Car news

Husqvarna WR125

Published 13.01.2013.

There is hardly any other motorcycle brand able to boast a 108-year tradition of motorcycle production and racing like that of Husqvarna. The first Husqvarna motorcycles were built in 1903, with victory coming just 13 years later in 1916 at one of best known enduro races of the time, the Novemberkåsan. This laid the foundation for a success story which remains unparalleled to this day.

While the thirties also saw victories in road racing, too, it was after the Second World War that Husqvarna achieved a major breakthrough in off-road racing. In the early fifties, the company not only focussed on developing and manufacturing innovative, competitive and reliable motorcycles but also made a clear commitment to its involvement in the areas of motocross and enduro racing. Husqvarna won its first world championship in the class up to 250 cc in 1959, collecting the same title in the 500 cc category just two years later.

Ongoing success in racing made Husqvarna a sought-after brand with increasing sales figures not just in Europe but also in the USA. The enormous popularity of Husqvarna was enhanced by famous riders such as Mikkola, Aberg and Hallman, but there was one outstanding celebrity fan: American actor Steve McQueen. McQueen was not just an enthusiastic motorcyclist and motor racing fan, he also achieved success himself on the race track on both two and four wheels. Among other things he entered the Six Days in 1964. The title photo of the US magazine "Sports Illustrated" dated August 23rd 1971 showing a bare-topped Steve McQueen doing a jump on a Husqvarna 400 Motocross remains legendary to this day. The McQueen-Husqvarna combination eventually became the idol of a whole generation of off-road fans.

Read full article at: www.topspeed.com