Husqvarna have been around for a whole lot longer than most people realize, their recent resurgence under the KTM group has seen them become a household name today, but there is a lot more to the company than their current model lineup.
The Swedish company has endured several ups and downs in their storied past, having to move their headquarters, and by extension, manufacturing facility, twice, splitting, reuniting and very nearly disappearing entirely. In recent times, they have gone from strength to strength with their all-conquering dirt bikes and have turned several heads with their radically designed road bikes.
10 Used To Make Muskets
If we were to delve into the history of different brands, we might suppose very few would be able to trace their history as far back as Husqvarna.
Their history began with the Swedish king commissioning a metal-works company to produce muskets all the way back in 1689. They are literally as old as the hills.
9 One Of The Oldest Motorcycle Manufacturers
After literally being around for hundreds of years, they shifted their attention to the growing motorized bicycle market.
By 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles was established, making them the second-oldest motorcycle manufacturer with uninterrupted production.
8 Isle Of Man Experience
By the early 20s, motorcycle racing had become popular all over Europe and the Isle Of Man TT had established itself as one of the biggest events.
Husqvarna raced in the event between the 20s and 30s, gaining crucial experience in motorcycle development, something that would hold them in good stead post-war.
7 Went Off-Road Early
Seeing a growing trend in the 50s, they bravely launched the Silverpilen, the first ever purpose built off-road motorcycle.
Although it looked very much like a regular contemporary motorcycle, it had a slightly longer travel and a high-mounted exhaust, making it more off-road friendly.
6 Motocross Pioneer
Their first bike might not have looked much like a motocrosser, but by the 60s they were making the first true long-travel suspension dirt bikes.
For a time, they were untouchable on the dirt tracks around the world, winning 14 Motocross World Titles and 24 European Enduro Championships. At the time, their performance attracted all the most talented riders from all over the world, including a certain Hollywood star.
5 Steve McQueen
McQueen was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, collecting and racing several different motorcycles.
His love for riding on dirt drew him to Husqvarna, and when he saw the Swedish Motocross Champion Bengt Åberg’s bike, he simply had to have it. He bought his championship winning bike after the race, that same bike was recently sold at auction for crazy money.
4 The Dark Days
By the early 80s Husqvarna had fallen behind, although they were one of the early leaders in innovation they had become stagnant and paid the price, slow race bikes and weak sales.
They poured their resources into what was for the time a revolutionary 500cc 4-stroke motocrosser, they had beaten the trend by over a decade and the bike never really took off with no class to compete in. By the late 80s, they were no longer profitable, and it seemed like the company was doomed.
3 Cagiva Years
Cagiva were making money hand over fist in the 80s and went about acquiring several brands, one of those was Husqvarna. Without their investment and move to Italy, it would have been the end of the line for Husqvarna.
It was indeed the end of the line for the company as it was known back then, the core group splintered off and became Husaberg, making use of their old tooling and facility. While Husqvarna produced bikes in Italy, they were seemingly always the underdog, but still made some fast, competitive dirt bikes.
2 Another Relocation
After 20 years in Italy under Cagiva, the Italian group were facing financial difficulties of their own and sold Husqvarna to the BMW Group.
Although this partnership produced some interesting bikes, most notably the Nuda 900, it was short-lived. BMW seemingly got what they needed out of the deal and sold off the Husky brand to KTM in 2013 while the Varese facility would be sold to a Chinese manufacturer.
1 Marketing Experiment
What KTM have since done with the brand is easily one of the most astute marketing decisions we have ever seen in the motorcycle industry. Essentially, Husqvarna of old died in the 80s and limped along through the 90s.
Today, they are the blue and white alternative to the orange KTM. With pretty much all the same running gear, a few minor tweaks on the inside and a completely different design language, KTM have gained access to a market that otherwise wouldn’t have given the orange brand a second look.