Husqvarna Motorcycles is a motorcycle manufacturing company that was first founded in Sweden in 1689, where it began life as a musket factory. At the beginning of the 20th century, Husqvarna began producing motorcycles and quickly developed a reputation for manufacturing some of the most formidable racing machines in the European market, particularly in the off-road category. After a century of financial ups and downs, ownership changes, and company divisions, Husqvarna is still with us today, proudly producing some of the best off-road motorcycles ever designed, and the company also has ambitious on-road ambitions too. Husqvarna has been around for a long time, but its future has never looked so bright.
The History Of Husqvarna
Muskets To Motorcycles
Husqvarna was first founded in Sweden back in 1689. That’s not a typo – the company really is that old and can trace its roots all the way back to 1689, when the Swedish king commanded that a weapons factory be built in the town of Huskvarna, in the Swedish province of Småland. The original company began producing muskets, and that legacy of gun manufacture stays with the company today: the Husqvarna logo features an “H” surrounded by the barrel of a gun, topped with sights.
Like most motorcycle manufacturers, Husqvarna began their two-wheeled life producing bicycles in the latter half of the 19th century. However, unlike many other manufacturers, Husqvarna was very quick to transition into motorcycle manufacture, beginning production as early as 1903. The company’s first models relied on imported engines but by 1918, Husqvarna began producing models with everything built in-house, including the engines. Roughly around the same time, Husqvarna entered into a long-standing relationship with the Swedish Army, who saw the tactical advantages of motorized two-wheeled transport. At the same time, Husqvarna flexed its engineering prowess by entering into long distance motorcycle races and cross country events. After establishing its very own engine factory in 1920, Husqvarna began building 550cc four-stroke, v-twin engines in a configuration similar to Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Racing Success
After learning the ropes in cross country and long distance racing, Husqvarna took part in grander competitions, such as the early variants of the Grand Prix, fielding bikes in both the 350cc and 500cc classes in the 1930s. Husqvarna’s early racers were built around the 50-degree V-twin engine configuration, which proved enough to beat some of the tough competition of the day, such as Norton, who Husqvarna bested at the 1931 Swedish GP. After a few more successful years on the race scene, Husqvarna withdrew factory support for racers, focusing instead on developing new technologies, such as a new two-stroke, two-speed commuter motorcycle.
Automobile Ambitions
In the closing stages of World War II, Husqvarna formed a team of engineers to investigate the plausibility of manufacturing small, compact, efficient, and most importantly, inexpensive, cars. Taking inspiration from Saab, Husqvarna created a small car with a three-wheel configuration that had two front wheels and one at the rear. In 1943, the prototype was completed and put to the test. The small car was powered by a 500cc twin-cylinder engine from a DKW motorcycle, and produced up to 20 horsepower. Despite the ultimate success of the venture, the project was cancelled in 1944, and Husqvarna’s automobile ambitions were shut down for good by the 1950s. In retrospect, this was a good thing for Husqvarna, who have benefited more from their two-stroke motorcycles than any of their other modes of transport.
Global Recognition
Fortunately, while working on small-displacement cars, Husqvarna’s engineers were also developing lightweight two-stroke engines for motorcycles at the same time – and it paid off. By the 1960s, motorcycle racing had evolved considerably, and Husqvarna’s early adoption of two-stroke technology made their products incredibly effective. British built four-stroke motorcycles had become obsolete; the two-stroke engine was now the thinking racer’s weapon of choice. In the off-road arena, no-one could come close to matching Husqvarna’s technology and throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Husqvarna motorcycles dominated the motocross world championships, securing no less than 14 Motocross World Championship titles in the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc class, followed by a staggering 24 Enduro World Championships, and a further 11 Baja 1000 victories.
At the end of the 1970s, it was impossible to deny Husqvarna’s off-road prowess, and the once obscure motorcycle manufacture had begun to attract attention on the global scene. It was because of this reason that one of the biggest company’s in Sweden, Electrolux, decided to purchase the Husqvarna Motorcycles brand in 1977. Under new leadership, the manufacturer managed to expand, flourish, and move into new territories. By the early-80s, the two-stroke engine was already beginning to be phased out, and Husqvarna countered the demise of the two-stroke engine with something special. In 1983, Husqvarna pulled the covers off of a new 500cc engine in a revolutionary four-stroke configuration embedded in the 510 TE model. It was an immediate hit, and the lightweight 510 TE was praised for its maneuverability, exceptional power, and fierce nature. This new model set the standard for a new breed of four-stroke off-road motorcycles.
