I know a lot of you mentioned Husaberg as missing from this story ... well, a bit late, but better late then never, I just released a new video going into their history too!
Yeah, would have been very interesting to see their 70 degree engine platform evolved with the most recent parts from the 350/250 lineup. The old 70 degree bikes were great (maybe I'm biased, had one).
@@LooseCannonRacing 1995 ktm bought them. Husabergs 4t technology (heavily) influenced the following ktm 4t generation. Last unique Husaberg was the 70 degree series 2008-2012. I had a 2012 one in good condition but it was stolen recently.
The 570 handles like a 250 2t, but pulls like a top fuel dragster. Once you adapt to the inertia characteristics of the engine, the handling gets better
Husaberg was all the engineers from Husqvarna who didn't want to move to Italy when gagiva bought the Husqvarna name so they stayed in Sweden and started husaberg. Then husaberg was bought by ktm in 1995 so when ktm acquired Husqvarna they reunited the husaberg shoot off brand back with it's original swedish roots
KTM's RFS engine was originally a Husaberg engine. KTM refined a couple things, but overall the engines were very powerful and very reliable. My '02 520 EXC with this engine is pushing 800hrs on the original bottom end. The original piston is still in use. I only had to put in new valves and rings last year. No modern four stroke produces the off idle torque of these old motors, and their horsepower is still competitive today. It's mind boggling to me that Husaberg was unable to rule the offroad market with those engines in the early 00''s when four strokes were just beginning to become what they are now. However, I'm glad KTM is keeping these brand alive. They would all be lost to time without KTM spending money they didn't need to spend just to keep the brands alive. It seems like a nod of respect to me.
Yes I agree totally, the RFS was probably the best engine KTM made. I guided and ran tours in Turkey and the 450 and 525s were the back bone of the enterprise. The 450 (maintained by Turks) did 3 seasons, thats 6 day tours averaging 150km a day, the oil was changed (semi Syn 10/40 car oil) every week and the filters every other week. My guide 525 had 2000 hours on it on the same bottom end, all that was changed was the inlet valves which of course were made of cheese. Then we would sell them on!! Who said new is better? Oh and years later I am still rocky a 04 525 which has never been apart.................well yes them valves had to be changed.
And where did the Husaberg brand come from? When Husky was sold to Cagiva a group of Husky workers/engineers/designers didn't want to work for Italians so they started their own brand. Husaberg. KTM buying Husky brings them full circle, back with their historical development source.
@@pauliewalnuts240 KTM didn't need any help selling bikes. In the mid '90's KTM's started becoming more prominent and by 2000 they were everywhere. A few years later they accounted for probably 75% of all bikes I saw in my area. For decades, they've been the most popular bike, by far. Buying up dying brands, building new facilities, re-tooling to produce different models and hiring the extra employees to build the new bikes and handle all the extra logistics and paperwork to manage it was a huge investment in a market that KTM already owned. They didn't need to outlast all that cash to sell bikes. They were always gonna sell those bikes. But now we've got that cool brands that won't be lost to history.
So I am a race promoter and have had friends at KTM for many years. One of the reasons for them to acquire Husky and Gas Gas is so they can import more two strokes….each company can only import so many into the US… it’s a big market for them still. So by doing this they can import 3 times as many…just with 3 different tags. This was a big reason told to me from far up the chain. I am happy for this as we love our wood’s racing and have electric,four strokes but still like our two strokes in the woods and for Hard Enduro.
I understood KTM acquired Husqvarna and GasGas to spread the sales volume across separate entities and therefore reducing the impact of EURO emissions standards. Apparently you have to sell over a certain number of units of a model before the stricter standards kick in. I believe this is why Sherco and Beta are still able to produce carb bikes because they don’t do sufficient volume to be subjected to the standards. This is probably why the rumours of Sherco developing Fi for future 2 strokes.
That’s right, some small manufacturers are exempt from some emission laws due to their low volume. At least for now, but it won’t last forever, that’s why Sherco has been developing a 2 stroke fuel injection system.
Do you guys think carb is better? For low weight enduro bikes? I thought FI was more efficienct. Faster more power. But do they just use it because of emissions ?
2 stroke FI was a first generation with TPI bikes, and for me personally it did not behave as well as a carb bike. That being said, I’m sure as technology evolves, fuel injection will become better in every way.
@@sund5 there is no doubt it was mostly because of emissions initially. I still think the pros and cons for both exist. Personally I hated mixing the fuel and oil out on the trail and when riding behind a few carb bikes the smell of the smoke gave me headaches, especially the tough slow sections. TPI is definitely a few KG heavier but the power is good these days and much less smoke. Big service work on the TPI definitely takes longer and is more fiddly and expensive, I had a 300 engine out yesterday to do a starter motor and it’s much harder with the oil res, injectors and extra wires in the way. TPI is better at running lights and GPS, but I’m sure KTM could have improved that on carb bikes. Very keen to try a TBI enduro bike if/when they do them for 24.
Something to add is Husqvarna was wholly italian-owned by Cagiva. The quality of the Husqvarna motorcycle was fine until BMW purchase them and wrecked the brand. You are completely correct in your assessment that Husqvarna and gas gas would both be extinct without KTM
Before KTM purchased Husaburg their 4 strokes were boat anchors. The first RFS motor was a representation of that merger. Husaburg got quietly put to sleep.
Yep, today, all KTM performance 4 strokes are based on Husaberg designs and all their 2 strokes are based on Husqvarna designs... Only "KTM" engines still in the line up are the lc4 engines, with the early lc8 being a 2 cylinder mod of that engineered by Rotax...
@@TheXaelem Yes KTM bought Husaberg, copied the engines and then produced the new engines for KTM branded bikes and let the Husaberg die. The v-twin engine was copied from the Folan 948cc V-twin and then produced by Rotax for KTM.
I interviewed for a job at the Varese, Italy, Husky factory just after KTM bought Husky. The Varese operation was already in bed with Shineray of China. The Italian Sales Mgr said BMW failed partly because the German BMW Executives treated this Italian location & brand (near Lake Como) as mearly a vacation spot. They racked up crazy travel expenses with full families on their 'business' trips, apparently without any accountability. They were inhouse Executives, not designers/engineers/riders coming up with new & better bikes.
I’ve heard similar stories from people that were involved with the importation here in the United States. The Germans also held Italians in contempt as it relates to the unionized workforce and overall work ethic of the Italians. Ironic that the Italian huskies are remembered fondly and the BMW bikes are pariahs
The saddest thing about KTM buying Husqvarna is that they stopped the production of Nuda, most likely because it was using a BMW engine. That bike was (and still is) one of the most beautiful bikes ever made. P.S: You forgot to mention the acquisition of Husaberg by KTM
Man, I do love a Nuda ... it’s on my list of bikes I want to own one day. So useless, yet so cool! And Husaberg happened a long time before this modern age KTM, it’s still an interesting subject though
Being in my 60's now and having started to ride and race off -road while in my teens in the mid 70's, I tend to put the Huskys on a very tall pedestal. I remember "On any Sunday" coming out and seeing Malcolm Smith riding the wheels off his . "Neat Malcom". Locally, the Huskys were superior to anything in Enduro and hare scramble competitions, but unfortunately , I couldn't afford one. In motocross Billy Grossi and Dick Burleson were tearing up things with the Huskys and Dick moving over to off-road riding and still dominating . Some of my friends , by the mid-eighties , were riding the two day qualifiers and six days competitions and the bike of choice was still the husky. I remember going to Cadiz, Kentucky for a national hare scramble and seeing Ed Lojak (of the east coast Lojak family that sold huskys) clean up. In Missouri, we had a local club known as the Missouri Mudders which put on hare scrambels and enduro competition and I remember a year when Mark Hyde (who was with the Husky factory team) came and put on a riding clinic the day before one of our events. The next day, he raced against our best locals, and his bike didn't start on on the first five or ten kicks and was all alone bon he sarting linewith veryone else out of site when his bike finally started. He managed to catch everyone but our very fastest local rider ( A kid who was on a Husky) who knew the trails much better than Mark. The off road team of Husky was stacked with premium riders like Burleson, Mark Hyde, Mark Cunningham, Ed Lojak, Fritz kadlek, and others that seemed to be untouchable at times. what a history behind that brand, and what a good motorcycle . It galvanized the perspective that Husky dominated in the off road world for more than two decades. .
Interesting video, but I would also like to mention, that they have another brandname in their garage. Husaberg. They bought them way back in the 90ties, and shut them down in 2014 I think. I guess after they bought the more famous Husqvarna brand they didn't need Husaberg anymore. Also the "Ready to race" sloagen was originally Husabergs sloagen not KTMs.
The part about their slogan is really interesting, I didn’t know that. And yes, you’re right, that was another big chapter for KTM. Thanks for the added info!
Very insightful commentary on the state of the motorcycling industry. I just recently bought a new 2023 Beta 300RR. The decision did not come lightly. After four Japanese dirt bikes in the last seven years I wanted a 300cc two stroke enduro. It had to have a counterbalanced, wide ratio, six speed, electric start motor, and a hydraulic clutch. The Japanese manufacturers seem to refuse that this enduro class even exists!? It’s truly mind boggling! I narrowed down my decision between the Beta and the Sherco as I wasn’t prepared to kneel at the KTM altar, or drink the cool aid as the saying goes. I also liked the simplicity of the carbureted motors. The GAS GAS was in the running but, alas. I am very happy with the decision, as it always looks to me like KTM changes it’s designs way too often and seems to use it’s legion of dedicated buyers as product testers. Or to be less polite, Guinea pigs.
Japanese brands are not allowed to make a two stroke engine since sometime the 1980's due to emission laws, however most of the brands except Hadaka selling mainly to the USA Market stopped since 1970 with a two stroke engine including Honda even when racing a defunct racing group under 100CC or 80CC super class I forget which, went with a four stroke in the 1960's.
@@caseysmith544they still sell 2t all over the world. They don't import them to the US because they're focused on trail and motocross. Enduro and 2t are considered niche markets, but in reality KTM owns 99% of the Enduro market.
The Husqvarna 401 led me to buy the Duke 390. So they may connect each other in certain ways. Psychologically when I realised they used the same engine I became interested in the KTM because like you said Husqvarna had a good name in my mind . Put the two together gave me the confidence to go for a none Japanese motorcycle for the first time in my life. And I'm so glad I did. Duke 390 is a great bike. I'll subscribe to see what else you have.
And my Svart led me to a 701 SM, and I would happily would have picked up an SMC R, but the Husky was cheaper :) Its a sound strategy, more options let you dominate more marketplace. The different color schemes alone help attract buyers.
"The Husqvarna 401 led me to buy the Duke 390. So they may connect each other in certain ways" KTM production is based on "bike platforms". For example, in the street bikes you have the 390, 490, 690, 790, 890 etc. platforms and then the different brands are just variants of these platforms, with diffrent chassis equipment, electronics, suspension and model names. (KTM 890 = 901 Husqvarna).
You took a long time to just say KTM had reached market saturation. Their sales had plateaued, attend any off road event and they were everywhere. They were also having major faults, more or less going backwards compared to the brilliant RFS days of reliability. So they bought some badges. The amazing thing is that the buying public bought into it. Clever.
Interesting seeing a video this well made from a channel with under 1k subs, but youtube recommended this to me so it might be about to be your first big one.
Your tombstone displaying Husqvarna from 1903 to 2013 is incorrect. Husky DIED in 1989 when it was bought out by and converted into (and ruined by) Cagiva with Husky emblems. In fact, they've been Husky in name only ever since. Starting in 1990, previous Husky engineers started the Husaberg brand with technology so advanced, KTM HAD to buy them also to determine how to make a lightweight 4-stroke dirtbike. I was an avid Husqvarna rider since the early 60s and it saddened me greatly to see them, basically, go out of business.
I have a 96 wxc360. If there was any aftermarket for better suspension and if I could get replacement parts it would still be my main bike. Fast, smooth, stable. Since the only thing I can get is pistons, it only comes out for vintage races since it's almost 30 years old!😢
Husqies were a premium product indeed until they started making and shipping them from Vajaj's factories, making it even more confusing. Personally I think they should have at least kept making the 401 and 701 models exclusively in Austria. Anyway, I am happy to see someone putting such great effort to make these videos, very insightful and entertaining, especially for a Husqvarna fan such as myself.
I appreciate the feedback! I think we’re not the only ones who tend to prefer to buy Austrian-built machines, but unfortunately economics say that we might not get that for these lower cc bikes.
I have the new GasGas EC300. They appeal to me because I wanted linkage, aluminum sub frame and no frills. Then I use the money I saved to accessorize it like I want. My friends have KTM and Husqvarna. We have swapped bikes. My friends remark that the GasGas EC300 feels different than their bikes. More mellow and easy to work with in very tight trees. To me the KTM feels the most aggressive and quick on the power, it feels like a racing bike. The Husqvarna is in between, but more close to the KTM power feel. All of them are fun. You can make any of them behave how you like with moderate changes. Pick a color!
As a former owner of Huskies up to 08 and currently have a 2013 125 Husky and a 13 and 18 GasGas 300, the bikes were and id argue the 18 is still a better bike than a Kato, superior suspension and reliability, the worry is Kato has shares in Rieju too, if they finally take them over too we'll have another WP suspended pogo stick, offer the Gasser with premium KYB i might be half interested. GasGas was going mainstream and had traction in sales in Australia, the bikes were great.
I owned several Cagiva Huskys and they were great bikes. Dont forgot it was Husky that first brough light weight "race ready" DOT legal bikes to the states. KTM basically canceled BMW out of Dakar and Rally, so BMW tried to counter by getting into the dirt bike market with some innovated tech, but soon realized that no-one was going to by a BMW off road dirt bike. They bought the Husky name (only the name) from Cagiva.to help sell the bikes and take some market share from a fast growing KTM. BMW soon found out that not alot of people were going to shell out $9000(us in 2009 ) for a quirky machine no matter what the label on the tank said. BMW did bring some innovation that has found its way into offroad and SDV bikes of today. BTW - SWM is still building updated versions of the Cagiva Husqvarna's in the same Italian factory under the SWM brand.
I think another part is that if they let these brands fail and go away it makes motorcycling in general look like it is on the decline causing a further dip in popularity. People are really brand loyal and many would hold on to their old husky's before they would ever buy a KTM, but will still show up to buy a new one even if it's just a KTM with white plastics. Like if Harley was to go out of business, do you think all of the Harley riders would just go out and buy a Yamaha cruiser?
No but I could see these people buying two other brands of Motorcycle made in the USA by Indian or Victory, the only two big brands in USA making 2 wheel bikes that are made as road only big brands in the USA. With Indian possibly going down as it is part owned by Harley Davidson.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
I just ordered a 700 es gasgas 2023. The only reason I bought this bike is that it is simply a 690 / 701 enduro but cheaper, and much more availability in dealerships because the brand image is not the same as KTM or Husqvarna. I say thank you KTM if it is for having an excellent, less expensive, but red motorcycle ! 😁❤
I worked for BMW at the time. One of four salesmen. I was the only one who ever actually sold a Husqvarna. Two actually. Both Nudas. Then all of a sudden, we were required to remove all the Husqvarna display material, a big truck turned up, collected the showroom bikes, and... "poof!" Just like that, we didn't sell Husqvarnas anymore! Bizarre!
@KRANKiT It was crazy how quickly it happened... It caused a bit of a problem for one guy, because we couldn't even do his 1000km (600 mile) service, and we had to refer him to another dealership which was 100 miles away!
1:35 Wrong, wrong, wrong. KTM did not 'keep the brand alive', they killed off anything to do with Husqvarna and fitted Husqvarna stickers to bikes in the factory that had, the day before, been going out the door with stickers from another great independent brand - Husaberg! What KTM managed to do was upset TWO loyal groups of owners, but suck up to their boardroom members who love a great 'economies of scale' story. Each time in the case of these companies they promise that they will honour the workers and there will be no short term changes to the line-up etc, each time they slam the doors shut on all involved. Then boom! KTM buys Gas Gas, same story for the factory and owners, same empty promises. KTM could have put money into these companies, produced new products AND kept their workers and brand loyalty alive...they didn't. KTM is a motorcycle industry cancer, I will never own one of their products while I draw breath, and I actively promote competitor products to help take sales away. And yes, I was an Italian/BMW Husky owner and my riding buddy was a Husaberg owner when KTM killed both brands. We both still have those bikes! I've also had 3 x Shercos since that time, a brand which is fiercely independent and has seen massive growth to be the second largest off road manufacturer in Europe. Viva la difference 🇫🇷
Yeah but you're not remembering the part he said, which is true, both Husky and Gas Gas would be totally dead, buried and long forgotten had it not been for KTM buying them and then putting those nice stickers on the beautiful bikes. And, (KTM) Gas Gas and Husky have never been such a good bike and they've never been so popular as they are now. Think about that...
