Husqvarna Motorcycles

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

Future Husqvarna Motorcycles to Include 501 Models, Retro Bikes and Electric Scooters

Credit: Photos by Pierer Mobility, Husqvarna UPDATE: We’ve discovered a similar presentation from August for the prior fiscal quarter that had an even larger list of future Husqvarna models including 901 and 1301 (!) versions of the Norden adventure bike and for the naked category. Join our Husqvarna Norden Forum A presentation for investors produced by KTM’s parent company reveals a roadmap of future Husqvarna models including electric scooters, retro-inspired models and a new 501 Twin-cylinder platform. The presentation was released in late November by Pierer Mobility, the parent company of KTM, Husqvarna and the recently-acquired GasGas.

Husqvarna Norden 901 Adventure Bike Concept

Husqvarna revealed an adventure bike concept called the Norden 901. If that alone wasn’t enough to get our juices flowing, there’s the fact the Norden is based around our Motorcycle-of-the-Year winner, the KTM 790 Adventure R. Join our Husqvarna Norden Forum Husqvarna didn’t exactly come right out and say that, it’s clear from looking at the engine, the frame and the 790 ADV’s distinct low-slung fuel tank that the Norden shares much of its DNA beneath the rally bike styling.

2020 Husqvarna EE 5 Electric Dirt Bike Enters Production

Husqvarna has entered the electric motorcycle market, launching the new EE 5 electric dirt bike as a 2020 model. The 2020 Husqvarna EE 5 is designed for young riders, with an all-new electric powertrain that claims an equivalent performance level to a 50cc gasoline-powered dirt bike. Perhaps the biggest surprise about Husqvarna’s first electric model was that the EE 5 is not based on KTM’s e Freeride platform.

2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 Review – First Ride

In this case, less really is more Credit: Videos by Sean Matic Husqvarna’s US media guy, Andy Jefferson, is a little worried about Husqvarna’s name recognition in the States, though worried is probably not the right word. More like “interested in” or “amused by.” Husqvarna’s been selling bikes in the US for decades (Andy raced them in the early ’80s), but it still seems like the few Americans who do recognize the name Husqvarna associate it with chainsaws and sewing machines. Dirtbike people have no excuse since Husky’s won a couple of US championships lately.

Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition Review - Video

Braaaaping on a really fast chainsaw Videos by Sean Matic You may have noticed at Motorcycle.com a relative lack of motocross coverage. This isn’t because we don’t want to, but rather because none of the staff – except for Brent Jaswinski – feel they are qualified to really give MX machines a proper shake. The problem, of course, is Brent is (sadly) no longer a part of our crew.

2019.5 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition Review - First Ride

The Husky FC450 gets the Rockstar treatment Credit: Photos by Jamin Mathis By Dominic Cimino 2019.5 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition Editor Score: 95.25% Engine 19.0/20 Suspension/Handling 13.0/15 Transmission/Clutch 10.0/10 Brakes 10.0/10 Instruments/Controls 4.75/5 Ergonomics/Comfort 10.0/10 Appearance/Quality 10.0/10 Desirability 10.0/10 Value 8.5/10 Overall Score 95.25/100 Motocross is a sport that demands a high performing motorcycle capable of delivering specific attributes to help a rider go fast. The best bikes combine performance, ergonomics, and style points (among many other traits) into a single package that we, as riders, use to figure out which is best for us. Unlike our street motorcycle brethren, us motocross folk have a limited amount of European manufacturers to choose from when comparing makes/models to the Japanese competition.

2019 Husqvarna FS 450 Review – First Ride

Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield | Videos by Sean Matic The joy and fun of riding supermoto is something I personally love, but apparently this sentiment isn’t shared by most. It’s too bad, really. Supermoto offers all the fun of track riding for a fraction of the cost of taking your sportbike to a trackday.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept – First Look

At EICMA 2016, Husqvarna showcased a concept Vitpilen 401 Aero ahead of the release of the 401 production models in 2018. We now see the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept being shown at EICMA 2018. Aside from the updated display and a few other styling details, the faired version of the Vitpilen looks like it could be easily offered in the way of bolt-on parts to the standard Vitpilen 701.

2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 First Look

Husqvarna continues to add to its street lineup with the new Svartpilen 701. Shown as a concept at last year’s EICMA show, the “Black Arrow” is ready to join the Vitpilen 701 “White Arrow” in Husky’s street lineup. The 2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 draws inspiration from the flat track scene.

Husqvarna Svartpilen, and Mysterious `Real Street' Concept Machine Will Be at EICMA

We already know the Svartpilen 701 will make its official debut at the big EICMA show in Milan next week, courtesy of CARB filings released in July and uncovered by our man Dennis. The Svartpilen 701, powered by KTM’s 690-Duke thumper, will look very close to this, we imagine – but with fenders and street equipment. But wait, there’s more: Husqvarna has cordially invited the media also to the unveiling of a “thrilling concept machine” November 6 at the show.