378 replies to this topic

[huskyfrk TT Silver Member]

before  this  big  management change,    the ex  head honcho told  george  if  he  sold  more  bikes  ,  he's  get  his  parts  faster,  and  full orders. as  it  was,  stuff would  trickle in,   lot's  of stuff,  3  or 4 of  this  or  that,  when  he  needed 8 pieces for  part X.  i  used   to  watch  him open  the package  and   just  shake  his  head..   wonder  how  he  will be  treated  now when  he order's  parts  for our huskies  ???

[PALMER84ONE TT Addict]

FRECNDY, on 13 March 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

My local BMW-adding-Husky dealer still took a week and a half to get parts out of the system, and its back fence overlooks the 405 freeway in SoCal. Wonder what Hall's is doing that these guys can't seem to get set up yet.

Halls is like Up-tite but bigger, That dealer is not stocking over 70,000.00 in parts, nore do they care about the brand, deep discounts to get them to move...

[XLEnduroMan TT Silver Member]

I can not shake this. UpTite is the one company that Husqvarna should not have let go. I imagine that WORLD WIDE UpTite is the most known shop/builder people associate with Husqvarna. The one any only time I was able to make it to George's shop and meet him, he was reparing a Husky stator for a guy in England. I call that world wide recognition and respected Husqvarna service. I think an email to Husky NA is due on this one.

[SilverBulletCSVT TT Member]

PALMER84ONE, on 13 March 2012 - 05:49 PM, said:

Something about Dezert doesn't fly with my taste buds...

I agree. I think Dezert Husqvarna is actually a Husky NA person and came here trying to smooth over the decision made to let Uptite go. Of course we know the truth and nobody can convince us otherwise. We don't care about Husqvarna shareholders and making them a profit. We care about our bikes and love riding. George was all about the bike and the ride. Great big loss for us, and great big boner by HNA. Like when Coca Cola tried to replace Classic Coke with the New Coke. I hope they realize it before it's too late and George can be brought back just as quickly.

_

[SilverBulletCSVT TT Member]

XLEnduroMan, on 14 March 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

I think an email to Husky NA is due on this one.

I agree but apparently their email goes into a black hole so won't do any good. I've emailed them twice over the last 5 months and not a single acknowledgement or reply. I resent one email as a follow up and still no word back.

_

[PALMER84ONE TT Addict]

1) I don't think George is going to sell Husky again even "if" they want him back. Like I said before, he gets set on something he's not stopping. Beta is ecstatic to have him on board I'll beta!
1a) They BMW/HNA screwed the pooch and are pushing a Chinese engine with no replacement parts. They are part of "have become" the mainstream throw away society. use it until it breaks and sell another one for just over the cost to fix the old one. Hmmm?
2) E-mails go to these dip shats that they hired from KTM, it's all in the grand scheme of things, as soon as husky started to gain ground again hire the "ex" KTM clowns to insure they fall back behind the orange bike.
2a) Your emails are lost and will not be returned. So as long as BMW/HNA have the KTM lackeys their the brand will slow down again like it did before.

Just like big brother: Government is outsourcing jobs now, spending more money to the private contractor than doing it in house "but" saving on paying an employees retirement. Managers are still on board and they are the ones that get full medical and full benefits after retirement. NOT THE BLUE COLLAR Worker! So buy them engines baby!

Edited by PALMER84ONE, 14 March 2012 - 04:09 PM.

[FRECNDY TT Silver Member]

PALMER84ONE, on 14 March 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

1a) They BMW/HNA screwed the pooch and are pushing a Chinese engine with no replacement parts. They are part of "have become" the mainstream throw away society. use it until it breaks and sell another one for just over the cost to fix the old one. Hmmm?

