About Husqvarna
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pierer Industrie AG, designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. Husqvarna company started in 1689 in the town of Huskvarna, making weapons.
As with many motorcycle manufacturers, Husqvarna first began producing bicycles in the late 19th century. In 1903, they made the jump to motorcycle manufacturing. The first "Husky" motorcycles used imported engines, and it wasn't until 1918 that Husqvarna began producing machines built entirely in-house.
In 1920, Husqvarna established its own engine factory and the first engine to be designed was a 550 cc four-stroke 50-degree side-valve V-twin engine, similar to those made by companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Husqvarna was Sweden's largest motorcycle manufacturer by 1939.
Motorcyclists had to be 18-years-old to ride, but bikes under 75 kilos (165 pounds) were deemed appropriate for riders aged 16 and up. Husqvarna first targeted the lightweight motorcycle realm with a 98cc moped, inadvertently starting down a path that would change off-road racing. In 1955, the “Silverpilen,” or “Silver Arrow” was introduced in Sweden with a 175cc motor and three-speed transmission. Consumers immediately began modifying the 2-stroke for off-road use, and by 1959 the factory produced five special machines for its racers which featured an enlarged 250cc engine and 4-speed tranny.
In the 1960s, their lightweight, two-stroke engined off-road bikes helped make the once dominant British four-stroke motorcycles obsolete. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Husqvarna was a dominant force in the motocross world, winning 14 Motocross world championships in the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc divisions, 24 enduro world championships and 11 Baja 1000 victories.
In 1987, the Husqvarna motorcycle division (not the other arms of the brand such as chainsaw production) was sold to Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva and became part of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. The motorcycles, widely known as "Huskies"/ "Husky", are now produced in Varese. In July 2007, Husqvarna motorcycles was purchased by BMW.
Moto blog
Fri, 27 Sep 2024
Bolstering the quiver
Photos by Kevin Wing
The Vitpilen and Svartpilen lineup has seen a bit of a tumultuous timeline at Husqvarna – at least the bigger variants have. The 401 models originally teased at EICMA in 2014 have been going strong since the production models hit dealers back in 2018, and perhaps it has its orange sibling, the 390 Duke to thank for that. As the 390 Duke received a substantial update, it was only logical that the 401 ’Pilens would follow, and they have, receiving a new engine, chassis, and more for 2024.
Fri, 27 Sep 2024
2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen & Vitpilen 401 Review Gallery | Motorcycle.com
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2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen & Vitpilen 401 Review Gallery
The ’Pilen 401 platform gets a major overhaul while each arrow, Svart (black) or Vit (white), maintains its own unique riding experience. Read the full story here. Photos by Kevin Wing.
Tue, 25 Jun 2024
The Svart has Twins
Photos by: Marco Campelli and Sebas Romero
When attempting to check my bag at LAX, the attendant told me that my flight to France was canceled. I asked if he was sure since the app was still showing the flight was on time. Rather than ducking back behind the computer, he grabbed what had to have been a 12-foot long ream of paper full of flight schedules all plastered with the word Canceled.
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
The Norden that didnt skip leg day
Credit: Photos by Marco Campelli and Sebas Romero
For miles, we rode into a dense cloud of ruddy South African dust. Those dusty roads connected rocky trails and choice stretches of pavement like the famed Franschhoek pass which, on a Saturday, was reminiscent of California’s own Angeles Crest Highway. We watched eclectic groups of open topped roadsters interspersed with an equally varied slew of two-wheelers strafe from apex to apex while we made photo passes.
Fri, 17 Mar 2023
Pierer's thoughts on MV Agusta
Credit: Photos by KTM/Emanuel Tschann
Alan Cathcart’s conversation with Stefan Pierer continues, as the PIERER Mobility president and chief executive officer discusses his motorcycle brands (namely, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas), and some of their competition. This includes MV Agusta, of which PIERER gained a stake in 2022. —ED.
Wed, 01 Mar 2023
As we expected, Husqvarna announced a new Norden 901 Expedition, adding a more adventure-capable model to its lineup. Equipped with longer-travel suspension and coming standard with a number of accessories such as waterproof luggage, the Norden 901 Expedition carries an MSRP of $15,799, a $1,300 premium over the regular Norden 901. The engine remains the same 889 cc Parallel-Twin as the regular Norden 901, sharing the same DNA as the engine from its Pierer Mobility cousin, the KTM 890 Adventure.
Mon, 23 Jan 2023
Upgraded Norden variant expected Feb. 1
Photos by Rudi Schedl
When the Husqvarna Norden 901 entered the market for 2022, one of the first things we asked was when we would see a more adventure-focused version. That is, after all, the modus operandi for Husqvarna’s sister brand, KTM, which gave the 890 Adventure an upscaled R version.
Fri, 27 May 2022
Tires may develop cracks that can result in tread separation
Continental Tire is recalling 68,770 motorcycle tires because they may develop cracks that can result in tread separation. The recall includes the popular TKC 80 dual sport tires, ContiGo! tires for lightweight motorcycles, plus K62 and LB scooter tires.
Sun, 01 May 2022
Changes have affected the entire range of Husqvarna enduro bikes, consisting of seven models: three two-stroke and four four-stroke, respectively. All these changes were aimed at making motorcycles even faster, more controllable and more predictable. They didn’t touch the “iron” of the engines - why, if everything is already so close to ideal.
Mon, 07 Feb 2022
Electric Duke joins Husqvarna E-Pilen in E-Mobility plans
Pierer Mobility confirmed it is working on an electric KTM streetbike as part of its push towards electro mobility. The news comes from a presentation of preliminary revenues and earnings for the 2021 business year, confirming that an E-Duke is in development. While this is the first official confirmation of an E-Duke, its development comes as no surprise, especially after KTM’s sister brand Husqvarna revealed an E-Pilen concept last April.