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What’s concerned in taking a new-generation vary of Husqvarna bikes from conception to manufacturing line? How lengthy does that course of take? Does inspiration come from opponents? What does Husky’s design group imply after they say their 2024 enduro fashions use a very totally different design idea? And what about design evolution; what kind of options are within the pipeline for Husqvarna’s future fashions?
In Norway, on the worldwide launch for Husqvarna’s radically totally different 2024 enduro vary, we sat down with the Product Supervisor for Husqvarna Bikes, Florian Braatz, for a revealing perception into these questions and way more…
TM: Because the Product Supervisor for Husqvarna Bikes’ Off-Street and Avenue segments, you’ve acquired a hell of numerous fashions to take care of, Florian.
FB: Sure, you might say that [laughs]. On the Off-Street facet, which means the motocross, enduro and cross-country fashions, after which the Svartpilen, Vitpilen and the Norden mannequin household on the Avenue facet. My job predominantly entails strategic product administration.
Which suggests what precisely?
Effectively, we take a look at the market and notably at our opponents to know issues akin to what applied sciences they’ve, whether or not their merchandise have any efficiency benefits, what clients need, what applied sciences are on the market available in the market that might be related for bikes within the subsequent few years, etcetera. And primarily based on that info, we outline our upcoming product generations, working with our R&D division to deliver these to market.
“We additionally benchmark our opponents, which includes going out with our R&D colleagues to check journey all the opposite manufacturers within the section.”
Clarify the working relationship between Husqvarna’s Product Administration and R&D departments. Who dictates phrases to who relating to the ultimate design, expertise and componentry discovered on a brand new vary of machines?
Good query. In brief, it’s a collaborative course of. Originally of a undertaking, we create what we name a ‘Lastenheft’ – principally, that’s a practical requirement doc. That can outline what the subsequent product or product technology ought to have when it comes to options, efficiency and the specs which we see as probably the most related at that time limit. In different phrases, we’re giving the R&D group our wishlist for what we want to have within the subsequent mannequin vary. We additionally benchmark our opponents, which includes going out with our R&D colleagues to check journey all the opposite manufacturers within the section.
Thank Christ you’ve really divulged that as a result of all of the producers do precisely the identical, however seldom, if ever, admit it!
Good to know [laughs]. For us, particularly as a product supervisor, I believe it’s actually necessary to know and perceive what the standout traits of the rival manufacturers are. In any other case, you’re working in a vacuum, proper?
Okay, right here’s a curly one for you. If you guys had been testing rival manufacturers’ bikes, did any of them soar out at you as notably good? Or dangerous?
That is a curly query as a result of we don’t prefer to publicly criticise our opponents or essentially draw consideration to the place we now have taken inspiration from them. What I can say right here is that once we had been creating engine traits for our two-stroke enduro fashions up to now, there have been opponents in the marketplace who’ve finished that basically, very well. And on the motocross facet, there are manufacturers who’ve finished connectivity very well.
“Up to now, we might first develop our motocross fashions after which work out tips on how to adapt them to our enduro fashions for the next model-year. We now take a way more holistic strategy.”
So, let’s house in on Husqvarna’s 2024 vary of enduro fashions. Is it honest to say that they’re not simply new-generation bikes, but additionally the product of a very totally different design idea or philosophy; one which revolves an all-new (and way more inflexible) body that’s nearer to the MX-model frames than ever earlier than?
Way back to 2019, our chief engineers for motocross and enduro acquired collectively to determine what we want for this subsequent product technology. It’s necessary for folks to know that, proper from the start of the event of this new model-generation (and by that, I imply our 2023 motocross fashions and 2024 enduro fashions), we approached this new platform as one undertaking that would supply a giant step ahead for each the motocross and enduro fashions. And that may be a very totally different strategy to how we’ve finished it up to now; once we would first develop our motocross fashions after which work out tips on how to adapt them to our enduro fashions for the next model-year. We now take a way more holistic strategy.