@@onthethrottle7104 Your comment that the KTMs are good bikes is up for debate, however, you completely missed my point regarding the previous owners, and factory workers who were unceremoniously dumped overnight. Not just once, but 3 x times! Husaberg, Husqvarna and Gas Gas... Being a good corporate citizen is not just about turning a dollar for the shareholders, it's about doing the right thing for the business you've just bought and assisting your new loyal customers and your workers. It is certainly not turning your back, closing the door and sucking out every cent you can before leaving with the signage to put on your own junk. They could so easily have pumped in some R&D money and produced new updated models. The brands did die with the KTM takeover. There's no link to the heritage of the past. The old names on the stickers might popular now, but just about every KTM built Husky and Gasser owner is a new-to - the-brandname owner. Imagine how many bikes they could have sold on top of this if they had tried, even a little bit, to keep the faithful previous owners happy! Enjoy the substandard WP junk suspension on the overpriced Austrian bikes 👍
Just subscribed after watching the Husaberg vid ..then found this one. Equally as interesting and well made. As a previous owner of an 1988 Husky WR400, the last of the real Swedish Huskies before Cagiva got a hold, I like the factual and , frankly, real world view on what has happened. Looking back through rose tinted goggles doesn't automatically turn into great business or pay the rent....nice work sir!
I really need to check more on that ... maybe do a video on it at some point, a lot of you have been pointing it out and definitely seems like I should look more into it!
You need to cover the Husaberg story. KTM had Berg from ‘95 to 2014. They were ahead of their time on 4T. They were manufactured with premium components and made big power through the whole curve.
Spaniard here, gasgas was always hardly loved in spain back in the days, the 2stroke gas gas enduro bikes were beloved by most of people, in a country like spain where back in the days enduro was the rule and mx was something for a little amount of people ( days have changed a lot) but i like that gasgas still alive and doing great 2 strokes enduro bikes as they always did :D
I have a 04 four stroke gasgas (with the yamaha engine) and i have to say it just feels so much lighter then other 450's from that time even compared to a wr450 which it shares the engine with. Really love the bike, its sad that parts are hard to come by tho
With my 60 years of age, I have owned Husaberg´s, Husqvarna´s and GAS GAS´s when they were not implemented to KTM. So if they wouldn´t have done it these brands would be history right now, which would be a shame. A proud Austrian KTMHUSQVARNAGASGASMVAGUSTA fan! 😁
Sorry Dude, Your story is far from complete and somewhat inaccurate. BMW part was true for the most part, but the rest was not. Actually KTM engine design was saved by the Husaberg acquisition, which were old remnants (and Engineers) from Swedish Husqvarna. Cagiva (IT) bought Husqvarna trade name and started to build Huskys (Good ones). BMW came along years later and bought the trade name and Cagiva / Husky designs. They're only contribution was a few designs (511, Nuda and a few others). BMW definitely didn't have they're Heart into the offroad scene or could they market it. I'm lucky enough to have a TX300 (Husky), EXC250 (KTM), EX250F (GASGAS with a 270 kit) , FE501 (Husky). Each Brand is different from the other, like Tools in the Toolbox. A purpose and place for each one. P.s. I can remember when KTM was almost Bankrupt and Polaris came in with a bunch of cash and saved them.
I attended a "Jeff Smith Motocross School (Jeff Smith was amulti time MX champion on BSA,CCM, in England,Jeff Smith had alot to do with getting Can-am off the ground. Jeff Smith said Husqvarna's frames were so thin that they would flex in a turn and throw you off. I worked at a Can-am shop full time in the Summer, part time after school. I was only 13 yrs old then in 1973, but I rode every bike made back then but a Husqvarna. I remember them being light,fast, & handled well. Our shop even purchased one of those Don Jones (Gary's Dad) heavily massaged Can-am GP-250 Prototype's. The quickest to the powerband bike I ever rode. Steve Mc Queen rode Husqvarna 💪 When in doubt Gas It!!!
Much respect to kTm for keeping said brands alive. I believe Husaberg was bought for their technology as they built what seemed to be a perfect bike but with some issues and was seen as a large threat to their market share. BMW destroyed the Husky dirt bike and turned it into a over engineered thing that offered nothing competitive in the racing world with it weird handling and gimmick off road engineering trick design which sucked in competition. KTM has a huge heart for keeping alive great brands that were instrumental in getting KTM to the top of the off road market . Ktm has proven their loyalty and dedication to the motorcycle community by showing their commitment in providing excellent platforms for all riders and love for past brands.
i run their chainsaws and weed eaters- just got a new Husq with proprietary fitment of attachments- still trying to breath life back in my 128ld that's the same displacement and compatible with everything from Trimmer Plus to Ryobi
As a Husqvarna owner one of things that makes it best is ktm technology without bright orange paint. And very very comfortable and big seats(practicality). Its a nice gap husky fills. You will have cult luke following from people like us.
Hello, in the early 90's is KTM that almost dissapeared beceause of their extreme laak of quality... if the 4 japanese brands would have continued their developement in enduro als they made in Motocross it would have been much moore though for European Brands.( you forgot to talk about Husaberg that KTM shut down we d'ont know why? ) With all these up's and downs, i'm very glad to have good memories on practicing Motocross and Enduro( in Fun mode) at moore then 25years long... trying as much als Brands and cathegories that i can. At the end for my case Yamaha is pretty good product. 😎 Be safe and ride fast ✊
I enjoyed this video alot, It doesn't mean much but I definitely clicked subscribe. A masterpiece. My first KTM was like a 2002 300 and seeing half the manual in german was a shock as a kid from Oregon. Lol.
At least in the enduro line, GasGas is on the same line pricing-wise as the respective KTM standard models. GasGas just comes with a linkage, poorer headlight and red plastics. Also, why wouldn't it add up? They complete their bike selection, with slight variation in level of equipment, without having to "confuse" the customer, or messing an existing brand with new models. If you only had the orange brand, in enduro line-up alone, you would have: - 2-stroke models w/o linkage (PDS, basic KTM) - 4-stroke models w/o linkage (PDS) - 2-stroke models w/ linkage (GasGas) - 4-stroke models w/ linkage (GasGas) - 2-stroke models w/o linkage, but with "all accessories" (6 days -models) - 4-stroke models w/o linkage, but with "all accessories" (6 days -models) - 2-stroke models w/ linkage, with "all accessories (Husky) - 4--stroke models w/ linkage, with "all accessories (Husky) So then you would have to have a KTM model name for each 8 accessory levels (and 3-4 different displacements at each variant.) Would 30 models make sense within one brand?
In the US one of the biggest differences between KTM, Husky, and GasGas is the Husky road bikes (701 Enduro and Norden 901) have a 2 year warranty while the others have a 1 year warranty.
I’m not in the enduro world but I have a 2022 vitpilen401 and I must say I do really enjoy the bike. Parts are high quality as far as I know and it’s ran like a dream ever since I bought it. I’m no mechanic or professional but I do enjoy the bike and find no issues with the build quality especially for the price they msrp at.
In the car world it has been done since a long time and it worked because, imo, there might be more proper parts of a given sub-brand, a given model might share some parts across the main brands Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, like the engine and maybe the transmission, but, if I'm not wrong, the rest of parts might be pretty different, and the chassis, rolling frame components and finishes might signify a quite difference, but in the case of the bikes, and off-road bikes, it's seen instantly that a Gas Gas and a Husqvarna are a red and a white KTM respectively, the differences with the suspensions, bodywork and a few more, doesn't seem to counterbalance that..., in my opinion.
I bought a '23 GasGas EX300. And it wasnt until after I got it I learned GasGas uses the previous years engines for the KTM and Huskys. So I essentially bought a '22 KTM.
