Black Arrow
Since 1903, Husqvarna was best known for its motorcycling endeavours, building a name for itself with hard-wearing offroad bikes. This led them into the realm of quality gas-powered mowers, trimmers, and chainsaws in 1918, for which they are much better known worldwide. Husqvarna is one of those brands that flew under the radar globally, really only being well regarded in Europe, until they were acquired by Pierer Mobility Group, KTM's home, and gained a global audience. Since then, they expanded into the modern road bike segment with the original Svartpilen and Vitpilen 701 models we saw in 2018.
Related: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2024) Review
The 701 has since given way to a fresh new Svartpilen, which now sports refined styling and a bigger engine borrowed from the KTM 790 Duke. The Svartpilen has an undeniably menacing look and feel, but that is not what this mix-match of elements is about at all.
Styling
Styling is subjective, and when you look at the Husky, your eyes are drawn everywhere; a lot is happening here. It's hard to pinpoint what Husqvarna was going for here as the 801 is one part cafe racer, one part scrambler, one part bobber and a sprinkling of sports bike all mashed together. It's not bad looking at all; we like it differently. The Arctic Grey on Gloss black theme gives the bike an aggressive look and feel, and it is ready to fight.
Engine and Drivetrain
Nestled in the 801's frame is a 799cc parallel-twin engine that delivers 77kW and 87Nm. It sends this power through a 6-speed sequential transmission via chain drive to the 17-inch rear wheel. The 181kg bike feels as light as a feather, with weight transfer being super easy due to the WP Apex suspension front and rear, allowing the bike to flick side to side effortlessly.
J. Juan's four-pot brakes, with 300mm rotors up front, 240mm rotors, and a single pot at the rear, bring the 801 neatly to a stop, allowing for some very spirited riding and excellent ride control.
Tech and Features
Perched atop the triple clamp sits the 5.0-inch TFT screen lifted from KTM with very similar-looking software, which is the command console for all your riding functions. The 801 is equipped with the same rider modes that you will find on other KTM products in this segment, such as Sport, Steet, and Rain. You can also set up your chosen rider functionality, such as throttle response, traction control, and ABS, in Dynamic mode.
The 801 is also equipped with a bidirectional quick-shifter for rapid gear changes during spirited riding. It works a treat, but you do need maximum throttle input for it to work at its best.
Let's Ride
The 801 handles like a dream and has a punchy throttle response, making it an absolute blast to ride. It's very light and agile and can easily be flicked side to side, allowing you to drive through traffic. We had a few missed shifts from the quick-shifter when the engine revs were not in the right range required to shift seamlessly, which resulted in us having a handful of neutral. The chunky tyres made for a rather rough and noisy ride on new tar, but it seemed to be perfectly at home on older tar.
The seat was firm, supportive and comfy enough for short stints, but anything longer than an hour and a half will require some time to rest your derriere. The riding position is similar to that on a scramble or older cafe racer, and it is comfortable for sporty riding stints.
Model and Pricing
| Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 (2024) | R 206 699 |
Pros and Cons
- Fun to ride
- Amazing handling and engine response
- Aggressive futuristic yet retro look
- Styling is not to everyone's taste
- Many false shifts due to the quick-shifter not syncing with the throttle input
- Not suited for pillion
- Expensive
Verdict
The 801 is simply fun to ride. With its retro funky styling, punchy engine, and excellent riding dynamics, it's hard to find a machine that delivers the same experience unless you look at its KTM 790 stablemate. That said, it must be said that the 801 is not to everyone's taste with its quirky design and hefty price tag. It is a left-field choice in a sea of middleweight naked bikes slowly making their way to our market.
