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

2012 Husqvarna 900 Streetbike Testing

Motorcycle manufacturers have a different take on the word “spy”. For most people, when we hear the word “spy”, we picture covert operatives hiding in the shadows, trying to ferret out someone’ top secret information. The OEMs however, seem to use the other definition of “spy”, as in “to observe”.

Official Sketches of 900cc Husqvarna Streetbike

Husqvarna has released these official drawings of its upcoming streetbike. Best known for its off-road models, Husqvarna seems to be taking a page from parent company BMW in teasing its new on-road model, first by releasing details about the engine, and now with these sketches. The drawings reveal a naked road bike with a supermoto influence not too far from Husqvarna’s usual style.

1954 AJS E95 May Fetch Upwards of $750K in August Pebble Beach Auction

This uber rare 1954 AJS E95, aka The Porcupine, may become the most expensive motorcycle in the world. World-famous auction house, Bonhams, has recently announced that it will handle auctioning of an ultra-rare 1954 AJS E95 during the Pebble Beach Car Week held annually in August at the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, Calif. Bonhams estimates that due to the rarity of the E95 (only four were completed by British brand AJS) it may see a bid as high as $750,000.

The ultimate off-road experience?

MOROCCAN-BASED off-road trail riding company Loco4Motos Maroc is to use the new BMW/Husqvarna in its bike range for 2011.Run by Tim Skilton (no, it's not me) the company organises unique adventures in Morocco, with individual off-road itineraries tailored to group requirements.Whether it's mountains, coastline or desert, Loco4Motos Maroc has it covered, for the individual or group adventure rider.From the base in Marrakech featuring accommodation, workshops and leisure facilities you ride out immediately onto Moroccan piste (trails), and your adventure takes shape from just one day's incredible riding, to ten adrenaline packed days of varied terrain.The adventure tours fall into three categories:Day riding:    From one to three days out of Marrakech.Free Riding: From one to five days, unsupported tours with guide (for experienced riders only).Fully Supported Tours: From three to ten day tours with full 4x4 support and guide, all inclusive with excellent eclectic accommodation.Loco4Motos is employing the satellite location technology provided by SPOT for 2011.This means that for a small tour premium, any rider is covered for helicopter evacuation and repatriation, as well as being trackable in realtime (every ten minutes).SPOT technology allows riders to alert that there is a problem, call medical services directly to their location or let third parties or loved ones track progress and send OK messages at the end of the riding day. All this forms part of the Loco4Motos security offering, unique in Morocco.Why choose Loco4Motos Maroc?Registered Moroccan CompanyBased in Marrakech at own premises.On the Moroccan pistes ten months out of twelve per year.Best accommodation in each location.SPOT location technology (unique), with two dedicated staff in the office to monitor this at all times.Medical insurance with repatriation included in the SPOT package.Moroccan registered bikes with Moroccan insurance.Moroccan staff.English, French, Spanish and Arabic spoken.All details can be found at www.locoformotos.com