husky bmw hybrid

[Husky Relic]

OK done playing around for the night...

Very Nice Kelly! It's amazing what a little red color does for the heart rate!

 

[robertaccio]

Alright...the red-head is back!

La nuova testarossa!!! #23 Alex Salvini.

 

[Joe Chod]

So is that the fuel tank behind the engine? How do you upgrade that? Or can you? (hopefully I didn't skip the page where this was discussed in my frenzy to look at pictures. )

Looks like 2 fuel tanks to me. A main where old airbox/rear splash guard was and another behind cylinder that probly has pump in it or connected to it. Looks like a fuel like connectin along left side and just over lower sub fram where it connects to frame (IMO should run "inside" of it) My guess is ravity feed to pump tank. This will allow flexibility on tank size upgrades as "all roads lead to Rome" for fuel

1 step at a time everyone. I mean this is looming and everyone alse is screaming for more. Reminds me of one time when I served Dom Perrignon and my brother in law said "Tasty but it could be colder..." My response was a quick punch to his chest.

Joe

 

[Husky Relic]

Looks like 2 fuel tanks to me. A main where old airbox/rear splash guard was and another behind cylinder that probly has pump in it or connected to it. Looks like a fuel like connectin along left side and just over lower sub fram where it connects to frame (IMO should run "inside" of it) My guess is ravity feed to pump tank. This will allow flexibility on tank size upgrades as "all roads lead to Rome" for fuel

1 step at a time everyone. I mean this is looming and everyone alse is screaming for more. Reminds me of one time when I served Dom Perrignon and my brother in law said "Tasty but it could be colder..." My response was a quick punch to his chest.

Joe

Correct Joe, you win a cookie!

 

[ajaxauto]

There is a thread now started by a non Husky rider over at the District 37 web sight
This new Husky is sure getting alot of people looking at Husky again All this is due to some spy photo just wait till the real thing shows up

 

[Dirty Bikes]

I must say I am impressed with Scot for taking the time and energy to answer questions. People speak their minds on forums and sometimes it is not what you want to hear.

I think answering the tough/negative posts are more important than the posts with butt kissing and

So good on you Scot, I am very impressed.

I guess this has become a butt kissing post

 

[husk husk]

Lewis here is a quick history lesson. I devleoped the mini m/c for KTM back in 1995-2000. I (along with Rod Bush) commisioned the first order of mini 50s from LEM motorcycles of Italy badged under the KTM name. I worked with the engineers to develop the first in house KTM 50 and later 65. I created and launcehd the KTM JR Supercross Challenge which ran for over a decade as the intermission program at the U.S. SX races. I was responsible for all amateur mini racing for KTM in the U.S from 95 -2000.

What I am saying is that you are preaching to the guy that started the whole movement for KTM.

Having said that I can tell you the mini market is much different now especially in the U.S. Unless the CPSC reverses their current ruling it will still be illegal to sell minis to kids under 12 due to the lead content. Cheap Chinese knock-offs have gutted the market here and taken most of the profitability out of the business.

Going forward with minis will be a challenge but your observation is one that I basically still agree with. From what I know Husqvarna will be selling minis in Europe and other markjets besides the U.S. soon. It should help to create the type of grassroots movement towards our brand you suggest.

The U.S. is a completely different story. We will have to wait and see how things develop here before moving forward.

Scot,

I totally forgot about that new rule!

It goes to show how different things are in the US compared to here.

As already said, the bike is getting lots of publicity on various sites and forums. As you know, any publicity is good! Looking forward to the bike coming out!

Lewis

 

[Slowpoke]

Here's a question that I haven't seen posted:

Is Husky going to make these bikes quieter than the current crop? the 06-07 bikes were nice and quiet(My 07 250 regularly blows under 90db), then for some reason they got quite a bit louder in 08-09, such that they can't pass sound tests, without a bunch of massaging.(we use 94 db standard, which is still too loud IMO)

In this day and age the manufacturers just simply can't keep pretending that loud bikes are OK. None of our trail rides allow loud bikes and even many of the MX tracks are seriously clamping down, with more getting serious about the issue every day. They need to be aiming for sub 90db at 1/2-2/3rds throttle. It's not hard to do, as Kawi and Yamaha have smartened up and got their KLX/WR bikes nice and quiet.
Any bike can still make world class power without waking the dead. There's really no excuse for loud bikes anymore.

