2018 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review

Husqvarna's Svartpilen 401 has to be one of the coolest-looking learner bikes going, I reckon – well, along with its sibling, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and its cousin, the KTM 390 Duke.

Cousin, you say? Time for a lightning-quick history lesson…

Husqvarna was originally a Swedish firm, and one that can trace it roots back to musket manufacturing in the late 17th century (fun fact: that Husqvarna logo is in fact a rifle sight). Husqvarna Motorcycles was founded in 1903, purchased by Italian company Cagiva in 1987, and then bought by BMW Motorrad in 2007, before being acquired by Austrian marque KTM in 2013.

Known in recent decades primarily for its off-road models, now Husqvarna is making a return to the road-bike fray (again, some might say, after the short-lived Nuda 900/900R and TR650 Strada introduced during BMW's ownership).

Bikesales sampled the Vitpilen 701 naked bike at its international press launch earlier this year in Spain, but the Svartpilen 401 reviewed here wraps similar edgy styling around a learner-friendly engine and chassis package.

While the Vitpilen 401 is essentially a scaled down Vitpilen 701 in terms of styling, both models coming in a straight roadster format, the Svartpilen 401 adopts more of a 'scrambler' look, underpinned by the same chassis and engine as the Vitpilen 401.

And even though Husky is now as Austrian as the Von Trapp family, those model names are Swedish – 'Vitpilen' translates as 'white arrow' (the Vitpilen 401 comes in white, although the Vitpilen 701 only comes in silver), while 'Svartpilen' means 'black arrow'.

Both these Husky 401s are in turn based upon KTM's 390 Duke, and essentially adopt the latter's steel trellis frame, single-cylinder engine, brakes, and suspension.

Both the Svartpilen 401 and the Vitpilen 401 are priced at $10,495 plus on-roads. That may prove a sticking point for some, as the KTM 390 Duke is $3200 less, at $7295 plus on-roads.

While the two models are positioned by Husky as premium offerings compared to the KTM on which they're based, another factor here is that the Husqvarnas are made in Austria, while the little KTM is made in Chakan, India, via KTM's joint venture with Bajaj Auto.

This seems like an odd arrangement, given most of the Svartpilen 401, including the engine, chassis, brakes and suspension, is sourced in India and then assembled in Austria. Indian automotive media outlets reported recently that production of the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 would be shifting to India from the end of this year or early the next, so we'll see what impact that has, if any, on the pricing of these two models.

But back to the star of this particular show, the Svartpilen 401. Husky's thrust here is to create an uber-stylish learner bike – one that combines ease of use with a level of design flair that sets it apart. A quick inspection reveals the company has hit its target, although whether it will find sufficient buyers willing to spend the extra remains to be seen.

This bike is positively bristling with neat design features. There's the 'Svartpilen' name cast into the top triple clamp, the LED lighting (complete with circular LED daytime running light running around the perimeter of the headlight), the angular tank with integrated luggage rack – the list goes on.

The Scrambler look has been achieved courtesy of a flat handlebar complete with brace (set higher than the one on the Vitpilen 401), the chopped rear end and the dirt-oriented wheel set, the latter comprising wire-spoked rims shod with chunky Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber.

The fluoro highlights on the tank and side panels set the thing off a treat against the black tank, frame and side panels, and the Svartpilen 401 turns heads and provokes comment regularly. Don't expect to turn up at a café or any regular riders' haunt without being bombarded with questions, and a fair share of compliments!

Because it's heavily based upon the KTM 390 Duke, it's a given the Svartpilen 401 is a fun and dynamic proposition on the road. It's really compact, with a 1357mm wheelbase and a paltry dry weight of just 150 kilograms, but the 835mm seat height is actually pretty high for a learner-oriented ride (and 5mm higher than the KTM).

Still, the Svartpilen 401 will happily accommodate a wide range of riders, and even though I'm on the lanky side, at 188cm (6ft 2in), I found the ride position surprisingly roomy, with a heap of legroom and just a gentle stretch to the handlebar.

It's a largely upright riding stance and if that seat height isn't problematic, it's a ride position that places you in full control.

On the road the Svartpilen 401 is light and nimble, with all the agility you need to cut through tight traffic snarls. Changes of direction are accomplished in a flash, but with a 17-inch front wheel and a 25-degree steering head angle, it's still good and stable – exactly what you want in a first bike or commuter.

The suspension is basic but effective. The inverted front fork is non-adjustable but there's preload adjustment available on the rear monoshock, achieved with the use of a C-spanner. Both are by WP, the suspension specialist owned by KTM, and even though these items are built to a price they do a decent job of soaking up the bumps.

The ByBre brakes, too, are equal to the task. The name is a contraction of 'By Brembo', and they're made in under the Brembo umbrella of subsidiaries. The four-piston front caliper and single-piston rear collectively do a perfectly adequate job but, importantly for this target market, they're backed by a Bosch ABS system.

Continuing in the tech theme is a slipper clutch, a ride-by-wire throttle, and the LED lighting. There's a single round LCD instrument pod mounted above and behind the headlight, and while it delivers quite a bit of info it can prove a little tricky to read, as most of that info is crammed into the one small space. There's a range-to-empty feature, too, but it seems to fluctuate quite a bit over the course of regular riding.

Speaking of fuel range, beyond styling one of the biggest differences between the Svartpilen 401 and the KTM 390 Duke is its fuel tank. The Svartpilen makes do with just 9.5 litres in comparison to 13.4 litres for the KTM, and while the little single-cylinder engine is quite miserly in its consumption, the Husky still has a significantly reduced fuel range as a result.

We achieved 3.9lt/100km over the course of week of largely city commuting, which equates with a safe working range of around 220km.

Performance is zesty – keep the single spinning and there's a pleasing midrange and top-end that, with its light weight, translates to enjoyable acceleration – it's fun, without any intimidation. There's enough on tap to mix it with traffic even at highway speeds; 100km/h in top (sixth) gear equates with somewhere around 6000rpm.

It's a supremely easy machine to ride, with a super-light clutch, a responsive throttle, sorted fuelling, and gearbox that shifts well enough, if without quite the same level of precision as its big brother, the Vitpilen 701.

It's actually very smooth, too. Yes, there's enough vibration to blur the mirrors and remind you that you're on a single, but it's minimal and certainly not enough to annoy.

What might annoy, however, is that those mirrors are set so close together you'll get little more than a view of your chest and arms. At least the headlight is strong, the horn is pretty loud, the switchblock buttons are backlit and there's a large gear indicator on the LCD display – all reassuring features for novice riders.

The seating is built for commutes and shorter day trips – it gets pretty firm, pretty quickly – but then this is no touring bike. Similarly, the tiny pillion seat won't endear too many friends or partners. Better you remove the pillion pegs altogether and shout them an Uber instead…

There's a hanger for the muffler that let's you do away with the pillion pegs in the factory catalogue, along with a host of other accessories with which you can 'tart up' this already-smart ride.

Warranty? The Svartpilen 401 is covered for two years and unlimited kilometres.

For learner riders after something a bit different, Husqvarna's Svartpilen 401 is a fun and funky alternative to the LAMS masses. It's no cheapie, but for the outlay you'll get an innovative and chic machine that's as aesthetically pleasing to look at as it is fun and enjoyable to ride.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single-cylinder
Capacity: 373cc
Bore and stroke: 89mm x 60mm
Compression ratio: 12.6:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Maximum power: 43.5hp (32kW) at 9000rpm
Maximum torque: 37Nm at 7000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel trellis
Front suspension: WP inverted 43mm telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 142mm travel
Rear suspension: WP monoshock, non-adjustable, 150mm travel
Front brakes: Single 320mm discs with four-piston radial-mount ByBre caliper, Bosch ABS
Rear brake: Single 230mm disc with single-piston ByBre caliper, Bosch ABS
Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR – 110/70R17 front, 150/60R17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 150kg
Seat height: 835mm
Wheelbase: 1357mm
Fuel capacity: 9.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $10,495 plus ORC
Test bike supplied by: Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres, with two years of roadside assistance