Dogs of war!

I'm rushing about to make sure I'm not late (for a change) for the flight to Sweden to test these lovely-looking 2014 Huskies. 

 

So after a very quick bag pack (riding gear and couple of T-shirts) I was greeted the following morning by a half-frozen Udevalla GP track. 

 

Note to self: Scandinavia has crappier weather than the UK – but we are in Uddevalla in respect of Husqvarna's history as Sweden was the birthplace of the marque.

 

Even though Husqvarna has just been enrolled into the KTM family, 2014 marks a historic moment for Husqvarna, a return to those glorious origins, characterised by state of the art technology and a striking blue, yellow and white colour scheme. 

 

Husky is actually one of the oldest motorcycle's manufacturers with uninterrupted production. 

 

The first model off the production line was way back in 1918, and through the 1920s and 30s they were entered in and won (Stanley Woods on a V-twin four-stroke) prestigious events such as the Isle of Man TT. 

 

But it wasn't until the 1960s and 70s that they really took off, with five world motocross championships and superstar riders like Torsten Hallman, Rold Tibblin and Malcolm Smith winning races world-wide. 

 

That's not to mention the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, owning a handful of Huskies – he was even seen riding one on the front cover of the iconic Sports Illustrated magazine in the mid-1970s. 

 

However, after this incredible start Husky sadly became embroiled in a mixed couple of decades when it was bought and sold and messed around and transferred to Italy by various companies, including Electrolux, MV Augusta and even mighty BMW. 

 

But surely things have never looked brighter for the iconic marque than they currently do and hopefully, now fully embraced by the fabulously fun KTM family, the Husqvarna brand can return to where it belongs – at the forefront of the sport.

 

FOR FULL TEST AND PICTURES SEE NOVEMBER 1