BMW cars are throwaway bling. Nice to drive until one mile after the warranty is gone. I'm able to tap into wholesale distribution for my car parts and I do my own work, which is the only reason I can have a 19-year-old, 215k mile car that still mostly works and looks pretty decent. Would have become insanely cost prohibitive to maintain if I was paying someone else to take care of all the ridiculous bullshizz that goes wrong with it. And this was before they got complicated and crappy. I wouldn't own a new BMW a day out of warranty. Basically, they are made to lease, or trade in when the warranty expires.

Some of it might actually be cultural. Travel around Germany, and you just don't see cars on the road older than ten years. Of any brand. They promote recycling them now, rather than passing them down the food chain. Why make a car last past its recycle-by date?

[andicus TT Bronze Member]

SilverBulletCSVT, on 14 March 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

I agree. I think Dezert Husqvarna is actually a Husky NA person and came here trying to smooth over the decision made to let Uptite go. Of course we know the truth and nobody can convince us otherwise. We don't care about Husqvarna shareholders and making them a profit. We care about our bikes and love riding. George was all about the bike and the ride. Great big loss for us, and great big boner by HNA. Like when Coca Cola tried to replace Classic Coke with the New Coke. I hope they realize it before it's too late and George can be brought back just as quickly.

Certainly looks that way.  Far too much marketing BS trying to justify poor decisions.

[XLEnduroMan TT Silver Member]

Dezert Husqvarna, on 13 March 2012 - 03:41 PM, said:

The second link refers to how husqvarna/BMW is inplementing new decor,

New decor? In a motorcycle shop? New awards, trophys, ride pictures, is really only the new decor a dirt rider will notice, am I right? If you go to a girly club are you really going to notice there is new decor on the wall?

I have been to a fair amount of Husqvarna dealerships on the west coast. Some more polished looking then then others, but in reality it's not the polish that is important, imo. It's the people, the knowledge, and the service that is important.

[HuskyRips Get Help Now]

XLEnduroMan, on 14 March 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

New decor? In a motorcycle shop? New awards, trophys, ride pictures, is really only the new decor a dirt rider will notice, am I right? If you go to a girly club are you really going to notice there is new decor on the wall?

I have been to a fair amount of Husqvarna dealerships on the west coast. Some more polished looking then then others, but in reality it's not the polish that is important, imo. It's the people, the knowledge, and the service that is important.

X2 on that!

[PALMER84ONE TT Addict]

XLEnduroMan, on 14 March 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

New decor? In a motorcycle shop? New awards, trophys, ride pictures, is really only the new decor a dirt rider will notice, am I right? If you go to a girly club are you really going to notice there is new decor on the wall?

I have been to a fair amount of Husqvarna dealerships on the west coast. Some more polished looking then then others, but in reality it's not the polish that is important, imo. It's the people, the knowledge, and the service that is important.

Exactly,
As long as George will work on the Husqvarna. It will be waiting on parts if needed when he runs out that will suck. Might have to get the parts from other scource and that is a gamble on quality. Sorry, but like I said, HNA screwed up on Up-tite. Can't wait to see a Beta in the shop. Might have to bring a drool towel with me and keep my wallet at home. LOL

[weantright TT Titanium Member]

XLEnduroMan, on 14 March 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

New decor? In a motorcycle shop? New awards, trophys, ride pictures, is really only the new decor a dirt rider will notice, am I right? If you go to a girly club are you really going to notice there is new decor on the wall?

I have been to a fair amount of Husqvarna dealerships on the west coast. Some more polished looking then then others, but in reality it's not the polish that is important, imo. It's the people, the knowledge, and the service that is important.

Yes but that's because you are a true rider. BMW and the dealers are all about "WOW" factor. Most large dealers don't have the knowledge small shops do because most of the owners/operators don't ride, it's just a business. I said it before BMW is the best and the worst (modern times) thing to happen to the Husky!

Great if George does get a Beta for the showroom because most dealers don't. Otherwise you will be drooling over them from a computer screen.

Edited by weantright, 15 March 2012 - 09:26 AM.

