Husqvarna’s recent ascendency in the motorcycle market has been a hard-earned success story for everyone looking for something positive in this economic climate. After being purchased from Cagiva in 2007, BMW took great pains to keep the core of the Husky brand together and yet keep the future in fine focus as well.
The latest models coming from the mostly off-road manufacturer have been received with praise from the moto-press and racers alike. However, with BMW – another marque surviving the recession well – behind Husqvarna, we all know that innovation will be brisk and we should expect some interesting changes. And, now we hear that it is about to get very interesting indeed!
As part of a planned expansion beyond the mostly dirt-oriented models they currently produce, Husqvarna has announced that an all new line of streetable motorcycles displaying their badge will be hitting the roads in late 2011 or early 2012. There are precious few details as much of the information surrounding the new machines is classified top secret until later in the year, but we know they plan on making three such bikes.
The only specific information we have coming out of the company so far is that the first new bike will be based on the Rotax engine which currently powers BMW’s F800 models, but it will be bored out to near 900cc. At least we know it will be a parallel-twin, and many insiders predict it will be styled as a supermoto. Such a model would provide a clear connection to their off-road heritage and allow for current design and production experience to apply.
Of course, Husqvarna also has some prior experience with taking on such a task. Back in 2006, while being owned by Cagiva and managed by MV Agusta, the company presented the Massimo Tamburini-designed STR. Unfortunately, the idea for that machine remains in the hands of MV Agusta as it was not part of the purchase of Husky.
Since BMW has a long history of making road-based motorcycles, Husky will most certainly lean on that knowledge while designing and building this new line. Customers should expect some creative application of technology and an attention to detail we have come to expect from the German parent company. Husqvarna is going to take to the streets and they will endeavor to carve a sizeable slice of that market to add to their already laudable off-road position.
The world may or may not end in 2012, but Husky will be there with three all new on-road motorcycles with which we can ride to safety, just in case!