Ownership Changes & Division
Electrolux’s interest in Husqvarna didn’t go unnoticed, and a decade later other companies wanted in on the Husqvarna action. In 1987, Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva, which went on to become MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. At the time, Cagiva wanted to move production to their Varese facility in Italy, uprooting Husqvarna’s workforce. Unfortunately, many of Husqvarna’s workers refused and the brand was left divided, with those moving to Italy forming the bulk of Husqvarna, while those remaining behind formed their own splinter company: Husaberg AB. Husaberg was eventually bought by KTM AG in 1995.
Husqvarna, however, relocated to Italy and enjoyed the same financial highs and lows that rocked Cagiva and MV Agusta. With worsening finances, MV Agusta had no choice but to sell Husqvarna, and in 2007 BMW Motorrad purchased Husqvarna Motorcycles for a reported €93.000.000. BMW had ambitious plans to operate Husqvarna in a way similar to the way they operated Mini – as an independent manufacturer. The result wasn’t as successful as it could have been, and by 2013, Husqvarna had found another potential buyer: Pierer Industries AG, otherwise known as KTM.
The KTM Takeover
On the 31st of January 2013, BMW formally announced that Husqvarna had been bought by Pierer Industries AG for an undisclosed amount. Stefan Pierer, the CEO of Pierer Industries, Cross Industries, and KTM-Sportmotorcycle, transferred the sale of Husqvarna to KTM AG, making the newly named Husqvarna Motorcycle GmbH formally part of the KTM Group. At the same time, Husqvarna was also re-united with the Husaberg brand, with Husaberg merging back into Husqvarna once and for all. Production of Husqvarna motorcycles was moved from Italy to KTM’s headquarters in Mattighofen, Austria.
From then on, Husqvarna has moved from strength to strength, and has somewhat re-invented itself under the KTM umbrella. Today, Husqvarna produced a wide range of interesting motorcycles, primarily focusing on the motocross, enduro, and supermoto categories, with models in both two and four-stroke configurations, with displacements ranging from 125cc to 510cc. Husqvarna fields factory backed racing teams for off-road racing in the World Enduro, Motocross, Supercross, and Supermoto championships. While the company still stands at the forefront of off-road technology, Husqvarna has recently made an ambitious leap into street motorcycles too.
In 2014, Husqvarna pulled the covers off of two very exciting concept prototypes: the Vitpilen 401, and Svartpilen 401. These two models were the first road-focused motorcycles unveiled by Husqvarna since the 1960s, and two years later Husqvarna pulled the covers off of two production ready models, available in both 401 and 701 engine sizes. Husqvarna’s new foray into the road market has been highly anticipated, and with KTM’s help, there’s no reason for the company’s plans to fail.
As well as developing road motorcycles, Husqvarna has also fielded entries into the Moto3 Grand Prix competitions, and is actively developing new, exciting and innovative engines that could revolutionize the future of motorcycle riding. Husqvarna is an old brand, but it has a long and interesting future ahead of it.
Husqvarna Motorcycles: Reliability
Husqvarna wasn’t featured in the most recent (and somewhat controversial) Consumer Reports reliability study, so there’s no easy way to measure the reliability of Husqvarna Motorcycles or compare them against anecdotal evidence from other manufacturers. Also, since Husqvarna has been owned by a series of different owners in the last 20 years, the reliability index results would be skewed anyway, since they were all powered by different engines and designed by different engineers. Since 2013, Husqvarna has been owned by KTM and has benefited from KTM’s engines and technology, and Husqvarna motorcycles have been built in the same KTM factory – so theoretically, their reliability should be the same. Unfortunately, KTM were also left off of the last Consumer Reports survey. However, KTM motorcycle are celebrated for their hardiness, battling and winning in competitions such as the Dakar Rally, and other brutal off-road competitions, which would suggest a fair degree of reliability.
