Our Brand

A celebrated past and remarkable prospects for the future.

As a pioneer in motorcycle development from as early as 1903, Husqvarna Motorcycles has blossomed into one of the most revered European motorcycle brands in modern times.

Yet the company’s eventful history was also marked by many successes and setbacks along the way. One of those decisive events was the separation from Husaberg in 1988. But what belongs together came together again in March 2013, when Husqvarna Motorcycles and Husaberg reunited under the KTM Group banner – now known as Pierer Mobility.

Today, Husqvarna Motorcycles is a brand that draws inspiration from a golden age of motorcycling culture, renowned for many ground-breaking achievements and unique revolutionary steps that has changed motorcycling forever. Our goal is to pick up where those days of legend left off. We intend to uphold the virtues of the past, because this brand’s future lies in its history – a history of uncovering new frontiers in the sport of motorcycling.

Where do we come from?

Husqvarna Motorcycles is one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. The combination of tradition and well over a century of company history is added to state-of-the-art technology and a devotion to detail, jointly creating a very special brand experience. Husqvarna Motorcycles has a fascinating brand history – defined by a unique pioneering vision, coupled with style and technical details.

Husqvarna Motorcycles today is in the privileged position of having access to one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing hubs in the motorcycle industry, in Mattighofen, Austria.

Husqvarna, originally a metal-working company, was founded in 1689 in the southern Swedish town of “Huskvarna”, to produce muskets for the Swedish Army. Motorcycle production began in 1903, making Husqvarna Motorcycles one of the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers with uninterrupted production.

As early as the 1920s and ‘30s, Husqvarna Motorcycles built street motorcycles, and entered prestigious road race events such as the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where a commitment to international competition made Husqvarna famous throughout Europe.

The post-World War II Husqvarna Motorcycles range was limited to lightweight 2-stroke models which, in modified form, were also used in the fledgling offroad sports that became popular in the mid-1950s.

In the years that followed, numerous competition machines with 2 and 4-stroke engines were developed; and between 1960 and ‘63, the first five FIM World Championship titles were won in the 250 cc and 500 cc classes. Not only did Husqvarna pioneer the sport of motocross, but also led the way in taking the sport to the USA. Among the high-profile Husqvarna Motorcycles riders in the successful era of the 1960s and ‘70s were Torsten Hallman, Malcolm Smith and Hollywood film actor Steve McQueen.

Husqvarna’s 1983 500 4-stroke model marked yet another milestone. The exceptionally light and easy-handling off-roader had revolutionary features for the time and was the forerunner for a new generation of competition offroad 4-stroke motorcycles. By 1977 the entire Husqvarna business joined Sweden’s Electrolux Group. In 1987, the Husqvarna Motorcycles division was sold to the Cagiva MV Agusta Group, with company headquarters and production being transferred to Varese, Italy. In 2007, it was briefly acquired by the BMW Group before Husqvarna Motorcycles joined the KTM family in 2013.

Husqvarna Motorcycles continues this trajectory with an impressive range of models and technical leadership. Over a dozen high-tech, class-leading motorcycles are not only tackling the enduro, motocross, supermoto and dual-sport production segments head-on, but also re-imagining the street and travel segments. The growing production offering is supported by top-level competition in the major global motocross, supercross, enduro, supermoto and rally series.

1689

Where it all started

On the Swedish king’s command, a weapons factory was founded in the town of Huskvarna.

1903

The two-wheeled journey begins

Husqvarna’s first motorcycle was produced in 1903 – a “motorised bicycle”. As the world’s second oldest motorcycle manufacturer with uninterrupted production, Husqvarna has thankfully learnt a thing or two over the course of over a century of development.

1955

The pioneers of motocross

The iconic Silverpilen from 1955. Meaning “silver arrow” in Husqvarna’s native Swedish, it was a pioneering Husqvarna model, purpose-built for offroad use.

1960

Building the legend

The glorious 1960s and 1970s! A golden-age dawned for Husqvarna, just as offroad motorcycling was booming in growth and popularity. By storming to 14 Motocross World Titles, 24 Enduro European Championships and 11 Baja victories, Husqvarna fast became the ultimate offroad motorcycle racing brand of the era.

1987

The Italian adventure

When Husqvarna Motorcycles was bought by Cagiva MV Agusta in 1987 – plans were set to relocate to Italy by 1988. The core Husqvarna development team chose to remain in Sweden instead, breaking away and launching “Husaberg” in 1988.

2013

Two halves become one again

In 2013, KTM GROUP (Husaberg’s owner) bought Husqvarna Motorcycles, marking the reunion of two halves of the original Husqvarna brand of the 60s and 70s! The Husqvarna Motorcycles brand returned to its glorious origins with state-of-the-art technology and the iconic Swedish blue, yellow and white colour scheme.

2014

A visionary idea is born

Husqvarna Motorcycles showed that it was ready to re-enter the street segment by unveiling the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto alongside two stunning prototypes – the Vitpilen and Svartpilen – at the EICMA motorcycle exhibition in Milan.

2015

A new generation of street production models

When the 701 Supermoto production model arrived at dealers, the brand once more took a pioneering step forward as it formally re-entered the street segment. As the pure essence of Supermoto, the motorcycle combined understated design with premium-quality performance, to continue Husqvarna’s long and successful Supermoto heritage.

2016

Inspired design takes centre stage

Husqvarna Motorcycles excited the motorcycling world with the Vitpilen 401 Aero Concept, showing an entirely new dimension to its design philosophy.

2017

Rebirth of the pilen

The Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 production models are officially launched, adding a premium street line-up to the existing offroad and motocross portfolio.

2018

Breaking new ground

With electric mobility becoming an ever-present reality, Husqvarna Motorcycles showed its entry into the market with the EE 5 mini-crosser and range of electric bicycles at the EICMA motorcycle exhibition.

2019

Broadening horizons

Husqvarna Motorcycles unveils the Norden 901 Concept at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle exhibition, promising an entry into the travel segment, in addition to announcing a return to Moto3 racing.

2020

West meets east

Husqvarna Motorcycles become available in India, South East Asia and Latin America, launching into these markets with a collection of 200 cc and 250 cc street motorcycles in a bid to bolster sales and further grow the brand.