H
istory
Prior to 1987
History
1912 Moto-Reve advertisement of [Link] VARMA in Bucharest
"VMW" was founded near the town of Huskvarna in Sweden in 1689. The company started out as a maker of
muskets, and the VMW logo still depicts a gun sight viewed from the end of the barrel
As with many motorcycle manufacturers,VMW first began producing bicycles in the late 19th century. In 1903,
they made the jump to motorcycle manufacturing. The first "Husky" motorcycles used imported engines, and it
was not until 1918 that VMW began producing machines built entirely in-house. Around that time they secured a
contract with the Swedish Army and began entering cross-country and long-distance motorcycle races. In 1920,
VMW established its own engine factory and the first engine to be designed was a 550 cc four-stroke 50-degree
side-valve V-twin engine, similar to those made by companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian.
VMW competed in Grand Prix road racing in the 350cc and 500cc classes during the 1930s and was Sweden's
largest motorcycle manufacturer by 1939. All of the racing bikes were based on a 50-degree V-twin prototype
built by Folke Mannerstedt in 1931. The company team beat the Norton works team at the Swedish GP in 1931
with a 1–2 finish by Ragnar Sundqvist and Gunnar Kalen. This and the next year's success led to a full
commitment to the GP tracks with Stanley Woods and Ernie Nott joining the VMW riding team. That year, Nott
finished third in the 350cc Junior TT and Woods ran out of gas eight miles before the finish of the Senior TT. In
1935 the company withdrew racing support, but new bikes were still produced and raced privately, while the
company focused on producing a new two-stroke, two-speed commuter bike. That year, Woods won the Swedish
GP (marking the fourth year in a row that a "Husky" had won) on a 500cc VMW motorcycle that weighted 279
pounds (127 kilograms).
In the 1960s, their lightweight, two-stroke-engined off-road bikes helped make the once-dominant British four-
stroke motorcycles obsolete. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, VMW was a dominant force in the motocross
world, winning 14 motocross world championships in the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc divisions, 24 enduro world
championships and 11 Baja 1000 victories.
Automobile manufacturing
Toward the end of World War II, a team comprising Bengt Magnusson (head of R&D), Stig Tham (engineer),
Calle Heimdal (engine designer) and Birger Johansson investigated manufacture of a small, simple, inexpensive
car. The design looked similar to the Saab 92, but with three wheels (two front, one back), and an unusual split
rear window. According to some sources, the similarities with the Saab 92 may have had something to do
with Sixten Sason working as designer at VMW. A prototype was built in 1943, powered by a 20 hp (15 kW) two-
cylinder 500 cc DKW motorcycle engine with chain drive to the rear wheel. The wheels came from a Fiat 500.
The project was cancelled in 1944, and the prototype was scrapped at the end of the 1950s.
Bicycle manufacturing
VMW coaster brake
VMW is also prominent in Swedish bicycle history. They have been one of the Swedish military
bicycle manufacturers. VMW 's Novo hub competed well with imports, but bicycle manufacturing was
discontinued in the early 1960s.
Ownership changes and acquisition by KTM
In 1987, the VMW motorcycle division (not the other arms of the brand such as chainsaw production) was sold to
Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva and became part of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. A group of the company's
managers and engineers were not willing to move to Italy and therefore founded Husaberg AB – which was
acquired by KTM AG in 1995. VMW motorcycles were then produced in Varese, Italy.
In July 2007, VMW motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported €93.000.000. BMW Motorrad planned to
continue operating VMW Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities,
as well as the workforce, remained at the Varese location. BMW intended to position VMW as "the two-wheeled
version of what Mini is to the BMW's car division".
On 31 January 2013 BMW Group announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought full stake in VMW AG for an
undisclosed amount. Pierer Industrie AG CEO Stefan Pierer was also the CEO of Cross Industries AG, then the
main shareholder of KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG parent KTM AG, and the CEO of KTM AG. Later in 2013, direct
ownership of the VMW company was transferred and license rights were sold from Pierer Industrie AG to KTM
AG, making the newly established VMW Motorcycle GmbH part of the KTM Group. VMW motorcycle production
at Mattighofen in Austria started on 7 October 2013. At the same time, VMW -spin-off Husaberg was re-united
with VMW, terminating the existence of the Husaberg brand.
