Take a KTM, Change the Color and the Name

Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp
Edited Date/Time 3/16/2018 6:57am
And have a business success story. I doubt most would have ever thought of it, let alone have the balls or business sense to try it. It turns out Stefan Pierer is a brilliant businessman, but I guess we already knew that.

https://motocrossactionmag.com/husqvarna-news-new-husky-sales-record-mi…

"Husqvarna keeps breaking it’s own sales record and there is no doubt that it is the fastest growing motorcycle brand. In its first year under KTM’s mantel, 2014,Husky sold 16,337 bikes. In 2015 that number jumped to 21,513. For the 2016 season the number almost topped 30,000 units. And recently released figures for the 2017 sales season reveal that Husqvarna set a new record of 36,883 motorcycles sold"

And while you are at it, win the SX Championship (?) and make one of the best race bikes ever. Not bad.



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mgifracing
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mgifracing 3/14/2018 2:38pm
3/14/2018 2:38pm
A lesson in how to beat your factory team with your other factory team. Stefan knew exactly what he was doing when he went after this. Honestly, If I had the coin, I'd buy a Husky now too. That 701 supermoto exudes Bad Assness!!CoolCool
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/14/2018 2:39pm
3/14/2018 2:39pm
I need a Vitpilen in my life.

I fell in love with that bike the day i saw the first concept a few years ago.
KennyT
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KennyT 3/14/2018 2:50pm
3/14/2018 2:50pm
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a bonus
Squirrelings 3/14/2018 2:53pm
3/14/2018 2:53pm
KennyT wrote:
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a...
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a bonus
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no doubt.

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Forty
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Forty 3/14/2018 2:58pm
3/14/2018 2:58pm
A lot of old timers with fond memories buying them. And they are highly rated.
50dippin
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50dippin 3/14/2018 3:00pm
3/14/2018 3:00pm
KennyT wrote:
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a...
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a bonus
Other than the color, I personally think they are pretty ugly, the ktm plastics look way better imo.
Shawn_Smith 3/14/2018 3:03pm
3/14/2018 3:03pm
I’d suggest you guys read Branding Iron before you call this a success story.
Squirrelings 3/14/2018 3:03pm
3/14/2018 3:03pm
50dippin wrote:
Other than the color, I personally think they are pretty ugly, the ktm plastics look way better imo.
I think my REAL Husqvarna in the 90's looked better by comparison.
Zaugg
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Zaugg 3/14/2018 3:32pm
3/14/2018 3:32pm
This is pretty similar to what is done in the automobile industry. Take a platform and build on it to meet the needs of the brand.

GMC-Chevy trucks is the most obvious but many cars produced by several auto manufacturers have done this for years.

The owner of KTM is a pretty smart man so no doubt he looked to strategies outside the motorcycle industry.



2T42
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2T42 3/14/2018 3:33pm
3/14/2018 3:33pm
Shawn_Smith wrote:
I’d suggest you guys read Branding Iron before you call this a success story.
Interested. give link or tell us the jist of this.
peelout
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peelout 3/14/2018 3:34pm
3/14/2018 3:34pm
it's too bad they don't understand how side number-plates work
KennyT
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KennyT 3/14/2018 3:38pm
3/14/2018 3:38pm
KennyT wrote:
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a...
I must say they are by far the best looking bikes out there and if they work well enough to win the SX title that’s a bonus
Squirrelings wrote:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no doubt.
Haha...that is true! I’ve always liked white bikes
wpark89
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wpark89 3/14/2018 3:39pm
3/14/2018 3:39pm
Squirrelings wrote:
I think my REAL Husqvarna in the 90's looked better by comparison.
Your 90s Husqvarna was just a Cagiva in Husky colors..
Zaugg
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Zaugg 3/14/2018 3:42pm
3/14/2018 3:42pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2018 3:43pm
Shawn_Smith wrote:
I’d suggest you guys read Branding Iron before you call this a success story.
Here's what this guys is talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Branding-Iron-Charlie-Hughes/dp/1933199040

...not sure if this applies to what is being done by the KTM group but more a reflection of what is being done by the Japanese manufacturers. However I haven't read the book so I'm sure you can apply some lessons to any business, including Husky/ KTM.

Looks like a good read. What is your take-away from what lessons are learned from this book and Husky's success?











731chopper
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731chopper 3/14/2018 6:13pm
3/14/2018 6:13pm
The new Husky bike is heartbreaking. Their previous gen bike looked so damn good. Now we have ogre rad shrouds, disfigured side plates and a generic black frame.
malachi177
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malachi177 3/14/2018 6:56pm
3/14/2018 6:56pm
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
reded
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reded 3/14/2018 7:01pm
3/14/2018 7:01pm
I'm partial to the '16-'18 design and feel like they took two steps back in terms of modern styling. I don't like the RE at all and am still reserving judgement until the '19 is officially released.
Squirrelings 3/14/2018 7:17pm
3/14/2018 7:17pm
wpark89 wrote:
Your 90s Husqvarna was just a Cagiva in Husky colors..
Had the same thought as I clicked submit. Laughing

