Author Topic: Italian replacement for KLR  (Read 2716 times)

Offline wrbix

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Italian replacement for KLR
« on: October 24, 2018, 08:24:55 AM »
https://advrider.com/swm-is-bringing-its-super-dual-adventure-bikes-to-the-us-aim-expo-2018/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=10_24_2018

Sub 400#, Husqvarna heritage, Italian made/Chinese backed, realistic pricing.
What’s not to like?
Just don’t know about US Dealership(s)
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2018, 09:38:59 AM »
Nice !!  I was just looking at SWM last week. Was on a Euro shop site that sold them, was interesting read about the SWM Italian heritage.
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Offline Tusayan

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2018, 10:05:33 AM »
It's an interesting business idea.  The bikes are assembled in the former Cagiva plant in Cassinetta di Biadronno, across the lake from the original Aermacchi/Cagiva (now MV Agusta) factory.  Much of Cagiva's product line was made there, then after BMW bought Husqvarna it was used exclusively for those bikes and Cagiva retracted into the original plant. When BMW subsequently gave up on 'real' dirt bikes and sold the Husqvarna name to KTM, they closed the plant and brought the products and designs in house to Austria.  That left the relatively new (built in 1999) plant vacant and the pre-existing BMW/Husqvarna designs available as a basis for new products.  It looks like others will use different designs judging from photos on the SWM website, and I'm sure the Chinese connection will keep manufacturing cost down. It ends up being a pretty modern product in terms of sourcing and the assembly plant, although not much to do with the old SWM - SWM was an otherwise unrelated 1970s dirt bike brand, a brand name that is nostalgic and ‘Italian’ to the European market.

It would be interesting to know what if any connection the Chinese company had with the pre-existing product before they bought the factory from BMW.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2018, 10:38:41 AM by Tusayan »

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2018, 10:05:33 AM »

Offline Toecutter

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2018, 10:08:26 AM »
Well, colour me interested. We've been looking to add a couple of ADV bikes to the stable.

But... is there a manufacturer out there making ADV bikes these days that doesn't go to the multi-angle spaceship look for fairings and headlights? Does anyone just make... ya know... simple looking stuff? It's been a while, but I missed where it suddenly became "the way to go", for bikes, this "background character in a Transformer's movie" look.
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Online JoeB

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2018, 11:05:54 AM »
Quote

What’s not to like?

For me the 36" seat height.
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Offline hauto

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2018, 12:46:37 PM »
It's basically a 2011 Husky TE630.I own a 630 and very happy with it.It will be a step up from a KLR.

Offline Dharma Bum

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2018, 12:48:56 PM »
Toecutter, I think you are looking for a RE Himalayan.

Offline Toecutter

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2018, 12:52:00 PM »
Toecutter, I think you are looking for a RE Himalayan.

You may be right.
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2018, 01:01:34 PM »
Toecutter, I think you are looking for a RE Himalayan.

My (84 year young) friend Leo just bought one and loves it.
Charlie

Offline desmo900

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2018, 04:43:03 PM »
I like it a lot. Let’s see if the dealers jump on it...


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Offline Tusayan

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2018, 04:46:54 PM »
A 2017 MCN (UK) test of the bike...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2017/june/swm-superdual-review/

Some background below on Shineray, the SWM parent company.  They apparently bought the SWM name and ex-BMW/Husqvarna factory in 2014.  From what I can determine, Shineray did not have a engine manufacturing contract with Husqvarna or BMW (that was Loncin) and the non-SMW Shinerays top out at 400 cc.

https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2015/05/04/the-chinese-adventure-travel-bikes-are-coming/

http://www.shineray.com/xy400-2a.html

A 2014 MCN (UK) test of a different SWM also explains some of the background.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2016/august/italian-brand-swm-first-test-gran-milano-440/


« Last Edit: October 24, 2018, 04:57:43 PM by Tusayan »

Offline Warren Rhen

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2018, 10:47:07 PM »
you had me until the 35+ seat height. No can do
Cheers,
Warren
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Offline JACoH

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2018, 11:29:45 AM »
I contacted SWM this past spring, because I liked the looks of the 440. They told me they have no interest in bringing them to the US because of cost of making them meet requirements and lack of dealers to sell.

Offline Tusayan

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #14 on: October 25, 2018, 11:37:26 AM »
I contacted SWM this past spring, because I liked the looks of the 440. They told me they have no interest in bringing them to the US because of cost of making them meet requirements and lack of dealers to sell.

I imagine they prefer to kick off the brand in the US with the ex-Husqvarna engined bike now being introduced. The 440 appears to be a Shineray produced version of a older design Honda engine, bored from 400 to 440 cc.   

Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #15 on: October 25, 2018, 11:53:11 AM »
Long travel suspensions sag a great deal with a rider aboard. Seat height will likely drop by 3” once an operator hops on. This and the narrow width will make the bike a great deal more rideable than you might think. If you like it, try one out before taking a pass...
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Offline Toecutter

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Re: Italian replacement for KLR
« Reply #16 on: October 25, 2018, 12:03:58 PM »
Long travel suspensions sag a great deal with a rider aboard. Seat height will likely drop by 3” once an operator hops on. This and the narrow width will make the bike a great deal more rideable than you might think. If you like it, try one out before taking a pass...

Or, just do the bicycle mount
Quote
a la Dakar Rally riders
at every stop. That works too.
Old enough to say I've done it, young enough to do it again.

 

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