ISO9001 - All these bikes are basically identical except for the color of the plastic... R&D folks at the top podium companies have been shaving improvements into these bikes for years, but the podiums are mostly a product of the riders themselves. The top companies find the top riders, get the podiums, and get the sales... These top riders then guide the engineers to push the envelope. Any innovations should show up as patents which then could either offer an edge, or could be licensed out to other companies until the IP expires... Let's look a a list of patents that one mfgr has over another and start comparing from an engineering perspective...
Bravo…. Well done - i’m sorry that so many people are busting your balls over details left out but as a storyteller making wide brushstrokes at 50,000 foot perspective I think you did an amazing job. - keep it up and I look forward to hearing/seeing more :)))
Thanks! At the end of the day, you always have to pick and choose what goes into a video to create the story ... and some tangents are so vast that they deserve their own video, like with the case of Husaberg.
Excellent analysis . Spot on. You couldn't have predicted it better. You should put your skills on merger and acquisition for some investment bank. Thank you. KTM's situation is more clear to me. Truly self inflicted. And I own two KTMs. Ahhgg !
I was in a parade yesterday and my power vision said my 103 engine temperature hit 350 how hot is to hot this is my first air Cooled engine so not really familiar with temps
I never understood the KTM’s overlap in models. Almost every year there is this new model with a bigger engine and they make another new model in to fill the gap that has been created by the new model with the bigger engine. Look at KTM’s Adventure line. They go from the last 990 Adv in 2013 to 1190, 1290, 1090, 1050, 790, 890 and now they got a new 990 coming up for the Duc so the next year there will be an 990 Adv.
I own an Italian husky and a new 2022 gasgas. It's interesting to compare the build quality and design of the two. There's a 14-year difference so the packaging of the vehicle is definitely more advanced and better on the gas gas but the actual quality of componentry and build is just as good on the Italian husky. So far both bikes have been trouble-free.
@@KRANKiT the packaging of the battery, relays, ECU and wiring is light years better on the Gas Gas. The fasteners, hubs, pegs and overall robustness is better on the Husky. The weight is the penalty for that. Gas Gas 25 lbs (12 Kg) lighter
I wanted a KTM 890 Adventure R, but I absolutely hate their look. When the Norden came along it saved me from the pain of having to ride the ugliest thing on the road. Is it as good as the 890R? No, at least not the suspension. But it is better than the standard, and it's much better than my skill level. I love my Norden! It has the same 105hp engine as the 890R and it's a badass of a powerplant. Just try to keep up with me on anything of the same class.
_Nice Vid, .... it is nice to see how You travel with the car, go to McDonnez or make fire in the oven ...... nice to watch ..._ _Greetings from Germany._
Now the KTM corporation offer too much choice for too few customers. The younger generation aren't so interested in off roaders (or bikes in general) they'd probably rather have an app for that? Something is going to disappear, pick a brand and spin the wheel I think that off-road pilots ride with their hearts and not their heads which has been keeping the market buoyant for many years but there is a storm coming, a perfect storm combining the world's financial issues and a dwindling customer base ( remember that generally a motorbike is a leisure pursuit for the western world ) I ride trials, love GasGas but their products have been sketchy for years, almost a disposable bike, which is reflected in their second hand values and limited used market desirability . I can't foresee KTM tolerating the poor return on their investment for very long. A few hearts are going to be broken, mine included.
One thing KTM is doing that might help, in my opinion, is taking these brands on the street as well. They’ve slowly been doing that to Huskies, and I feel like that’s their plan for GasGas too ... but who knows?
I think that is overly pessimistic. It is working because all of these products are completely modular and built on the same assembly lines. There is somewhat limited marginal expense to KTM in selling so many "colors" of bikes as long as they continue to give buyers what they want at a good value. Just think of each color as an option package on a car. Many cars offers a dozen packages and sometimes several dozen individual options on top of color. KTM is pulling off the same thing with a slightly different marketing strategy. Think GasGas = LX, Husqvarna = GT, and KTM = R. Expanding into street bikes offers great potential, too, although they have been a bit over the top in the styling department thus far. Better than Yamaha, but no one else, really.
I know a lot of you mentioned Husaberg as missing from this story ... well, a bit late, but better late then never, I just released a new video going into their history too!
You cant learn history from newspapers.
Husaberg is missing from this story and the fact they killed it off when acquiring Husqvarna is a tragedy.
Yeah, would have been very interesting to see their 70 degree engine platform evolved with the most recent parts from the 350/250 lineup.
The old 70 degree bikes were great (maybe I'm biased, had one).
Wait, who owned husaburg? They were badass bikes
@@LooseCannonRacing 1995 ktm bought them. Husabergs 4t technology (heavily) influenced the following ktm 4t generation. Last unique Husaberg was the 70 degree series 2008-2012. I had a 2012 one in good condition but it was stolen recently.
The 570 handles like a 250 2t, but pulls like a top fuel dragster. Once you adapt to the inertia characteristics of the engine, the handling gets better
Husaberg was all the engineers from Husqvarna who didn't want to move to Italy when gagiva bought the Husqvarna name so they stayed in Sweden and started husaberg. Then husaberg was bought by ktm in 1995 so when ktm acquired Husqvarna they reunited the husaberg shoot off brand back with it's original swedish roots
KTM's RFS engine was originally a Husaberg engine. KTM refined a couple things, but overall the engines were very powerful and very reliable. My '02 520 EXC with this engine is pushing 800hrs on the original bottom end. The original piston is still in use. I only had to put in new valves and rings last year. No modern four stroke produces the off idle torque of these old motors, and their horsepower is still competitive today. It's mind boggling to me that Husaberg was unable to rule the offroad market with those engines in the early 00''s when four strokes were just beginning to become what they are now.
However, I'm glad KTM is keeping these brand alive. They would all be lost to time without KTM spending money they didn't need to spend just to keep the brands alive. It seems like a nod of respect to me.
Yes I agree totally, the RFS was probably the best engine KTM made. I guided and ran tours in Turkey and the 450 and 525s were the back bone of the enterprise. The 450 (maintained by Turks) did 3 seasons, thats 6 day tours averaging 150km a day, the oil was changed (semi Syn 10/40 car oil) every week and the filters every other week. My guide 525 had 2000 hours on it on the same bottom end, all that was changed was the inlet valves which of course were made of cheese. Then we would sell them on!! Who said new is better? Oh and years later I am still rocky a 04 525 which has never been apart.................well yes them valves had to be changed.
And where did the Husaberg brand come from? When Husky was sold to Cagiva a group of Husky workers/engineers/designers didn't want to work for Italians so they started their own brand. Husaberg. KTM buying Husky brings them full circle, back with their historical development source.
Make no mistake, It's not a nod of respect. Ktm bought all competitors inorder to sell their bikes at the 3 price levels.
@@pauliewalnuts240 KTM didn't need any help selling bikes. In the mid '90's KTM's started becoming more prominent and by 2000 they were everywhere. A few years later they accounted for probably 75% of all bikes I saw in my area. For decades, they've been the most popular bike, by far.
Buying up dying brands, building new facilities, re-tooling to produce different models and hiring the extra employees to build the new bikes and handle all the extra logistics and paperwork to manage it was a huge investment in a market that KTM already owned.
They didn't need to outlast all that cash to sell bikes. They were always gonna sell those bikes. But now we've got that cool brands that won't be lost to history.
@@pauliewalnuts240 KTM bought competitors that were basically dead, and turned them into potentially viable entities. But lets complain about it.
So I am a race promoter and have had friends at KTM for many years. One of the reasons for them to acquire Husky and Gas Gas is so they can import more two strokes….each company can only import so many into the US… it’s a big market for them still. So by doing this they can import 3 times as many…just with 3 different tags. This was a big reason told to me from far up the chain. I am happy for this as we love our wood’s racing and have electric,four strokes but still like our two strokes in the woods and for Hard Enduro.
That’s some really interesting insights! Thanks for sharing them!
Ronnie Mac #69 is still ahead of the curve indeed.
this is what I heard. If they go over a certain number of imports they get taxed far more as well. 2 strokes or not.