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Squirrelings 3/14/2018 7:20pm
3/14/2018 7:20pm
malachi177 wrote:
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different...
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
I'm with you brother.
RCF
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RCF 3/14/2018 7:23pm
3/14/2018 7:23pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2018 7:30pm
malachi177 wrote:
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different...
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
The only thing they took from Husaberg was the RFS motor, they bought Husaberg back in 96. Just like husky they blew those bikes out for like $5500 it was the first 4-stroke I ever bought it's hard to believe Husaberg was getting 10 grand for them. When they bought husky they had fantastic price on the leftovers.
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 3/14/2018 7:26pm
3/14/2018 7:26pm
malachi177 wrote:
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different...
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
Same here, some of the best days I’ve ever had at the track were on my 2010 CR144/165. Loved that bike! I was really bummed when KTM replaced it with their Austrian version. The writing was on the wall and I sold it before getting parts became an issue.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 3/14/2018 7:47pm
3/14/2018 7:47pm
I will go against the grain, I like the Huskies....and also I agree with most of the posters in the thread, it was extremely clever of KTM to do what they did. I bet other manufacturers wish they did the same thing.
malachi177
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malachi177 3/14/2018 7:50pm
3/14/2018 7:50pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2018 7:52pm
malachi177 wrote:
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different...
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
RCF wrote:
The only thing they took from Husaberg was the RFS motor, they bought Husaberg back in 96. Just like husky they blew those bikes out for...
The only thing they took from Husaberg was the RFS motor, they bought Husaberg back in 96. Just like husky they blew those bikes out for like $5500 it was the first 4-stroke I ever bought it's hard to believe Husaberg was getting 10 grand for them. When they bought husky they had fantastic price on the leftovers.
The polymer subframe used on the last edition Husabergs are what KTM uses on their Huskys albeit an updated version of course....and KTM took over Husabergs "Ready to Race" slogan and called it their own.
Crush
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Crush 3/14/2018 7:55pm
3/14/2018 7:55pm
What do you reckon average profit percentage on a bike sale is for the mfg? Cause at a first glance it's a lot of revenue...
RCF
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RCF 3/14/2018 8:16pm
3/14/2018 8:16pm
malachi177 wrote:
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different...
Yep, I used to totally dig Husqvarna. The bikes right before KTM sucked them up were killer. But now it's just a white pumpkin with different plastics, not to mention the plastic subframe design they took from Husaberg (when they bought them too). Thanks but no thanks.
RCF wrote:
The only thing they took from Husaberg was the RFS motor, they bought Husaberg back in 96. Just like husky they blew those bikes out for...
The only thing they took from Husaberg was the RFS motor, they bought Husaberg back in 96. Just like husky they blew those bikes out for like $5500 it was the first 4-stroke I ever bought it's hard to believe Husaberg was getting 10 grand for them. When they bought husky they had fantastic price on the leftovers.
malachi177 wrote:
The polymer subframe used on the last edition Husabergs are what KTM uses on their Huskys albeit an updated version of course....and KTM took over Husabergs...
The polymer subframe used on the last edition Husabergs are what KTM uses on their Huskys albeit an updated version of course....and KTM took over Husabergs "Ready to Race" slogan and called it their own.
what I meant was KTM already owned Husaberg, they invented the polymer subframe not Husaberg the Husaberg was the crudest bike I ever owned, I remember thinking it felt so light but I think it weighed around 250 lb , they had the weight all down Low ,I think I broke the frame about 3 times from bottoming the thing out, I didn't realize Husaberg had the ready 2 slogan though. I see them pop up on Craigslist every once in awhile I think about buying one again but I imagine the parts are pretty hard to get.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 3/14/2018 10:33pm
3/14/2018 10:33pm
kiwifan wrote:
I will go against the grain, I like the Huskies....and also I agree with most of the posters in the thread, it was extremely clever of...
I will go against the grain, I like the Huskies....and also I agree with most of the posters in the thread, it was extremely clever of KTM to do what they did. I bet other manufacturers wish they did the same thing.
Totally with you! Husky all the way! Huge fan of these new Husky's......that's why I own one and am getting a second one. My first non-Jap bike , 2 stroke to boot , sheeesh....I'm in heaven!
magoo1982
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magoo1982 3/15/2018 2:50am
3/15/2018 2:50am
wpark89 wrote:
Your 90s Husqvarna was just a Cagiva in Husky colors..
Squirrelings wrote:
Had the same thought as I clicked submit. Laughing
Husqvarna to Win ! ! ! Bike I shouldn't have sold , 84 500 otd price 1500 dollars quality machine .. became ill thought I wasn't going to be riding anymore . been tryin to track it down for several yrs.
Plugga
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Plugga 3/15/2018 4:00am
3/15/2018 4:00am
Squirrelings wrote:
I think my REAL Husqvarna in the 90's looked better by comparison.
agreed:



ford832
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ford832 3/15/2018 6:43am
3/15/2018 6:43am
Mmmmm....the Redheads were my favourite visually of the modern era

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