Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 2023 Review

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 first arrived in Australia back in 2018, when it was introduced alongside its mechanically identical sibling, the Svartpilen 401.

Together, the pair formed the originally Swedish (then Italian, then German, now Austrian) brand’s entry-level learner-approved road bike range, and were joined soon after their launch by the spirited Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 and Svartpilen 701.

Aside from a minor update to the 401 platform in 2020, which brought a massive $4300 price reduction, fresh colour palette, new graphics, and an extended subframe to improve pillion passenger comfort, not much has changed for the diminutive pair's five-year tenure Down Under.

But even despite prices for Husqvarna’s pair of LAMS bikes rising back up by more than $1700 in the last few years, the pair of ’pilens make a great option for those looking for a uniquely styled, entry-level LAMS bike for less than $10,000.

As far as LAMS motorcycles go, you won’t find much else that compares to the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 when it comes to value for money. Plus, it looks bloody cool.

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The 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is the KTM-owned brand’s most affordable road bike, sold alongside its Svartpilen 401 sibling.

The difference between the pair is that the Svartpilen 401 looks more like a scrambler, while the Vitpilen 401 tested here adopts café-racer styling with clip-on handlebars. But each bike shares the exact same chassis and stealthy 373cc single-cylinder engine.

Both are priced at $7975 ride away, putting them firmly up against the likes of the Yamaha MT-03 ($8199 ride away) as well as the closely related KTM 390 Duke, which looks just as cool, uses all the same mechanical bits, and is a tad more affordable, at $7885 ride away.

Husqvarna covers the learner-friendly 401 range with a 24-month/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

As mentioned, the 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 shares its underpinnings with the KTM 390 Duke.

Standard equipment includes WP suspension (non-adjustable front, pre-load adjustment on the rear monoshock), ByBre brakes comprising four-piston calipers up front and single-pistons at the rear, and a slipper clutch.

But styling is all up to Husky and the Vitpilen 401 brings a unique retro-modern feel, thanks to a single circular LED headlight incorporating an LED daytime running light (DRL) along the outer edge, wire-spoked rims, and a neat ‘401’ cast into the side of the fuel tank.

A round LCD instrument cluster is mounted between the handlebars, displaying a digital speedo and tachometer, as well as a fuel gauge with a range-to-empty feature.

At 9.5L, the fuel tank is on the smaller side, particularly compared to the KTM 390 Duke’s 13.4L, but you should still get between 250 to 300km on a full tank depending on how throttle-happy you are.

There’s a small pillion seat, which does the job well as long as you’re happy to be cozied up together.

The 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is pretty simple in terms of electronic safety features. It comes with a Bosch anti-lock brake (ABS) system, but that is about it. There is no cruise control, traction control, or wheelie control, but considering the price tag, that is not surprising.

One of the first things you notice hopping on the 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is its tall, upright riding position.

With an 835mm seat height, it feels like you’re sitting on top of the bike, more so than in it or like you’re ‘one’ with it.

That can make the Vitpilen feel a little foreign for the first few kilometres, at least until your body gets used to it and it feels more natural.

At just over 150kg, the learner-friendly Husky is light enough for less-experienced riders to manage with ease, while shorter folk should feel pretty confident manoeuvring it around, too.

On the move, it’s nimble, easy to lay into corners, and feels sharp in fast changes in direction. It’ll instil confidence in even the most unseasoned of riders.

The Vitpilen 401 feels encouraging to push and rewards you with more than enough performance for the urban commute.

Brakes are responsive, the clutch lever is feather-light, and a responsive throttle makes it an easy bike to live with. It’s also just as easy to handle in low-speed situations, with a neat turning circle making it ideal for city slickers.

At higher speeds, such as at 110km/h on the highway, the lack of a windshield (or more so its effect) is much more evident, where you tend to get blown around and feel quite exposed.

But for the most part, it feels solid, with Metzeler Sportec rubber delivering plenty of grip to keep it planted firmly on road, while the Vitpilen’s WP suspension does an acceptable job of soaking up the road beneath you.

There’s plenty to like about the 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, but its stealth look is one of our favourite things.

An aftermarket exhaust would do it some good, because the Husky’s stock unit can sound a little tinny and lawnmower-like on some occasions.

We also sometimes found it difficult to pop it into neutral, where it needed rather gentle movements to knock it out of first and not dive straight into second gear. Finding neutral took a very delicate movement and even then, it often felt like we just got lucky.

But those minor niggles are offset by its charming on-road presence and ease of use.

If you’re after something a little different from the rest, the 2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is affordable to buy, affordable to run, and looks great.

Once you’re comfortable, it probably won’t be long before you pine for a bit more power, especially if you’re more inclined to get out of the city and onto the open road, but as a first bike or around-towner, we think it’s definitely worth a test-ride!

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

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

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Mechanical/cable operation, multi-disc
Final drive: Chain

ELECTRONICS
Rider aids: ABS
Modes: N/A

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel trellis
Front suspension: WP APEX 43mm fork, non-adjustable, 142mm travel
Rear suspension: WP APEX monoshock, adjustable for preload, 150mm travel
Front brake: Single 320mm disc with four-piston caliper
Rear brake: 230mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: Metzeler Sportec – 110/70-17 front, 150/60-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 154kg
Seat height: 835mm
Fuel capacity: 9.5L

OTHER STUFF
Price: $7975 ride away
Colours: Grey/White
Test bike supplied by: Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres