Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 Review: Performance, Specs, Price & More

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 could be the next street bike that you have been wanting to buy, if you are in the market. It is not just because this Swedish-born street bike has been head-turning since the very first time it hit the roads. However, is the Svartpilen 401 only about style with no substance? We are going to explore everything about this 401 bike, including the Husky 401 performance, specs, and more. We will find out whether this bike is worth your money or not.

The Husqvarna Svarpilen 401 is not the typical streetbike. This bike is called the Svartpilen, which translates to Black Arrow in Swedish. It does not disappoint its name because the bike has always been mean and sharp in appearance with dark looks. Husky did not simply create this bike just to look good when parked outside a cafe. It made this bike an urban warrior that can cut through the city traffic and compete on twisty back roads.

The difference with this bike is the incorporation of style and functionality. Most bikes attempt to be either a cafe racer or a streetfighter, but the Svartpilen 401 transitions between the two. It has the barebones look of a cafe racer. On top of that, it also features an upright riding position anda robust build that makes it an ideal bike for day-to-day use.

The Svartpilen 401 has much in common with its brother, the Vitpilen 401, which has a more refined and cleaner look. The Svartpilen, however, is a bit rough with its blacked-out touches, knobby tires, and a more dirt-ready vibe. The Vitpilen 401 is the bike that you would ride to the fancy brunch. Meanwhile, the Svartpilen 401 is the one that you would ride into puddles without giving it a second thought.

The first thing you can see when you look at the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is that you cannot stop staring. This bike has a special appearance, which is unlike most bikes parked in a crowd parking with almost similar looks. The design is clean, sharp, and edgy at the same time.

The gas tank is limited and tight and is placed low on the frame. The seat is a thin, flat bench that extends directly into the back of the bike. No extra pieces of plastic or chrome are around to mess things up. Each of the parts has a purpose, and nothing is included there to show off. This provides the bike with a lean, hungry look, which shows that this bike is ready for action.

The standard Svartpilen comes in a Silver Grey color scheme with all black finish and zero chrome, hence the name of the bike. It comes with a black frame, black wheels, and black exhaust, making everything look dark and mean.

Other than that, there are certain bronze accents and faded white Husqvarna logos on the bike. The dark styling is liked by some riders, and some may consider it to be too rough. But that’s part of its charm. This bike is not out to impress everybody.

The round LED headlight at the front makes the Husky Svartpilen 401 bike have a retro feel. However, it is not an old-school bike. It boasts a fully modern, techy design. The light is bright and ideal for riding at night.

Among other things that are remarkable is the selection of tires. The Svartpilen 401 is fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, unlike the Vitpilen 401, which is fitted with slick street tires. They are knobby tires that are dual-sport and can be used in light off-road. It also contributes to the streetfighter look of the bike, as well as makes it look more rugged. In addition, the tires are excellent in wet or rough urban streets where you may step on gravel or damaged roads.

The Svartpilen 401 has a 398.6cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine at the core. A single may sound a bit primitive to you if you are accustomed to big twins or four-cylinder bikes. But don’t let that fool you. This small motor has a punch that will come as a surprise.

The Husqvarna 401’s motor makes a horsepower of 44.25 hp at 9,000 rpm and 27.3 lb-ft (37 Nm) of torque at 7,000 rpm. These figures may not be massive on a sheet of paper, but in a bike that has a weight of only 346 lbs when it is fully loaded, such power seems more than enough. It is the Husky 401’s power-to-weight ratio that makes this bike so fun.

The Svartpilen 401’s engine is also built on the same motor as the KTM 390 Duke, which is logical given that both KTM and Husky are owned by the Bajaj Group. However, the Svartpilen 401 did not simply take the motor and put it in. The company adjusted it to the vibe of the Svartpilen 401 and provided the smoothing power that builds in a natural and easy manner.

Riding the 401 bike is among the best aspects of it. It offers good control in a steady manner. You do not get huge and unexpected power surges and falls. As you twist the throttle, the bike accelerates in a manner that makes you feel good. This is what makes it an ideal bike to use by beginner riders who have yet to master throttle control. Nonetheless, the Husvarna 401 is also thrilling to advanced riders who can apply all the smooth power for highways and cornering.

On the other hand, the disadvantage of the single-cylinder design is that you have a certain amount of shake at idle and at low speeds. Such is the character of a big single thumper. However, once you are rolling, the shale will even out, and what you are left with is a powerful, torquey push that will have the city streets and backroads cleared in no time.

The six-speed gearbox is accurate and smooth. The clutch is light and easy to pull, which is perfect for riding in urban settings that require a lot of clutch work. The first gear is smooth and short, and thus, it starts easily. The sixth gear is tall enough to allow the bike to ride on the highway without the engine screaming.

Talking of highway use, the Svartpilen 401 can be used on highways. However, this is not where it performs. The engine is reasonably straining at 70-75 mph, and you will not be able to resist the wind, as you do not have a windshield. On short highway rides, it performs well. However, when you are intending to travel long distances along the highway, you may consider a larger bike that is better covered with decent wind protection.

This is where the Husky Svatpilen 401 comes alive. The bike is pure fun to ride. Its lightness causes it to be nimble and fast. It can easily be flicked sideways, fits in tight urban spaces, and can overcome twisty backcountry roads.

The Svartpilen 401 offers a decent riding position. It is neither too upright nor too forward. The bars are wide and positioned decently higher, unlike cafe racers. As a result, you can still manage to sit decently upright and not bend too far, as in the case of a pure sports bike. This provides an excellent road view and allows riders to look for the road ahead. Your legs are not sticking out in front or huddled up behind. This is a bit indifferent riding position, which gives you plenty of time to ride without getting sore or fatigued.

The height of the seat is 32.5 inches, which doesn’t feel too tall. It allows most riders to place both feet on the ground during stops. The seat height is not too short, unlike cruisers. However, the bike still gives all riders confidence thanks to its light, compact design, especially while stopping at a red light or while parking. The seat may be too low to suit taller riders, but not too low to be cramped.

The bumps and rough roads are well absorbed by the WP Apex 43 front forks. It is not the highest-quality race suspension, but it is much better than what will be found on most bikes at this price range. The single WP Apex rear shock is effective in holding the back end of the 401 bike firm through the corners and over rough terrain.

The brakes on the Svartpilen 401 are good, too, and provide a good feel. The front brake offers a more than sufficient bite, and the rear is easy and smooth to engage. The bike is equipped with ABS as a standard feature. Some riders would want to turn it off to have more fun on the dirt or gravel.

The tires, as we discussed, Pirelli Scorpion, are great on the road. They offer a good grip in both dry and wet conditions and provide the bike with a more rugged and taller stance. In case you desire to go on a dirt road or gravel, they will also do that. However, the Svartpilen 401 is not a serious off-road bike. It can only manage light trails or dirt roads.

The Svartpilen 401 bike shines in the handling department. It is so light and agile that you will be pleased to throw the bike on a curve. The Husky 401 desires to lean, maneuver, and ride around twisty curves. It makes maneuvering easy and enjoyable. The Svartpilen 401 will make you feel like you are in control, even if you are just a novice rider.