After being purchased by the owner of KTM a couple of years ago, Husqvarna lost its access to BMW engines that motivated street legal models in its lineup. Husky should be back on the street here in the U.S. next Summer with the new 701 Supermoto. Very similar to the KTM 690 SMC R sold in Europe, the Husky gets a 67 hp version of the big KTM single and should weigh in at roughly 340 pounds wet.
With ABS, selectable fuel maps and a slipper clutch, this will be a versatile machine for sure. No word on U.S. pricing at this point.
I still want to see this in production!
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/husqvarna-smq-new-model-for-2010-ecima.681/
im riding a 2010 KTM 690 Duke, which I love love love, and I wonder what parts the Husqy has that are not KTM parts. Is it simply coloring and plastic shapes that distinguish the Husqy from the KTM?
Also, maybe they will fill-out the lineup with Husqy’s for the occasional spot where there isn’t a designated KTM, although with so many models, I don’t know what that is, perhaps this years sumo (KTM seems to make them some years, and not others).
Still not gonna buy one. I used dirt bike will always make a better sumo that a purpose-built factory jobbie. Factory sumos are , imo, always Duke-ish because of all the junk they have to bolt onto them to get them importated past the freaking legalistas (hates them).
” used dirt bike will always make a better sumo that a purpose-built factory jobbie”
That is only true if you intend it to be a track-only bike.
This bike, along with another set of rims fitted with knobbies, would cover the bases for me like no other. That is for everything except long range travel including a high percentage of super slab miles.
This is one UGLY UGLY UGLY bike. God! When BMW had it, at least they made some styling, and color choices along with the performance of these machines. Who in their right mind would approve this kind of styling and think they had a winner?
I had a DRZ400SM and that was fun. This thing would be downright hilarious/insane. You won’t have your drivers license for long. You’ll have to hire a Dr. to surgically remove the smile from your face. But you can think about all the fun you had while riding your bicycle to work.
I wonder if Husky engineers want to kill themselves. All that work and KTM throws it out the window and creates nothing but KTM clones.
WTF IS THE POINT?????
Who are they going to attract? The 12 people that want a KTM without the KTM label?
Agreed.
Husky is one of those alternative-to-Japan cult companies that stole sales from KTM. Even a relatively small number of motorcycles is material to a company like KTM. It doesn’t cost much to restyle and rebadge existing products and sell them to the Husqvarna faithful to pick up a few extra sales so long as the faithful still exist. It probably helps to keep prior Husky fans on KTM hardware so that they can warm up to KTM and make an easier transition to orange when the inevitable likely happens: in the long run, I think KTM will send Husky the way of Husaberg.
With the KTM deal Husqvarna lost all access to the BMW designs. You seriously expect them to come up with all-new designs in a year? New model lead times are much longer even in smaller companies.
I don’t know what was included in the purchase of Husqvarna by KTM (Pierer Industries), but it is obvious all they are using is the name and logo. I doubt very highly that any future Huskys will have an engine that is not shared by KTM.
I had a 2010 KTM 690SM, absolutely loved it. If you’ve never ridden a light (relatively, I know a 450 motocross er is only 260lbs) powerful thumper on the street you should. It reminds you why you started to love motorbikes in the first place.
I sold it for 2 reasons:
1. Reliability was sketchy, had to replace a $500 fuel injector at 3k miles, fueling was weird, backfired like the 4th of July, rear seat mounts breaking, and other well documented issues. I hear they sorted all problems in 2014, so this reason should be taken care of.
2. I just could not get myself to fully enjoy a $10k+ single. Something kept nagging at me.. For that kind of money I should be living on the thing.. So I sold it and bought 3 clean used bikes that are nowhere near as fun, but they are reliable and cheap. No guilty conscience seeing them sit for a few days means I actually enjoy them more.. But man I long for that thrill. Price will likely still be an issue.. I would be shocked to see this bike below $11k MSRP, which is north of $12k OTD.
That is almost brand new FZ07 AND CRF250L combined kind of money.
Gee, I wonder if she power wheelies in 3rd? Awesome!
Mmmmmmm, third gear power wheelies (said like Homer).
Now *THIS * is a bike I want!
Oh, and re: pricing in the states? It ain’t gonna be cheap.
2014 price for the KTM 690 SMC R is approx. $ 12800 (converted) here in Europe and not much to haggle with dealers.
Well north of $10 large if it is coming with those particular wheels and suspension bits.
Certainly won’t be cheap fun, but will probably be worth the price of admission.
It has no competition, and it is definitely a scalpel among butter knives. I am sure it will be worth the asking price.
Glad to see Husky back with some street legal version of fun!
Love it. Want it. Will buy it.
Supermoto street bikes rule!
My butt hurts just looking at that seat!
That’s a KTM 690 SMC R with slightly new colors/different plastics. KTM will discontinue the KTM 690 SMC R and the bike will be re-badged as Husky.
Yes, yes and yes. I don’t want your 200hp superbike, your 7th sport tourer this year, your cruiser, your naked bike with even more horsepower than last year. I want to ride across country, but I won’t any time soon. I want an upright, light, maneuverable, responsive, capable, and multi-purpose bike with ABS.
How I agree with you there !!
Now, that should be a hoot on the right roads.
I will own this bike someday. Other than the DRZ front fascia (kudos to xlayn for the observation) it’s absolutely perfect. It’s a work of art. I love everything about it, from the colors to the form, to the notch-painted wheel. Bravo!!!
Dear all “I want it lighter and faster”:
You are served.
on other news: Husky steals the DR400 front face.
crazy guy in supermoto drifts/wheelie his way around town, reports says he wears a xlayn jacket.
“this will be a versatile machine for sure.” Yep, and tons of fun too I imagine.