Poll - BMW / Husky

[fletchman45]

Not on the fence unless i wrecked and ended up impaled. If a person does not like the current models and feel that it holding them back, buy something else. Simple; i'm sticking with Husqvarna. BMW and Husky will move along as matters dictate or not at all whichever, look at the WEC success and MPS in Great Britain . ..

I certainly like your brand loyalty and it does make sense to a point. The point being you hit the nail on the head. Many people will do exactly what you just said. They will jump ship and go devil bike (Gas Gas) or worse yet KTM. In today's market you can not AFFORD in business to lose ANY customers. The guys who jump ship and there are many. May stay on the other brand or brands. And buy those brands for their kids. The few die hard guys that will ride a proven but VERY dated wr 250 will at one point be to old for knee braces to help. Husky/Bmw wake up andf smell the Coffee! No pun intended. Give us WTF we want and deserve. And yes at this point I'm buying something else................................will know buy next week.............. My loyalty makes me want to buy a 2013 Husky WR 250, but my old mature and smart self. Says why???? At this point looking at the devil bike it is a no brainer. It wins hands down. And makes me sad, that a small company like Gas Gas can steadily make improvements while a big company (well bigger then GG, throws us new graphics year after year! And a seat height that makes me feel like a real midget.......)

 

[fletchman45]

For the 32% of people who think this is a good thing, I will presume most of you are newer Husky riders. For guys like myself (ridden Husky's since 1987 and have seen the good the bad and the ugly) this is a sad reminder of what happens in life when you don't do your R and D to stay a marketable company. What the Italians do they do it well, and if not for MONEY, I assure you did not NEED or WANT the German based company BMW to bail them out. It is sad. I saw this writing on the wall many many years ago............................ But for now yes. Parts are good and I do enjoy my Husky umbrella. And I guess a messed up marrige for Husky is better then the demise of a brand that goes way back.

 

[ray_ray]

BMW/Husky has taken a really smart approach -- take what is there and make cost effective improvements to bridge the gap until ALL bikes in the range are exactly what BMW/Husky would produce if they had started from scratch. What I am driving at is if BMW/Husky could map out a product line from scratch and be building the exact bikes they wanted to build, I believe [just my opinion] the only bike they would want to build is the 650. Everything else is a placeholder.

I see evidence of this happening -- Look at the photos of the new 4-stroke engine posted awhile back. Rumors are its the new x-lite 450 [may even be a 250 or 350 as well]. Look at all of the secret press about the FI or DI 2-stroke and all the mags saying they have heard about it [but have yet to see it]. Additionally, there have been a couple of press reports from BMW/Husky execs which said they are moving to new all new models which will be the best in class. In the end, I think BMW/Husky will gradually replace all of these existing models with something conceived from the ground up -- this I am excited to see. I think the 650 is just the first example. Reports are a bit early, but that bike promises to be the bomb for its intended use.

This is sort of the head of the spear ... So far, its obvious of the bmw influence on the bikes ... The new models have been good and swayed heavily on the bmw side at the core ... Almost bmw design and ITL styling ...

Breaking out a new 4t 250 \ 310 \ 450 with too heavy a GR hand and it can be a disaster and it will be an obvious visual disaster in obvious bmw fashion. Myself, I don't think the current 4T dirt bikes have played out yet ... Including the 449/511 bike but actual sales numbers may say something different ... This heavy hand is what has always been a worry ... All GR has to do is let Husky have the heavy hand here on these bikes and maybe we get a better dirt bike ...

They almost need that new 2T machine to test out some new styling for what might be the 4T machines also ... Can a 2T engine live in a 4T frame so that only 1 frame is needed between the different engines?

 

[Tinken]

As we have seen, the new technological improvements have been of German origin as seen in the form of the 449 and the TRs. Even the new red heads on the 250/310s are engineered from German tech. If the rumors be true, the engineers who have left Husqvarna have been slowly replaced with German descents. So I beg the question; Is the future of Husqvarna a German or Italian one?

