Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Husqvarna Mille 3

Strange. That's how we'd best sum up this motorcycle concept and the company that made it.

Husqvarna got its start producing muskets for the Swedish military. The company still makes small arms, along with farm equipment, sewing machines, home appliances and motorcycles. Today these businesses are all separate enterprises, the motorcycle manufacturer based today in Italy and acquired three years ago by BMW.

A strange path, but certainly no stranger than their latest unveiling: the Mille 3 concept bike. Unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, the Mille 3 straddles the division between cruiser and sport bike about as widely as the rider would its low-slung seat. The handlebars are taken from an off-road bike, while the foot pegs sit far back like those on a sport bike.

Power is provided by a 933cc fuel-injected three-cylinder engine, but it's the design that sets it apart. Husqvarna says it indicates they're "always ahead of the game", but exactly what game that might be is a mystery to us.