MORE Afternoon Moto News - Husqvarna Story & Phillip Island WSBK

Husqvarna nearly died while under the control of Cagiva, but instead the marque is on its way back to its historic importance in the dirt-racing world. Cagiva did do some great work getting the company solvent again within the last five or six years, and that was enough to interest BMW. So, the Germans have taken the reigns and done some awesome work to the Husky products and they are selling everywhere now...how did this all happen, well take the link and read the story.

http://tinyurl.com/ylbftbl

The Phillip Island circuit in Australia has signed up with the World Superbike Championship to host an event there until 2014. Also, the track will be the location of pre-season tests for the next two seasons. Of course, this was expected, but it is always nice to have confirmation.

http://tinyurl.com/yj5rafw

More Morning Moto News - Dávid Juhász, BMW & Husqvarna & Worx Crescent Suzuki

Dávid Juhász, from Hungary and only 17 years old, will be joining the MAR Kawasaki outfit in the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He will be the youngest rider on the Superbike grid, but he already has a Hungarian Superbike Championship to his credit. So, you can expect him to be a little green, but he should adapt quickly.

http://tinyurl.com/yhonkgw

BMW and their new purchase Husqvarna are using their new combined company to pursue synergistic racing teams. In that vein, BMW Motorrad is entering the E2 class of the FIM Enduro World Championship as the BMW Husqvarna Motorsport. This arrangement will give them access to the right technology, experience and people to succeed in their venture.

http://tinyurl.com/yhezwg3

Worx Crescent Suzuki has been at Portimao in Portugal doing some shake-down testing with their 2010 British Superbike Championship team. Riders Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama managed to complete some very important testing and get the information they were seeking ahead of the season start. They needed to time and it will go a long way to getting their team ready for 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yg8ns6j

Sunday Morning Moto News - Indy Dealer Expo & MIC Meeting

At Indianapolis, Indiana, this weekend, the 2010 Dealer Expo has attracted a decent crowd of enthusiasts for this year's show - but the overall number of participants is way down. On day 1 at the show, Malcolm Smith was in attendance at the Husqvarna (only marque in attendance this year) booth, Ben Spies was signing autographs and Danny Eslick was wondering around a looking at the new bits and bobs. Today will have a host of other announcements and special events; so, get there if you can!

http://tinyurl.com/ylqszta

http://tinyurl.com/y94epfy

Day 2 of the Dealer Expo: http://tinyurl.com/ye6quow

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) also held their annual members-only meeting in Indianapolis in conjunction with the Dealer Expo. Their main topic was the economic recession and its effects on the industry. Of course, there was some good news, but there are also still plenty of businesses in our industry which are struggling. They even set up a booth at the Expo where members, exhibitors and dealers can stop by and get some information or voice their own concerns. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yeuce9l

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Kawasaki Lubricants & Malcolm Smith (not with each other...)

Kawasaki Motors of the USA is releasing a new line of powersports oils. Kawasaki Performance Oils will be sold in synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral based in multiple grades for motorcycles - and, they will have oils for ATV/UTV and PWC uses. They have added to and improved the old line-up as well as changed the packaging. Head to your local Kawasaki dealer to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yj9n2jg

The AMA has announced that Motorcycle Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith will serve as Grand Marshal at this coming 9 - 11 July's 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Lexington, Ohio. That's a lot to take in. Yes, Malcolm Smith was chosen since Husqvarna - finally returning to full sales support in the US - is the event's Marque of the Year for 2010. All worth a visit...and a demo ride on a Husky!

http://tinyurl.com/yjy9elo

Evening Moto News - Husqvarna Announces US$11 Million Contingency Program

A significant amount of money - especially considering how little money is out of the hands of Wall Street now - US$11 Million for racing contingency from Husqvarna will be available in 2010. It does seem that BMW is really banking on this marque, and who can complain about that? They make excellent machines. It is huge, so for all of the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydbw8uq