 

[rancher1]

This is sort of the head of the spear ... So far, its obvious of the bmw influence on the bikes ... The new models have been good and swayed heavily on the bmw side at the core ... Almost bmw design and ITL styling ...

Breaking out a new 4t 250 \ 310 \ 450 with too heavy a GR hand and it can be a disaster and it will be an obvious visual disaster in obvious bmw fashion. Myself, I don't think the current 4T dirt bikes have played out yet ... Including the 449/511 bike but actual sales numbers may say something different ... This heavy hand is what has always been a worry ... All GR has to do is let Husky have the heavy hand here on these bikes and maybe we get a better dirt bike ...

They almost need that new 2T machine to test out some new styling for what might be the 4T machines also ... Can a 2T engine live in a 4T frame so that only 1 frame is needed between the different engines?

I can help on yor frame answers. The old 2004-2007 250/450/510 chasis was based on the WR/CR 250 chasis, thay is why so many of the parts were interchangable.
Another example is the new X-Lite 250/310 chasis is based on the 2009 new 125 Chasis, once again there are common parts. The short answer is yes with some tweaking of mounts. That is why the lack of an updated WR 250/300 chasis is such a dissappointment, the template is already there. The newer 2008-2010 250/310/450/510 chasis is both lighter and proven to handle much better. The 6 speed transmission also already exists. I believe this is the number one frustration with husky, they already have a strong reliably engine in the WR 250/300 it really just needed a little updating to grab a LOT more sales.

 

[fletchman45]

As we have seen, the new technological improvements have been of German origin as seen in the form of the 449 and the TRs. Even the new red heads on the 250/310s are engineered from German tech. If the rumors be true, the engineers who have left Husqvarna have been slowly replaced with German descents. So I beg the question; Is the future of Husqvarna a German or Italian one?

That is one great question********************************************************************************!! In a recent magizine with the Husky 125 pitted against other bikes they had the flag of the brand on the cover and if my mind serves me correctly the HUSKY HAD A GERMAN FLAG************************************************************************************************************************!! THAT MY FRIENDS IS SAD************************************************************************************************************************!!! So now they started out Sweedish and then Cagiva needed a different name. A Husky to me is Italion NOT GERMAN. And if BMW is smart they will let the Italions do what they do best create good stuff! The Germans can handle the other stuff..........Like good PR and that sort............The stuff that got the Italians in trouble in the first place,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[JonXX]

While I'd prefer that Husqvarna be more Swedish than anything else, that ship has sailed long ago.

I'd much rather see Husky come under more German influence than Italian.

The Germans (like the Swedes) make things that LAST. The Italians make things pretty, but don't generally last very long or work very well.

So currently we have Italian style with more and more German tech moving in. I can't see how this is a bad thing at all.

Add to that the intangible benefits of BMW's infrastructure, and it's a win in the long run.

I just wish they'd listen and BRING ME MY NUDA-R.

 

[ray_ray]

While I'd prefer that Husqvarna be more Swedish than anything else, that ship has sailed long ago.

I'd much rather see Husky come under more German influence than Italian.

The Germans (like the Swedes) make things that LAST. The Italians make things pretty, but don't generally last very long or work very well.

So currently we have Italian style with more and more German tech moving in. I can't see how this is a bad thing at all.

Add to that the intangible benefits of BMW's infrastructure, and it's a win in the long run.

I just wish they'd listen and BRING ME MY NUDA-R.

Yep, sounds great and currently working out OK with the new streeter bikes bike to-date ...

Then there is the reality of the what all the GR tech is as shown in the pic ... You change the current dirt bikes to anything along that GR styling side and you might just have kissed the base of the Husky dirt riders off ... IE .. just mount the front fender in the usual way, OK ...

Maybe you start a new base (for the long term) of younger riders or whatever with a radical change to the bikes, but many of us older riders want ~zero GRs screwing around too much with the dirt bikes design.



---

There might be some light lines drawn in the sands here ... Husky dirt riders on one side and Husky street bike riders on the other side ;0) ... Make no mistake ... I'm for Husky but dirt bikes first.

