KTM vs Husky

[Harvey Mushman]

I've noticed a number of people have been moving away from Husky to KTM and was wondering why. The only two Huskies I've ever ridden was a 2008 I believe, TE-610 and back in the day, a mid 70's 360 2T. The 610 I found to be a very nice bike and if there was dealer support in the area I'd most likely own one. The old 360 2T tried to kill me but that's another story all together. Comparing the late model TE's to the EXC's they appear to be very similar in build quality and design and I would suspect as capable as the KTM's. If you exclude the lack of dealer support in the shall we say Kansas City area, what are the reasons people are moving away from the Huskies?

-Harvey
#713
'89 FXRS-Sp
'06 300 XCW
'07 EXC 450

[safiri]

You're kind of asking a loaded question as two members are trying to sell their Huskys.

I am not an owner, but know three people that switched to KTMs. Here are my thoughts:

- This came from a friend that bleeds Honda red yet has switched to KTM: KTM is the only manufacturer making a woods/trail bike. The Japanese and Husky make race and MX bikes, but not woods. Lots of us on this forum are trail riders. The EXC has a low first for slow, technical stuff and a high 6th for highway/gravel.
- Lack of a local dealer when things go to hell and a dealer tech is needed. We all order online ... so parts availability isn't the issue. Immediate access to parts from a dealer isn't the issue either as LetKo has often not had in stock parts that I feel are ones that should be "always in stock".
- When almost the entire pack shows up on orange bikes, you know that spare parts (and knowledge) are available from most anyone's toolbox (or mind/experience). That is worth something when on a mulitday trip.


The three Husky defectors that I know ... I have ridden their bikes and they were all very capable. But one or more of the points above came to fruition. One of the three got a smokin' deal on a newer KTM ... If he hadn't bought it, I would have. In fact I tried to outbid him by $1 while eating lunch on the trail! (Yeah, I'm that kind of friend.)

[troy]

Although I have a 2008 TE 450 to sell, I'll be honest here--as I am with all prospective buyers. Consider also that opinions are a dime a dozen and everybody's got one. My personal Husqvarna experience is based on riding Daryl's 2005 TE 510 and my 2008 TE 450 that I purchased new in March 2008 and is currently for sale.

I liken KTM to Husqvarna loosely like the difference between a high-end BMW and a Ferrari, although I've never owned either of those so I'm making some assumptions. Both are very nice, high-performance, luxury vehicles. However, with the BMW, you probably have a few friends who also have BMWs. You probably have a dealer or even 2 in your city. The BMW has great performance but is also built with some daily driving practicality in mind. If you buy the Ferrari, on the other hand, you'll have a car that can perhaps out-perform your friend's in their BMWs on the racetrack. You probably won't have a local dealer or any friends who have knowledge of Ferraris. The Ferrari will really perform on the track, but is so high-strung it's not comfortable for every day driving.

With the BMW, you find lots of after-market accessories designed to fit the vehicle. With the Ferrari, not so much.

It's kind of like that with a KTM 450 EXC compared to a Husqvarna TE 450.

My 08 TE 450 is easily the most powerful 450 I've ever ridden. I think my buddies who've ridden it agree. The EFI is explosive, and after a couple weeks in Colorado riding up to about 13K, I can tell you it is magic in the mountains, too. Water crossings never gave me any issues with the EFI either. I thought it would be more vulnerable because of the electrical connections. Turns out it is less vulnerable than the carbureted bikes.

Safiri really touched on the key for me--I put a lot of value on having a bike that is "compatible" with my riding buddies. We do multi-day rides in the boonies, so the ability to share parts and bike knowledge can save the day.

I've mentioned this to a few people, but from a "fit & finish" standpoint, the KTM's win. When it comes to engine, transmission, drive components, controls, and suspension, the Husqvarna is top notch. When it comes to everything else--like the engineering that went into the electrical wiring and connectors, the quality of the plastics, etc, the KTMs are much better designed IN MY OPINION.

So to potential buyers of my TE 450, I'd say, you have to want it--like I did when I was enamored with it in 2008. Somebody is going to get a kick-butt deal on mine at $4k.

[Hank Moody]

What they said! I kept having overheating problems with my TE510 because it is a race bike and I'm not a racer. Plus it was just time for a new bike.

From performance stand point it had all the power you wanted and would pull all the way to the rev limiter. The close ratio transmission was great for the woods, but lacked that high gear for the highway.

When I rode the 450 EXC for 30 minutes I knew that it was the bike for me. Now that I have had it a few weeks and turned a wrench on it I like even more. I thought the Husky was easy to work on, but the KTM is easier for some reason.

The after market support is amazing and almost every bug has been sorted out. With Cyclezone, LetKo and Saifir nearby I know there is nothing that can't be fixed.

I like Troy's comparison between the BMW (fyi they now own Husqvarna) and the Ferrari I think it is spot on. I liked my Husky, but I like my KTM more. Now I want to try a Gas Gas or Beta

[xr-nut]

hey tf what are you trying to start here?~! trouble?~! well you just may get it bud! i had this whole long thing typed out and then i reread it and thought...what a dummy. you can really sum it all up with one sentence. you ready? here it is: ktm is better, all others suck. there, now you know. quick side note, i had this "ride red" sticker on rear window of my pickup for the last 6 years. last weekend i asked my oldest to scrape it off and replace it with a kTm sticker we picked up at CZ. a few minutes later he came and found me and asked me to come see how he did. i walked into the garage to see the "red" scraped off and kTm put under the "ride"!! so know it says "ride kTm" in red and orange colors. i laughed and thought, you know....thats perfect. see ya on the trails..

[Harvey Mushman]

Not starting any trouble here, I was just trying to gain some perspective from a performance point of view about the Huskies since I for all practical purposes, have not ridden them. I've always agreed with what Mike said in riding what the masses rides may help if you break down on the trail as someone besides yourself may be able to fix the problem. That's why a DRZ is still a good choice of bike (if you like that bike), as you see alot of them on the trails. I remember when I bought my RXCe400 in '98 you would rarely see another Lc4, or any KTM anywhere. I can remember when KTM's were looked at as "exotics" and now they have become almost mainstream. It wasn;t until KTM changed the design of their 2T's in 2000 and came out with the RFS that same year, that you really started seeing alot of KTM's in general on the trails. Then I think their popularity exploded mainly due to their prowess as woods bikes, but for other reasons as well. Take a look at any FMHS race results sheet and see all the KTM's on the starting grid. But if you look at any MX starting grid, you see very few, (some of that is due to lack of sponsorship $$). I like KTM's but I wouldn't neccesarily say "all others suck". I've ridden my son in laws YZ250 2T in the woods and it's plenty capable in the right hands, just not mine. I think we're all in agreement that for the way we like to ride, the orange bikes are the best fit, from what we have to choose from. And XR-nut, since you went as far as taking the Honda decal off your truck, I think you should change your name from XR-nut to something like..... "KTM-Jockey", or something like that. Maybe we should put up a poll with various names and vote on it.......Whaddaya think???

-Harvey
#713

[xr-nut]

im game, someone put up a poll with some choices and ill take the winner. whatever you guys and gals(if theres any lurking here!) decide! you'll have to convicnce t roy to let me change it!!

and for the other comment i made- 'all others suck' it was meant to get a rise out of everyone. i love all motorcycles. really i do. especially that new ducati streetfighter, anyone seen that beast yet?~! wow.

[troy]

I think you should change your name from XR-nut to something like..... "KTM-Jockey", or something like that. Maybe we should put up a poll with various names and vote on it.......Whaddaya think???

KaTooMinator
Orange-Crush
Austrian-Between-My-Legs
Slower-Than-Troy

[Harvey Mushman]

I like "Slower than Troy".........


-Harvey

[ajayhawkfan]

I like "Slower than Troy".........


-Harvey

Is that possible?

[Hank Moody]

I like "Slower than Troy".........


-Harvey

Is that possible?

Man Eddie that was low, but possible and don't ask how I know.

Keep Troy Moving

Pumkin Lover

Orange Raider

[xr-nut]

I think you should change your name from XR-nut to something like..... "KTM-Jockey", or something like that. Maybe we should put up a poll with various names and vote on it.......Whaddaya think???

KaTooMinator
Orange-Crush
Austrian-Between-My-Legs
Slower-Than-Troy

I like all of them! put up a poll and let democracy rule~~!!!!

[Savage]

How about Sheep? or
My hands are numb and my bunghole hurts
Everyone thinks KTM's are badass and I want to be one
I like to tinker with my bikes
I only like orange

j/k I'd ride orange if I had to too.


BTW I rode a Husky SM 610. Wow!

[xr-nut]

im open to whatever the masses decide, but id request it be kid friendly-i have one aspiring to be like his dad. id prefer he not have to question the id, you know?