MORE Morning Moto News - Dennis Manning & Husqvarna TXC250

Apparently, the author of the linked piece managed to grab an interview with Dennis Manning at the Easyriders Show in California. For over 30 years, Manning has worked at achieving record speeds on the Bonneville Salt Flats - he has won and he has lost. But, him and his rider, Chris Carr, now hold the absolute top speed record in a streamlined motorcycle. For all of your fun and knowledge, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yk9dtds

The Husqvarna TXC250 is billed as a “hybrid motocross/enduro model" - equally at home on a MX track or in the desert expanses or cross-country areas around you. It is light and powerful, well-balanced and full of new tech. It is an incredibly impressive mount and is worth considering if you are looking for a Lites-type bike which you can also ride off the MX track.

http://tinyurl.com/yl7dcj8

Morning Moto News - Metzeler Sportec M5 & Husqvarna TE250

Metzeler has just released a rather interesting updated tire - it is the Sportec M5 Interact and it will gauge your lean angles for you. That's right, it has a series of numbers displayed on the carcass which will tell you just how far over you are actually leaning when riding hard - or lightly. Either way, you have a 5 point scale and an elephant which warns you when you are about to lose the grip entirely. Check it out and you may soon be able to brag about your 5-mark.

http://tinyurl.com/yc5l2tr

Husqvarna has released their TE250 Enduro. It is a road legal off-road machine which is based on the TC250, but the TE has electric start and EFI. It is also an easy bike to ride and fling from corner to corner - mass centralization and light weight help make this easy. If you ever get to ride one, you will be seriously smitten.

http://tinyurl.com/ylrzpu7

Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News - Buell Auction and Husky

The Buell factory in Easy Troy, Wisconsin, will be auctioning off equipment from the factory and some motorcycles used for design duties - though none of them are Buells. The motorcycles are a 1999 BMW R1100RT, a 1998 KTM Dakar, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple and a 2008 KTM SuperDuke. Also available will be trucks, tools, lifts trailers and much, much more. It all starts on 28 January 2010 and will lats about a month, or until most everything sells. Get there or lose out on some great deals.

http://tinyurl.com/yb6wun7

Husqvarna is looking for more dealers in the United States. Now that they are part of BMW, the company is in great financial shape and is producing some of the most interesting, good looking and useful motorcycles in the world. I would become a dealer, but they would probably not have me. So, if you are lucky enough to be attending the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, 13 - 15 February 2010, stop by their booth and you may find yourself selling Husky bikes.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9g59q

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Husqvarna and Vermeulen

Husqvarna has been named the Marque of the Year for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. The event, as always, will be Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, during 9 - 11 July 2010. Husqvarna only recently returned to full-time participation in AMA national level racing and they are quite happy to be selected for this honor.


http://tinyurl.com/yawvthu

And, luckily, we now have access to an interview with soon to be World Superbike competitor Chris Vermeulen. He will be spearheading Kawasaki's effort in that series for 2010, and I can think of no one better suited to the task. It will be well worth paying attention to WSBK again this year and we will all be better for it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzda3qf

First Ride: 2010 Husqvarna TC250

Yep, another dirt post. The Husqvarna TC250 is a Lites competition machine and is a new machine from Husky for that class. It is a bit low-tech - and the author says that 95% of the problems involve starting the machine - but it does handle and ride very well. Take a look for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yblt6fv

Husqvarna Has Annonced a New Canadian Distributor

Husky has been a part of the BMW world for a few years now, but they are very interested in expanding on their own in Canada. To this end, they have now hired Barrett Marketing Group as the main source for all things Husqvarna in Canada.

http://tinyurl.com/yeh2wkc

http://tinyurl.com/ydb3neh

Do Not Forget - 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show This Weekend!

The 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show will be held 11 - 13 December 2009 at the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Even more brands have been announced now; Norton, Royal Enfield, Husqvarna, Saga, Zero and more will be in attendance in addition to the already broad spectrum of manufacturers already known. There will be tons of exhibitors with accessories, parts, apparel, helmets, and much, much more. It is worth the price of admission!

http://tinyurl.com/yjfpc6k

First Ride: 2010 Husqvarna TE310

That's right, another Husky is up for a riding test. There is good reason, though, for this one especially. It is the TE310 which was launched in 2009 and did very, very well for the Husky. It was well-loved among those who rode it or bought it and the 2010 model will probably be no different - it is an exciting ride. It is not going to be a racer, but it will treat you very well in the woods or while commuting...

http://tinyurl.com/ykx2hce

Tecate 500 Runner-up William Ray “Bill” Halbert Passes Away...