Recalls
Reliability can also be measured by looking at how many recalls a manufacturer has called over a set period of time. Since the Husqvarna brand was acquired by KTM in 2013, Husqvarna have only issued 3 recalls. The most significant of these recalls affected 1,015 units from the TR650 Terra and TR650 Strada lines, which suffered an engine issue that could make some units unexpectedly stall. The second largest recall affected 249 models from the FE 350 S and FE 501 S lines, and concerned an incorrectly tightened piston rod in the front fork. Finally, the last recall concerned only 36 units from the FE 350 S and FE 351 S lines suffering from a similar fork piston issue. In all cases, Husqvarna replaced all faulty parts free-of-charge. Given Husqvarna’s short time under KTM management, it’s hard to gauge how reliable the new breed of motorcycles are, though generally most users report few complaints.
Husqvarna & New Technology
Husqvarna has been at the forefront of technological innovation ever since the company began manufacturing muskets back in the 1600s. The Husqvarna brand is famous for chainsaws, sewing machines, lawnmowers and more, but the motorcycle enterprise of the brand has been a separate entity since 1977. Since 1977, Husqvarna Motorcycles have been riding their own wave of innovation, developing advanced technologies and firmly marking their territory as one of the most capable off-road brands in the world. Since off-road riding has enjoyed a long partnership with the two-stroke engine, it should come as no surprise that Husqvarna has worked hard to keep the two-stroke engine alive and relevant, even against all odds.
Fuel-Injected Two-Strokes
Husqvarna’s recent partnership with KTM has produced some rather incredible results. Due to emissions laws, the two-stroke engine was on its way out and while the two-stroke still has a presence in the off-road market, road-legal two-stroke motorcycles have almost become obsolete. Fortunately, the new partnership between KTM and Husqvarna has brought forth some new interesting technology. The KTM Technologies research center has recently unveiled a revolutionary two-stroke engine that features a sophisticated Transfer Port Injection system that replaces conventional carburators. The new system squirts fuel directly into the engine cylinder’s transfer ports, reducing fuel consumption, eliminating the need for pre-mixed fuel, and cutting down on emissions in the process.
This fuel-injection technology isn’t exactly a new discovery, but KTM and Husqvarna have certainly refined it and made it into a more practical system that is suited to mainstream production bikes – fuel-injected two-strokes have existed before, but mainly as competition only models. The difference between those old models and Husqvarna and KTM’s new ones is the introduction of a sophisticated control unit and a new throttle body. It’s not clear whether the KTM Group has any plans to bring two-stroke technology back to the road, but the new breakthrough has certainly made it possible.
Top Husqvarna Models
Despite working on new technologies and introducing two new street-oriented models, Husqvarna still focus on producing some of the most formidable off-road motorcycles on the market. The company’s current range offers models in the Enduro, Motocross, and Supermoto categories, with a wide selection of engine sizes available, with models offered in two and four-stroke flavors to suit the needs of any kind of off-road rider. On top of that, Husqvarna have released two ground breaking street motorcycles that are on course to become incredibly popular. Here’s a break down of Husqvarna’s current line-up:
Husqvarna Enduro Bikes
Husqvarna’s Enduro line-up is divided into two main sections, two-stroke and four-stroke, with the latter further subdivided into three smaller subsections. The two-stroke Enduro models include the TX 125, the TE 250i, and the TE 300i. Husqvarna’s main four-stroke Enduro models include the FE 250, FE 350, FE 450, and FE 501. The Cross Country Enduro line includes the TX 300, FX 350, and FX 450. Husqvarna also offers an Enduro Dual-Sport motorcycle called the 701 Enduro too.
Husqvarna Motocross Bikes
The Motocross range offers more two-stroke models than the Enduro, but four-stroke Motocross models are also available. Husqvarna’s specialist two-stroke Motocross range consists of the TC 50 Mini, TC 50, TC 65, TC 85 (17/14), TC 85 (19/16), TC 125, and TC 250. The four-stroke Motocross models include the FC 250, FC 350, and FC 450.
