The Bivouac

[skibum69]

That Husky news is pretty large

[Brodovitch]

Apparently Husky has been sold to Stefan Peirer, not to KTM

As already whispered BMW Motorrad sells its subsidiary Husqvarna Motorcycles, KTM but not to the personal business of its CEO Stefan Pierer called Pierer Industries AG. The consequences for Pierers role as CEO of KTM is still unclear and will in the next six time be sought out. It is obvious that the European competition authorities to interfere with this, but also the chance that Pierer abundantly present his position at KTM will resign. For some time Pierer still the CEO of the Austrian motorcycle company, but a large part of the shares therein are sold to the Indian motorcycle giant Bajaj. Purchasing Husqvarna Pierer would potentially enable again completely with a clean slate to start again.

There will be viewed in the coming months if there is any form of cooperation between KTM and Husqvarna is possible, there is at least already a new model announced at the EICMA 2013 already will be shown

This morning we reported that KTM is not in the market to buy Husqvarna, this would also not very logical step. For BMW ensures the sale of Husqvarna for substantially losing face. The German company pumped millions into the Italian Husqvarna, but could never make a success of.

The following chart is from Cross Industries Ltd, the company which Bajaj for almost half owner. It now owns Husqvarna said Pierer Industries AG makes no part of it.

Original link in Dutch

So if Google translate is to be believed, Peirer sells his remaining shares in KTM to Bajaj and goes forth to resurrect Husky. Makes more sense, especially the part about the European anti-trust authorities

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

The creation of two new rally teams;

No Brainer... bye BMW

and

KTM buy Husky-Speed.

or maybe

Bye Bye KTM by Stefan I-buy Husky-Speed?

[Deadly99]

Will be interesting to see how this turns out

[doyle]

What makes this really interesting is that Speedbrain team and rider contracts are directly with BMW Motorad, not Husqvarna. So does this leave a formidible team without a bike to run or will BMW resurrect the G450X to keep the team going?

[Stagehand]

I'll seriously doubt they'll resurrect the G450. One can never tell what they're going to do, but you can tell some things they'll never do.

[doyle]

As far as I know, the bike and all engineering is owned by Speedbrain which is in turn, contracted to BMW Motorad. Husqvarna supplies the engines from Italy to the team in Germany. So in theory, Speedbrain just needs to find another 450 lump that fits in. I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have Kymco revive a run of the 450 motors and then hand them over to the Speedbrain engineers for massaging.

I believe Husky's input is the motor supply so perhaps the impact to the team will be negligible aside from the motor issue.

The team and riders are aware of this news though.

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by doyle

As far as I know, the bike and all engineering is owned by Speedbrain which is in turn, contracted to BMW Motorad. Husqvarna supplies the engines from Italy to the team in Germany. So in theory, Speedbrain just needs to find another 450 lump that fits in. I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have Kymco revive a run of the 450 motors and then hand them over to the Speedbrain engineers for massaging.

I believe Husky's input is the motor supply so perhaps the impact to the team will be negligible aside from the motor issue.

The team and riders are aware of this news though.

That would make sense, but would the team be called BMW SpeedBrain again? And would BMW allow it / want exposure like that? (I doubt BMW will ever try and associate itsself with the Dakar again on 2 wheels, MInis are doing just fine )

So if BMW is out of the question, what do they do with the Kymco engines? Put Kymco on the livery? And for what return, in what market

Sounds like a nightmare scenario for Wolfgang

On the other hand, If Peirer lends support, or even contracts the whole team as a pure blood "Husqvarna" assault on the Dakar, they might be tempted to omit the "SpeedBrain" part of their moniker and come under the wings of a 100% Factory Husqvarna brand.

Interesting stuff

[Brodovitch]

Or maybe Mr. Peirer knows something about global warming that we don't

[doyle]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

That would make sense, but would the team be called BMW SpeedBrain again? And would BMW allow it / want exposure like that? (I doubt BMW will ever try and associate itsself with the Dakar again on 2 wheels, MInis are doing just fine )

So if BMW is out of the question, what do they do with the Kymco engines? Put Kymco on the livery? And for what return, in what market

Sounds like a nightmare scenario for Wolfgang

On the other hand, If Peirer lends support, or even contracts the whole team as a pure blood "Husqvarna" assault on the Dakar, they might be tempted to omit the "SpeedBrain" part of their moniker and come under the wings of a 100% Factory Husqvarna brand.

Interesting stuff

I hear things are pretty adamant that the team stays with BMW. What is less clear is how they brand things. BMW has no product in the segment that fit Dakar rules, so how can they fit within the "production" spirit?

[Stagehand]

450 waterheaded twin


I hate calling it a waterhead

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by doyle

...So in theory, Speedbrain just needs to find another 450 lump that fits in. I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have Kymco revive a run of the 450 motors and then hand them over to the Speedbrain engineers for massaging...

This is currently where all the spare Kymco/G450X engines are going:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=857243

Jx

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Stagehand

450 waterheaded twin


I hate calling it a waterhead

Yep - or just lop off one of the cylinders and create a 'flat single', with a fuel tank on the other side... that'd work...

Jx

[doyle]

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

This is currently where all the spare Kymco/G450X engines are going:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=857243

Jx

Ooohhh, I've been meaning to hops into thumpers. Seems I've waited too long. That looks the business.

[Sparrowhawk]

The latest is that Stephen has/will sell his 12% interest in KTM to Bajaj, putting them firmly in charge. Figuring that this has been in the works for some time it's no wonder that KTM has not finalized contracts and plans for the 2014 Dakar rally.

Edit
The historically interesting bit is that it looked for a while like Husaberg and Husqvarna might be merged back together under KTM after a 26 year separation. Now with Husaberg staying with KTM and Husky heading off with Stephen the divorce continues.