Actual news on the KTM purchase of Husqvarna

[Mike-AK]

the current discussion perfectly shows the "husqvarna dilemma": people want cheap bikes, and people want top-level racing.
top-level racing costs a lot of money, and - as always - somebody needs to pay for that. this "somebody" is the customers. so you can have "either-or", but you cannot have both.


apart from buying the husqvarna brand name ("my treasure")., he also gained responsibility for the husqvarna company: a quite modern factory, and ~240 employees.
employees with exactly those "twenty years [or more] experience in the off-road niche market and industry", "the former racers, and the skilled and knowledgeable technicians".
considering that he is actually dumping those 240 people in a machiavellistic move, i am sceptical about his "laudatory speech for the experts".


just a little journey through history:

• when volkswagen bought "auto union" (situated in ingolstadt) in the mid-1960's, they wanted to turn it into "just another volkswagen factory". auto union employees and labours fought hard to remain as a separate company. volkswagen finally gave in. a few years later, "auto union" and "nsu" (situated in neckarsulm) united into the "audi" company, making volkswagen's sub-company even bigger and stronger.

• when volkswagen bought seat in the mid-1980's, they obviously weren't going for technology, or a "brand". they bought a factory and experienced employees in a strategic place. nevertheless, they kept the brand and company name.

• when volkswagen bought skoda in the early 1990's, they bought an experienced car manufacturer with factories in the (new) eastern-european markets. skoda build cars since 100 years...

around 40 years after the purchase, volkswagen and audi are bothstrong and distinctive leading-technology companies. in the last 20-25 years, seat rose from being a low-tech "dictator-initiated state company" to a popular and modern company, and skoda continued it's way through turbulent times (fall of the iron curtain) as one of the oldest car manufacturers in business. well done, volkswagen.


even though pierer keeps talking about the volkswagen role model, he's actually always doing quite the opposite. husaberg is now to ktm what amg is to mercedes, and husqvarna is obviously intended to face the same fate (even when it's yet not obvious who'll be amg and who'll be mercedes). two "individual" brands from the same town, built in the same factory? and husqvarna is gonna be "scandinavian", made in austria? come on...

r

When you buy a motorcycle, do you expect or allow others to tell you what you can or cannot do with it? The man bought a motorcycle company. Let him do with it as he wants. Perhaps you can start your own motorcycle company and hire those 240 Italians? Be forewarned, however. They haven't a clue how to grease a bearing or torque a bolt, and their wiring harnesses look like they were made by crack-smoking squirrels.

 

[guscycle]

When you buy a motorcycle, do you expect or allow others to tell you what you can or cannot do with it? The man bought a motorcycle company. Let him do with it as he wants. Perhaps you can start your own motorcycle company and hire those 240 Italians? Be forewarned, however. They haven't a clue how to grease a bearing or torque a bolt, and their wiring harnesses look like they were made by crack-smoking squirrels.

...guess you haven't taken apart many other manufacturer models (grease and torque statement) grease must be a scarce commodity everywhere...at least the last 35 years I've worked on them..and I am not just talking about my past 15+ Husqvarnas...from Aprilia to Zundapp.I call Honda mx'rs "wobble wheels" cuz they can't keep spokes tight and Suzuki/Kawies have seen a lot of loose sprocket bolts...just DON'T get me started on KTM ...oh boy.Can't say I had a problem with Husky's wiring...most of it is done at the factory,but if you run enduro lighting and such,the dealer does most of that...I prefer to do my own...

 

[scotty]

The story I got from a UK ktm dealer was that there was no
time to develop a Husky for 2014, so they will be re badged
Berg/ktms He also said another Italian manufacturer was in talks
about buying the factory (not sure who) He's also very sure that for
2015 they will be developing Huskys and they wont be re badged
ktms. He also said I'll be able to get my spares from him before
long.
New 250 2smoke freeride for next year and FI on their 2smokes
in the next two years.

Scotty

 

[motomaniac]

The story I got from a UK ktm dealer was that there was no
time to develop a Husky for 2014, so they will be re badged
Berg/ktms He also said another Italian manufacturer was in talks
about buying the factory (not sure who) He's also very sure that for
2015 they will be developing Huskys and they wont be re badged
ktms. He also said I'll be able to get my spares from him before
long.
New 250 2smoke freeride for next year and FI on their 2smokes
in the next two years.

