Mid Ohio Husqvarna Gathering/dealer show

[BILLF]

Well guys ,it was a blast.Got to meet some of you .Best selection of old Huskys anyone will ever see.My hats off to the Husqvarna Team and AMA for such a great reprsentation,only thing better would have been all the 2011 models to look at.
The 2011 Te449 was there for us ,cameras forbidden!It looks great from the seat that goes up to the steering stem {zues fastener is in front now} to the gas cap behind the seat.Many neat inovative ideas in this motorcycle includeing the cs sprocket centered in the swingarn pivot.Scott and Ty said it has awesome traction without any chain snatch.Everything from the all new Te310 with a big boost in power delivery to Cr150,Wr250/300 get new ignitions with big horsepower increases,sorry no six speed yet.It was short on details due to time well spent with celebration and promotion of Husqvarna.
Mr Thomas Moser was there Executive vice president from Italy with open ears and his card in just about dealers hand for direct contact in Italy with him anytime and an open invite to tour the factory.Great guy.
Sounds like December for the new stuff?And maybe sooner for some other bikes to be here.More talk about even another dealer gathering at some place warm in January for in depth product update.Just letting you guys know what we know as dealers.
The rest of the 4 strokes all get 2.5 gallon tanks with pump mounted in the bottom for full fuel consumption.The new Te449/511 models look cool but the prototype muffler should quiet down any Boeing 747 ,some of this stuff you already know Im sure.The new hubs were on it and do look really cool.One big long side panel /and tank shroud all in one piece,very smooth.Air cleaner on top ,nice wide ratio transmission .Scott says with std gearing fifth pulls 103 MPH no problem and very smooth!
All the racing of the legends and Gunnar speaking,Dick Burlesson T Boneing one of his buddys after the race on purpose knocking him over not 5 feet from us was funny and taken as that from every one.Even without it being Husqvarnas wekend at Mid Ohio ,its something everyone should do and ill be back one day with alot more of my friends ,a great fun time,sunshine and about every bike you have ever seen or could dream up,not everyday you see a honda Gl1000 Goldwing {a nice one!!}with a TRx 4 wheeler front end on it.And almost everybody had clothes on even in the heat ,thats better than my shop a customer showed to buy fuel line at my shop while I was gone wearing only boxer shorts and tennis shoe ,Im glad I went to mid Ohio what a blast.billf .PICTURES LATER

 

[Coffee]

It was fun

I'll try to separate out the 'news' from the 'get togethers' information, maybe?, I still need to think about it. There was so much happening there will be a few different threads about what I saw.

I've no idea what information is suitable for public at this time. If anyone contacts me I'll let you know.

 

[7point62]

Am looking forward to the tech info, pictures of the new toys, insider gossip and whatnot. Am also keen to see some photos of the faces behind the forum usernames!

 

[fitness2go]

...can't wait for pictures and such!

 

[LawnDartMike]

So who did the top dealers awards go to?

 

[Coffee]

The pictures are being sorted through, and I hope to have several up soon, along with much more information.

I'm having trouble deciding how to organize it, the event was massive and consisted of several parts

• VMD itself
• the bikes on display at the public Husqvarna village
• dealer meeting, awards, and incredible speech Gunner Lindstrom gave
• exhibition race & jersey auction to benefit the ama, not sure how many pics I want to post of old guys with bare chests
• Malcolm's presence as grand marshal
• and a whole lot of other things.

I will split off some things that can stand on their own, but taking a cue from what I wrote regarding the General (Main) forum regarding 'what should go where', "If the topic does not fit the other forums well, this is the forum to use." - I will probably move this to that forum with a re-direct...

