Husaberg 2010:
| FE390 Enduro | FE450 Enduro | FS570 Supermoto | FX450 | FS570 |
Husaberg 2009:
| FE 450 | FE 570 |
Husaberg 2005:
| FC 450 | FC 550 | FE 450 e | FE 550 e | FE 650 e | FS 450 c | FS 450 e | FS 650 c | FS 650 e |
HUSABERG motorcycle
History
February 1988: Presentation of the first Husaberg prototype to a selected group of investors, government representatives, and other VIPs. Engaging in subdued conversations and sipping champagne from paper cups, the illustrious invitees are waiting anxiously for the test run of the first-ever built Husaberg, a motorbike using a plastic bottle as tank and featuring a few other funky makeshift solutions, but ready to run a revolution.
This first prototype is to demonstrate to the important guests that the efforts and financial resources of the last 12 months have not been invested in vain. And indeed, at the first try, the Husaberg comes to life with an awe-inspiring 4-stroke roar. The engine idles evenly, eagerly responding to any throttle action. Applause rings out, there is laughter, cheers and shoulder patting.
Since Thomas Gustavsson still has to get into his motorbike garb for the test ride, the engine is turned off again and when he starts the bike again, the laughter vanishes abruptly from all faces. On the first kick, a big bang marks the end of the prototype's short life, oil-saturated pieces scattered all over at the feet of the spectators.
Later, it turned out that an extremely competition-minded engineer drilled holes into the starter gear in order to save weight - however, apparently assessing the remaining strength of the structure with too much optimism. Two days and a few welding jobs later, the Husaberg engine was running again. But this is another story and only the beginning...
The first public appearance of the Husaberg prototype was at an Enduro race at Skillingaryd in South of Sweden. Thomas Gustavsson, Husaberg's chief developer and mastermind, pushed an unheard of no-name motorcycle to the technical inspection. Only the hand protectors were marked with the letters HMA. HMA stands for Husaberg Motor AB, one out of several proposed names envisaged as possible options for the joint company at that time (these names included MAXAM, HMA and others). Yet, no final decision had been made on what the baby's name should be.
At the technical inspection, the race organizers asked about the brand of the motorcycle, and Gustavsson tried to explain the situation to them. The officials, however, refused to or were unable to understand and gave the pilot two choices: "Either give us a brand name or you won't be allowed to race." Not racing was not an option, so Thomas Gustavsson gave them the name "Husaberg Motor AB", and this is how Husaberg became the official brand name.
Sweden is a country of a long-standing racing tradition. Such a big country with roughly 9 million inhabitants offers ideal conditions: distances are great, roads are few - the necessity of fast, motorized travel is obvious. So it is no wonder that races exist for practically every kind of motorized travel: Motocross, Enduro, Trial, Hill climbing, Speedway, Ice races, Road races - just about everything you can imagine.
Motor racing is just as inseparably linked with Sweden as soccer is with Brazil. Naturally, Husaberg constitutes a part of this great racing tradition. But the significance of motorsports for Husaberg reaches far beyond this tradition. When trying to grasp what the very character of Husaberg is all about, one must try to comprehend the special "Husaberg Racing Fever".
Technical courage is faster then money.
Husaberg was founded by "racing freaks", aspiring to build only pure race bikes. Therefore, it has been clear from the very start that Husaberg would inevitably get involved in racing. On a regional and a national level and also where the world elite competes, at World and European Championships. Yet, the odds at the very outset look rather discouraging: an armada of highly professional and lavishly funded factory teams against a bunch of enthusiastic motor racing aficionados from a cowshed in Sweden.
But money is not the most important fuel in motor racing: the lack of funds was compensated by the courage to rely on technical innovations, and since there was no money to buy expensive superstar riders of the racing scene, the pilots are talented, young and ambitious rookies. The list of famous pilots who rode a Husaberg sounds like a Who-is-Who in Motorsports: Joel Smets, Jimmie Eriksson, Walter Bartolini, Kent Karlsson, Anders Eriksson, Jaroslav Katrinak, Peter Jansson...
The legendary November-Kasan is one of the world's toughest off-road races. The people at Husaberg are proud of every single one of those who go out to participate in this race. After all, each of those courageous enough to start in this race is like a winner to them. A hero! Even if he loses. Champion's trophies are not the most important thing at Husaberg. But racing blood is.
Racing blood cannot be shut down.
Precisely this "Racing Blood" is the key to the nature of Husaberg. Virtually everything that makes Husaberg unique may be explained through that. A real essential point is, that racing blood can't be switched on or off. It either exists or it is missing. Although the bikes are assembled at the mother company KTM now, the uniqueness of a Husaberg still hasn't changed. What has changed by shifting the place of assembly is the access to ISO approved quality control and modern series production systems. Despite this, the racing blood of Husaberg still runs in the racing development department in Sweden.
Insurance Information
Who will provide physical damage insurance coverage for custom built motorcycles?
Nationwide - Custom parts and equipment coverage (up to $30,000), Custom and limited edition bikes and trikes coverage (up to $50,000), Kit and vintage bike coverage (up to $30,000).
(nationwide.com/motorcycle-insurance-coverage.jsp)
GEICO - Motorcycle insurance is available for most types of motorcycles including: sport bikes, cruisers, tour bikes, enduros, scooters, dirt bikes, trikes and some custom bikes.
(geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/motorcycle)
