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BrowningBAR · 07-20-2007, 07:04 AM

BMW buys Husqvarna in rare takeover

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW will buy Husqvarna Motorcycles for an undisclosed sum, the German premium carmaker and motorcycle group said on Friday, marking its first acquisition of a rival since its ill-fated purchase of Rover in 1994.

BMW buys Husqvarna in rare takeover | Reuters

seruzawa · 07-20-2007, 07:09 AM

Well, as long as they don't mess with the side stands.

pplassm · 07-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Well, I guess all the crystal-ballers were wrong!

Hope they keep the marque in production. I have had a few Huskys, new and old, and they're good machines.

mscuddy · 07-20-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pplassm

Well, I guess all the crystal-ballers were wrong!

Hope they keep the marque in production. I have had a few Huskys, new and old, and they're good machines.

...the last year of the Swedish bikes, that some say were sabotaged on purpose by Aquavit soaked workers all hopped up on ludafisk...

I read somewhere that BMW is buying Husqvarna to counter the KTM dominance in dual sport-off-road-MX bikes.

Good luck. The market is soaked as it is...

maladg · 07-20-2007, 07:27 AM

Even though I'm guilty as charged of being a Beemer fan, lets hope they don't force Husky to use their bearing suppliers!

acecycleins · 07-20-2007, 08:44 AM

In MCN today BMW is reportedly finalizing a deal to purchase Husky from Cagiva.
MCN BMW buys Husqvarna

pplassm · 07-20-2007, 10:15 AM

[quote=mscuddy;165816I read somewhere that BMW is buying Husqvarna to counter the KTM dominance in dual sport-off-road-MX bikes.

Good luck. The market is soaked as it is...[/QUOTE]

Actually, it was in an interview with one of the BMW bigwigs. I read about it in several places.

The BMW folks believe they need to attract a younger population, hence the dirtbikes, remade 650s and new 800s.

Seen the new 450 they're developing? The clutch is on the end of the crankshaft (been tried before, with poor results in the 60s/70s) to allow more direct frame rails to the swingarm pivot. Also, the swingarm pivot is concentric with the countershaft sprocket.

As a long time dirt rider, both of these ideas bother me.

seruzawa · 07-20-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pplassm

Actually, it was in an interview with one of the BMW bigwigs. I read about it in several places.

The BMW folks believe they need to attract a younger population, hence the dirtbikes, remade 650s and new 800s.

But the younger people won't pay 9K for an F650 when they can get a DP650 for $5K. Same with the 800 twin - you can get an SV1000 for less $. The same reason you see the younger guys buying metric cruisers... not enough disposable cash.

pplassm · 07-20-2007, 10:33 AM

Here's a link to info on the 450:

BMW 450 enduro threadfest (merged)... - ADVrider

Gritboy · 07-20-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

But the younger people won't pay 9K for an F650 when they can get a DP650 for $5K. Same with the 800 twin - you can get an SV1000 for less $. The same reason you see the younger guys buying metric cruisers... not enough disposable cash.

I ride a parts bin V-Strom right now and love it, but an BMW F800ST or KTM 990 Superduke might be in my future if my cashflow improves, so you've got a point about moolah being a factor.

That said, not all the riders are "younger" and BMW does make some fine ass, distinctive bikes, they're just not bargain basement and they're NOT for everyone. In the car world a Hyundai can go against a BMW/Mecedes in some performance/features areas, but it's not the same feeling of quality by any means, and it's more about aesthetics, choice and refinement... not pure dollar for performance.

07-20-2007, 07:04 AM	#1
BrowningBAR Snuggles Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In a really, really, really old farmhouse Posts: 4,364	BMW buys Husqvarna BMW buys Husqvarna in rare takeover FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW will buy Husqvarna Motorcycles for an undisclosed sum, the German premium carmaker and motorcycle group said on Friday, marking its first acquisition of a rival since its ill-fated purchase of Rover in 1994. BMW buys Husqvarna in rare takeover \| Reuters

07-20-2007, 07:09 AM	#2
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Well, as long as they don't mess with the side stands. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

07-20-2007, 08:44 AM	#6
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	BMW buys Husky In MCN today BMW is reportedly finalizing a deal to purchase Husky from Cagiva. MCN BMW buys Husqvarna

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07-20-2007, 07:13 AM	#3
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Well, I guess all the crystal-ballers were wrong! Hope they keep the marque in production. I have had a few Huskys, new and old, and they're good machines.

07-20-2007, 07:27 AM	#5
maladg Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rock throwing distance from Home Despot HQ Posts: 1,141	Even though I'm guilty as charged of being a Beemer fan, lets hope they don't force Husky to use their bearing suppliers!

07-20-2007, 10:15 AM	#7
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	[quote=mscuddy;165816I read somewhere that BMW is buying Husqvarna to counter the KTM dominance in dual sport-off-road-MX bikes. Good luck. The market is soaked as it is...[/QUOTE] Actually, it was in an interview with one of the BMW bigwigs. I read about it in several places. The BMW folks believe they need to attract a younger population, hence the dirtbikes, remade 650s and new 800s. Seen the new 450 they're developing? The clutch is on the end of the crankshaft (been tried before, with poor results in the 60s/70s) to allow more direct frame rails to the swingarm pivot. Also, the swingarm pivot is concentric with the countershaft sprocket. As a long time dirt rider, both of these ideas bother me.

07-20-2007, 10:33 AM	#9
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Here's a link to info on the 450: BMW 450 enduro threadfest (merged)... - ADVrider