I understood KTM acquired Husqvarna and GasGas to spread the sales volume across separate entities and therefore reducing the impact of EURO emissions standards. Apparently you have to sell over a certain number of units of a model before the stricter standards kick in. I believe this is why Sherco and Beta are still able to produce carb bikes because they don’t do sufficient volume to be subjected to the standards. This is probably why the rumours of Sherco developing Fi for future 2 strokes.
That’s right, some small manufacturers are exempt from some emission laws due to their low volume. At least for now, but it won’t last forever, that’s why Sherco has been developing a 2 stroke fuel injection system.
Do you guys think carb is better? For low weight enduro bikes?
I thought FI was more efficienct. Faster more power.
But do they just use it because of emissions ?
2 stroke FI was a first generation with TPI bikes, and for me personally it did not behave as well as a carb bike. That being said, I’m sure as technology evolves, fuel injection will become better in every way.
@@sund5 there is no doubt it was mostly because of emissions initially. I still think the pros and cons for both exist. Personally I hated mixing the fuel and oil out on the trail and when riding behind a few carb bikes the smell of the smoke gave me headaches, especially the tough slow sections. TPI is definitely a few KG heavier but the power is good these days and much less smoke. Big service work on the TPI definitely takes longer and is more fiddly and expensive, I had a 300 engine out yesterday to do a starter motor and it’s much harder with the oil res, injectors and extra wires in the way. TPI is better at running lights and GPS, but I’m sure KTM could have improved that on carb bikes. Very keen to try a TBI enduro bike if/when they do them for 24.
They should have the TBI EXC models out this spring ... I’m really curious of those too!
Something to add is Husqvarna was wholly italian-owned by Cagiva. The quality of the Husqvarna motorcycle was fine until BMW purchase them and wrecked the brand. You are completely correct in your assessment that Husqvarna and gas gas would both be extinct without KTM
Yes, I have a Husky TXC510 from the Cagiva days and it is top notch!!
@@apollogray2014 I've got a 2008 TE250. Love mine also
Great point, as I owned an 'Italian' 2011 Husky TXC-250. Awesome bike, right up there w/ my KTM's
My Old Lady is a wr250 🔥
I had an brand-new Italian Husky, with an MV Augusta maker's plate...it was the worst most unreliable bike I'v ever owned.
Before KTM purchased Husaburg their 4 strokes were boat anchors. The first RFS motor was a representation of that merger. Husaburg got quietly put to sleep.
Yep, today, all KTM performance 4 strokes are based on Husaberg designs and all their 2 strokes are based on Husqvarna designs... Only "KTM" engines still in the line up are the lc4 engines, with the early lc8 being a 2 cylinder mod of that engineered by Rotax...
@@TheXaelem Yes KTM bought Husaberg, copied the engines and then produced the new engines for KTM branded bikes and let the Husaberg die. The v-twin engine was copied from the Folan 948cc V-twin and then produced by Rotax for KTM.
I interviewed for a job at the Varese, Italy, Husky factory just after KTM bought Husky. The Varese operation was already in bed with Shineray of China. The Italian Sales Mgr said BMW failed partly because the German BMW Executives treated this Italian location & brand (near Lake Como) as mearly a vacation spot. They racked up crazy travel expenses with full families on their 'business' trips, apparently without any accountability.
They were inhouse Executives, not designers/engineers/riders coming up with new & better bikes.
I’ve heard similar stories from people that were involved with the importation here in the United States. The Germans also held Italians in contempt as it relates to the unionized workforce and overall work ethic of the Italians. Ironic that the Italian huskies are remembered fondly and the BMW bikes are pariahs
The saddest thing about KTM buying Husqvarna is that they stopped the production of Nuda, most likely because it was using a BMW engine. That bike was (and still is) one of the most beautiful bikes ever made. P.S: You forgot to mention the acquisition of Husaberg by KTM
Man, I do love a Nuda ... it’s on my list of bikes I want to own one day. So useless, yet so cool! And Husaberg happened a long time before this modern age KTM, it’s still an interesting subject though
Being in my 60's now and having started to ride and race off -road while in my teens in the mid 70's, I tend to put the Huskys on a very tall pedestal. I remember "On any Sunday" coming out and seeing Malcolm Smith riding the wheels off his . "Neat Malcom". Locally, the Huskys were superior to anything in Enduro and hare scramble competitions, but unfortunately , I couldn't afford one. In motocross Billy Grossi and Dick Burleson were tearing up things with the Huskys and Dick moving over to off-road riding and still dominating .
Some of my friends , by the mid-eighties , were riding the two day qualifiers and six days competitions and the bike of choice was still the husky. I remember going to Cadiz, Kentucky for a national hare scramble and seeing Ed Lojak (of the east coast Lojak family that sold huskys) clean up.
In Missouri, we had a local club known as the Missouri Mudders which put on hare scrambels and enduro competition and I remember a year when Mark Hyde (who was with the Husky factory team) came and put on a riding clinic the day before one of our events. The next day, he raced against our best locals, and his bike didn't start on on the first five or ten kicks and was all alone bon he sarting linewith veryone else out of site when his bike finally started. He managed to catch everyone but our very fastest local rider ( A kid who was on a Husky) who knew the trails much better than Mark.
The off road team of Husky was stacked with premium riders like Burleson, Mark Hyde, Mark Cunningham, Ed Lojak, Fritz kadlek, and others that seemed to be untouchable at times. what a history behind that brand, and what a good motorcycle . It galvanized the perspective that Husky dominated in the off road world for more than two decades.
.
Yep, I recently sold my Nuda and bought a 701 enduro. Love the 701 but it was the Nuda that got everyone looking. Beautiful bike.
BMW engines were and always will be rubbish
@@MrFastFarmer Wasn't it a Rotax engine in the Nuda?
Interesting video, but I would also like to mention, that they have another brandname in their garage. Husaberg. They bought them way back in the 90ties, and shut them down in 2014 I think. I guess after they bought the more famous Husqvarna brand they didn't need Husaberg anymore. Also the "Ready to race" sloagen was originally Husabergs sloagen not KTMs.
The part about their slogan is really interesting, I didn’t know that. And yes, you’re right, that was another big chapter for KTM. Thanks for the added info!
Very insightful commentary on the state of the motorcycling industry. I just recently bought a new 2023 Beta 300RR. The decision did not come lightly. After four Japanese dirt bikes in the last seven years I wanted a 300cc two stroke enduro. It had to have a counterbalanced, wide ratio, six speed, electric start motor, and a hydraulic clutch. The Japanese manufacturers seem to refuse that this enduro class even exists!? It’s truly mind boggling! I narrowed down my decision between the Beta and the Sherco as I wasn’t prepared to kneel at the KTM altar, or drink the cool aid as the saying goes. I also liked the simplicity of the carbureted motors. The GAS GAS was in the running but, alas. I am very happy with the decision, as it always looks to me like KTM changes it’s designs way too often and seems to use it’s legion of dedicated buyers as product testers. Or to be less polite, Guinea pigs.
I hope that Beta will serve you well!
The TPI bikes are waaayyy too problematic to me. Too bad the Rieju isn’t counterbalanced as they are supposed to be bombproof
They are
Japanese brands are not allowed to make a two stroke engine since sometime the 1980's due to emission laws, however most of the brands except Hadaka selling mainly to the USA Market stopped since 1970 with a two stroke engine including Honda even when racing a defunct racing group under 100CC or 80CC super class I forget which, went with a four stroke in the 1960's.
@@caseysmith544they still sell 2t all over the world. They don't import them to the US because they're focused on trail and motocross. Enduro and 2t are considered niche markets, but in reality KTM owns 99% of the Enduro market.
Thanks!
The Husqvarna 401 led me to buy the Duke 390. So they may connect each other in certain ways. Psychologically when I realised they used the same engine I became interested in the KTM because like you said Husqvarna had a good name in my mind . Put the two together gave me the confidence to go for a none Japanese motorcycle for the first time in my life. And I'm so glad I did. Duke 390 is a great bike. I'll subscribe to see what else you have.
Thank you!
And my Svart led me to a 701 SM, and I would happily would have picked up an SMC R, but the Husky was cheaper :) Its a sound strategy, more options let you dominate more marketplace. The different color schemes alone help attract buyers.
"The Husqvarna 401 led me to buy the Duke 390. So they may connect each other in certain ways"
KTM production is based on "bike platforms".
