• Hi everyone,

    As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.

    When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.

    Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.

    Unfortunately, the new software version doesn’t support importing the old site’s styles, so for now, you’ll see the XenForo default style. This may change over time.

    Coffee didn’t document the work he did on the site, so I’ve been digging through the old setup to understand how everything was running. There may still be things I’ve missed. One known issue is that email functionality is not yet working on the new site, but I hope to resolve this over time.

    Thanks for your patience and support!

Actual news on the KTM purchase of Husqvarna

7point62 said:
Hi Rough Rider - and I thought my XR600 was too heavy! ;)

It seems the world is full of bikes that are either 80/20 dirt biassed, or 40/60 road biassed. Where are the modern dirt bikes in the 60/40 -70/30 offroad range? It's 2013 - surely it can't be that hard to take an enduro chassis, lose a little height and an inch or two of suspension travel, conjour up a low maintenance motor that makes an honest 35 or maybe 40 hp at the back wheel (for comparison my tweaked XR made 40, a stock TE 449 makes 45ish) and sling on a headlight that will get you home in winter. TBH 35hp with a wide spread of power and no excess weight would probably be plenty on dirt tyres.

It didn't seem to matter back in the 80's, when trail bikes and road bikes were eqully crude and four strokes wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, but since then Suzuki managed to extract 120bhp/litre from their boringly reliable TL1000 twin fifteen tears ago and even Ducati can make a sport bike with 15,000 mile service intervals. I can't help feeling that compared to their road cousins, dirt bike riders are being short changed (and that goes for competition machinery too).

How is it possible in this day and age that it's necessary to build an "offroad" bike so lardy that it needs a 600+cc engine just to pull it's fat backside out of the garage? And why should "trail" (as opposed to competition enduro) bikes be cursed with bad suspension, too much lard / flimsy build quality / poor performance? Why can't we have performance biassed yet practical machines, like that asphalt guys do? I could ride my GSXR750 proddy racer to work back in the day (so long as I remembered to put the licence plate on it...)

I think it was economist Paul Krugman who said "A free-market economy can get trapped for an extended period in a bad equilibrium in which good things are not demanded because they are not supplied, and are not supplied because not enough people demand them."

*don't get mad at me, I'm just thinking out loud, but as we're in a bit of a fork-in-the-road moment regarding Husky and the shrinking of the whole offroad scene in Europe and the USA perhaps it's time to ask awkward questions of the industry. :)
Click to expand...

I don't think that the actual weight of the bike is that important, but rather the way that the bike carries its weight.
I don't know about your XR600 being too heavy, but I can tell you that my XT600 is way too heavy, and it feels heavy whether being pushed around the garage or being ridden down my favorite single track. The 950 SE on the other hand, is physically heavier than the XT, but feels half the weight whether you are riding it or pushing it. Obviously the 950 is twice as fit as the XT but feels 5x as fit when riding it. To be honest the 950 SE does not feel any heavier than the 610 at any time.

As far as I know they stopped manufacturing bikes in the 950 SE class because each one cost more to build than they could sell them for, which makes no economic sense whatsoever to the manufacturers. That I am afraid is where the problem is; if they build the bike we all want, we will not be able to afford it.
 
Rough Rider said:
I don't think that the actual weight of the bike is that important, but rather the way that the bike carries its weight.
I don't know about your XR600 being too heavy, but I can tell you that my XT600 is way too heavy, and it feels heavy whether being pushed around the garage or being ridden down my favorite single track. The 950 SE on the other hand, is physically heavier than the XT, but feels half the weight whether you are riding it or pushing it. Obviously the 950 is twice as fit as the XT but feels 5x as fit when riding it. To be honest the 950 SE does not feel any heavier than the 610 at any time.

As far as I know they stopped manufacturing bikes in the 950 SE class because each one cost more to build than they could sell them for, which makes no economic sense whatsoever to the manufacturers. That I am afraid is where the problem is; if they build the bike we all want, we will not be able to afford it.
Click to expand...


You are bordering on kind of funny. The weight makes the wheels sink which makes it harder to push. I spectated a national enduro once and to me it seemed that the non local AA and up guys were able to sense what spots were hard and use that to their advantage where I would be digging a trench with the spectators cheering me on.

