Husaberg is a motorcycle manufacturing company
founded by a group of ex-Husqvarna employees in 1988. The company is mostly
focused on off-road and supermoto four-stroke motorcycles which usually come
with very large displacements.
The Swedish company was started just after the famous Italian manufacturer
Cagiva bought Husqvarna. A group of engineers who wanted to remain in Sweden,
led by Thomas Gustavsson, founded Husaberg Motor AB, a brand which was first
heard before the enduro race held in Skillingaryd.
Although they were mostly interested in races and competitions, Husaberg
didn't actually have too many funds, the company trying to rely on the
technologies it used in the manufacturing process.
Because of the lack of money, the company couldn't hire too experienced pilots
so it had to compete with Jimmie Erikcsson, Walter Bartolini or Kent Karlsson.
However, the lack of funds was a pretty serious problem for a company which
was especially founded to participate into popular competitions so in 1995,
Husaberg was acquired by KTM, an Austrian motorcycle manufacturing company
which could help it achieve the trophies it always dreamed about.
What's interesting is that in 2003 KTM moved the entire production of
motorcycles in Mattighofen, Austria with a single exception: the motorsport
section of the company which remained in Sweden.
Besides that, the Austrian manufacturer which acquired Husaberg also adopted
its motto “Ready to Race”, forcing Husaberg to create a new one. Nowadays,
Husaberg's motto is “4 Stroke Force”, a slogan which reminds us of the roots
of the company when it was mostly focused on four-stroke motorcycles.
Another important fact related to Husaberg's history is that the Swedish
military troops used the company's motorcycles for many years in the past.
Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated.