2017 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 Preview
Sleek, stripped down roadsters borrow KTM power to turn concepts into reality
Husqvarna’s new Vitpilen 401 is focused on “providing a pure riding experience.” Using a 373cc Single borrowed from KTM’s 390 Duke housed in a stripped-down layout with clip-on bars, Husky says it will appeal to “an entirely new generation of riders looking for an honest and highly accessible machine.”
Husqvarna, you’ll recall, was acquired by KTM in 2013. The Vitpilen’s thumper puts out a claimed 44 horsepower and has a slipper clutch. Waste products exit through a steel/aluminum exhaust that looks like it came from Akrapovic. The shapely fuel tank carries 2.5 gallons of gas, lighting is by LED, there’s room for a small passenger on the long seat. Suspension is by WP. Front and rear disc brakes are backstopped by Bosch 9.11MB ABS, and Metzeler M5 tires provide traction.
Svartpilen 401
Then there’s the Svartpilen, which uses that same 44 hp, 373cc Single and trellis frame to form another leg of Husqvarna’s ‘Real Street’ bike range, this one a modern-day interpretation of a street explorer. Though highly focused on everyday functionality, its Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, tank rack and small skid plate say it means business.
The Svartpilen’s motocross-style handlebar provides a more upright riding position, and a fabric-covered two-piece seat further distances it from brother Vitpilen. Otherwise, it too rolls on WP suspension, Bosch ABS, and premium LED lighting fixtures.
Expect to see both Vitpilen and Svartpilen next fall in showrooms – and oh, yeah, there’s an “Aero” version of Vitpilen on the way too.
More by John Burns
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It's shame some laws somewhere said you had to have the lights and number plate at the very back of the bike. All these bikes desperately need an illegal plate and tiny light cluster just at the end of the seat instead of that horrible thing attached to the swing arm.
That exhaust riding right next to the rear shock can't be good. Actually, I recall MO talking about that issue on the KTM 390 as well.