This is diverging from the title of this thread. As I understand it, at least the way sponsorships are sold in the AMA magazine is dual sport, dual purpose, adventure. Take something like the brake disc, a lot of them are so minimal. The vertical height of the four stroke piston, Note the cts equipped 450 came with a 3 year warranty dressed as a BMW but only gets 6 months as a Husqvarna in the United States and from other forums on the internet seems the mode is to sit on the bike for time and basically run out the warranty and start charging for future repairs even though a pre existing condition not fixed. It is just talk so who knows. I will agree the choice in the dual purpose is lacking. Something with more weight in the engine for reliability, more weight on the discs, a better seat (not one designed to look like a moto x or something along those lines), at least three gallons of gasoline.

I am happy to wait and see. Maybe they will do like the new Indian and make a look alike engine of the v twin of the thirties and package it similar to the Aprilla 450/550.

As far as cost to produce this stuff is confidential and how the racing expenses are distributed on a model by model basis. How many credit cards are out there charging against the adventure v twin, that kind of stuff even if one had stock and got an annual report probably couldn't figure it out.
 
Rough Rider said:
I don't think that the actual weight of the bike is that important, but rather the way that the bike carries its weight.
I don't know about your XR600 being too heavy, but I can tell you that my XT600 is way too heavy, and it feels heavy whether being pushed around the garage or being ridden down my favorite single track. The 950 SE on the other hand, is physically heavier than the XT, but feels half the weight whether you are riding it or pushing it. Obviously the 950 is twice as fit as the XT but feels 5x as fit when riding it. To be honest the 950 SE does not feel any heavier than the 610 at any time.

As far as I know they stopped manufacturing bikes in the 950 SE class because each one cost more to build than they could sell them for, which makes no economic sense whatsoever to the manufacturers. That I am afraid is where the problem is; if they build the bike we all want, we will not be able to afford it.
Click to expand...

While a great bike for some, the 950 had it's own issues that led to it's demise. It's REALLY tall, even by dirt bike standards, and not amenable to lowering w/o sacrificing a lot of what is paid for, KTM had to know they could only sell it to tall men with significant $$'s, and that narrowed the market before they sold the first bike. Mileage and range are issues, as is service access to the engine.

With respect to what we would ask of the new Husky, a lot of the tooling is already paid for. It's a matter of putting the right engine in the right frame. For those of us don't race, good, durable power while keeping the weight light and low is more important than race like performance.
 
ARH said:
View attachment 27203
I'd like to see a clean classic look, white fenders, chrome panel on tank, and your choice of color for tank shrouds. I went to look at new trucks the other day they had half a dozen color choices, why not on bikes?
Click to expand...

You get on Motorsport.com or RockyMountain and buy a different color set of plastics if it were any other brand. You don't need to stock different color bikes. Just get the aftermarket to support Husky products like they do any other brand. Husky goes to three plastics makers and gives the contract to the one that agrees to make aftermarket plastics in a variety of colors. Done.
 
UFO and Polisport both sell Husqvarna plastics....Black, White and Red are all available for the 449/511, for instance.

0518131719.jpg
 
Then why are people asking for Husky to build bikes in a variety of color choices like a car company ? Bottomline, it's an aftermarket issue not a Husky issue. If cars and trucks could have $150 plastic kit to change their color the auto makers would never have more than one color coming off the assembly line.

So many things go into the decisions surrounding what and how many models to bring to market and at what cost to us. This just isn't one they will ever consider.
 
smart cars have some easily interchangable panels....

The subject came up in relation to Husqvarna branding... once upon a time they used different colors for different sizes with the shiny gas tank 'insert' as a common theme....

I know of one dealer who is happy to help you mix and match body panels/fenders when, or after, you buy a bike. But, yes you can do it yourself with different plastic or stickers...
 
mnb said:
There is some info in the 2013 Summer Edition of Ride More:
http://heroesridehuskys.com/journal/13HusqJournal-Summer_web.pdf

I haven't received this yet, but I saw it posted on the website.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

This message is for Husqvarna Motorcycles North America, and KTM North America, and up to and including Mr Pierer.

  • This site, Cafe Husky.com, was started for one purpose - to help the Husqvarna riders.
  • The best way I know of to help the Husqvarna riders is to increase sales.
  • It would be great if we could work together to increase sales in the future, and obviously to support the riders in other ways.
  • There will be many that will mourn that passing of the Italian era, as many mourned the passing of the Swedish era.
  • Some people who would have bought an Italian Husqvarna, will not want to buy a Husqvarna in the future. Others will probably come to take their place. Life will move on.
 
Amen to that, and while you're at it, how about a homologated Husqvarna 450 motocrosser so you can sign RV and make Husky a Supercross contender?
 
mnb said:
There is some info in the 2013 Summer Edition of Ride More:
http://heroesridehuskys.com/journal/13HusqJournal-Summer_web.pdf
I haven't received this yet, but I saw it posted on the website.
Click to expand...