Scotty

I heard that Husky was testing a 500 2T fuel injected bike a couple of summers ago. The FI apparently is easier to develop on the big bore. I wonder if BMW was to scared to put that new tech to market and KTM was to scared not to have it.

 

[ray_ray]

With all the respect in the world for everyone involved ...

This 2t FI saga has gone about far enough for me at least... First, if it does happen, ever, its gonna take yrs apparently to test it correctly and that will be the public doing the testing because the crap these factories have put forth on for 4t machines has been 1 notch above a joke and apparently not tested well or tested any at the factory ... How could your testing not find that the fuel pump falls off in the tank?

Second, it is not gonna be the 2t we ride now ... They are gonna be complex, probably very expensive, and we know right now, they are not gonna run correctly unless God himself steps in and writes the code and buckles the fuel pump down ...

My favorite pic and I like shooting it at every 2t FI fictional story to keep ones feet planted in reality, today, at this precise moment in 2t history ...And no, that is not me on that bad a$$ Husky sold by BMP ... Its my pretty much ~stock 250cc bike and my racer rider friend on board. He whips lots of 4t machines on this model bike. He's not worried about a fictional 2t FI bike ... You know, because he is racing in the real world. I'll be out today on this non-fictional, 250cc 2t machine today, surveying real flood damage in real time.

 

[ray_ray]

When you buy a motorcycle, do you expect or allow others to tell you what you can or cannot do with it? The man bought a motorcycle company. Let him do with it as he wants. Perhaps you can start your own motorcycle company and hire those 240 Italians? Be forewarned, however. They haven't a clue how to grease a bearing or torque a bolt, and their wiring harnesses look like they were made by crack-smoking squirrels.

Nope, non-fiction is all too hard for most of us ... We'll just continue to bitch&cry about the real world stuff that is made for us to trade our hard-earned (at least for some of us) $$ on ... Or just dream something up to make our life interesting?

--
I guess that makes us dreamers ... Thats OK, but, you know, you gotta wake up from your dreams one day and face reality.

 

[ray_ray]

I heard that Husky was testing a 500 2T fuel injected bike a couple of summers ago. The FI apparently is easier to develop on the big bore. I wonder if BMW was to scared to put that new tech to market and KTM was to scared not to have it.

I'll add one more unique view point on 2t bikes and racing ... Personally, I was OK with FI 2t bikes because I thought it would bring them back into ama racing ... FI DI is not needed ... 250cc 2t or what CC size bikes are back in ama MX racing ... All these 2t bikes need is a RV2, RD5, Stew, AS29 or some other top rider on them and these bikes will run with the 4fitty rigs ... So, after giving 2t DI machines actual thought ... I'm not with them ... They are not needed except for CA folks who dwell on the air we breath and others like them ... If they manufacture them, fine ... But some of us already know what a 2t engine is all about ...

--
ibm, bmw, honda, intel, m$, and other white collar entities of this size, are not afraid ... These guys will hedge bets to minimize loss, but it is not boogie man fear that drives this.

 

[Russ Henry]

I have the TXC 449 and a WB 165. IMHO the most effective way to improve the two stoke would be to put CTS on it

 

[ray_ray]

I have the TXC 449 and a WB 165. IMHO the most effective way to improve the two stoke would be to put CTS on it

Great idea and that might be the ticket ... My 2t bike can use more traction ...

--
That is a bmw type move ...

With that said ... Everything, almost ~everything is built off something previous ... bmw showed the good side of the CTS ... Since I'm not a PRO rider, all their complaints and their dislikes, probably does not matter to me ... Coming through a 250cc powerband is not always successful, exciting yes, but not always quick ... I'd trade something for some traction ... ESP on these small MX tracks here...

EDIT: And the downside \ showstopper is the engine ... with that design, it might only work with specific frames and we have seen how these companies let many use an engine, so the frame has to be designed for it specifically ... The big upSide is, if is accepted across many bikes, you just b-slapped the JAP makers and that has been stated as job #1 with the new owners ... Myself, I'm tired of chain stretch and would be glad to trade off that PIA ...

 

[Coffee]

When you buy a motorcycle, do you expect or allow others to tell you what you can or cannot do with it? The man bought a motorcycle company. Let him do with it as he wants. Perhaps you can start your own motorcycle company and hire those 240 Italians? Be forewarned, however. They haven't a clue how to grease a bearing or torque a bolt, and their wiring harnesses look like they were made by crack-smoking squirrels.