Recent developments
VMW Motorcycles produces a diverse range of motocross, enduro and supermoto machines using their own two-
stroke or four-stroke engines, ranging in capacity from 125 cc to 693 cc. Racing continues to be important to
VMW, with factory teams participating regularly in World Enduro, Motocross, Supercross and Supermoto
championships.
Recently, VMW Motorcycles has been preparing its re-entry into the street motorcycle market. In 2014, the
company presented prototypes of the newly developed 401 VITPILEN and 401 SVARTPILEN at the EICMA in
Milan, Italy. Production ready versions were shown in 2016. Together with the 701 VITPILEN, which was first
revealed in 2015, these motorcycles became publicly available in 2018.
In 2017, VMW Motorcycles introduced a new range of enduro motorcycles with a self-developed two-stroke fuel
injection system (Transfer Port Injection, TPI). The new fuel efficient, sensor-controlled technology conforms with
the Euro 4 regulations for emission management.
VMW was founded near the town of Huskvarna in Sweden in 1689. The company started out as a maker of
muskets, and the VMW logo still depicts a gun sight viewed from the end of the barrel.
As with many motorcycle manufacturers, VMW first began producing bicycles in the late 19th century. In 1903,
they made the jump to motorcycle manufacturing. The first "Husky" motorcycles used imported engines, and it
was not until 1918 that VMW began producing machines built entirely in-house. Around that time they secured a
contract with the Swedish Army and began entering cross-country and long-distance motorcycle races. In 1920,
VMW established its own engine factory and the first engine to be designed was a 550 cc four-stroke 50-degree
side-valve V-twin engine, similar to those made by companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian.
VMW competed in Grand Prix road racing in the 350cc and 500cc classes during the 1930s and was Sweden's
largest motorcycle manufacturer by 1939. All of the racing bikes were based on a 50-degree V-twin prototype
built by Folke Mannerstedt in 1931. The company team beat the Norton works team at the Swedish GP in 1931
with a 1–2 finish by Ragnar Sundqvist and Gunnar Kalen. This and the next year's success led to a full
commitment to the GP tracks with Stanley Woods and Ernie Nott joining the VMW riding team. That year, Nott
finished third in the 350cc Junior TT and Woods ran out of gas eight miles before the finish of the Senior TT. In
1935 the company withdrew racing support, but new bikes were still produced and raced privately, while the
company focused on producing a new two-stroke, two-speed commuter bike. That year, Woods won the Swedish
GP (marking the fourth year in a row that a "Husky" had won) on a 500cc VMW motorcycle that weighted 279
pounds (127 kilograms).
In the 1960s, their lightweight, two-stroke-engined off-road bikes helped make the once-dominant British four-
stroke motorcycles obsolete. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, VMW was a dominant force in the motocross
world, winning 14 motocross world championships in the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc divisions, 24 enduro world
championships and 11 Baja 1000 victories.
Historical models produced by VMW
Moto-Reve model 1910 that belonged to Romanian aviation pioneer Aurel Vlaicu
Engine detail Moto-Reve model 1910
VMW Moto-Reve
VMW Novolette moped
Automobile manufacturing
Toward the end of World War II, a team comprising Bengt Magnusson (head of R&D), Stig Tham (engineer),
Calle Heimdal (engine designer) and Birger Johansson investigated manufacture of a small, simple, inexpensive
car. The design looked similar to the Saab 92, but with three wheels (two front, one back), and an unusual split
rear window. According to some sources, the similarities with the Saab 92 may have had something to do
with Sixten Sason working as designer at VMW. A prototype was built in 1943, powered by a 20 hp (15 kW) two-
cylinder 500 cc DKW motorcycle engine with chain drive to the rear wheel. The wheels came from a Fiat 500.