Racing, customer service, marketing all must be standalone ... Just a few words from the man on the inside setting all this up internally for Husqvarna and its customers ... He said more good words also ...
Thanks for that posting and its speaks volume for the Husqvarana Crowd ... :banana:

Mike-AK said:
Amen to that, and while you're at it, how about a homologated Husqvarna 450 motocrosser so you can sign RV and make Husky a Supercross contender?
Click to expand...

Amen and maybe not RV, but a SX Husqvarna contender will happen ... And a MX contender will be there also ... The Husky faithful has only gotta be patient on this one :)
 
mnb said:
There is some info in the 2013 Summer Edition of Ride More:
http://heroesridehuskys.com/journal/13HusqJournal-Summer_web.pdf

I haven't received this yet, but I saw it posted on the website.
Click to expand...
And here is the email I just got about the journal - it could be that they may not be mailing those to individuals based on the wording.
----------------------------------------------------------------------



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE.

CONTACT: Scott Cox / Resmarket, Inc. contact@resmarket.com phone 760-436-9937

Summer 2013 Husqvarna Motorcycle Journal Is Out
Pick up a copy of the latest Husky magazine at your local Husqvarna Motorcycle dealer!


Corona, CA - June 24, 2013 - Hot off the press, get the newest release of the Husqvarna Motorcycle Journal! The Summer 2013 issue is dedicated to "Going The Distance" with a nod to our street-legal motorcycles, the TE dual-sports and the TR dual-purpose models. Also get an inside look at the Husqvarna 1-2-5 Challenge at Glen Helen, as well as news and interviews from the races, upcoming Husqvarna events and much more!

What's in the Summer 2013 Husqvarna Motorcycle Journal:

TE vs. TR... Dual-sport vs. dual-purpose... what is the difference and which is the bike for you? Take our "Dual Curious" quiz on page 15 and find out.

The first-ever Husqvarna 1-2-5 Challenge is in the books! Check out the racers and machinery of the epic eighth-liter pro race that was the highlight of the MTA 2-Stroke MX World Championship!

Think you know your Husky history? Take a look back at legacy of the brand in our new Retrospect section.

Husqvarna RiDE MORE Collection - live it, wear it with genuine Husky vintage apparel and race wear. Check out the casual collection and see your dealer for newly lowered pricing.

Aftermarket Showcase: You might be surprised to see how many retailers now offer parts and accessories for Husqvarna TE and TR motorcycles.

All this and more waits in the pages of the latest Summer Husqvarna Motorcycle Journal. Pick one up at your local Husqvarna Motorcycle dealer. Find a dealer

Or check it out online at heroesridehuskys.com/journal/13HusqJournal-Summer_web.pdf.

For more information on the entire 2013 line of
Husqvarna motorcycles, please go to www.husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com. Head to your nearest participating dealer now to take advantage of Spring Fever discounts of up to $2500 on remaining inventory!


Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.

Husqvarna Motorcycles are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC

Husqvarna has continued to expand its professional race team to compete in AMA National Enduro, GNCC, EnduroCross and AMA West Hare Scrambles Series. Husqvarna team riders are competing aboard 2013 Husqvarna CR125, TC250R, TXC250R and TXC310R off-road models.

###
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
371 Corporate Terrace Circle, Suite 102
Corona, CA 92879 USA
###
Submitted by: Resmarket, Inc., Box 231765, Encinitas, CA 92023-1765
Contact: Scott Cox scott@resmarket.com tel 760-436-9937
 
I have heard some hot talk about the fate of our beloved bikes.

a. the WR 300 will not be sold in the US in the future

b. that the workers in the Husky plant located in Italy were laid off

c. that Husqvarna will replace Husaberg and the Bergs will be done away with i.e. it will be KTM and Husky without the Berg

Can anyone shed some light on these assertions?:confused:
 
huskyista said:
I have heard some hot talk about the fate of our beloved bikes.

a. the WR 300 will not be sold in the US in the future

b. that the workers in the Husky plant located in Italy were laid off

c. that Husqvarna will replace Husaberg and the Bergs will be done away with i.e. it will be KTM and Husky without the Berg

Can anyone shed some light on these assertions?:confused:
Click to expand...
I merged you thread with one of the many other threads on the subject. Might want to scan page several pages and see what has been happening.

In addition I made this thread a sticky so I can find it easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top