Husqvarna Supermoto Bikes
The Husqvarna Supermoto line features two models, the 701 Supermoto and FS 450. The 701 Supermoto boasts a powerful 692cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine, with Brembo brakes, WP suspension, and a wide range of technical goodies including a slipper clutch. The smaller FS 450 boasts a mighty 449cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, with cool add-ons including WP suspension and a Suter slipper clutch, with Magura hydraulics.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen
Husqvarna’s Vitpilen was one of the most highly anticipated motorcycles of the past few years, and since it has gone on sale, it has failed to disappoint. As Husqvarna’s first road-focused model for decades, the Vitpilen is a landmark model. Coming in a 701 or 401 configuration, the Vitpilen offers a minimalist and refined approach to the street segment. The 701 boasts a 629.7cc single-cylinder engine with 75 horsepower and 53.1 lb-ft of torque, while the 401 is based around a 373cc single-cylinder engine with a respectable 44 horsepower and 27 lb-ft of torque. The suspensions is handled by WP on both units, complemented with Brembo brakes on the 701, and ByBre (a Brembo brand) brakes on the smaller 401.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen
Lastly, the Husqvarna Svartpilen is the more rugged counterpart of the Vitpilen roadster. The Svartpilen is currently only offered in the 401 configuration, which is a more ideal size for a motorcycle that can perform both on and off-road, in a “street scrambler” arrangement. Powered by a 373cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine that can produce up to 44 horsepower and 27 lb-ft of torque, the Svartpilen offers a versatile riding experience for the discerning motorcyclist.
Husqvarna Motorcycles North America, Inc.
Since Husqvarna Motorcycles is owned by KTM, the vast majority of Husqvarna’s corporate structure is exactly the same as KTMs. For example, Husqvarna Motorcycles North America Inc. is governed by KTM North America Inc, and they both share the same company headquarters in the USA. KTM and Husqvarna’s East Coast operations are headquartered in Amherst, Ohio – where KTM has had solid links with ever since the company first started trading officially in the USA back in 1978. Those early KTM years saw the Austrian marque working closely with veteran motorcycle racer John Penton, who helped introduce the KTM name to the American market.
With KTM’s American interest expanding, and with the recent acquisition of Husqvarna, KTM decided to open a second US headquarters. Since 2014, Husqvarna Motorcycles North America Inc. has been headquartered out of Murrieta, California. The Murrieta office in California, is a state-of-the art facility spanning 5,000 square feet, and the office takes care of Husqvarna’s dealerships, product distribution, advertising, customer service, and racing efforts. The racing division is of interest too, because though a part of the KTM Group, KTM treats Husqvarna as an entirely different brand and when they’re competing against each other on track, they don’t give each other preferential treatment. Despite being a separate entity, Husqvarna’s global headquarters is still the same as KTMs, and the global HQ can be found in Mattighofen, Austria.
Are Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In The USA?
The company Husqvarna North America Inc. is definitely American but the motorcycles and products that they sell and distribute are not. At the moment, Husqvarna Motorcycles doesn’t operate any manufacturing plants in the United States of America. Husqvarna’s motorcycles are manufactured and assembled at either the Mattighofen plant in Austria, or at the Pune plant in India (for KTM and Husqvarna’s smaller capacity machines). The finished motorcycles are shipped to Norfolk, Virginia, and distributed to local dealerships from there.
Husqvarna Dealerships
Husqvarna Motorcycle operate 149 authorized dealerships and sales outlets in the United States of America. These dealers specialize in the sale and service of Husqvarna’s excellent off-road motorcycle range, and these dealerships are also just beginning to sell Husqvarna’s new street-focused models, the Vitpilen and Svartpilen, too. On top of the sale and service of motorcycles, these Husqvarna dealerships also offer parts, merchandise and other extras from the Husqvarna sales catalog, and provide expert support for racers and teams. Currently, Husqvarna’s dealership network is very limited, however, thanks to the addition of street bikes to the company’s inventory, more dealerships should appear in the near future. Hopefully, these dealerships will perform a little better than the current Husqvarna dealers, since a recent survey scored Husqvarna dealerships as some of the worst in the industry.
Pied Piper Dealership Rankings
A 2017 survey conducted by mystery shopping and customer service analysts Pied Piper uncovered some interesting statistics concerning the performance and sales abilities of staff working at dealerships representing the main motorcycle manufacturers. The Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index ranked the nation’s dealerships through a mystery shopper scheme, and formulated the results into a comprehensive league table. In the latest survey, Husqvarna scored in last place, in 16th out of 16, narrowly beaten by KTM too. The best dealerships in the country were found to be BMW Motorrad, Harley-Davidson, and Ducati dealers in first, second, and third place respectively. The study found that Husqvarna staff were among the least likely to promote their own brand, offer information about buying their products, offer test rides, ask for customer information, or broach the topic of a sale.
