4
NEWS
EICMA: Husky returns to the road
Husqvarna has unveiled its new 701 Supermoto and two street-focussed concept bikes, the 401 Vitpilen and 401 Svartpilen, at the EICMA expo in MilanHusqvarna Motorcycles has raised the curtain on three new road-biased models at the EICMA motorcycle expo in Milan, Italy – a production supermoto bike and two concept street bikes.
The 701 Supermoto is powered by a single-cylinder engine said to produce 67hp, which is plenty for a package tipping the scales at a claimed 145kg. Husky says the model features "highest quality components and uncompromising engineering", and has a ride-by-wire throttle, WP suspension, dedicated Supermoto ABS brakes and a slipper clutch.
Husqvarna says the 701 Supermoto will arrive in European dealerships in the northern hemisphere's autumn next year.
The model represents the first tarmac-oriented machine to roll off Husqvarna's production lines since the Nuda 900 and TR650 Strada fell by the wayside in the wake of KTM's purchase of the marque from BMW in January 2013.
Also grabbing plenty of attention at the Husky stand were two concept road bikes: the 401 Vitpilen and 401 Svartpilen.
Swedish for 'White Arrow' and 'Black Arrow' respectively, both machines are powered by a 401cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine. Husqvarna says the bikes draw their inspiration from "the rebellious spirit of the golden age of the brand in the '60s and '70s".
The 401 Vitpilen is a modern reinterpretation of Husqvarna's Silverpilen of 1953, blending the latter's robust lines with the latest technology. The 401 Svartpilen, meanwhile, is a back-to-basics machine with a more upright riding position – a bike that gets back to the 'grassroots' of motorcycling pleasure.
While Husqvarna hasn't mentioned anything regarding the possibility of either concept bikes reaching volume production, it will undoubtedly be monitoring the global response to the machines very closely. Certainly, with KTM's deep pockets and spirit of design innovation, Husqvarna has every chance of seeing models such as these become a road-going reality.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBikesales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a bikesales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the bikesales app
