2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 first ride review

Husqvarna first came out with the Svartpilen and Vitpilen 250 motorcycles in India back in 2020. Now while those bikes looked great with all their Swedish styling cues, under the skin, well they were true KTMs at heart. The sad thing about all of this is that we previously never got the slightly bigger capacity and more powerful 400cc options from Husqvarna here in India, but that has changed with the introduction of the Svartpilen 401 this year.

In terms of design, there are subtle changes to the bike's appearance like the LED lighting, and it is a lot bigger than before. We only get the bigger engine in the scrambler-esque Svartpilen 401, while the Vitpilen, which was the more café-racer style iteration sticks with the smaller displacement 250cc engine from the KTM 250 Duke, while now sporting more of a roadster stance overall. The more rugged looking 2024 Svartpilen's a lot more ergonomically sound this time about. It's no longer too tight for tall riders and too tall for short riders thanks to the bigger 13.5-litre fuel tank, longer seat (by 100mm) and a reduced seat height (820mm). The ergos of the older bikes were one of the main reasons that the older Huskys didn't sell so well in India, but now, the formula looks a lot more promising for sure. The biggest visual change can be seen at the rear of the 401. The new rear fender houses the number plate and all lighting elements as opposed to the old tyre hugger that managed it all. A slightly more functional change comes in the form of the TFT display screen plucked straight out of the KTM parts bin but with its own, unique user interface, while the smaller 2024 Vitpilen gets the LCD unit from the latest KTM 250 Duke.

Now to the aspects of this bike. The engine and the bike's performance. Yes, powering the 2024 Svartpilen 401 is the same 399cc liquid-cooled single that powers the latest KTM 390 Duke. Now there are a lot of parts that the Husky's have in common with the KTMs – namely the engines, chassis, suspension and display units and some switchgear thrown in too. The motor in the Husky produces the same 46PS and 37Nm of power and torque which is the same as on the KTM 390 Duke, and its highly addictive. Being of the tune and sporting the same gearbox and gearing as its Austrian half-brother, well let's just say that you're in for an absolute blast of a time once you hit the mid- and top-end of the powerband. Just like with the Duke this engine is amazing and bi-polar. It'll be calm and docile when you're going easy, and when you start to work the throttle more the bike happily leaps off the cliff of tranquility into a sea of aggression. Out on the highway the bike brilliant great to ride with some vibes through the bars pegs, but nothing strikes as being overly intrusive.

While the chassis that cradles the engine is the same as that on the KTM, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 gets a new tubular steel subframe and not the aluminum unit seen on the Duke. It's meant to be more rigid and is the reason behind the increased length of the bench. In the ride and handling department, the bike feels very different in comparison to something as sharp as the 390 Duke. The seating and the ride posture is obviously different but it feels more relaxed on the Husky, especially at low speeds and in traffic. Pick up the pace and chuck it into a corner, the Husky will happily comply. Just that the knobby Scorpion Rally STR treads on the spoked 17-inchers aren't the best while leaned over, trying to hold your line with utmost confidence out on paved surfaces. It is a more off-road centric after all, but it's more like a rugged city bike that looks a bit like a scrambler than an actual scrambler motorcycle. Tried standing up and riding, it just wasn't on. Ground clearance has gone down by 3mm thanks to the bash plate, but that's never a bad thing, both functionally and visually.

It's lovely that the Svartpilen 401 comes with the base adjustable WP Apex suspension that allows you to set up the bike as you see fit as well. Brilliant for the price this bike can be bought. It's crazy that the husky is almost 20k cheaper than the KTM, right? But there's reason for that. You see, the Husqvarna doesn't get the IMU of the duke, so you don't get cornering ABS or traction control. There's no ride modes or launch control on there for now either. But the last bit isn't something you'll miss. Something that most might, however is Bluetooth connectivity. At its current pricing, the bike doesn't come with Bluetooth as standard fitment, and if you want it on there, you'll have to shell out extra for it, which most will see as a bit of a bummer.

To sum it up, while the Husqvarna didn't have a lot of takers in the last three years it's been in India, this graph should change this year around. It may not be as sharp and edgy as its cousins from the KTM end of the Bajaj plant, but then again it still has its own set of charms. It's got its looks and a great engine working in its favour besides being a lot more comfortable motorcycle overall. It still is however a lot more expensive than the Triumph 400s from yet another section of the manufacturing facility in Chakan. So it all boils down to a matter of personal choice and preference, which is great for you, the buyer. Finally Husqvarna has worthy option for India that will have you spoiled for choice.

Words Christopher Chaves

Photography Sumit Gaikwad