Husqvarna and KTMs poor scores are likely to the fact that both only operate a small number of dealerships in the USA, and since both companies are rapidly expanding, existing dealers may be a little overwhelmed at the moment. Fortunately, the only way is up – and with both brands garnering more interest than ever before, backed by more investment than ever before too, the chances of ranking higher on the next Pied Piper survey are incredibly high.
Husqvarna Finance Options
If you’re looking to purchase a new Husqvarna motorcycle then prospective customers can take advantage of Husqvarna’s interesting finance options. These convenient financing schemes are tailored to provide the best service for motorcyclists, delivering excellent deals with manageable terms. While the most up-to-the-minute overviews of Husqvarna finance deals can be found at your nearest Husqvarna dealership, the vast majority of Husqvarna’s financing options involve special financing rates with low APR (Annual Percentage Rates), fixed rate monthly payments, or in-store credit schemes.
Unlike many of the world’s largest manufacturers that offer their own in-house financial institutions, Husqvarna and KTM outsource their retail financing programs to established companies. KTM takes advantage of both FreedomRoad and Synchrony Financial, but Husqvarna currently only operates with FreedomRoad. Customers that qualify with FreedomRoad can enjoy special financing rates with 0.99% APR on selected models, a combination of low APR and low monthly payments on older model years, or the option of taking advantage of in-store credit. Husqvarna’s in-store credit bonus can be spent on a wide range of KTM and Husqvarna Power Parts and Power Wear accessories. Again, the best way to get the low down on current offers is to contact your local Husqvarna dealership.
Husqvarna Affiliates
However, the KTM takeover has given the Husqvarna brand an enormous boost, helping it to reconnect with and merge back together with Husaberg; allowing Husqvarna to take advantage of KTM’s cutting edge research and development arm, KTM Technologies; make full use of other KTM assets such as WP Suspension; and get the full Kiska design treatment too. While these companies are not Husqvarna subsidies, they are vastly important to the new Husqvarna brand:
Husaberg
The Husaberg brand no longer exists and what was left of the marque has now been re-absorbed into the Husqvarna efforts. First founded in 1988, Husaberg developed a wide range of successful enduro and motocross motorcycles that were lauded by off-road enthusiasts and even employed by the Swedish military. After KTM’s takeover of the Husqvarna brand, it was decided that the Husaberg name would be retired. Husaberg’s former General Manager, Oliver Göhring, is now on the Managing Directors of Husqvarna.
KTM Technologies GmbH
KTM Technologies is a subsidy of the KTM Group and looks after the research, development, and creative needs of the wide KTM brand – including Husqvarna. Essentially, KTM Technologies is the KTM Group’s all-encompassing R&D department, prototyping, and testing center which is responsible for KTM and Husqvarna’s latest models.
KTM Immobilien GmbH
To some extent KTM’s subsidiary, the KTM Immobilien Gmbh, plays an important role in the Husqvarna story. KTM Immobilien GmbH is an individual company that operates underneath the wise KTM umbrella that owns and maintains all of KTM and Husqvarna’s properties, from the brick and mortar buildings to the grounds they stand on. Husqvarna and KTM’s real-estate assets are all managed my KTM Immobilien.
WP AG
All of Husqvarna’s newer models boast WP suspension at the front and rear, and that’s because the KTM Group owns the controlling shares in WP AG. WP AG is a Dutch manufacturer of premium suspension systems that used to operate under the name of White Power Suspension GmbH. Today, WP supplies their suspension systems to both KTM and Husqvarna models.
Kiska GmbH
Husqvarna and KTM’s similar design aesthetic is courtesy of the Kiska design house. Kiska GmbH is a forward-thinking design studio that the KTM Group owns a controlling share in. KTM and Kiska have worked together for years, and Kiska is responsible for KTM’s signature look. More recently, Kiska has worked hard to re-invent Husqvarna, and they’ve also put their stamp on a number of KTM’s other projects, including the X-Bow side-by-side sports vehicle.
The “Other” Husqvarna
It’s important to note that Husqvarna Motorcycles is no longer affiliated with the Husqvarna Group. The Swedish-based Husqvarna Group sold their rights to their motorcycle division back in 1987, and though the two companies still share the same heritage and logo, they are two separate entities today. The Husqvarna Group is still a thriving manufacturing powerhouse that boasts more than 13,000 employees worldwide, manufacturing everything from lawnmowers and grounds care products to batteries and lubricants.