 

[Motosportz]

Here's a question that I haven't seen posted:

Is Husky going to make these bikes quieter than the current crop? the 06-07 bikes were nice and quiet(My 07 250 regularly blows under 90db), then for some reason they got quite a bit louder in 08-09, such that they can't pass sound tests, without a bunch of massaging.(we use 94 db standard, which is still too loud IMO)

In this day and age the manufacturers just simply can't keep pretending that loud bikes are OK. None of our trail rides allow loud bikes and even many of the MX tracks are seriously clamping down, with more getting serious about the issue every day. They need to be aiming for sub 90db at 1/2-2/3rds throttle. It's not hard to do, as Kawi and Yamaha have smartened up and got their KLX/WR bikes nice and quiet.
Any bike can still make world class power without waking the dead. There's really no excuse for loud bikes anymore.

KTM is doing a great job building quiet bikes with power. It can be done.

 

[Husky Relic]

Here's a question that I haven't seen posted:

Is Husky going to make these bikes quieter than the current crop? the 06-07 bikes were nice and quiet(My 07 250 regularly blows under 90db), then for some reason they got quite a bit louder in 08-09, such that they can't pass sound tests, without a bunch of massaging.(we use 94 db standard, which is still too loud IMO)

In this day and age the manufacturers just simply can't keep pretending that loud bikes are OK. None of our trail rides allow loud bikes and even many of the MX tracks are seriously clamping down, with more getting serious about the issue every day. They need to be aiming for sub 90db at 1/2-2/3rds throttle. It's not hard to do, as Kawi and Yamaha have smartened up and got their KLX/WR bikes nice and quiet.
Any bike can still make world class power without waking the dead. There's really no excuse for loud bikes anymore.

We are working on that. I agree with you 1000% that our current bikes are way too loud. This is a major issue we are lkooking into. Thanks for bringing this up.

 

[Coffee]

...Maybe Husky will source the CS sprockets from Dirt Tricks and make the whole issue mostly moot.???

The concept of having the absolute most bullet proof & highest quality CS on from the factory is a fantastic idea, although I'm not sure what brand that would be. Having other CS's available when the bike debuts is also fantastic, possibly working with other suppliers before hand.

...Cheap Chinese knock-offs have gutted the market here and taken most of the profitability out of the business.

Are the cheap knockoffs really being raced by the kids at races? (sorry, I really don't know the status)

1 step at a time everyone. I mean this is looming and everyone alse is screaming for more. Reminds me of one time when I served Dom Perrignon and my brother in law said "Tasty but it could be colder..." My response was a quick punch to his chest.

Joe

Yeah, no kidding!

In addition, I do hope the more radical concepts this bike has are slow to be implemented throughout the rest of the product line. Even if those concepts prove to be absolute perfection, there will be many that do not new concepts.

Although the estart on my car has been working flawlessly, I still worry about it for instance.

 

[Husky Relic]

Scot,

I totally forgot about that new rule!

It goes to show how different things are in the US compared to here.

As already said, the bike is getting lots of publicity on various sites and forums. As you know, any publicity is good! Looking forward to the bike coming out!

Lewis

Just goes to show that with rules like the CPSC finding that we are actually becoming more socialist than our friends in Europe. I shudder to think what will happen down the road.

 

[boisedave]

As a bit of an outsider [I'm a two-stroke guy to be sure], I look at this new Husky and read the comments and am a little surprised by the skeptacism. It seems for the last year folks have been anxiously waiting for the BMW influence to show up -- albeit with bated breath. Now the bike is here -- its every bit [if not more] innovative and folks are now seemingly a bit disappointed because its not simply a scaled down 450 [like the new 250 - which I rode and think is brilliant]. Sort of reminds me of my dad telling me -- "Be careful what you wish for....."

I think the new engine configuration on the Husaberg is much more "radical" than the countershaft pivot and the crank mounted clutch on this bike. I think that if we take a look at the recently written history about the Husaberg -- you'll find a model for what Husky is trying to do here, just in a bit different way. Most Husaberg guys I know love the new bike -- some don't. Some guys who never bought a Husaberg -- will never buy this one. Other guys are attracted to it. In the end -- I think most people would agree the new Husaberg is nearly "mainstream" now [only a year later] and the focus has turned to how is the bike to ride.

It all comes down to one thing -- Scot mentioned it -- what's it like to ride? There are guys who buy 4-strokes with the valves and cams and shims [etc.] and then complain that it'll take an hour to change the countershaft sprocket [or whatever]. Seriously? If this bikes holds the promis of reduced lap times, better test times, more fun, and allowing you to beat your friends, I'm willing to bet most of us would take a shower with the air cleaner if that is what is required [although with this new bike you wouldn't have to do it as often]. I will be chuckling to myself in a year when the tests are out how many folks are saying what a great bike this is and wondering why there aren't more of them.

Kudos to Scot. Not easy facing the music. This is why I'll buy a Husky next time round.

 

[jlk_250]

I'm kind of an outsider too, despite being a Husky owner (but only because of the SMR.) At best I'm neutral on the brand and definitely don't steer people towards Husky other than for the SMR450/510 (which is fairly unique in the US marketplace) or if they want a licence plate or a 125. And you know what? If Husqvarna is going to grow, they need to attact buyers like me who are not already fans. And KTM owners who are pissed off at KTM for reasons like high prices and arrogant attitude. And it'd be nice for Husqvarna to tap the US amateur MX market.

This new bike so far looks like it would make me more likely to buy a Husqvarna TE/TC/TXC. I like the looks, I like the features, and I am not scared off by the BMW 2009 G450X reputation. Change is sometimes good and sometimes bad, but remaining static in an evolving market is always bad. This new bike is a very bold step and I look forward to race results soon and early magazine ride reports when they come out. If the reports are favorable, this could be (will be, I think) a breakout for Husqvarna.

I still think a 350cc 4 stroke is a better fit for more regular off-road riders than either 250cc or 450cc 4 strokes. Also I think the bigger issues with Husqvarna bikes at present have to do with the lack of good press, lack of technical support information, and lack of competent dealers rather than outdated bike designs.

(BTW, I have a GasGas EC300 and am not just a supermoto guy.)

 

[DC950]

...

I still think a 350cc 4 stroke is a better fit for more regular off-road riders than either 250cc or 450cc 4 strokes...

I have to agree with this. I know it's probably going to happen down the road, but a 250/350 would be nice. At my level, C, most guys just can't ride a 450 worth a flip in the woods and I'm a much better rider than most trail riders. I call all of the guys resting on the 3rd lap of a hare scrambles with their KTM450s "Members of the KTM450 Leisure Club". The bikes just wear them out. However, being the USA, I imagine everyone wants a 450 whether or not they really should be on a 250.

Finally, having spent $600 last month as a result of drowning my TC in a 4 wheeler mud hole, anything to keep the water out is a great thing.

 

[MOTORHEAD]

I really wanted to stay out of this, but....

I'm rather disappointed, it's just to much of a BMW with a linkage, IMO.

Maybe they've learned a few things since U-haul is starting to get decent results on the BMW, but it makes me skeptical. It's even gone back to the swingarm pivot counter shaft. I always thought that was the way to go, I even tried the ATK anti-torque devise in '81 and built a jack shaft CR125 in '78, but it's never seemed to work out. Just like the rear gas tanks. That weight along with the muffler tends to get the tail waging the dog. But, again, maybe they've figured a few things out over the last couple of years.

for the linkage idea. It's fresh and I like it.

I also liked the styling photo that Norm posted, it looks much better than the totally black version. The styling is growing on me, even though I'm a bit old school in that area, but I'm not sure about a six foot long side panel. Looks expensive to replace or ship and harder to work with.

I know the Husky iron is hot and I'm sure the marketing and board guys want to strike while it's hot, but this is an awful big blow.

We'll just have to see how the results go with the factory EWC guys.

 

[Ruffus]

Except for the front fender, which reminds me of the herniated beak on a flamingo. This bike looks HOT.

If the improvements are even half as good as whats claimed, this bikes going to lead the industry in innovation, ride-ability & performance.

Can't wait to see real world evaluations

 

[johosjokers]

does the bmw engine have duel exhaust like the husky engines?

will the smr version have a split exhaust for noise abatement?

 

[te4kw]

It's been brought up before but it seems to me the gas cap placement would atract alot of dirt and debris making it a risky propostion to remove the gas cap. Is this a legitimate concern or much ado about nothing?

 

[Ruffus]

I'm thinking a mechanic's rag in your back pocket & a fuel filter prior to the pump could take care of almost all your worries