[glangston TT Gold Member]

weantright, on 15 March 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

Yes but that's because you are a true rider. BMW and the dealers are all about "WOW" factor. Most large dealers don't have the knowledge small shops do because most of the owners/operators don't ride, it's just a business. I said it before BMW is the best and the worst (modern times) thing to happen to the Husky!

Great if George does get a Beta for the showroom because most dealers don't. Otherwise you will be drooling over them from a computer screen.

He does have bikes ordered, 2 IIRC, likely a 350 and a 450.   He still has several Huskies on the floor.   He bought a 449 to develop and fit parts and has a 310 and a 250 x lite, different years but low hours or new, in the case of the 250, an '11.

The Beta parts shipment came just when they said it would and I'm nearly certain the bikes shipped already.   I'm keeping an eye on the place.;}

[PALMER84ONE TT Addict]

He's already selling Beta's and he doesn't even have them on the showroom floor. HAHAHA, as far as I know he has sold 6 or so. I will definitely keep my checkbook locked up when I see them start coming in. Its my one weakness.

[HuskyRips Get Help Now]

I have a feeling one of the reasons they booted George out as a Husqvarna dealer was because he's well respected back in Italy at the Husqvarna Factory as well as around the world and the boys at Husqvarna NA didn't want it getting back to Husqvarna Italy how incompetent they really are at growing the Husqvarna brand here in North America.

Or as some would say... get rid of all other lines of communication with the factory other than us and if we're lucky we can keep our jobs for another six months... or until something opens back up at KTM.

Very embarrassing to say the least.

Edited by HuskyRips, 15 March 2012 - 05:36 PM.

[PALMER84ONE TT Addict]

That's classic HR, just classic.
The feeling was mutual to bail out and be removed at the same time. I sure hope those idiots know what they are doing because his communication line was not severed. It's more like they shot themselves in the foot with buck shot, (can't miss and bleeds real bad.) KTM reps are losers. They better hope they can hold their jobs for another 6 or they will find themselves behind a bad company.

[mnb TT Bronze Member]

Some of the speculation in this thread is pathetic.  That exKTM personnel want nothing more than to drive up KTM sales?  Yeah, that would be smart!

as if stupid ex KTM employees said:

Let's sell some other brand we no longer work for and screw over our own jobs!  Whaddya say, guys!

It sucks that George isn't selling Husky anymore.  I'm sure he's interested in making money, so I'm sure he'll keep making parts and servicing the bikes as well as he can as a non-dealer.

Change is inevitable.  Those that can adapt survive.  Husky is changing.  I suppose you've notice the street bikes they're making now?  That would be change.  But not all change is bad (the Nuda for instance, the x-lite, future 2 strokes, etc).  So suck it up and stop the whining.

[7point62 TT Bronze Member]

@ mnb: I'm with you on the ex-KTM thing. That speculation is just not credible

Re. change. Nope, change is not always bad, but the average Husqvarna dirt bike buyer is about as different from the average BMW bike buyer as it's possible to get and I'm concerned that the folks in Munich just don't get it. There's more to it than making sure that the dealerships have spanky new carpets and that the creepy sales staff all look good in their corporate polo shirts. I'm just worried that Husky dirt bikes (and the network behind 'em) get marginalised because Beemer don't understand dirtbike culture and will be too busy pushing the roadbikes anyway. Lets face it - it's the dirtbikes we care about, right? The roadbikes may be a necessary evil to keep Husky viable, but if the venture results in the dirt side failing (I'm talking about the U.S.A. market here) than can that be called a success?

mnb said:

But not all change is bad (the Nuda for instance, the x-lite, future 2 strokes, etc)

The way I see it:

449 / 511 - great machines that amply demonstrate how little BMW understood about dirtbikes when they tried to make one.

x-lite - Great bikes also. Could maybe use a little more power as that's the only headline that many people care about..

Future 2 strokes - absolute vapourware until I see one in the flesh.

