They really don't make em like that anymore.... I have never bought anything directly from him, though my bikes all have some of his stuff that I got from Bill's. The point I would like to make is that though I've never met him, he has returned my calls even though I didn't leave a message to see what I wanted. Like he says on his announcement: "your call is important to me". Great Guy
I always buy my Husqvarnas and parts from Motoforza. They are very street bike oriented with Ducati, but I feel that they have always treated me quite fairly. They are also sponsors and participants in our SDAR Annual Desert Dash, so I thank them for that too.
..reminds me of KTM's early revival ...I knew of a few shops that seemingly "dropped" KTM for another brand or just stopped selling new bikes...a thinning of the herd for higher number sales count. I ,for one, am disheartened at this recent event of George no longer being with Husky...best of luck to you,George,in whatever indeavor you embark on.
I know George was approached about the Zero as one former Husky exec was involved. Also looked at the Triumph briefly and has demo'd and discussed the BETA. I've been out of town for a couple of weeks and not stopped by his shop, but this next week for sure.
David Knight, Scott Summers, Ty Davis, Scott Hardin, and now George Earl--? Um yeah thats probably not a good way to manage a brand. Pissing off the leaders of the industry? Umm, yeah. No. re badging BMW bikes and calling them Husky and making them in China? Ummm yeah. Probably not a good idea. Umm yeah. No. Um changing management ever other year, dropping the ball on parts and homogenization and Cali air resources board, etc etc etc. Um yeah thats not how ya run a business. Its over. BMW/Husky failed in the USA. Failed horribly. What is now being said behind the scenes about Husky is shocking. Absolutely shocking. BMW/Husky has Zero chance of succeeding now. Zero. The momentum against Husky in 'the industry' is now nothing less than shocking. BMW will sell the Husky brand within 3 years. To Kymco.
Race teams come and go for all brands. Bills is having a banner year as they did last year and seem pretty happy with the way BMW is doing biz. More progressive dealers are going to do better in this new economy. Maybe I don't have the insider info you do but don't see it all as doom and gloom. The USA has always been a second thought for husky, or at least for quite some time. Bring the Nuda, new TE650, new 2stokes (2014/2015) and the X-light 450 and keep working on it. Love my POS Kymco TE511. We will see. KTM builds a ton of bikes in India and India owns a good percentage of them and they are still thriving and bringing out new stuff faster than everyone. It is a global world now so these alliances you pretty much MUST do our you price yourself out of existence. Anyone want to pay 2K more for the same bikes? I see by far more huskys on the trail and races then I ever have and more mag coverage than since the 60's glory days. IMHO
I agree 100%, I just installed a Uptite skid plate on my 449 today, it is a well planned (Great protection) and is expertly made by a real craftsman, I hope George will continue to make after market parts for the Husky's.
You know I don't always agree with you Mike but I think you hit the nail on the head. I do believe if they build some up to date 2 strokes they may have a shot a selling some bikes. As for the Nuda and Te650 they both fail in my opinion and I don't think they will sell in North America but who knows.
Yup George CHOSE to leave...he didnt have to go...he wasnt forced out...Husky's going no where but up. Its always been a great bike...today it's a awesome bike and the future has never looked brighter!
The TE650 is not on my list of bikes but from a sales standpoint I believe if they bring it on at DR650 prices like they said it will outsell the 610/630 EZ. Again, not arguing for the bike just the demographic and price point might work very well.
2010 a WEC world championship after many dry years!, 2011 2 more WEC world championships!. CH Racing has 6 riders in the WEC this year 2 each E1,E2,EJ. Ricci Racing MXGP is really gathering momentum and Lupino is at the tip of the spear in the Italian International MX series ( a precurser testing ground for MXGPs) pulling hole shots against the other brands and they have a 3 hungry young riders team this year. CH is making/ pushing pre WEC podiums in Spain and UK, also pre WEC testing and warm ups. The other models withstanding with some rally exceptions, Husky and the X-Lite platform is definitely podium ready in their respective classes. Oh yea the 125cc platform is also killing it in EMX125 and other EU 125cc 2stroke series competition. We and our Baja and Nat H&H centric views are not the center of the world. FAR is/will be kickin it strong this year with GNCC and Nat Enduros to come (again with the more developed/evolved/conventional X-lite package). Doom and gloom, an internet favorite subject. Lets get out and ride!!! got to ride em where and how they were engineered to ride em, TE310(TXC/250) in Baja or Nat H&H no friggan way, enduro/XC absolutely. With some wacky ajax exceptions on his CR125 in the dez!!
I could be wrong, but every time I read this, I think I hear an axe grinding in the back of my head...
Those should be good for him. Real good bikes. They seem better for tight stuff. Wish him the best with that.
Listed as a Dealer for Beta: George Erl, Uptite in Santa Ana. I don't think he liked the direction or the new reps. I like his shop, only the smartest people have a mess and know where everything is. To each his own! I know when George is set on something he heads strait for it. That means that as he has taken Husky thus far, Beta will now be taken the same way. A good little pop shop has taken on a family owned company. What more could you ask for. I will ride my Husky fleet into the dirt and then in the end, I might get a Beta. Don't think I can go wrong with George at the wheel.
got to ride em where and how they were engineered to ride em, TE310(TXC/250) in Baja or Nat H&H no friggan way, enduro/XC absolutely. With some wacky ajax exceptions on his CR125 in the dez!![/quote] ......................................................................................... No more 125 it is Wally time now The 125 is now a 165 Every one better watch out 165s are going to rule the world.The bike now looks like a 250 with the new FMF KTM 200 pipe on it PLUS it sounds like a 250 It is funnny when you start it as now the sound of the 125 is gone Words can not discribe how much different it is.HUSKY needs to do a magazine test on the Walt Smith 165 Weight is only 202 pounds and it will eat a 250 f no problem with power to spare and money left in the bank
Been trying to get someone from the mags interested in testing it. So far not real responses. Yep, it ain't no 125 any more, thats for sure.
As for huskys future might want to read this about KTM, interesting they turned their program around with bikes you would not suspect like the Duke 125. http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120313#pg21 Unfortunately it is not the bikes / market we here are passionate about that makes these companies money. things like this do... http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120313#pg29