For example, in the street bikes you have the 390, 490, 690, 790, 890 etc. platforms and then the different brands are just variants of these platforms, with diffrent chassis equipment, electronics, suspension and model names. (KTM 890 = 901 Husqvarna).
You took a long time to just say KTM had reached market saturation. Their sales had plateaued, attend any off road event and they were everywhere. They were also having major faults, more or less going backwards compared to the brilliant RFS days of reliability. So they bought some badges. The amazing thing is that the buying public bought into it. Clever.
marketing suckers
Brilliant. You nailed it 👍😂
Interesting seeing a video this well made from a channel with under 1k subs, but youtube recommended this to me so it might be about to be your first big one.
Thank you! Hopefully it’s time will come :) until then, I still enjoy making these, so there’s more to come
Your tombstone displaying Husqvarna from 1903 to 2013 is incorrect. Husky DIED in 1989 when it was bought out by and converted into (and ruined by) Cagiva with Husky emblems. In fact, they've been Husky in name only ever since. Starting in 1990, previous Husky engineers started the Husaberg brand with technology so advanced, KTM HAD to buy them also to determine how to make a lightweight 4-stroke dirtbike. I was an avid Husqvarna rider since the early 60s and it saddened me greatly to see them, basically, go out of business.
I have a 96 wxc360. If there was any aftermarket for better suspension and if I could get replacement parts it would still be my main bike. Fast, smooth, stable.
Since the only thing I can get is pistons, it only comes out for vintage races since it's almost 30 years old!😢
Husqies were a premium product indeed until they started making and shipping them from Vajaj's factories, making it even more confusing. Personally I think they should have at least kept making the 401 and 701 models exclusively in Austria. Anyway, I am happy to see someone putting such great effort to make these videos, very insightful and entertaining, especially for a Husqvarna fan such as myself.
I appreciate the feedback! I think we’re not the only ones who tend to prefer to buy Austrian-built machines, but unfortunately economics say that we might not get that for these lower cc bikes.
*Bajaj not vajaj
I'm sure the 701s are still made in Austria unless that was a very recent change. My 2020 701 Supermoto has a made in Austria sticker on it.
as a husqvarna fan i too found this entertaining
Excellent video buddy! You gained a subscriber out of me for sure ✌🏻 keep these videos coming and your channel will blow up in no time 💪🏼
Thank you sir!
I have the new GasGas EC300. They appeal to me because I wanted linkage, aluminum sub frame and no frills. Then I use the money I saved to accessorize it like I want.
My friends have KTM and Husqvarna. We have swapped bikes. My friends remark that the GasGas EC300 feels different than their bikes. More mellow and easy to work with in very tight trees.
To me the KTM feels the most aggressive and quick on the power, it feels like a racing bike. The Husqvarna is in between, but more close to the KTM power feel. All of them are fun.
You can make any of them behave how you like with moderate changes. Pick a color!
I get the exact same feedback. The cast clamps give the Gas Gas a more compliant feel
I purchased a GasGas EC300 for exactly the same reason. Other than an issue with the Braketec clutch it’s been the great.
Dude Thanks for the info.. Now i know Why.. Glad, i bumped into your Channel bro.. Done subs..
Thanks!
As a former owner of Huskies up to 08 and currently have a 2013 125 Husky and a 13 and 18 GasGas 300, the bikes were and id argue the 18 is still a better bike than a Kato, superior suspension and reliability, the worry is Kato has shares in Rieju too, if they finally take them over too we'll have another WP suspended pogo stick, offer the Gasser with premium KYB i might be half interested. GasGas was going mainstream and had traction in sales in Australia, the bikes were great.
I owned several Cagiva Huskys and they were great bikes. Dont forgot it was Husky that first brough light weight "race ready" DOT legal bikes to the states. KTM basically canceled BMW out of Dakar and Rally, so BMW tried to counter by getting into the dirt bike market with some innovated tech, but soon realized that no-one was going to by a BMW off road dirt bike. They bought the Husky name (only the name) from Cagiva.to help sell the bikes and take some market share from a fast growing KTM. BMW soon found out that not alot of people were going to shell out $9000(us in 2009 ) for a quirky machine no matter what the label on the tank said. BMW did bring some innovation that has found its way into offroad and SDV bikes of today. BTW - SWM is still building updated versions of the Cagiva Husqvarna's in the same Italian factory under the SWM brand.
I still have a 2008 Husky I will probably never sell. Love it!
I'm sorry they didn't adopt the TE310 type, my favourite Husky, compared to the 610, 570, 510's I rode before
Yes, all your videos are very informative, approaching a diverse range of topics and 100% numbers don't lie
I think another part is that if they let these brands fail and go away it makes motorcycling in general look like it is on the decline causing a further dip in popularity. People are really brand loyal and many would hold on to their old husky's before they would ever buy a KTM, but will still show up to buy a new one even if it's just a KTM with white plastics. Like if Harley was to go out of business, do you think all of the Harley riders would just go out and buy a Yamaha cruiser?
No but I could see these people buying two other brands of Motorcycle made in the USA by Indian or Victory, the only two big brands in USA making 2 wheel bikes that are made as road only big brands in the USA. With Indian possibly going down as it is part owned by Harley Davidson.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
The whole motorcycle industry is dying. Yamaha no longer makes the star cruiser line. Polaris completely dropped victory. And Indian is not owned by Harley Davidson. It’s owned by Polaris.
Well put together video. Well spoken. Well relaying of info. Well produced with video effects. Everything. Very professional work young man.
Thank you!
I just ordered a 700 es gasgas 2023.
The only reason I bought this bike is that it is simply a 690 / 701 enduro but cheaper, and much more availability in dealerships because the brand image is not the same as KTM or Husqvarna.
I say thank you KTM if it is for having an excellent, less expensive, but red motorcycle !
😁❤
My brand new 2023 KTM 250 XC was and is still broken on Delivery. FI warning light. Bike has 10 minutes total, 9 of those minutes from the dealer.
I worked for BMW at the time.
One of four salesmen.
I was the only one who ever actually sold a Husqvarna. Two actually.
Both Nudas.
Then all of a sudden, we were required to remove all the Husqvarna display material, a big truck turned up, collected the showroom bikes, and... "poof!" Just like that, we didn't sell Husqvarnas anymore!
Bizarre!
That’s weird ... I guess they quickly got rid of husky back then
@KRANKiT It was crazy how quickly it happened...
It caused a bit of a problem for one guy, because we couldn't even do his 1000km (600 mile) service, and we had to refer him to another dealership which was 100 miles away!
Oh wow ... that’s some nice inside info! Poor guy though
Were the truck guys wearing black suits?
1:35 Wrong, wrong, wrong.
KTM did not 'keep the brand alive', they killed off anything to do with Husqvarna and fitted Husqvarna stickers to bikes in the factory that had, the day before, been going out the door with stickers from another great independent brand - Husaberg!
What KTM managed to do was upset TWO loyal groups of owners, but suck up to their boardroom members who love a great 'economies of scale' story.
Each time in the case of these companies they promise that they will honour the workers and there will be no short term changes to the line-up etc, each time they slam the doors shut on all involved.
Then boom!
KTM buys Gas Gas, same story for the factory and owners, same empty promises.
KTM could have put money into these companies, produced new products AND kept their workers and brand loyalty alive...they didn't.
KTM is a motorcycle industry cancer, I will never own one of their products while I draw breath, and I actively promote competitor products to help take sales away.
And yes, I was an Italian/BMW Husky owner and my riding buddy was a Husaberg owner when KTM killed both brands.
We both still have those bikes!
I've also had 3 x Shercos since that time, a brand which is fiercely independent and has seen massive growth to be the second largest off road manufacturer in Europe.
Viva la difference 🇫🇷
Yeah but you're not remembering the part he said, which is true, both Husky and Gas Gas would be totally dead, buried and long forgotten had it not been for KTM buying them and then putting those nice stickers on the beautiful bikes. And, (KTM) Gas Gas and Husky have never been such a good bike and they've never been so popular as they are now. Think about that...
@@onthethrottle7104
Your comment that the KTMs are good bikes is up for debate, however, you completely missed my point regarding the previous owners, and factory workers who were unceremoniously dumped overnight. Not just once, but 3 x times!
Husaberg, Husqvarna and Gas Gas...