Nuda - I think the jury's still out on this. Suspension's not great apparently -at least on the ones over here.

Strada - I hope it's cheap because it's certainly not aspirational. And who on earth would hanker after a Husky competition bike after seeing one of these?

Moab / Baha concepts - Hmmmmm. Novelty factor maybe, but they need a serious makeover because retro isn't supposed to mean butt-ugly.

Edited by 7point62, 16 March 2012 - 01:23 AM.

[huskyfrk TT Silver Member]

mnb,  those  street  bikes  husky's  building,  the  nuda, there  are no plans to  bring it over  as of  now.   while competition machines   can  get  away  with   feature  that  racers  will put up with,  the  449  and  511  have  a  1  qt  engine capacity  for lubrication,    doesn't  seem  that  long  term longevity  was in  mind on  that one.   one of  the  weak points in    cars  and  bikes  built in china is metalurlagy,  it's  still  behind   america  and  europe.  I think i will stick to  the  italian built  husky's,  250 -  310 for  now.

[boisedave TT Bronze Member]

I have been reading this thread and watching the posts and thought I'd offer mu $0.02 FWIW---

I have a KTM but am secretly a Husky guy -- waiting for a new 2-stroke.  That being said I think its a shame one of the best Husky dealers in the country is no more -- the Husky brand needs all the help it can get.  George isn't in my part of the world - so I never met him or visited his shop.  I can tell you that IMO he is very well respected and seemed like he did lots of good things.  He'll be missed.

As to the reasons why -- I just don't know.  Further -- neither do most of you.  If George felt like posting -- he could.  What I speculate [and that's all it is because I will admit I don't know squat] is that it was most likely George not being happy with the requirements a modern Husky has [via BMW influence] concerning certain financing, flooring, etc..  I totally get that -- nobody should be forced to do business in a way that is counter to culture.  Do I blame Husky for not bending to George's model because of his exceptional service to the brand -- not ONE LITTLE BIT.  

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that for Husky to grow like I think most want it to - its going to take time.  Its taken KTM nearly 30 years to compete head to head.  Even at its heyday -- Husky was a boutique brand -- catering to off-road.  I was riding my 1986 Husky 250WR when it was new and I was in high school.  I have distinct memories of Cunningham, Smith, Melton, Hyde, etc..  Even back then -- Husky was still pretty much just for serious off-roaders.  I think an apt comparison would be to where KTM was about 5 or 6 years ago maybe.

For Husky to get back where it was -- its going to take time.  Years I think.  New bikes take 3-5 years to develop [from blueprint to production].  Additionally, Husky is joining the 21st century in terms of marketing, financing, etc..  There are going to be some hiccups and things people don't like.  Most dealers, for instance, don't like how KTM requires purchasing bikes in bundles, etc..  Every brand has their demons.  Point is -- if you look at Husky 3 years ago -- versus today -- you should be amazed.  I think they are going in the right direction and am anxious for the new stuff I suspect is coming.

Last thing -- assume Husky is back to here they were right before Cagiva jumped in [i.e. mid to late 80s] -- how many would rate that as successful?  Husky then wasn't nearly as big as KTM now... so if Husky was back to its pinnacle would you really be happy?  To me -- the only things that have changed between 1986 Husky and 2012 Husky are 1.  Racing results [in the US only -- Europe seems to represent Husky well] and  2. The bikes are 5 years behind developmental wise.  Both things are fixable -- but they are do to the Cagiva crap.  The x-lite is coming right along.  The 310 got very good reviews.  Just need a more traditional 450 class bike and some new two strokes and all will be well.  Then get a guy like Stewart Baylor on a Husky and things would be great.

In the end, it seems to me that a little patience is in order and maybe give the new guys the benefit of the doubt a bit -- nobody at Husky is looking to do a shitty job.  You may disagree with the direction, but it doesn't mean you are right and they are complete idiots -- its just a difference of opinion.

I'm out.