A really good review of the new TC449

[jaro51]

Local dealer is in Cochrane just outside of Calgary.

 

[JimO]

Jaro51,
I can see you are one who can be easily influenced by an article or test that you read. I,m not saying there is anything wrong with that because we all can be swayed one way or another on a good or a poor report. As I see it you can save a little $ and buy that Yam, but you can spend a little more get a far better product in a Husky that has been produced in the factory with a little more love than the Yam was, have ten people coming up to you in the pits at a race and asking you questions about your new mount, or be another boring Japanese bike owner where every tom, dick and harry already knows how the Yam handles and what kind of exhaust the blue machine has.

We could all jump on a motorcycle of any brand and find some great things about it. I must say they are ALL that good. But I have a thing for craftsmanship. For example, have you ever looked at a stock Ducati or a Bimota? Then look at stock Honda or a Yamaha of the same class of bike. Wow, I'd pay a little more $ and go for that Italian thinking and craftsmanship anyday. There you go, just my 2 cents on Husky vs others.

I think Husky could have a good marketing slogan as "just a little different". Cuz we all know we are just that.

 

[Motosportz]

I think Husky could have a good marketing slogan as "just a little different". Cuz we all know we are just that.

All my KTM riding buddies already call me a little different The ATK's add fuel to that fire.

 

[jaro51]

Jaro51,
I can see you are one who can be easily influenced by an article or test that you read. I,m not saying there is anything wrong with that because we all can be swayed one way or another on a good or a poor report. As I see it you can save a little $ and buy that Yam, but you can spend a little more get a far better product in a Husky that has been produced in the factory with a little more love than the Yam was, have ten people coming up to you in the pits at a race and asking you questions about your new mount, or be another boring Japanese bike owner where every tom, dick and harry already knows how the Yam handles and what kind of exhaust the blue machine has.

We could all jump on a motorcycle of any brand and find some great things about it. I must say they are ALL that good. But I have a thing for craftsmanship. For example, have you ever looked at a stock Ducati or a Bimota? Then look at stock Honda or a Yamaha of the same class of bike. Wow, I'd pay a little more $ and go for that Italian thinking and craftsmanship anyday. There you go, just my 2 cents on Husky vs others.

I think Husky could have a good marketing slogan as "just a little different". Cuz we all know we are just that.

Bought the Yamaha.

Saved better part of $2k and got a proven bike. I wanted the Husky bad and will likely get one of these new TC449's in the future but for my needs this year, the YZ is the best fit. You make some very good points about uniqueness and quality components. Akro Ti pipe from the factory is mint to say the least! However, the Husky has been lacking in the build quality department in years past (I own 2 right now BTW), and the Japanese are masters of this.

I love my Husky's and I'm sure I'll love the Yam. For me a bike is a means to end. I have no loyalty to a brand and I prefer to have the best tool for the job. I ride MX 1-2 days a week and the Canadian "factory supported" Yamaha team is across the street from the track and I know some people there so I have an incredibly deep resource for set up, tuning and endless supply of parts at my disposal.

My husky dealer is 1,500 miles away... I'm generally the only rider at the track on a Husky so yeah, it's great from the unique standpoint, but getting help to set the bike up to perform to it's capability is very difficult. If your goal is to drop your lap times and win races, unique doesn't help, it hinders. Bummer but it's the reality.

Here's to hoping I get to run some laps with Marty "The Party" this year. He'll be on a new TC449 from the sounds of it so that will be a good indicator of whether or not the YZ will make me a faster rider than my old TC250. If I can keep up with him on the MX track this year, the YZ will clearly have improved my times by 2-3 sec a lap.

 

[rc51owner]

...

My husky dealer is 1,500 miles away...

...

If you are in Calgary then your nearest Husky dealer is now only 40 kilometers - there is one in Cochrane. They opened up as Husky dealer this April.

Regards,

M

 

[raisrx251]

Rumors had it that the Italian workers threw the prototypes in the Lake, that's not Love, that is passion.... Life is short, ride what you want, just ride.

 

[ray_ray]

masters? ... Masters? .. lol ... Like being a slave? Or do U even realize that what ever your masters pump, you eat and say it its great ... Work hard ...maybe even get 3-4 secs 'oof' to pump ur masters up ... ?

Here is some master work ...re-pack No-Toil with the yama-hammer name, but some masters' magic words on the label, and sell it to UR subjects ... I like the way No Toil guys must have played hard-ball with the masters and had them put the 'true' owner's name of the product on the front of the bottle...

 

[glangston]

George was relating a story from years ago when ATK was big. They had a shoot-out and the bikes were weighed and ridden and compared etc. The ATK had a fake tank that held about a pint of gas and only had 1st gear in the tranny..... This was the bike that was weighed, they had another for riding in the test. George offered the ATK guy $5k for the stocker the guy claimed it to be and he refused, saying "no, this bike is all beat up and used"....Still, the Husky turned out to be the only bike that could climb a hill the riders tried and they were pretty high on it in the long run, even the riders that were actually "factory" guys.

With this Husky center in Corona, George is hoping the test bikes will be better prepared and not so "stock" that they suffer in comparison.

 

[Coffee]

Rumors had it that the Italian workers threw the prototypes in the Lake..

That is something someone made up, or if you or anyone else has information to the contrary, please send it my way.

 

[ray_ray]

If you do have inside information on this felony(?), do the right thing, bring it to the attention of the proper authorities (Coffee 4 1 ) or even turn URself in .... You will feel good about it later ;0)

 

[dirtaddict23]

 

[Klas]

Hello Guys

I had a wonderful day with a TE449 in the snow . TE 449 setting a new standard when it comes to traction. And chassie. The engine have fantastic torque.

Klas

 

[boisedave]

Hello Guys

I had a wonderful day with a TE449 in the snow . TE 449 setting a new standard when it comes to traction. And chassie. The engine have fantastic torque.

Klas

Great news -- Can't wait for the news to start trickling in.

 

[Motosportz]

Great news -- Can't wait for the news to start trickling in.

I can't wait for the 449 to trickle into my garage!!! WTF, get me one already geeeeez. hey Husky, us customers in the USA might like a new bike too please. Fark man, what gives with this not getting bikes!!!

 

[ray_ray]

This is not good, but U gonna wonder what is the hold up in production? Not enough labor? Not enough parts? Are there thousands and thousands being sold in EU? Is someone on strike? Are the parts being hand made?

 

[wallybean]

My impression is that the US will always be the last to get these bikes. I think apples to apples we pay less than anyone else. I also imagine getting them released once they do get into port here is probably lengthy. The US isn't the be all and end all of markets anymore. We are a mere 5 trillion in debt from being what we used to be.

 

[ray_ray]

Yep....maybe it is a PIA to import bikes here ... Don't really see why it should be a pain because we don't really make bikes here and if none are imported, we don't ride ... unless someone (GOV) is just an ahole(?) (totally possible) tying up the bikes ... bmw has been going this quite a while and U would expect them to know the process ... don't know what you guys put down on these bikes, but when money hits the table ... I'd expect results in a timely manner...

These are EU bikes and EU 'country-to-country' is really no different than usa state-to-state so it is probably much easier shipping over there ... they might even like bike riders over there ...

I'd like to see the number of bikes sold to each country to date and over a period of ~years ....

 

[ioneater]

I bet it is a combo of everything you mentioned, Ray. Frustrating for folks who have put down money but still typical of the Husky brand it would appear.

 

[brock]

How do the AUS and GB mags pay the bills?

Expensive ad space!