Brittle plastics on newer bikes, why ?

I found almost the exact same words coming out of my mouth the other day while talking to a KTM riding buddy.

I tried to keep up on the interviews and I missed him promising not to shut down the factory.
From what I understand about "Italian labor relations," I wasn't surprised when it happened though, IE the "Huskys sent to sleep with the fishes".
Let's not loose sight of the fact that after all a tough world market.
Having said that I still hold out hope there will be parts availability because there is money to be made and SP is smart enough to realize that screwing over a segment of the MC market isn't a good idea. IMO removing competition and the resulting bad press could alienate more than just the Husky crowd and have long lasting effects.
My fingers are crossed.

I'm sure the plastics on my 449 are all made by Polisport. Found their little stickers here and there.

Yes, and there must be some kind of licencing deal there as Polisport don't sell them after market.........yet.

Some of the reason I'm not interested in the white KTMs myself.....

Each to their own Moto

(French blue coming soon to QMP!)

Yeah, and I'll be away in SA on site at work !

One time when mining jobs suck big ones!!!

Bummer.
Hopefully I'll get there for a crack on the 300 4t, 300 & 250 2t

I've seen online that there's a 450 too for next year!!

They'd be better than the shit fitted to 13/14 te250/310r then.

Here's what I did today.
YZ guard, needs to go back 20mm but it is a retro fit, went on easily with some predrilled holes.
Some stickers will see it ok.
Thicker and better plastic than the OEM husky crapola.

Just can't get on with ktm, tried an 07 250excf, bog off idle, revved well, gutless though, sold it.
Bought a 13 300exc, hated it.

Bought a 14 te250r, apart,from plastics, absolutely love it.best bike I've had,in years and I am a massive Yamaha dude, so that's saying something.

I think they're polisport on the 250/310r too.

YZ front guard match the Husky rear nicely

Ya I put a ktm front fender on I think it looks like an updated husky fender with the black triangle middle. Front to mounting holes lined up and just drilled 2 new holes for the rear mounting holes, and bonus the trailtech headlight mounts right up to the ktm fender

Dealer wanted $20 for a sticker, none in the country though, all imported wtf ?

Never got a chance to check, exploded into lots of bits, too many for me to pick up and take home , like a bush jigsaw,!

How come your sticker was so cheap????
The one on the 449 was listed at $45 The frigging guard was only$52!
I ended up going to a Husky mower dealer & got a brushed alloy badge for $25. Stuck it the the front race plate & then used the backing to make a new sticker out of vinyl for the guard
BTW, on 449, guard comes with a sticker (doesn't show on parts list that way)