2018 Pricing: KTM vs Husqvarna

A year ago, when Husqvarna’s new-generation 2017-model enduro range was released, Husqvarna Australia announced an RRP increase of between $500 and $1000 for most models (aside from the 2017 FE250, that is, whose price came down).
The recently released RRPs for 2018 indicate that Husky’s price tags remain unchanged for its mini and motocross ranges this year in Australia, but there are small increases for some enduro models (whose RRPs are between $700 and $1000 dearer than their KTM counterparts).
To get an insight into Husqvarna’s 2018 pricing structure, and the relative price tags for comparable Husqvarna and KTM models, we hit up Husqvarna Australia’s National Brand Manager, Jon Hafey…

TM: What’s the thinking behind your 2018 pricing structure, Jon?
JH: We had a price increase for the new-generation motocross and enduro machines 12 months ago. So for 2018, the steady to slight increase in pricing reflects the fact the 2018 bikes get refinements rather than a redesign (the all-new fuel-injected two-strokes aside, that is!).

There’s actually been a $100 to $300 RRP reduction on your cross-country models for 2018. Which makes them $1800 cheaper than their enduro counterparts. Explain that.
Our thinking behind that is that Husqvarna’s cross-country bikes’ specifications are far closer to their motocross cousins than KTM’s cross-country bikes are. Our TX and FX models’ fork and linkage, for example, come from the TC and FC motocross models. And being more similar in the specs means that we need to be more similar in the pricing. Yes, that $1800 saving we’re offering on our 2018 TX or FX models is significant. For anyone who primarily races or competes in Transmoto’s enduro events, which are all staged on private property, they’d be mad not to consider one of these cross-country models.

And what about Husqvarna’s 2018 pricing relative to their KTM counterparts?
Well, we believe the premium componentry that Husqvarna’s enduro models come with easily justifies that pricing differential. Aside from the difference in the bike’s rear-ends – the linkage versus KTM’s PDS shock – the Huskys also come with billet triple clamps, up-specced rims, carbon-composite subframe, tool-free preload adjusters in the fork caps (worth $370), Map Switch Selector with traction control function (worth $190), Magura clutch and brakes, Pro Taper Handlebars, and the Metzeler tyres (versus the Maxxis hoops the KTMs get).