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
Tue, 06 Nov 2018
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.
Tue, 30 Oct 2018
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.
Fri, 20 Jul 2018
Vitpilen 701's scrambler-styled sibling entering produciton
We saw it at EICMA in concept form but we can now confirm the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 is heading for production as a 2019 model. EICMA 2017: Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 Concept
The proof comes from the California Air Resources Board which has issued an executive order certifying the Svartpilen 701 for 2019. The “Black Arrow” was certified along with is “White Arrow” sibling, the Vitplien 701 which also debuted at EICMA as a 2018 production model.
Tue, 19 Jun 2018
There's no parental favoritism here, Husky shares its love equally amongst all its children
Sometimes manufacturers like to put most of their eggs in one basket. For example: Kawasaki has an awesome motocross model lineup, but there are no real comparable 250 or 450 cross-country or trail bike models to select from. Husqvarna (and KTM for that matter) is different because the company builds bikes for not only the avid motocrosser, but for the hardcore off-roader, too.
Mon, 18 Jun 2018
Lighter - faster - stronger. With an emphasis on lighter. This past 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season, Husqvarna took home both the 450 and 250 East Regional Championship Titles, as well as the 2017 250 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Thu, 17 May 2018
From two-stroke to four-stroke, there's a Husky for everyone
Hands down, Husqvarna has the most complete line of off-road bikes of any manufacturer. Whether you’re a track, trail or dual-sport rider, Husqvarna has a bike tailor-made to your needs. The company has already pulled the veils off its 2019 minibikes for the up-and-coming youngsters, and now they’ve just announced their 2019 big-boy lineup.
Mon, 30 Apr 2018
Fresh Swedish styling on proven Austrian performance
Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield
Husqvarna, a company better known for its off-road bikes – or chainsaws, depending on who you ask – made big waves in the motorcycle world three years ago when the Austrian-owned Swedish brand announced it would enter the street bike market with concepts of its Vitpilen and Svartpilen models. Fast forward to EICMA last November, and there they were, in the flesh and on the floor – real motorcycles. 2018 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
Editor Score: 89.75%
Engine
18.5/20
Suspension/Handling
14.0/15
Transmission/Clutch
9.0/10
Brakes
9.5/10
Instruments/Controls
3.0/5
Ergonomics/Comfort
9.0/10
Appearance/Quality
8.75/10
Desirability
9.0/10
Value
9.0/10
Overall Score
89.75/100
2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Editor Score: 85.75%
Engine
18.5/20
Suspension/Handling
14.0/15
Transmission/Clutch
9.0/10
Brakes
9.5/10
Instruments/Controls
3.0/5
Ergonomics/Comfort
7.0/10
Appearance/Quality
7.75/10
Desirability
8.5/10
Value
8.5/10
Overall Score
85.75/100
Admittedly, at first I was less than impressed, and after elbowing my way through the crowd to see what all the fuss was about, I was still left scratching my head, somewhat disappointed – like a kid who got Irish Spring soap and a pack of fresh tighty-whiteys for Christmas.
Wed, 25 Apr 2018
Pure. Modern. Simple.
Thu, 29 Mar 2018
Some manufacturers outperformed others in 2017. What will happen in 2018? You know what they say, “Bad news travels fast,” and a few months ago, it seemed like the motorcycle industry was full of it.
Wed, 13 Dec 2017
Wrapping up what we learned at the Fall motorcycle shows
The new model announcement season is an exciting time for motorcyclists, as it’s when we get our first glance at all the latest motorcycles being released in the upcoming year. While AIMExpo, with its extremely early event date (starting on September 22nd), was short on new models, EICMA blew the doors off of 2018 with no less than 37 different new bikes that we covered here on MO. 2017 AIMExpo Show Coverage
2017 EICMA Show Coverage
On our side of the ocean, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) included, as usual, Long Beach, California, giving the American motorcycle industry and public its first chance to see, throw a leg over, and, in some cases, take a test ride on one of the new models.