Husky is sexy again

Over the years, the incredible athlete and her children have won numerous athletics championships.

Many men lusted after them, but were put off by reports of the expensive tastes of the Swedes. These girls were "demanding".

Over time, a stream of Japanese beauties and anorexic Austrians began to pull up young guys, and the Husky fell on hard times.

After an unsuccessful romance with a vacuum cleaner salesman named Electrolux, she was forced to marry M. V. Agusta in 1986 and move to Schiranna in Italy.

As it happens, everything turned out pretty well. The marriage spawned a wave of muscular hybrids dressed in sexy Italian clothes.

Husky's proud history was recognized in 2006, when the family track and field athletes will wear the red and white colors of Varese, their new home province, and the field's stars will retain the yellow and blue colors of Sweden.

The motocross team consists of a two-stroke CR125 and a four-stroke TC250, 450 and 510.

The blue and yellow enduro lineup includes the WR125 and WR250 two-stroke models, as well as the TE250, 450, 510 and 610E four-stroke models.

There are also several supermotards, including the black sheep in the SM610 family.

While the color switch is the most noticeable change, there are plenty of upgrades lurking underneath the surface.

All four-stroke engines get larger valves, more bulging camshafts, and double-ring pistons. The motocross versions get an all-titanium exhaust system and a redesigned kickstarter, but their electric starters are optional, which won't please "recreational-registration" riders but will save 4kg and eliminate the need for an airbox battery.

In two-stroke models, the engine was designed for more power, with V Force reed valves and a redesigned manifold.

The CR125 and TC now feature superior Ohlins rear shocks with adjustable compression and rebound damping. No luck with the WR and TE models, which remain with revalved Sachs shocks.

Marzocchi forks have increased by 5mm, to 50mm, on the 450 and 510 models.

Digital trip computers and hand guards are a big bonus on enduro models, and the handlebars are now adjustable for height and offset.

ON THE MUD

Chasing down 2005 Australian off-road champion Anthony “AJ” Roberts on a single-track enduro loop in Toowoomba is hard work.

With plenty of power, a WR250 like the one he races is a blast when riding open trails with rear wheel control.

But with less than 1000 km it gets rich and stalls quite easily. In comparison, the TE450 hooks everywhere and doesn't spin the rear end as easily. It doesn't stop at the loop, which is a big advantage at this stage of the day.

Husqvarna-sponsored V8 supercar driver Russell Ingall has no issues with the WR, proving that a good racer can't be kept.

Interestingly, the factory only claims a 5kg WR250 two-stroke advantage over the TE450 and no weight difference over the TE250.

On the groomed Echo Valley motocross track, it's hard to choose between the three EC models.

The Ohlins shocks are a big plus, but the larger Marzocchi forks don’t seem to make much of a difference when changing direction.

All bikes are beautifully finished with smooth castings, excellent plastics and high-quality welding - which can not be said about the old Swedish huskies.

With a two-year parts and labor warranty on the enduro model and one year on the Husky motocrossers, it's worth considering, especially if you're serious about your riding.