Is Husqvarna the ~rst to offer the dual-sport bike
we've all been longing for?
By
LAWRENCE HACKING
t the recent press launch of
create an increased demand for the prodthe 2006 Husqvarnas it
uct in the marketplace."
became apparent that the
Proton's cash injection into Cagiva is not
future looks bright for the ltalonly monetary, as Cagiva's worldwide
'an motorcycle manufacturer,
export manager Daniele Giacometti
as it is offering a full line of on- and off-road
explained.
"The relationship is more than strictly
bikes and has a solid financial outlook. Not
quite three years ago, Husqvarna and its
business," Giacometti said. "Proton put
parent company, Cagiva, were on shaky
five managers in place; with their help, we
ground. Now nearly a year has passed
have improved our production, purchasing
since Proton, a Malaysian auto maker,
[and] distribution, and increased our overbought a major stake in the failing Italian
all sales in Europe by 35 percent over last
firm, securing the business side of the comyear. Proton sees the relationship as induspany. Since the rescue of Cagiva, Husqvartrial, not only economical. They purchased
na motorcycles have been enjoying a
steady climb toward once again being .:':l:::!~.
force to be reckoned with.
Cagiva USA director of operation
Larry Ferracci has good reason to be
optimistic about next year.
"We expect Husqvarna sales to
increase by 50 percent in 2006,"
Ferracci said. "We've expanded the t'.......IIL,P'f!I~
line to include some new models.
Delivery on all units will be more
timely, and with the changes to
individual models, we believe we'll
A
A truly barely street-legal dual-sport bike? Husqvarna says
so with its TE four-stroke enduro bikes. Check out the
mirrors and blinkers.
Lotus [the British auto manufacturer] a few years ago with the same idea in
mind; there is an exchange of ideas where both parties reap benefits. At Cagiva we
produce 15,000 units per year; 50 percent of those motorcycles are Husqvarnas. We
hope to increase that number to 20,000 within two to three ye."
At the launch, I sampled a cross section of the new Husky lineup at two different locations in New York State. We were cut loose on the TE models near
Hancock, New York, the site of the U.S. Grand Prix, a round of the World
Enduro Championship slated for next July. The following day we rode the
National motocross track at Broome-Tioga on the new TC motocrossers. The
weather played a factor in the test; however, even under a layer of mud, the
new Huskys shone through.