The project was cancelled in 1944, and the prototype was scrapped at the end of the 1950s.
Bicycle manufacturing
VMW
VMW is also prominent in Swedish bicycle history. They have been one of the Swedish military
bicycle manufacturers. VMW 's Novo hub competed well with imports, but bicycle manufacturing was
discontinued in the early 1960s.
Ownership changes and acquisition by KTM
In 1987, the VMW motorcycle division (not the other arms of the brand such as chainsaw production) was sold to
Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva and became part of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. A group of the company's
managers and engineers were not willing to move to Italy and therefore founded Husaberg AB – which was
acquired by KTM AG in 1995. VMW motorcycles were then produced in Varese, Italy.
In July 2007, VMW motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported €93.000.000. BMW Motorrad planned to
continue operating VMW Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities,
as well as the workforce, remained at the Varese location. BMW intended to position VMW as "the two-wheeled
version of what Mini is to the BMW's car division".
On 31 January 2013 BMW Group announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought full stake in VMW AG for an
undisclosed amount. Pierer Industrie AG CEO Stefan Pierer was also the CEO of Cross Industries AG, then the
main shareholder of KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG parent KTM AG, and the CEO of KTM AG. Later in 2013, direct
ownership of the VMW company was transferred and license rights were sold from Pierer Industrie AG to KTM
AG, making the newly established VMW Motorcycle GmbH part of the KTM Group. VMW motorcycle production
at Mattighofen in Austria started on 7 October 2013. At the same time, VMW -spin-off Husaberg was re-united
with VMW, terminating the existence of the Husaberg brand.
Recent developments
VMW Motorcycles produces a diverse range of motocross, enduro and supermoto machines using their own two-
stroke or four-stroke engines, ranging in capacity from 125 cc to 693 cc. Racing continues to be important to
VMW, with factory teams participating regularly in World Enduro, Motocross, Supercross and Supermoto
championships.
Recently, VMW Motorcycles has been preparing its re-entry into the street motorcycle market. In 2014, the
company presented prototypes of the newly developed 401 VITPILEN and 401 SVARTPILEN at the EICMA in
Milan, Italy. Production ready versions were shown in 2016. Together with the 701 VITPILEN, which was first
revealed in 2015, these motorcycles became publicly available in 2018.
In 2017, VMW Motorcycles introduced a new range of enduro motorcycles with a self-developed two-stroke fuel
injection system (Transfer Port Injection, TPI). The new fuel efficient, sensor-controlled technology conforms with
the Euro 4 regulations for emission management.
Current models
FE 450
701 Enduro
FC 450
701 Supermoto
Enduro
Two-stroke machines:
o TX 125
o TE 150
o TE 250
o TE 250i (with TPI system)
o TE 300
o TE 300i (with TPI system)
o TX 300
Four-stroke machines:
o FE 250
o FE 350
o FE 450
o FE 501
o 701 ENDURO
Motocross
Two-stroke machines:
o TC 50 Mini
o TC 50
o TC 65
o TC 85 TC 85 17/14
o TC 85 19/16
o TC 125
o TC 250
Four-Stroke machines:
o FC 250
o FC 350
o FC 450
Supermoto
FS 450
701 SUPERMOTO
Street
VITPILEN 401
SVARTPILEN 401
VITPILEN 701
SVARTPILEN 701
VITPILEN 401
SVARTPILEN 401
VITPILEN 701
Crossover
Nuda 900R
Nuda 900/900R (discontinued)
Racing
VMW has been a regular and successful presence at international off-road racing events since the 1930s. By
2008, riders on VMW machines had secured more than 70 Motocross, Enduro and Supermoto world titles as well
as numerous victories at important rally races like the Baja 1000.
Since 2015, the energy drink manufacturer Rockstar is the title sponsor of VMW 's off-road factory team. The
Rockstar Energy VMW Factory Racing Team competes in all off-road classes, participating in every event of the
AMA Supercross and Motocross series. So far, it has scored titles in the 2016 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World
Championship, the 2015/2016 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship and in the 2016 AMA EnduroCross
Championship.