Bill Halbert was a respected man in his community and in the motorcycling world in general. You may not have heard of him, but he probably has made a difference to many people over the years. He was a resident of Brookings, Oregon, and one-time owner of the Grand Prix Motorcycle shop in Lynwood, Washington. He also was both a parts manager and regional sales manager for Husqvarna Motorcycle. He even raced in AMA District 38 desert races - his favorite: Tecate Baja 500, where he finished as high as second place overall with his team. He passed away on 14 November 2009. Sad news...and so close by.

http://tinyurl.com/yl86vpg

Getting Up Close and Personal with an EnduroCross Motorcycle

Have you ever wondered what modifications are needed to compete in the unbelievably intense sport of EnduroCross? Well, maybe not, as the sport is still growing and many do not even differentiate it from motocross - but it is significantly different. It is, basically, not far from taking all of the toughest parts from every enduro track in the world and cramming all of them together inside one track and run indoors. The competition is tough and the series lead may change each and every race weekend. So, what do these riders have to have done to their bikes to make them competitive here? Well, have a read after the link and I am betting you will be very impressed...

http://tinyurl.com/ybj8wv6

A Tour of the New Husqvarna Factory

Have you ever thought about where Husqvarna Motorcycles makes their motorcycles? Maybe not, but we have seen some information pop up about their operations from time to time. Well, this link will take you to a short tour of the new facilities. You will see the production floor, details on quality control, and even the backside of the plant where all of the bikes are lined up waiting to be delivered - looks like my dream garage, minus the other marques...

http://tinyurl.com/yz5mw7n

Husqvarna Motorcycles Debuts Several 2010 Models

First out of the box comes the TE630 street-legal enduro motorcycle (pictured). It is a well-designed machine which is supposed to fit into a category which includes riders who want practicality, good design, comfort and enjoy a race or two. Talk about a broad market segment, eh? Anyway, the all new design will have a 600c.c. DOHC single powering it along with the SM630 supermoto machine also debuted here. The other supermoto models are the SM450 and SM510, both of which are based on the same displacement enduro bikes made by Husqvarna. Take a look and you will not be disappointed. Husky is leading the supermoto world.

http://tinyurl.com/ygjnbth

2009 Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh Park This November

That's right, the 2009 Dirt Bike Show at the Stoneleigh near Coventry in the U.K. will go off during 5 - 8 November 2009. It will feature all of the major manufacturers and many professional racing machines will also be on display. Some of the riders who took those machine to victory - and several other noteworthy celebrities - will also be in attendance. Sounds like fun to me!

http://tinyurl.com/yl6hksr

Supermoto Greece Grand Prix Results

Third place overall rider Thomas Chareyre had a fantastic trip to Greece - he won both S1 races there and pulled himself within 25 points of the series leader, Thierry van den Bosch. He also added to the already huge points total for Husqvarna in the manufacturer's championship, giving them the lead. Fellow Husqvarna rider in the S2 class, Gérald Delepine, took home two second places which pulled him closer to series leader Adrien Chareyre, also on a Husqvarna. Adrien Chareyre and Davide Gozzini took wins in the S2 class...

http://tinyurl.com/yhq3jg6

Interviews with Mike Alessi, Scot Harden, Jeff DeVega, Melissa Appel, Amy Pickholtz and More

Pit Pass Radio has yet another impressive interview line-up. As you can see by the list in the title, the scope is quite wide including off-road racers, road racers, sales and marketing types and dealer development managers. The interesting one for which I spent time listening was Amy Pickholtz, who is on a mission to get cagers to see motorcyclists! Have a listen...

http://tinyurl.com/yhoqmgu