrow I'll drive over to the Hummer dealership, talk smack and drink there coffee. Cool! That is going to be so much fun :-)
Problem with this is if you are saying the new bikes are a down grade you would be wrong. Except for the 125's model vs model the new bikes will be better. Commence with the flame throwers and firing squad.
pretty much all bikes have more ability than any of us pilots and they are all so refined these days pick what one excites you and ride more.
They better be because they can't charge KTM/Husaberg + prices for long if they don't work like them. brain fart...of course they will, it's the bastard child of the two!
I can understand everyone's feelings here. When Nick Burson, my son, signed on to ride Husky with Ty Davis on the 510 TXC and Scott Harden was leading the charge for Husky I was excited for Nick to be working with such talent. Scott said Husky wanted to be a force back in the desert again! With Ty I knew we would have the support Nick needed to have a successful year. That first year all went great. Nick won the district 37 open expert number one plate. The bike wasn't perfect but Ty made the bike work good enough and was giving the factory guys back in Italy lots of input. Scott said they were working to make improvements on the bike. Nick resigns with Ty to content another year on Husky's. Then Scott leaves I knew this wasn't good something was up. Husky is sold to BMW and I thought this could be good they got money and engineering departments to really make a good bike and then along comes the 449. At first look this is different and maybe it will work. But this proved to be a disaster for Nick that year. Nick only finished half the races he enter with DNF after DNF. This was on a stock motor. No engine mods what so ever. When he did finish he was limited to mediocre finish due to the poor handling bike. What I found refreshing was you guys here on Cafe Husky. Your support and encouragement on the web site and at the races. I met many of you who would seek us out at the races. I always enjoyed talking with you and appreciated the support you gave Nick. You guys are die hard fans of Husky and have endure a lot over the years but stuck with Husky and still remain loyal. So I hope for you guys the bike will once again become it's own model and not a copy of another brand. I can understand your disappointment! One thing I will say is the Beta has proven to be a worthy off road bike and 100% European. Nick raced over 36 races last year and had two DNF and one was due to an after market stator to run lights for a night race. He was able to win the District open expert number one plate, District 37 Overall plate, District 37 Enduro overall nuber one plate, District 37 open expert enduro number one plate, GXE open pro number one plate and 3rd in the National Hare and Hound series. Nick rides the 498RR and the 300RR. Loves both the bikes.
Those were the days Before BMW who knew nothing about dirt bikes thought they could rewrite the book. Well you just printed the facts. I for one was sorry to see Nic go but he is having just great results he desirves it Now enter a new era Husky is on a come back Jake and Nic will go at it at the Nationals. Andy Jefferson a true motorcycle racer turned Factory guy along with Ty Davis of Zip Ty Racing. Will all work as a team,now Nic will have to work harder to win Husky is on a come back See you guys this coming weekend at DMC