Husqvarna Racing
Husqvarna’s racing history is one of the longest and most prolific in the business. Ever since the company built its first motorcycle it has had a strong racing presence, specifically in the off-road segment. From the 1930s to the present day, Husqvarna has continually proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with on the racing scene, clocking up more than 70 Motocross, Enduro, and Supermoto world titles, securing numerous victories in extreme rally race events such as the Baja 1000, and even made an impressive showing in road racing competitions, such as the prestigious FIM Moto3.
Motocross
Ever since Rolf Tibblin secured Husqvarna’s first 250cc European Motocross title in 1959, the manufacturer has gone from strength to strength, securing no less than 6 World Championship titles in the 500cc category, a further 6 in the 250cc category, and 2 125cc titles between 1960 and 1999. In more recent years, Husqvarna has won numerous motocross events, including two titles at the Sidecarcross World Championship, two first place titles in the UK GT Cup (Youth Lites Class) and UK MX Nationals (MX1 Class), and more recently, the Championship title in the 2017 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship’s 250 cc class.
Supercross
Husqvarna have posted some incredibly positive results at the annual AMA Supercross Championship, with rider Zach Osborne winning both the 2017 and 2018 East Coast 250cc class title with Husqvarna, complimented by Husqvarna rider Jason Anderson’s recent victory in Supercross Championship’s 450cc class.
Enduro
Husqvarna’s results at the World Enduro Championships are also incredibly positive, with the company winning 5 125cc titles, 3 250cc titles, 4 350cc titles, 2 400cc titles, and a whopping 6 500cc championships between the years 1990 and 2003. The World Enduro Championships reshuffled their displacement categories in 2004, with three new categories. “Enduro 1” (E1) open to two-stroke motorcycles between 100cc and 125cc, or four-stroke motorcycles between 175cc and 250cc; “Enduro 2” (E2) for two-strokes between 175c and 250cc, or four-strokes between 290cc and 450cc; and “Enduro 3” (E3) for two-stroke motorcycles between 290cc and 500cc, or four-strokes between 475cc and 650cc. Husqvarna managed to win in the E1 category in 2010 and 2011, the E2 category championship in 2011 and 2014, and the E3 World Enduro Championship in 2015.
Supermoto
The hybrid sport of supermoto racing is ideally suited to Husqvarna’s motorcycles: blending street racing with dirt track and motocross. Since the emergence of the World Supermoto Championship, Husqvarna have won five titles overall, two in the SM1 World Supermoto Championship, and three in the SM2 World Supermoto Championships.
Baja 1000
Historically, Husqvarna has performed incredibly well at the legendary Baja 1000 off-road race. The Baja 1000 was first formally established in 1967, and in the early years of its existence Husqvarna was able to compete for first place on a regular basis. Husqvarna has secured victory 11 times since the race began, with their last victory occurring in 1983. Since 1983, the competition has been continuously won by either a Honda or Kawasaki motorcycle.
Moto3
Unexpectedly, Husqvarna fielded riders into both the 2014 and 2015 Moto3 classes at the MotoGP Championships. Despite having little experience in the road racing scene, Husqvarna was able to score positive results, with rider Danny Kent finishing in 8th place in the Rider’s Championships, with teammate Niklas Ajo finishing the 2014 season in 15th. For 2015, Husqvarna fielded 3 riders, who managed to end up in 9th, 25th, and 29th. In both seasons, Husqvarna came in an impressive fourth place in the Constructors championships – which is no mean feat for a manufacturer who usually races off-road rather than on.
Husqvarna Museums
The Husqvarna Museum, Huskvarna
Those looking to learn more about the history and legacy of the Husqvarna name should take a trip to Sweden and visit the Husqvarna Museum in the town of Huskvarna, near Jönköping. The museum is a testament to Sweden’s industrial heritage, with more than just motorcycles on display. Since the Husqvarna Group is famous for manufacturing weapons, cookers, sewing machines, and more, there’s something for everyone on display. Fortunately, there are plenty of motorcycles to keep single-minded two-wheeled enthusiasts entertained if sewing machines and agricultural tools don’t impress them.