 

[JonXX]

You want dirt bikes first, and that's fine. I (and many others) want Husqvarna to get back into road race bikes. Now there's a way to do that.

Yes, I said "back into" road racing.

I hope that ultimately Husqvarna will be positioned to offer a full lineup both on and off road.

 

[ray_ray]

You want dirt bikes first, and that's fine. I (and many others) want Husqvarna to get back into road race bikes. Now there's a way to do that.

Yes, I said "back into" road racing.

I hope that ultimately Husqvarna will be positioned to offer a full lineup both on and off road.

Sounds great and bmw can make this all a reality ... bmw can even bring back SM racing if they want to win a few more World Championships...

BTW ...what is a road race bike exactly?

 

[Coffee]

I think the point to this discussion / Poll is to ascertain the general "How is the brand doing under BMW?", trying to get feedback from the Cafe Husky people in that regard.

Having actually ridden a TR650 Terra for hours, I can indeed attest to having perma-grin.

 

[oregonsage]

Yep, Terra is nice, 449/511 works great, the organization appears to be stronger in the US. I skipped the Italian years.....and dont miss them :-)

 

[Suamico SD]

From a parts availability standpoint BMW knocked the skin of the ball. I'm still waiting on a dealer within 400 miles of me.

 

[LandofMotards]

From a parts availability standpoint BMW knocked the skin of the ball. I'm still waiting on a dealer within 400 miles of me.

Is that bmw's fault or yours for living in Wisconsin lol. I'm really just kidding

 

[Suamico SD]

Mine for living in the land of high taxes and no land access. Thank God for our friends in the UP of Michigan!

 

[fletchman45]

While I'd prefer that Husqvarna be more Swedish than anything else, that ship has sailed long ago.

I'd much rather see Husky come under more German influence than Italian.

The Germans (like the Swedes) make things that LAST. The Italians make things pretty, but don't generally last very long or work very well.

So currently we have Italian style with more and more German tech moving in. I can't see how this is a bad thing at all.

Add to that the intangible benefits of BMW's infrastructure, and it's a win in the long run.

I just wish they'd listen and BRING ME MY NUDA-R.

Ouch............ The Cagiva bikes were good machines and Iv'e had several WMX 125-250's When I think of BMW bikes I'm not kidding I just get sick and bored. The Italion Husky's are Pretty AND IT IS PROVEN THEY DO LAST******************************************************************************** Besides the need for money by Husky there was certainly no need for mech help... And the Italions put there own stuff together not outsourced to the Chinese. Case closed.

 

[Coffee]

...Case closed.

Not at all, these types of discussions will continue for a long time.

 

[lankydoug]

I'm on the fence and will be for a while. My 09 WR250 is as good as an 2012 simply because it's basically the same bike. I bought it for the dependability and the tall man ergos. I'd like to see a DI 2t but if they redesign it and make it like a GasGas mini bike then I'm out, no matter how trick it is it still feels/rides like a pit bike to me. Much of what others complain about in the 2ts is what I like about them and I don't like any current 2t made by anyone else better than my WR. The YZ 2ts are probably the closest next best for me. I really can't comment on the 4ts since I have zero interest in them. It's wait and see for me... Heads I buy a DI 2t Husky, tails I keep my 09 WR for a long long time and then see what else is out there.

 

[ray_ray]

Not at all, these types of discussions will continue for a long time.

Right ... And what might get lost all in the current ~streeter hupla, is that Husqvarna has been a dirt bike company pretty much for the last 40 yrs ... 1 yr of making streeters bikes does not change that or change the Husky crowd that exists now waiting to see what happens with the dirt models.

 

[ray_ray]

I really can't comment on the 4ts since I have zero interest in them. .

Right on about all of your other Husky comments and I'll just add the 4T are baddd a$$ also ... Very cool riding dirt bikes.

In the case of my 010 TC250, gnarly almost describes the bike in the woods riding .... These bikes on the trail are just waiting for some event in the trail so they can just ..just gobble it up in some cool way ...