However that additionally leaves you open to critics who say that, by now utilizing the extra inflexible MX-style body in your enduro fashions, you’re possible create a too-harsh journey for path and enduro functions. In different phrases, that the stiff body philosophy flies within the face of typical knowledge that claims enduro fashions want a extra compliant, extra versatile, extra forgiving body.
Sure, that could be true. Which is why we have to correctly talk this new design idea and the way it works. Up to now, off-road compliance was engineered into the chassis itself, however over the long run, that would create some reliability points. For these 2024 enduro fashions, nevertheless, we’ve been in a position to be extra exact in how we’ve launched compliance. Due to technological developments and better computing energy, we are able to now fine-tune the flex of particular parts significantly better. We’re due to this fact in a position to now create a stiffer and extremely sturdy chassis, after which use the ‘exterior’ parts – such because the triple clamps, engine mounts, axles, suspension, etcetera – to create the mandatory compliance for enduro driving. That mentioned, in contrast with the motocross body, our enduro and cross-country fashions’ frames do use a barely totally different cast part across the footpeg mounts and swingarm pivot to change their total flex attribute.
“Proper from the start of the event of this new model-generation, we approached this new platform as one undertaking that would supply a giant step ahead for each the motocross and enduro fashions.”
Each enduro and MX fashions now use the identical body geometry too, proper? A ‘candy spot’!
Sure. In addition to the body geometry itself, the triple clamp 22mm offset can also be the identical (22mm), although the triple clamp and steering stem on the enduro fashions is totally different. Additionally, each MX and enduro fashions use the identical hybrid subframe, swingarm and linkage.
Is it true to say that the primary cause behind the transfer to a firmer, closed-cartridge fork this 12 months was the enduro fashions’ adopting of the a lot totally different anti-squat chassis idea?
It was one of many causes. The earlier open-cartridge XPLOR fork (which had an excessive amount of static sag for greater, sooner riders) wouldn’t have labored wherever close to in addition to the closed-cartridge fork with the brand new anti-squat chassis as a result of this chassis’ total idea depends on the fork offering a super-stable platform and a impartial front-to-rear weight bias. And that’s what the closed-cartridge fork is ready to ship.
To not point out the widespread expectation from customers that Husqvarna transfer to a extra subtle closed-cartridge fork.
You’re proper; client demand was additionally an element. However relatively than ‘bolting on’ a brand new closed-cartridge fork to the earlier chassis – which wouldn’t have showcased the complete potential of the brand new fork – we’ve launched it this 12 months at the side of the all-new chassis. In different phrases, the brand new chassis and the XACT Closed-Cartridge fork are designed to work in concord with one another. Additionally, it’s necessary to know that the brand new fork affords a wider vary of adjustability, which means riders and really totally different driving talents – from common trailriders proper by means of to competition-focused riders – will now have the ability to customise it to swimsuit their wants.
“The brand new fork affords a wider vary of adjustability, which means riders and really totally different driving talents will now have the ability to customise it to swimsuit their wants.”
With all the eye targeted on this new closed-cartridge fork, the 2024 shock absorber has been a bit neglected, as a result of it additionally acquired important adjustments.
Agreed. In reality, it’s an all-new shock. It’s 15mm shorter between the mounting factors, round 175 grams lighter, and runs numerous totally different internals. The change to the linkage ratio was made to retain the present 300mm rear wheel journey, whereas maintaining the identical stage of development we had on the earlier bike by means of the compression stroke.
Whereas there’s been a rise in element standardisation throughout your fashions, that’s not the case with suspension settings, proper? Not like their predecessors, the 2024 enduro fashions get devoted settings, relying on their capability, however is that in spring charges solely or each springs and valving settings?
