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New Husqvarna sport enduros in the driving report

Husky more confidence-inspiring than KTM-Enduro?

Husaberg is dead – long live Husqvarna. After the spectacular takeover of Husqvarna, KTM is swapping its previous second brand Husaberg for the next new acquisition with Scandinavian roots.

E.You really have to leave the new Husqvarna manager behind: You can be silent. Not a single word about the model planning of Husqvarna got out, not a secretly taken cell phone photo of a new Husky appeared on the Internet before the presentation. Maybe the men in Mattighofen simply didn’t have time to spread rumors. Because it had to be done quickly.

New Husqvarna sport enduros in the driving report

Husky more confidence-inspiring than KTM-Enduro?

Husqvarna is looking to the motocross market

Instead, Husqvarna is continuing the path that Husaberg has already taken this year: The conceptual basis of the new Huskies is the KTM model range. Incidentally, this means that Husqvarna – in contrast to Husaberg’s commitment, which previously focused exclusively on enduro bikes – is now also looking at the motocross market. The frames used in all Husqvarna enduros also come from KTM’s motocross models.

Husqvarna

Blue-yellow: Husqvarna enduros are only reminiscent of their Swedish history in terms of color.

After the plastic cover, modified with white-blue-yellow coloring and angular shapes, the Husqvarna squad differs primarily through the so-called 4CS fork from WP Suspension, which has already been installed at Husaberg, including milled triple clamps, the rear frame made from a plastic molded part instead of aluminum profiles and – here it comes – thanks to the spring strut activated by a lever on all models.

While KTM has been using the redirection in their motocrossers since 2011, the orange-colored enduros still adhere to the PDS monoshock, which is linked directly to the swing arm. Although this maintenance-friendly and weight-saving technology is now well developed, the concept with its moderate response behavior to small bumps still shows weaknesses.

The Husqvarna EXC’s emphatically light front

In fact, the driving experience on the Husky enduros differs from that of the KTM models straight away. Above all, the markedly light front of the EXC gives way to a more neutral-feeling front in the Husqvarna. This is a clear advantage in the tight turns of the special stages. On virginally smooth terrain, the front wheel digs into the ground much more efficiently, in the extended meandering the front hits the ruts more precisely and on top of that makes life easier for the pilot with the good responsiveness of the fork. Especially since the shock absorber in high-speed slalom meets expectations, is more sensitive and smooths the nasty little acceleration waves at the exit of a curve better than the PDS variant.

Overall, the Husky feels less nervous on the motocross test and therefore more confidence-inspiring than a KTM enduro. But no effect without side effects. On the single trails of the Swedish undergrowth, peppered with mossy stones, greasy roots and deep holes, the Husqvarna gets off the light-footed feeling of KTM enduros. While the EXC, with its light front and taut rear, is most fluidly chauffeured through the rough element like a trial machine with short thrusts of the gas and accentuated physical exertion, the Husky prefers a different gait. As if they were remembering the good old Husqvarna tradition, the TE models plow ahead with strong traction, but comparatively unspectacularly. 

Easier to dose in the hindquarters than a KTM

Even the lively engines in the KTM seem to calm down in the Husqvarna chassis and are easier to dose thanks to the increased traction on the hindquarters. Especially less experienced pilots will find it easy to drive the Husky with this orientation. But financially less. With basic prices from 7645 euros (two-stroke models) and from 9.245 euros (four-stroke models), the exiled Swedes are at the same high price level as the similarly equipped KTM Six-Days variants. Nevertheless, given the good first impression of the enduros, the long silence of the husky designers could perhaps have been the calm before the storm.

Interview with Oliver Gohring

Campelli

Question and answer: Managing director Oliver Gohring (left) should make Husqvarna more successful than Husaberg ever was. MOTORRAD editor Peter Mayer spoke to him.

"The name Husqvarna has a radiance"
The Austrians have great expectations with the transition from the previous KTM second brand Husaberg to Husqvarna. The illustrious name should point the way on the road to success. The previous Husaberg managing director Oliver Gohring, 43, is also responsible for Husqvarna’s commitment.

How big was the surprise to have Husqvarna, Husaberg’s hitherto toughest competitor, now in their own ranks?
No question about it, this information came as a surprise. And it also brought about substantial changes. Husaberg has been a division of KTM since 2003, while Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH is a sister company of KTM to KTM Sportmotorcycles AG under the umbrella of KTM AG. That means we stand economically on our own two feet. For example, we have to finance development efforts and engagement in sports ourselves. What we invest, we have to finance with the sales proceeds.

How strong are the personnel at Husqvarna in Mattighofen?
We are currently 15 people. This means that we are already much stronger compared to Husaberg to date and this number will continue to grow somewhat. In addition, our subsidiaries in the various countries are increasing their staff.

Also in Germany?
Yes. So far, a single representative has looked after Germany. Now three people will take care of Husqvarna’s concerns in Germany.

Personnel from the previous Husqvarna plant in Italy were also transferred to Mattighofen?
The current Husqvarna project manager previously worked in Varese. Some former employees were also taken on to look after the Italian market.

What are the planned production figures for the 2014 model year?
11,500 motorcycles.

How many machines did Husaberg sell this year?
7000 units.

In this respect, 11,500 machines in the first model year are an ambitious goal. How are you going to achieve that?
You have to remember that with Husaberg we don’t have any motocross machines on offer. It is different now. The expanded model range alone will increase sales. In addition, Supermoto models will soon be added. Hus qvarna will also take this segment very seriously. We want to offer pure production racers as well as street-legal supermoto machines.

What is the long-term goal??
That is 20,000 motorcycles sold per year.

For guidance only: How many off-road bikes is KTM currently selling??
50,000.

The danger of cannibalization is very great. If the future Husqvarna customers also come from the KTM warehouse, it will not work out for the entire group. How can this be prevented??
With a clearly defined brand image. With the expansion of the model, KTM is increasingly becoming a generalist. Hardcore off-roaders may feel less at home there than at the off-road specialist Husqvarna. 

So, in the long run, Husqvarna will become the KTM Group’s off-road brand?
Yes, Husqvarna’s core competence is in the off-road segment. KTM has a market share of over 50 percent in many countries. But motorsport enthusiasts are individualists. Not everyone wants to go with this mainstream. With Husqvarna we would like to offer these people an alternative.

In terms of communication, a lot of emphasis is placed on Husqvarna’s Swedish roots. What is the practical connection with Sweden??
The racing team will continue to operate from Sweden. In addition, his team boss, the former European Enduro Champion and Husaberg founder Thomas Gustavsson, will also be involved in the development in the future.

With the name change, the US market in particular should be better developed. But with image carriers like actor Steve McQueen whose activities go back 40 years, customers can still be lured today?
Husqvarna’s 110-year tradition has a tremendous impact. We are convinced of that. We believe that the Husqvarna brand is perceived in the USA on a par with KTM. This is one of the reasons why we decided to rebuild this brand.

Will KTM dealers also represent Husqvarna in the future??
No, we will set up two clearly separate sales channels. We are currently talking to all Husaberg and former Husqvarna dealers, but also to dealers with an affinity for off-road vehicles with whom we have not yet worked.

The German Husqvarna branch also takes care of the owners of the previous Husqvarna models?
The previous Husqvarna importer, the Zupin company, will do this in Germany.

Are there prospects for Husqvarna to be more technically independent? The 70-degree motor used by Husaberg until last year could, for example, create its own identity.
For technical and economic reasons it currently makes a lot of sense to use the synergies with KTM and thus its platform. In the future we will of course try to achieve the greatest possible independence. How far we can go in this direction, however, also depends on economic success.

Here the cat could bite its tail. The more independent the Husqvarna technology, the better the sales opportunities. Wouldn’t Husqvarna have to go ahead with the most independent technical concept possible right now for a successful restart?
Today the customer expects a speed of innovation that a small manufacturer cannot achieve. In this respect, we are well positioned with a mature technology and competent customer service that the KTM platform enables us at the present time.

Eventful Husqvarna history

19th Pictures

Pictures: New Husqvarna sport enduros in the driving report

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