Why did you feel compelled to make this purposely inflammatory statement about the Italian workers who are loosing their jobs over this situation, especially when this thread is one they would most likely be reading?

 

[Dirtdame]

Why did you feel compelled to make this purposely inflammatory statement about the Italian workers who are loosing their jobs over this situation, especially when this thread is one they would most likely be reading?

They actually have their own page on Facebook called "This Is Husqvarna".

 

[glangston]

When you buy a motorcycle, do you expect or allow others to tell you what you can or cannot do with it? The man bought a motorcycle company. Let him do with it as he wants. Perhaps you can start your own motorcycle company and hire those 240 Italians? Be forewarned, however. They haven't a clue how to grease a bearing or torque a bolt, and their wiring harnesses look like they were made by crack-smoking squirrels.

I will tell you you are WRONG about Italians and greasing a motorcycle. My Beta has lots of grease. You can see it on the axles and swing arm for sure.

 

[4eyes]

Personally when I hear Pierer saying "softer", I hear less high-strung and more reliable. For those of us who are looking for a dual-sport, and don't race, and have been leery of the brand, I think that is a good thing.
Time will tell.

 

[ajaxauto]

Personally when I hear Pierer saying "softer", I hear less high-strung and more reliable. For those of us who are looking for a dual-sport, and don't race, and have been leery of the brand, I think that is a good thing.
Time will tell.

I hope you are wrong I hope they built a full on race bike I see Husaberg as a extention of KTM more on the race side When race bikes get a few years old they become trail off road bikes as the market get better. Even if you do not race , having a bike that is bread to do so can make your trail ride better
How many people on here thought they wanted a Wr 125 only to convert it to a CR

 

[Zomby woof]

Why did you feel compelled to make this purposely inflammatory statement about the Italian workers who are loosing their jobs over this situation, especially when this thread is one they would most likely be reading?

The funny thing is, the bearings have very little grease because that the way it's supposed to be. When most people reassemble their linkages, or steering head, they way over grease everything.

 

[Mike-AK]

Why did you feel compelled to make this purposely inflammatory statement about the Italian workers who are loosing their jobs over this situation, especially when this thread is one they would most likely be reading?

I guess I don't see your point. If Husqvarna didn't want to be sold, it's owner shouldn't have put it up for sale. I think the bashing of the guy that bought it is far worse than anything I have written. Would it have been better for the company to die and all of us left with no support? Read your own website for plenty of comments about new bikes with no grease, electrical problems, and improperly torqued fasteners. Is re-stating the truth inflammatory? If so, then I am sorry.

 

[dcg141]

The story I got from a UK ktm dealer was that there was no
time to develop a Husky for 2014, so they will be re badged
Berg/ktms He also said another Italian manufacturer was in talks
about buying the factory (not sure who) He's also very sure that for
2015 they will be developing Huskys and they wont be re badged
ktms. He also said I'll be able to get my spares from him before
long.
New 250 2smoke freeride for next year and FI on their 2smokes
in the next two years.

Scotty

One of the bikes we were allowed to see at the R&D facility in Austria was a 2 stroke Freeride. For the record it had a carb on it..but there were several things with covers on them during our tour.

 

[DG Harv Serv]

The people who are bashing the Italians and the bikes they built, you have got what you wanted !
There is no more Factory, no more Husqvarna.
Any future new bikes will be built in the KTM Factory using KTM parts.

This talk of "new" bikes etc... They will be rebadged KTMs (as were Husabergs).
Sure there may be some differences but Engine, Frame, Suspension is what counts.
The MX race teams are existing KTM teams who will swap over to the "Huskys" .
They will need to change Graphics and away they go !

Some may see this as a good thing, but if KTMs / Husabergs are so great why didn't you buy one instead of your Husky ?
Many think this is a sad time and are sad to see the end of an era.
Many feel compassionately about the hundreds of people around the world who have lost their jobs.
Many loved riding a great handling bike and saw the fact that it was a little different as a huge bonus.

Don't be fooled to think KTMs are without their problems, there are Forums like this with dozens of issues.

I for one don't think the grass will be greener on the other side !

 

[Boogie]

Some may see this as a good thing, but if KTMs / Husabergs are so great why didn't you buy one instead of your Husky ?

Many loved riding a great handling bike and saw the fact that it was a little different as a huge bonus.

 

[Eaglefreek]

I for one don't think the grass will be greener on the other side !

In most situations it's just a different shade of green.