With the increase in sales for adventure tourings bikes, Husqvara (owned by BMW) will be debuting some new models this year at EICMA in November sporting an engine variant on the parallel twin 800cc Rotax engine used in the BMWs F800R.
Here are a few pics of once concept bike - the Mille3:
(http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/husqvarnas-900cc-adventure-touring-project-4.jpg)
(http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/husqvarnas-900cc-adventure-touring-project-12.jpg)
(http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/husqvarnas-900cc-adventure-touring-project-11.jpg)
(http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/husqvarnas-900cc-adventure-touring-project-0.jpg)
Looks a bit long to me, but pics never seem to do justice to new bikes.
If this is your type of thing, then look for it later this year! [thumbsup]
nice.
Cagiva really screwed the pooch.
It seems to be their best skill: screwing up brands and then selling them to someone else who rescues them.
I don't know about that. To me it looks like some sort of bastardized cross between a motard and a cruiser. And not a good cross at that.
Hill Climb Havoc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c_7fRq_19s#normal)
Quote from: MadDuck on May 13, 2011, 09:39:26 AM
I don't know about that. To me it looks like some sort of bastardized cross between a motard and a cruiser. And not a good cross at that.
I agree - I think the bike's still in "concept" form though.
Here's another concept doing the rounds on the web - this time its' from Oberdan Bezzi
Here's a link to more of his concept bike renderings - http://motosketches.blogspot.com/ (http://motosketches.blogspot.com/)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuGolaIV1FY/TckXAOS3ZLI/AAAAAAAAA1c/OK4OcgacHb4/s1600/HUSQVARNA%2B900%2BSreet%2BOne.jpg)
In the pics posted by Dave it looks like a 90 degree twin. I can't imagine riding a dirt road or trail on such a low bike. The bike posted by m1moto looks like a nakid street bike.
Quote from: akmnstr on May 13, 2011, 11:28:27 AM
In the pics posted by Dave it looks like a 90 degree twin. I can't imagine riding a dirt road or trail on such a low bike. The bike posted by m1moto looks like a nakid street bike.
It's a TRIPLE ??? ??? ???
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/husqvarna-mille-3-concept/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/husqvarna-mille-3-concept/)
Looks like they took a parallel twin and added a 90 deg SINGLE offset cylinder!!
QuoteUnveiled at EICMA today, Husqvarna has brought to the Italian motorcycle show a special three-cylinder concept motorcycle dubbed the Husqvarna Mille 3 Concept. Using three Husqvarna dirt bike cylinders with a common crankcase, the 993cc v-triple (one in two cylinders, one vertical cylinder) is strikingly unique beyond its peculiar power plant.
The triple is pretty cool - similar to the old honda two strokes in configuration.
The actual production version will be based off the not-too-impressive BMW parallel twin I fear.
Quote from: bikepilot on May 13, 2011, 11:40:12 AM
The triple is pretty cool - similar to the old honda two strokes in configuration.
The actual production version will be based off the not-too-impressive BMW parallel twin I fear.
That Rotax engine is actually pretty impressive from what I've seen of it -- why don't you like it, other than disliking parallel twins?
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44149.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44149.0)
Quote from: m1moto on May 13, 2011, 09:59:57 AM
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuGolaIV1FY/TckXAOS3ZLI/AAAAAAAAA1c/OK4OcgacHb4/s1600/HUSQVARNA%2B900%2BSreet%2BOne.jpg)
Looks like it should say Aprilia on the side to me.
pretty sure they're going to run into the same prob that ktm is running into... poor dealer support and little recognition unless they get into wsb.
Quote from: thought on May 14, 2011, 08:30:14 PM
pretty sure they're going to run into the same prob that ktm is running into... poor dealer support and little recognition unless they get into wsb.
Husqy is owned by BMW
they have all the dealer support they need
brand recognition is another matter though
Quote from: ducatiz on May 14, 2011, 08:33:53 PM
Husqy is owned by BMW
they have all the dealer support they need
brand recognition is another matter though
Oh, i meant in the way that all the ktm dealers seem to be pretty focused on the off road stuff, and didn't seem that interested in the street stuff. That seemed to be the major complaint in the ktm thread
Quote from: thought on May 14, 2011, 09:14:12 PM
all the ktm dealers seem to be pretty focused on the off road stuff, and didn't seem that interested in the street stuff
For now maybe. But do you think they'll retain that focus once BMW starts telling "you do this, and you do that"?
