Husqvarna originally manufactured muskets in the village of the same name in Sweden in 1689. In the 1870s, it moved into shotguns and hunting rifles, and at the turn of industrialization in 1903, it manufactured its first motorcycle: the Motorcycle-Velocipe
Over the years, the brand has seen many ups and downs, acquisitions and some drama, but has become known as one of the best off-road motorcycle manufacturers in the world. He has ridden some great bikes on his journey – some are fast, some are nimble and some are downright hooligans. Here are the best Husqvarna bikes of all time.
10 Nuda 900R: The Ultimate Hooligan
Picture of two Husqvarna Nuda 900 on the bank
Running for just two years, from 2011 to 2012, the Husqvarna Nuda 900R has etched itself into the hearts of supermoto lovers and gained a cult following. The Nuda 900R offers the ultimate supermoto experience while being practical and reliable, thanks to BMW’s twin engine. But don’t mistake this motorcycle for a rebadged BMW F800, it’s much more than that.
The unique design is charismatic and defines dynamic agility and lightness. The driving position is comfortable and practical. And the guttural exhaust note constantly invites you to open it up and let it reverberate through the city streets. But despite the incredible torque, the bike inspires confidence, not fear, as it brings out the hooligan in every rider.
9 Norden 901: The Lone Ranger
2023 Norden Expedition 901 traveling through the desert
Husqvarna has always produced excellent off-roaders, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most exciting (and beautiful) adventure bikes out there: the Norden 901. This rookie ADV bike can do it all with finesse and style, and even although it shares the KTM 890 Adventure platform, it is an evolution, not a redesign.
The motorcycle shares the same engine and chassis as its KTM cousin, but the suspension is different. The WP units are progressive and give plenty of feedback, as expected from a high-fidelity ADV motorcycle. And top-quality electronics keep everything under control, making it a well-balanced proposition even for newcomers to the ADV segment. He’s a jack of all trades, but he’s still better than most masters of one.
8 701 Enduro: from trails to travel
An action shot of the Husqvarna 701 Enduro on an off-road trail
Getting to the heart of Husqvarna, the 701 Enduro is a quintessential Husky, but it suffers from what you might call an identity crisis. Some take it for a touring bike, while others take it for an overgrown dirt bike. But whatever you think, you can’t ignore how good the 701 Enduro is.
This motorcycle features a 693cc thumper, one of the most advanced large-bore singles on the market with dual counterweights. Unlike other enduros on the market, which prioritize comfort over the highway, this one doesn’t slow down. The sharp chassis, WP XPLOR dirt-oriented suspension and torquey engine make the 701 Enduro an off-roader you can take on multi-day expeditions. If you could have a Husqvarna in your garage, the 701 Enduro is the one you should get.
7 701 Supermoto: a lightning threat
A Husqvarna 701 Supermoto riding the streets
For riders who want something like a super glorified Honda Grom, the 701 Supermoto is the best option. It is your best companion in chaos. Whether you want to roll at every intersection, draw donuts in parking lots or be a fool on the streets, this bike will not only accompany you but cheer you on.
The 701 Supermoto shares the same underpinnings as the 701 Enduro, but is revised for the streets. The low mass, 320 pounds of weight and the enduro riding position – everything that makes the Enduro great off-road makes the Supermoto an absolute blast on the streets. And this one offers an air of exoticism that many other supermotos don’t have, except for the Ducati Hypermotard.
6 Vitpilen 701: a true Swedish design
Studio shot of a blue Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 facing right
Enduro and Supermoto have a dark side, as revealed in the Vitpilen 701 – the White Arrow. The Vitpilen 701, with its lightweight chassis, large bore and open road view, looks like a throwback to the original Husky, an engine strapped to a bike frame. The excellent Swedish design, with its clean lines, symmetry and minimalist panels, presents motorcycling in its simplest form. Even legal obligations can’t stop design! This bike will no doubt be compared to other 701s and KTM 690s, but it stands out – it defies categorization.
5 Svartpilen 401: Back on the road
A static image of two 2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401s in black and grey.
The Black Arrow, Svartpilen 401, is based on the beloved KTM 390 Duke, albeit with a slightly retuned engine for more mid-range performance. And while it may look like a scrambler, it’s designed to tackle the urban jungle, not real forest trails. It’s a stylish street bike.
But what’s so special about it? It was Husqvarna’s first road bike in over five decades! Since the 1960s, the brand had focused on motocross and enduro, but with this one it re-entered the road segments and has been quite successful. It paved the way for many benchmark bikes, including 250cc twins designed to take over developing Asian markets.
4 FE 501S: A dual sport monster
Studio shot of a Husqvarna FE 501S looking to the left
The FE 501S is a dual sport beast and one of the best in its segment. Always. It features the brand’s most powerful engine in the dual-sport line, a 510.9cc thumper that’s responsive, compact and lightweight, which is paired with a 2.2-pound carbon subframe and WP XPLOR suspension . The Husqvarna FE 501S is a blue off-roader and is a testament to how far the brand has come from its roots. If you look back at the old Husqvarna off-road bikes, they were certainly fantastic, but these days, the brand makes bikes that are nothing more than off-road exotics.
3 TE 300i: the best two-stroke
An action shot of the Husqvarna TE 300 in the woods
The list would be incomplete without Husqvarna’s TE 300i, a premium 300cc two-stroke motorcycle that is more efficient than many four-strokes on the market. Husqvarna has used a wide variety of technology to modernize the small two-stroke engine, including transfer port injection (TPI), a unique crankcase pressure sensor that replaces the MAP sensor, oil injection, so no need to premix gas and oil. , and much more.
The two-stroke engine deserves to be experienced by all motorcyclists. In addition, the smooth gearbox with a very low first gear, extremely clean shooting and WP EXPLOR forks and XACT shock are standard on this bike, making it on all fronts, unlike any other other bike The TE 300i has set the benchmark high and can tackle any type of terrain without breaking a sweat. And the two-time symphony keeps the adrenaline pumping!
2 Viking 360: The McQueen Special
A photograph to the right of Steve McQueen’s Husqvarna Viking 360
If Steve McQueen had one, it must be special, right? The Viking 360, developed from a 250cc 2-stroke engine, produced 37 hp and weighed less than 215 pounds. The bike also featured top-notch suspension, making the motorcycle an extraordinarily nimble and responsive off-roader; it required experience. We don’t overlook the look either. With bold graphics, a dirt bike silhouette and bright colors, the Viking 360 can steal hearts even today. So much so that McQueen’s was auctioned for $200,000, and finding one in mint condition is now a quest for patience, time and money.
1 Motor-Velocipede: The first stone
An illustration of Husqvarna Motor-Velocipede, the brand’s first motorcycle
The motorcycle started it all, but it wasn’t a motorcycle in the true sense. It was a motor attached to a bicycle frame called Motor-Velocipede. Developed in 1903 to meet people’s demands (easier and more comfortable journeys), the Motor-Velocipede was an impulsive decision by the arms manufacturer. The bike featured an FN engine from Belgium, a 225cc single that produced one and a quarter hp, could travel 90 miles on a tank of fuel and cost 700 kroner (about $150 then). It was a bit expensive, but it offered superior quality – the same DNA that remains to this day, although the brand may have strayed from its Swedish roots.