 

[Joe Chod]

Had so much fun. Raced 3 classes in the HS on Friday in a deluge of rain. Good stuff and got 3 3rd's. 83 WR430 was easiest to ride in the goop and swill.
Sat and sunday were very active and kid in candystore would not even come close! Bought a "junk" box of old husky products stickers and still sorting but included tank protectors, visor, shrouds, tanks, hard plastic 84 and up "H's" and all sorts...still sorting through it.
Great to put faces to names and also see some old friends.
Am staying away from any gossip..in fact refused to even check out the new stuff...although asked if i would care too. Scot was busy and contributed greatly to a fine event and Mr. Brady, although very busy also took some time to chat with a regular "Husky Joe". That was a good feeling....not knocking but doubt I would see that from japan or austria. Rob Keith was working the display tent like nobodys business. I swear I even saw several guys with orange shirts considering picking up an 11 model! Hats off to him and his tireless effort while working the floor (which also meant he missed many of the hallmark events at mid ohio...selfless service at its best!)
All the team guys were there and represented well.
All good stuff coming is all I know but am still for the life of me trying to figure out "Courage not Included" ad campaign. I would think something like "Restoring the Glory" or "Taking Back the Offroad" would state the mission intent.......but hey...what the hell do I know over some marketing guy who probably doesn't ride anyhow?

All good and will try to post up some pics tonight.
Final Kudos to Dean for making the arduous journey from the left coast to represent the forum. Sorry I was so busy with racing and post race recovery to spend more time but so much to see...wish I had a clone...or even just a golf cart to not have to walk from the pits on the other side of the property!
Joe

 

[Coffee]

...Final Kudos to Dean for making the arduous journey from the left coast to represent the forum.

Gunner Linstom, Ben Van Erp, you, and especially your close friend were the highlights of my trip.

 

[Motosportz]

Great stuff. heard good things too.

 

[Joe Chod]

Great stuff. heard good thing too.

met Motosportz Mike. Is he also your "collection agent" for unpaid bills? Cool dude.

 

[Motosportz]

met Motosportz Mike. Is he also your "collection agent" for unpaid bills? Cool dude.

Yes, not a small man but very cool.

 

[Coffee]

Lets start with the exhibition race

I tried my best to get the names straight, but am probably incorrect in a few instances. For instance Ty could have been using someone elses jersey.

There were famous people

Pre-practice

Introducing some people that were to ride:

Ty

Malcolm

And the AMA officials were excited and ready

 

[Coffee]

Getting ready for the parade lap, Gruffunder & Kearney discuss tactics

Glenn Kearney gets a bit off balance, may not be used to these types of bikes

But he quickly figures the bike out and does a wheelie

Scot leading a pack, Nick Burson just behind him

In front is Malcolm

Malcolm came across the line first, followed by Scot and Wescott on the other bike

Ron Ribolzi

Kearney

I wish I knew who these were...

Nick Burson

Gunner Linstrom, incredible person, but he had no gear

 

[Coffee]

This is also in practice, I think. Scot leads Kearney in the corner.

I certainly hope Scot doesn't mind that Glenn passed him

Graffunder

Terry Cunningham is quick and hard to photograph

You looking at me?

Burlesun

A spectator

Terry Cunningham, and everyone else, was having a lot of fun

I really like this picture!

Kearney

Gruffunder

Scot looking great.

Next up, the actual race

 

[Motosportz]

very cool. Wheres the triples?

 

[Coffee]

Here is the actual race...

Ready to go...

Gunner leading them around the course

Gunner pulls off and the race is on! (Kearney)

Terry Cunningham

These 2 seem to be taking the exhibition race seriously

4 wide in the straight away

Westcott in the front

"Leaping into orbit" (reference to one of the On Any Sunday films)

A bike had an issue...

Next up, the finish...

 

[Coffee]

 

[Coffee]

After the race... fundraiser for the AMA.

Signing helmets and auctioning them off.

His bid got the helmet.

Then someone got the idea to auction off the riders jerseys.

(complete with old school digital effects, courtesy of a marginally operating camera)

Even a duffel bag someone had won April 25th, 1982 in Europe (Spain?)

And Scot donated his too.

The fan was collecting signatures for a good cause.

These faces may look familiar

Everyone had a GREAT time!






I believe that is all I have regarding the exhibition race, although they seem like a lot of pics, I deleted 90% of what was taken.

Now to sort through all the other pics....

 

[Coffee]

...taking a cue from what I wrote regarding the General (Main) forum regarding 'what should go where', "If the topic does not fit the other forums well, this is the forum to use." - I will probably move this to that forum with a re-direct...

I'll just move this to the General forum...

 

[Coffee]

Ok, I made some changes in the thread to better reflect reality, thanks for everyones input