Quote from: ducatiz on May 14, 2011, 08:33:53 PM
brand recognition is another matter though
Exactly. Average Joe:
Why would I want to buy a bike from a company that makes lawnmowers?
It's a logical point, not knowing Husqvarna's history.
As far as the parallel twin goes, I'm bothered less and less by them every time I ride my house mate's Kawi 650r. It doesn't have a LOT of stank, but it will get you there pretty quick.
I think the brand recognition really depends on the person. To many Husqvarna is an old, storied and glorious name with far more allure than BMW. Yeah there are lawnmowers with the same name on them (hasn't been the same company for a couple of decades though). Lamborghini is a tractor company, ducati started out making mopeds (IIRC) and yamaha makes pianos...
As for why I don't care for BMW's twin, its performance is less than impressive (barely any faster than an SV650 which is a decade older, much cheaper, and sounds better). Many have died early deaths (in the BMW 800GS guise - see all the reports on advrider) and overall quality control is questionable in my mind. All that is tolerable though, what I can't really abide is the wet-fart sound and totally even, unexciting drumming feel of the 180 degree crank. I like my twins with 270 degree cranks. Still, its quite fuel efficient, which is nice, and would make an ok commuting appliance (as long as it stayed running, which I assume most do). Its an engine I can't imagine the actual Husqvarna engineers coming up with in a million years - they like things a bit more spicy (see e.g., the Folan twin of years past - built by an offshoot of Husqvarna and using vaguely husqvarna/husaberg parts/design).
As for dealer support, so far husqvarna and bmw have maintained separate dealers so not all husqvarna dealers can do bmw stuff and vice versa, though BMW is bankrolling the financing etc for husqvarna sales and husqvarna dealer support isn't half bad (in the states). I suspect that if/when BMW starts to sell husqvarna-branded street bikes they'll support them though the BMW dealerships. Husqvarna dealerships are typically off-road specialty shops (though not always).
FYI I raced a husqvarna off road bike in the '90s when it was made by cagiva (right along side ducatis IIRC). Great bikes back then and, from all I hear, they are still great bikes.
Quote from: bikepilot on May 16, 2011, 02:36:46 PM
ducati started out making vacuum tubes, condensers and other radio components
Fixed that for you.
Quote from: bikepilot on May 16, 2011, 02:36:46 PM
All that is tolerable though, what I can't really abide is the wet-fart sound and totally even, unexciting drumming feel of the 180 degree crank. I like my twins with 270 degree cranks.
I guess you hate these?
1978 ducati desmo 500 sport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfDuiDf-06I#normal)
I've never seen one in real life, but the video doesn't get my pulse racing.
Quote from: bikepilot on May 17, 2011, 05:23:39 AM
I've never seen one in real life, but the video doesn't get my pulse racing.
they are a bit heavy, but have a very low center of gravity. old style touring bike, actually a lot of fun. it was a dalliance the factory had with trying to compete with the japanese twins. the main difference is the 180 deg crank. very smooth at high rpm, but no wet fart sounds, sorry to report.
i rather like them mainly because they are such a ginger stepchild.
Quote from: Jarvicious on May 16, 2011, 12:57:44 PM
Why would I want to buy a bike from a company that makes lawnmowers?
Like Honda?
this i could live with, but it looks to me like engineers screwed up some hard work by industrial designers, again
Quote from: m1moto on May 13, 2011, 09:59:57 AM
Here's another concept doing the rounds on the web - this time its' from Oberdan Bezzi
Here's a link to more of his concept bike renderings - http://motosketches.blogspot.com/ (http://motosketches.blogspot.com/)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuGolaIV1FY/TckXAOS3ZLI/AAAAAAAAA1c/OK4OcgacHb4/s1600/HUSQVARNA%2B900%2BSreet%2BOne.jpg)