Slightly off topic - '14 Huskys 2T electric start!

[tooclose racing]

Wow. Better late than never for these guys.  And more selectionf for us.  Will be interesting to see if the CR 250/300 2T also go electric.  Love the White Lightning colors!!

http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=8D99F8CFBEE440C9B8A0E4F2C95DC463

[tooclose racing]

Wait  - are these just re-badged KTMs? Clearly using Katoom parts (I forgot that the KTM owner bought this outfit) based on this article, but frames and engines too?  Hmmmmm....

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/2014-husqvarna-preview/

And..doesn't this mean "bye-bye" to Husaberg?  

Enquiring minds wanna know!

[G Ellis]

Yes Bob Ktm with Husky colors and Grafics......

[Gordon Brennan]

Graphics look more like Husabergs to me.

[wfopete]

And..doesn't this mean "bye-bye" to Husaberg?

Good question!

I went to an OMA race this summer shortly after Husaberg got sucked into the KTM fray.  The teams were in the dark as were most others including dealers.  The best guess I got was that the Husaberg line up would continue but function as a testing platform for the following year KTMs.  The general thought was within a 5 five window Husaberg would go away.

But that info was months ago, what is the latest rumor?

Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good

[Kevin Grimes]

Yes, 2014 is the last year for Husaberg.

[Michael Thompson]

It saddens me that husky no longer has its own identity. Here before you know it all the bikes will be like in the video games. They all look the same with different colors.

[email protected]
2003 KTM 300exc
1997.5 KTM 200 "Jackpine"
1983 KTM 495
1977 KTM 250 MC5
1975 Penton Hairscrambler
1992 Yamaha WR200
1986 HONDA Z50 My first bike
1974 Suzuki RL250

[tooclose racing]

The more I think about it, I'm also relatively bummed.  There was a factory making those Huskies in Italy - and that's not going to happen now, huh?  There were probably lay-offs.

And the Husky technology was distinct from the other players, even if they had missed (badly in my opinion) the fork in the road that said "updated electric start 2 strokes motors - turn right".  Their small bore 4 stroke platform seemed to be very competitive - and successful.

Gone. All gone.

The irony will be that THESE Huskies are probably better bikes, front to back. And I THINK (not sure) that the Husky brand name can still sell bikes.  Note that they are marketing MX and enduro bikes - something they did not do with Husaberg (after killing that innovative 4 stroke motor).  But I dunno - maybe with enough advertising that focuses on their history, but just not sure how that plays with Gen X and the Millennials.  Also - my impression is that they ultimately lost a lot of Husky dealerships in the last decade.  Just an impression - no facts.