Being a good corporate citizen is not just about turning a dollar for the shareholders, it's about doing the right thing for the business you've just bought and assisting your new loyal customers and your workers.
It is certainly not turning your back, closing the door and sucking out every cent you can before leaving with the signage to put on your own junk.
They could so easily have pumped in some R&D money and produced new updated models.
The brands did die with the KTM takeover. There's no link to the heritage of the past.
The old names on the stickers might popular now, but just about every KTM built Husky and Gasser owner is a new-to - the-brandname owner.
Imagine how many bikes they could have sold on top of this if they had tried, even a little bit, to keep the faithful previous owners happy!
Enjoy the substandard WP junk suspension on the overpriced Austrian bikes 👍
Just subscribed after watching the Husaberg vid ..then found this one. Equally as interesting and well made. As a previous owner of an 1988 Husky WR400, the last of the real Swedish Huskies before Cagiva got a hold, I like the factual and , frankly, real world view on what has happened. Looking back through rose tinted goggles doesn't automatically turn into great business or pay the rent....nice work sir!
Thank you sir! Glad you liked them!
You should look into the history of Husaberg in relation to the Husqvarna / KTM story. Long live the Bergs!
I really need to check more on that ... maybe do a video on it at some point, a lot of you have been pointing it out and definitely seems like I should look more into it!
@@KRANKiT yes… absolutely. Sad end to a great brand. Another vid would be how BMW ran Husky into the ground
You need to cover the Husaberg story. KTM had Berg from ‘95 to 2014. They were ahead of their time on 4T. They were manufactured with premium components and made big power through the whole curve.
I bought the white KTM and I absolutely love it. Solid video, thanks for sharing the wisdom. 💪😃👍
Love myn as well...atleast most of it. The composite sub frame is 🗑.
Such a hidden gem of a channel, keep up the good work and you’ll be in the millions!
Thanks!
nice work! The GasGas TXT 2024 GP is now the best trials bike on the market and has a very strong brand!
Spaniard here, gasgas was always hardly loved in spain back in the days, the 2stroke gas gas enduro bikes were beloved by most of people, in a country like spain where back in the days enduro was the rule and mx was something for a little amount of people ( days have changed a lot) but i like that gasgas still alive and doing great 2 strokes enduro bikes as they always did :D
I have a 04 four stroke gasgas (with the yamaha engine) and i have to say it just feels so much lighter then other 450's from that time even compared to a wr450 which it shares the engine with. Really love the bike, its sad that parts are hard to come by tho
With my 60 years of age, I have owned Husaberg´s, Husqvarna´s and GAS GAS´s when they were not implemented to KTM. So if they wouldn´t have done it these brands would be history right now, which would be a shame. A proud Austrian KTMHUSQVARNAGASGASMVAGUSTA fan! 😁
Sorry Dude, Your story is far from complete and somewhat inaccurate. BMW part was true for the most part, but the rest was not. Actually KTM engine design was saved by the Husaberg acquisition, which were old remnants (and Engineers) from Swedish Husqvarna. Cagiva (IT) bought Husqvarna trade name and started to build Huskys (Good ones). BMW came along years later and bought the trade name and Cagiva / Husky designs. They're only contribution was a few designs (511, Nuda and a few others). BMW definitely didn't have they're Heart into the offroad scene or could they market it.
I'm lucky enough to have a TX300 (Husky), EXC250 (KTM), EX250F (GASGAS with a 270 kit) , FE501 (Husky). Each Brand is different from the other, like Tools in the Toolbox.
A purpose and place for each one.
P.s. I can remember when KTM was almost Bankrupt and Polaris came in with a bunch of cash and saved them.
I attended a "Jeff Smith Motocross School (Jeff Smith was amulti time MX champion on BSA,CCM, in England,Jeff Smith had alot to do with getting Can-am off the ground. Jeff Smith said Husqvarna's frames were so thin that they would flex in a turn and throw you off. I worked at a Can-am shop full time in the Summer, part time after school. I was only 13 yrs old then in 1973, but I rode every bike made back then but a Husqvarna. I remember them being light,fast, & handled well. Our shop even purchased one of those Don Jones (Gary's Dad) heavily massaged Can-am GP-250 Prototype's. The quickest to the powerband bike I ever rode. Steve Mc Queen rode Husqvarna 💪 When in doubt Gas It!!!
Much respect to kTm for keeping said brands alive. I believe Husaberg was bought for their technology as they built what seemed to be a perfect bike but with some issues and was seen as a large threat to their market share. BMW destroyed the Husky dirt bike and turned it into a over engineered thing that offered nothing competitive in the racing world with it weird handling and gimmick off road engineering trick design which sucked in competition. KTM has a huge heart for keeping alive great brands that were instrumental in getting KTM to the top of the off road market . Ktm has proven their loyalty and dedication to the motorcycle community by showing their commitment in providing excellent platforms for all riders and love for past brands.
i hate it for Husaberg but i'm glad SWM is still in the market
i run their chainsaws and weed eaters- just got a new Husq with proprietary fitment of attachments- still trying to breath life back in my 128ld that's the same displacement and compatible with everything from Trimmer Plus to Ryobi
do you have a Yamaha in your garage???
I have a Husqvarna 701 Enduro and it's all premium stuff. Brembo brakes, great suspension, and looks great in the blue and white.
I just switched to gasgas mc450 FE . I love it. Glad ktm is thriving
I had a husky 511 back in 2012 when it was the BMW motor... what an epic bike!!! I miss it so much
I really love your style of talking you are articulate and considerate well done.
Thank you!
I always wanted a KTM but dislike the orange color. The red KTM is what I ended up buying and I love it.
Foarte tare, am vazut deja cateva video-uri dar nu mi-am dat seama ca esti roman! Big up din BH
Good videos! Love the style. I'll be touring Eastern Europe in summer, maybe I catch you out in the trails!
See you around! I'm sure you'll love it!
I have a red KTM. I like my bike very much. Gasgas EX300
This video is much more relevant today , than it's production date 1 year ago. Almost like you had a crystal ball.
As a Husqvarna owner one of things that makes it best is ktm technology without bright orange paint. And very very comfortable and big seats(practicality).
Its a nice gap husky fills.
You will have cult luke following from people like us.
Quality of those vids is approaching fortnine levels, surreal to see such a small amount of views and subsribers
Thank you!
these are some awesome videos! with content this well made you will soon be recognized as a popular motorcycle content creator!
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Hello, in the early 90's is KTM that almost dissapeared beceause of their extreme laak of quality... if the 4 japanese brands would have continued their developement in enduro als they made in Motocross it would have been much moore though for European Brands.( you forgot to talk about Husaberg that KTM shut down we d'ont know why? ) With all these up's and downs, i'm very glad to have good memories on practicing Motocross and Enduro( in Fun mode) at moore then 25years long... trying as much als Brands and cathegories that i can. At the end for my case Yamaha is pretty good product. 😎 Be safe and ride fast ✊
GREAT JOB! I see another Fortnine in the making... Keep doing what you are doing
Thank you sir!
So, I'm still not sure if KTM is hero or villain...
Great video, like always
I guess it’s never simply black and white
@@KRANKiT That's true 👍
I love the style, effort and emotion you put in your channel 🙏👍
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed this video alot, It doesn't mean much but I definitely clicked subscribe. A masterpiece. My first KTM was like a 2002 300 and seeing half the manual in german was a shock as a kid from Oregon. Lol.
Welcome aboard!
This is a great video and you deserve alot more subs! Keep up the good work.
Thanks!
I might add that KTM puts a lot of stock in Racing and this was a way for them to have multiple Factory Teams in Supercross and now in Moto GP.
Very interesting and great production values.
(I see you've been studying Fort Nine 😉)
Man, this was great! I roughly knew of the KTM buy out, but after that, never gave another thought.
At least in the enduro line, GasGas is on the same line pricing-wise as the respective KTM standard models.
GasGas just comes with a linkage, poorer headlight and red plastics.
Also, why wouldn't it add up? They complete their bike selection, with slight variation in level of equipment, without having to "confuse" the customer, or messing an existing brand with new models.