Each springs and valving. For 2024, the TE150 makes use of 4.0N/mm fork springs and a 39N/mm shock spring. The TE250/300 and FE250 use 4.4N/mm fork springs and a 45N/mm shock spring. And the FE350/450/501 use 4.6N/mm fork springs and a 45N/mm shock spring. As a result of every of the totally different capacities have totally different weights, totally different front-to-rear weight bias, totally different engine braking traits, totally different rotating plenty – and these variations are particularly giant between the two- and four-stroke fashions – suspension settings are one thing we imagine shouldn’t be standardised. Should you take the extremities of the vary, you could have a TE150 weighing round 100kg in competitors trim with fluids, with riders tending to be round 70-75kg. Then you could have a FE501, which is roughly 110kg and being ridden by riders who’re extra like 85-90kg. Utilizing the identical suspension settings for these two bikes doesn’t make sense.
That’s why I used to be so confused that their predecessors – all 4 2023 four-stroke fashions, for instance – ran an identical settings.
Up to now, utilizing those self same settings was a compromise for certain.
On the tech presentation, you guys targeted a good bit of consideration on the adjustments made to the driving place for 2024, due largely to the design of the brand new footpegs and recent bodywork. Clarify that.
In comparison with the 2023 enduro fashions, the brand new footpegs – that are additionally the identical as our motocross bikes – are 6mm decrease and mounted 9mm inwards on either side, however they nonetheless have the identical width at their outer ideas. Along with that giving the rider a stronger standing place on the bike, the brand new pegs even have nearly 27% extra floor space. And that bigger platform provides the rider extra grip on the bike and extra management. That is then mixed with the brand new, extra symmetrical bodywork that enables your legs to grip the bike extra naturally and with much less effort.
Clearly, there’s additionally been big adjustments to the engines on these 2024 fashions – the two-strokes particularly – however it strikes me that what additionally stands out with this 2024 vary is the eye to element and intelligent updates made to so many smaller parts.
I’m glad you seen [laughs]. In all seriousness, although, the design group places simply as a lot effort into all these smaller parts as we do with body, engines and suspension. Simply a type of seemingly small adjustments could make a giant distinction to the driving expertise. And collectively, they enhance this new model-range considerably, I’d say.
“Sooner or later, we are going to see an increasing number of digital applied sciences coming into play, making the bikes ‘smarter’ and extra adjustable and even simpler to journey.”
The place do you see there being probably the most potential for design evolution within the coming years?
In each enduro and motocross segments, I believe we are going to see an increasing number of digital applied sciences coming into play, making the bikes ‘smarter’ and extra adjustable and even simpler to journey. Extra connectivity between rider and bike will likely be a giant focus sooner or later, I’d say. All of which is able to immediate us to determine what we want as a technological, digital platform to allow these kinds of options. At the start, a bikes’ engine and suspension must work – for each elite racers by means of to the weekend warriors – however we may also be placing numerous effort into options that can make our bikes higher and simpler to journey, it doesn’t matter what the rider’s means.
Listening to you and getting a greater sense of what’s concerned in bringing a brand new platform of bikes to market, I’ve acquired to ask: how gratifying is it to rock up at a world media launch and get, from what I’ve heard, overwhelmingly constructive suggestions? As a result of there’s a distinction between inner validation and exterior, impartial endorsement, proper?
Completely. You guys had been the primary group of journalists right here in Norway to check the 2024 bikes, so the sensations are nonetheless recent. For me personally, seeing the undertaking come to fruition and getting such constructive suggestions may be very satisfying. That’s particularly the case as a result of that is the primary off-road undertaking that I’ve been concerned with from the very begin; for slightly greater than 4 years now.
Thanks for being so candid, Florian. That’s not all the time one thing you get within the motorbike business, however it has provided an intriguing perception into what went into the conceiving, creating and constructing of those new-generation Husqvarnas.
My pleasure, Andy. Launching our motocross vary a 12 months in the past in a world nonetheless affected by the Covid pandemic introduced us with some challenges – not simply when it comes to logistics, however as a result of we weren’t in a position to correctly talk to the skin world some great benefits of this new chassis and whole design idea. So, it’s been nice to have the chance to try this with you and your Transmoto viewers.
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