The museum has different opening hours depending on the time of year you’re visiting. Between October and April, the museum is open between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm Monday to Friday, and between 12.00 midday and 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Between May and September, the museum is open until 5pm between Monday and Friday, and keeps the same hours at the weekend. Adult tickets are priced at 70 SEK, which is approximately $8. It’s recommended that you check the museum’s website before your trip to avoid any issues.
The KTM Motorhall, Mattighofen
For Husqvarna fans looking to get up close and personal with more modern Husqvarna motorcycle machinery, the KTM Motorhall looks to be the best place to visit. Located in Mattighofen, Austria, the Motorhall offers an exciting interactive museum where KTM and Husqvarna fans will be able to experience a wide range of exciting exhibits that encapsulate the history of the KTM and Husqvarna brands and showcases KTM’s innovative design work. It has also been reported that the Motorhall will offer numerous “hands on” experiences, allowing guests to get involved and tinker with real motorcycles – but we’ll have to wait for the Motorhall’s grand opening to learn more. At present, building of the KTM Motorhall is expected to end in the winter of 2018, with the official opening penciled in for Spring 2019.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Husqvarna
#01. The Husqvarna brand first began life as a Swedish weapons factory back in 1689, trading under the name “Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag,” producing muskets, rifles, and eventually shotguns. However, the demand for firearms greatly diminished by the mid-19th century, so that’s why Husqvarna decided to move into the sewing machine manufacturing business, which then led Husqvarna to investigate other manufacturing ideas. If it wasn’t for a lack of interest in guns, the brand may have never built motorcycles at all.
#02. To celebrate the Husqvarna brand’s long-standing relationships with firearms, it was decided that the company logo should be a testament to the arms industry. The Husqvarna logo is actually an “H” situated in the barrel of a gun, topped with a gun sight.
#03. In the 1970s, Husqvarna Motorcycle were incredible popular in the United States of America, and as such the company’s products featured in a wide range of media. One of the most famous films to include Husqvarna motorcycles includes the 1972 Charles Bronson hit “The Mechanic,” which features a famous motorcycle chase between two Husqvarna bikes that results in an epic crash.
#04. While The Mechanic will be best remembered for crashing Husqvarna motorcycles, Steve McQueen’s On Any Sunday will be best remembered for the riding of them. The award winning 1972 documentary film showcased the variety of motorcycle racing disciplines, the talented riders who raced them, and the motorcycles that made them famous – including Husqvarnas, Triumphs, Bultacos, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas, Montesas, and more.
#05. Talking of Steve McQueen, one of his personal motorcycles, a 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross that he famously posed with on the cover of Sports Illustrated, sold at auction back in 2011 for a record sum. The Husqvarna went under the hammer at the Bonhams auctions in Carmel, California for an incredible sum of $144,500. It’s a lot of money for a motorcycle, but it’s a living, or rather revving, two-wheeled legend.
Husqvarna FAQ
#01. Who Owns Husqvarna Motorcycles? Husqvarna Motorcycles has been owned by the KTM Group since 2014. The motorcycle division of Husqvarna has been separate from the over-arching Husqvarna Group since 1987, when it was acquired by Cagiva. Since then, Husqvarna has been owned by MV Agusta and BMW Motorrad, before being acquired by KTM in 2014.
#02. Is Husqvarna German? No. Husqvarna Motorcycles originally came from Sweden. However, after the company was sold to Cagiva, production was moved to Italy. After being acquired by KTM production has since moved to Austria. However, the brand still identifies with its Swedish roots.
#03. Where Are Husqvarna Motorcycles Made? Today, Husqvarna Motorcycles are produced in Mattighofen, Austria or at one of KTM’s production facilities in India or the Philippines. Prior to KTM’s acquisition of the marque, Husqvarna bikes were built in Varese, Italy. Husqvarna’s haven’t been made in Sweden since before 1987.
#04. Are Husqvarna And KTM The Same? Though Husqvarna is part of the KTM Group, Husqvarna is operated as a completely separate entity. That being said, Husqvarna and KTM do share the same parts, technologies, design studios, and research and development facilities.
#05. What Does Husqvarna Mean In Swedish? Husqvarna doesn’t mean anything in Swedish. The name “Husqvarna” is actually taken from Huskvarna, the Swedish town where the first Husqvarna weapons factory was located, and where the headquarters of the Husqvarna Group has remained until this very day.