Husky road models looming large

Husqvarna Motorcycles is set to enter a new era, with the historic brand's three new road bike models – the Vitpilen 401, Vitpilen 701, and Svartpilen 401 – due to reach Australian dealerships by the end of April.

Dubbed by Husky as its 'Real Street' range, the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 are already on sale in Europe, where the Vitpilen 701 will join them by the end of March. Bikesales is flying to Barcelona, Spain, next week to attend the international media launch of the Vitpilen 701, so check back soon for a full review of that particular model.

Debuting at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, last November, the trio represent a return to the road bike market for Husqvarna after production of the Nuda 900 ended following KTM's purchase of Husqvarna from BMW Motorrad in 2013.

The Vitpilen 701 first appeared in prototype form at the 2015 EICMA show.

Now, with the stability and financial certainty that comes with falling under the KTM umbrella, the originally Swedish marque is positioned well to make a major push into the road bike market, while further bolstering its comprehensive range of motocross and enduro models.

According to Husqvarna, the Vitpilen 401 is "devoid of any excess and focused on providing a pure riding experience". Translating from the Swedish as 'white arrow', the model is a compact, lightweight and minimalist machine that seeks to encapsulate the grassroots essence of motorcycling.

With a claimed dry weight of just 148 kilograms, Husqvarna says the model's 375cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 43hp at 9000rpm and 37Nm at 7000rpm. The bike rolls on WP suspension and has a chromoly steel trellis frame, with a four-piston single-disc front brake backed by a Bosch ABS system. Seat height is 835mm while the model has 9.5-litre fuel tank.

The Svartpilen (or 'black arrow') 401 is based upon the same basic engine and chassis platform as the Vitpilen 401, but features chunky off-road-biased rubber, a higher handlebar and a black paint scheme to create a "bold and rugged appearance".

That leaves the Vitpilen 701, whose 693cc single-cylinder engine produces a claimed 75hp at 8500rpm and 72Nm at 6750rpm. That's in a package weighing a claimed 157 kilograms dry. Other points of differences include a longer wheelbase (1434mm), a lower seat (830mm), a bigger fuel tank (12.0 litres) and a higher-spec Brembo brake setup.

Husqvarna Motorcycles says the new models will be complemented by a range of factory parts, gear and accessories to allow riders to personalize their ride.