If you only had the orange brand, in enduro line-up alone, you would have:
- 2-stroke models w/o linkage (PDS, basic KTM)
- 4-stroke models w/o linkage (PDS)
- 2-stroke models w/ linkage (GasGas)
- 4-stroke models w/ linkage (GasGas)
- 2-stroke models w/o linkage, but with "all accessories" (6 days -models)
- 4-stroke models w/o linkage, but with "all accessories" (6 days -models)
- 2-stroke models w/ linkage, with "all accessories (Husky)
- 4--stroke models w/ linkage, with "all accessories (Husky)
So then you would have to have a KTM model name for each 8 accessory levels (and 3-4 different displacements at each variant.)
Would 30 models make sense within one brand?
At the end of the day, yep, that’s it ... more choice ... kind of :)
Awesome video, keep it up!
Well presented. Glad to find your channel!
In the US one of the biggest differences between KTM, Husky, and GasGas is the Husky road bikes (701 Enduro and Norden 901) have a 2 year warranty while the others have a 1 year warranty.
Good idea to share your view on the matter, seems to have good traction in he comments. Good luck with the channel!
Thank you!
Foarte bine realizat!!! Felicitari
Mersi!
Am ramas prost cand am vazut numarul de Cluj. Frumos clip, succes in continuare!
Mersi :))
You can still buy parts from KTM that come in boxes marked KTM/Husqvarna/Husaberg.
It’s interesting how husky still makes the best chainsaw in the world but stihl faithfuls would disagree. Regardless thst line is very successful
Your video quality is top notch! Just came from the 700gs video and it was almost on par with fortnine
good job
Thank you! You will most likely enjoy the next one if you liked the gs video ...
I’m not in the enduro world but I have a 2022 vitpilen401 and I must say I do really enjoy the bike. Parts are high quality as far as I know and it’s ran like a dream ever since I bought it. I’m no mechanic or professional but I do enjoy the bike and find no issues with the build quality especially for the price they msrp at.
“Scooters for Ms. Greta!” LMAO! 🛵
I'd love to hear your take on the Bultaco/Sherco storyline. Motorcycle history is the best!
It's on the list... One day that story will be told
I own Te449 & Te511 from BMW’s ownership era and I’d bet my last quid they are both more reliable than ktm built husky’s.
I thought you would of touched on what KTM did to husaberg as that is an interesting story
Young man you are talented at these. Keep it up 👍
Thanks a lot!
In the car world it has been done since a long time and it worked because, imo, there might be more proper parts of a given sub-brand, a given model might share some parts across the main brands Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, like the engine and maybe the transmission, but, if I'm not wrong, the rest of parts might be pretty different, and the chassis, rolling frame components and finishes might signify a quite difference, but in the case of the bikes, and off-road bikes, it's seen instantly that a Gas Gas and a Husqvarna are a red and a white KTM respectively, the differences with the suspensions, bodywork and a few more, doesn't seem to counterbalance that..., in my opinion.
It honestly depends ... even in the car world, you get models from sister brands that are 95% the same car, even visually
I bought a '23 GasGas EX300. And it wasnt until after I got it I learned GasGas uses the previous years engines for the KTM and Huskys. So I essentially bought a '22 KTM.
ISO9001 - All these bikes are basically identical except for the color of the plastic... R&D folks at the top podium companies have been shaving improvements into these bikes for years, but the podiums are mostly a product of the riders themselves. The top companies find the top riders, get the podiums, and get the sales... These top riders then guide the engineers to push the envelope. Any innovations should show up as patents which then could either offer an edge, or could be licensed out to other companies until the IP expires... Let's look a a list of patents that one mfgr has over another and start comparing from an engineering perspective...
Your comments on what you think their reasons are great….definitely thoughtful. We will definitely give you a follow.😊
Bravo…. Well done - i’m sorry that so many people are busting your balls over details left out but as a storyteller making wide brushstrokes at 50,000 foot perspective I think you did an amazing job. - keep it up and I look forward to hearing/seeing more :)))
Thanks! At the end of the day, you always have to pick and choose what goes into a video to create the story ... and some tangents are so vast that they deserve their own video, like with the case of Husaberg.
This is funny to watch in 2025.
So well done. You are talented!
Subscribed
Thank you so much!
Wow now this looks interesting why did KTM purchase Husqvarna and GasGas
You are good at this! Go go go! :) Subscribed!
Thanks!
I have a svartpilen 701 and I love it. I want more Street models
Bro! You’re making awesome content. :)
Thank you!
And remember that the husky factory reopened as SWM same staff same bikes
Good video, good points raised. I used own a GasGas 250SM and now I own a Husky 701SM - I get what you are saying. Subscribed.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it
Husaberg was a cooler innovative manufacturer. Killing them off to merge with Husqvarna was a sad day. I'll never sell my FE 450
Excellent analysis . Spot on. You couldn't have predicted it better. You should put your skills on merger and acquisition for some investment bank. Thank you. KTM's situation is more clear to me. Truly self inflicted. And I own two KTMs. Ahhgg !
This video it Fucking incredible. I hope that 1.7 k subscribers hits 100k for you soon. Keep creating brother, it can only get better. 👍
Is* fucking incredible. sorry.
Thank you!
I was in a parade yesterday and my power vision said my 103 engine temperature hit 350 how hot is to hot this is my first air Cooled engine so not really familiar with temps
I never understood the KTM’s overlap in models. Almost every year there is this new model with a bigger engine and they make another new model in to fill the gap that has been created by the new model with the bigger engine. Look at KTM’s Adventure line. They go from the last 990 Adv in 2013 to 1190, 1290, 1090, 1050, 790, 890 and now they got a new 990 coming up for the Duc so the next year there will be an 990 Adv.
I own an Italian husky and a new 2022 gasgas. It's interesting to compare the build quality and design of the two. There's a 14-year difference so the packaging of the vehicle is definitely more advanced and better on the gas gas but the actual quality of componentry and build is just as good on the Italian husky. So far both bikes have been trouble-free.
That’s interesting to know
@@KRANKiT the packaging of the battery, relays, ECU and wiring is light years better on the Gas Gas. The fasteners, hubs, pegs and overall robustness is better on the Husky. The weight is the penalty for that. Gas Gas 25 lbs (12 Kg) lighter
Very well done video! Signed, a Husaberg, KTM, GasGas racer!
I wanted a KTM 890 Adventure R, but I absolutely hate their look. When the Norden came along it saved me from the pain of having to ride the ugliest thing on the road. Is it as good as the 890R? No, at least not the suspension. But it is better than the standard, and it's much better than my skill level. I love my Norden! It has the same 105hp engine as the 890R and it's a badass of a powerplant. Just try to keep up with me on anything of the same class.
In light of recent events it actuly did not add up. Cars you can hide platform sharing in a way you cant with bikes.
_Nice Vid, .... it is nice to see how You travel with the car, go to McDonnez or make fire in the oven ...... nice to watch ..._
_Greetings from Germany._
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Now the KTM corporation offer too much choice for too few customers. The younger generation aren't so interested in off roaders (or bikes in general) they'd probably rather have an app for that?
Something is going to disappear, pick a brand and spin the wheel I think that off-road pilots ride with their hearts and not their heads which has been keeping the market buoyant for many years but there is a storm coming, a perfect storm combining the world's financial issues and a dwindling customer base ( remember that generally a motorbike is a leisure pursuit for the western world ) I ride trials, love GasGas but their products have been sketchy for years, almost a disposable bike, which is reflected in their second hand values and limited used market desirability . I can't foresee KTM tolerating the poor return on their investment for very long. A few hearts are going to be broken, mine included.
One thing KTM is doing that might help, in my opinion, is taking these brands on the street as well. They’ve slowly been doing that to Huskies, and I feel like that’s their plan for GasGas too ... but who knows?
I think that is overly pessimistic. It is working because all of these products are completely modular and built on the same assembly lines. There is somewhat limited marginal expense to KTM in selling so many "colors" of bikes as long as they continue to give buyers what they want at a good value. Just think of each color as an option package on a car. Many cars offers a dozen packages and sometimes several dozen individual options on top of color. KTM is pulling off the same thing with a slightly different marketing strategy. Think GasGas = LX, Husqvarna = GT, and KTM = R. Expanding into street bikes offers great potential, too, although they have been a bit over the top in the styling department thus far. Better than Yamaha, but no one else, really.
@@yuriabmxr Unfortunately, us pessimists aren't often disappointed 😥 😄