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Husqvarna sport enduros of the model year 2017 in the driving report

The new four-stroke models

Swedish image, Austrian technology – Husqvarna presents the off-roaders for the next season. We were allowed to try out the Husqvarna sport enduros from the 2017 model year.

R.One thing is correct: the Husqvarna model range comes off the assembly line at KTM in Austria without exception. It’s wrong: The Husqvarna sport enduros are KTM off-roaders clad in white, blue and yellow plastic. Because: At least in the enduro segment, the Swedes in exile differ in one important aspect as well as details: Instead of the shock absorber hinged directly to the swing arm on the KTM enduros, a lever activates the monoshock on the Husqvarna bikes.

Husqvarna sport enduros of the model year 2017 in the driving report

The new four-stroke models

450 variant is easier to handle than ever before

The Husqvarna enduro bikes benefit from KTM in another way. First and foremost by the new engines, which with their even more compact dimensions top their already cultivated predecessors. The four-stroke engines are lively and yet first-class to dose. The 450 version in particular is more manageable than ever before.

Nevertheless: For the majority of all pilots – as with KTM – the 350 model remains the hot tip. Enough power without overwhelming. The perfect compromise. The new XPlor 48 front fork from WP Suspension is also impressive and impresses with its excellent response. In terms of price, the Husqvarnas are exactly 200 euros above the tariffs of the KTM enduros. In view of the more complex equipment (see "Differences to the KTM sport enduros") the better deal.

Differences to the KTM sport enduros

engine Mapping more aggressive
landing gear

Rear suspension with deflection (KTM: PDS)

Rear frame as carbon / plastic monocoque (KTM: aluminum)

manual preload of fork springs

Milled fork bridge (KTM: forged)

miscellaneous

Plastic parts changed in shape

Switch for traction control / mappings as standard

Engine protection as standard

Cooling fan as standard

Prices

FE 250 9645 euros

FE 350 9795 euros

FE 450 9895 euros

FE 501 10,145 euros

Enduro sports market at a glance

Husqvarna

Husqvarna sport enduros, four-stroke models 2017.

In the segment of competitive enduro bikes, Europeans dominate the business. An overview of the sales figures.

January 2013. With his Pierer Industrie AG, KTM boss Stefan Pierer took over the off-road forge Husqvarna, which was hapless under the aegis of BMW. Already in autumn of the same year the new huskies, which were largely based on KTM technology, rolled off the assembly line in Mattighofen. The already dominant position of KTM in the segment of competitive enduro bikes was further expanded by the elephant wedding. The two brands together now have a market share of over 75 percent in Europe. Lucky for the Austrians: The four Japanese manufacturers concentrate on the motocross market, which is particularly attractive in the USA, and neglect the competitive enduro segment. But not all offroad fans seem to want to come to terms with the mainstream from Austria.

While TM Racing (Italy) only plays an outsider role with around 850 sold machines, despite their in-house engines, chassis and Enduro and Supermoto World Championship titles, Beta (Italy) and Sherco (France) fill the remaining gap. Both manufacturers enjoy a good reputation in the scene and have recorded increasing sales in recent years. However, Sherco’s sales figures are based on a – certainly realistic – estimate. In the middle of 2015, the Gauls officially reported 3,000 enduro bikes sold annually. Incidentally, all four manufacturers make up an impressive 50 percent of the two-stroke models.

Sales figures sports enduro bikes (model year 2016)

KTM 29,000
Husqvarna 12,800
beta 8500
Sherco 3500

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