[faster and faster] - Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Svartpilen 401 shown at EICMA, will go

[Ninjette Newsbot]

The new Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 will be in the Swedish company's showrooms globally by mid-2017. We think the scrambler-style Svartpilen is the cooler of the two...

Husqvarna have taken the covers off the production-spec Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 machines, both of which are part of the company's new range of streetbikes and will be in Husqvarna showrooms by mid-2017.

The Vitpilen (Swedish for 'white arrow') 401 is a slim, simple street machine, powered by a KTM-sourced 375cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected single-cylinder engine, which produces 44 horsepower. The bike has a pared-down, minimalist approach to design and does away with anything that's not absolutely essential to the core riding experience. Ergonomics are sporty but relaxed, suspension components are from WP and the headlamp and taillamp are full LED units. Lightweight steel-tube trellis frame, a steel-aluminium exhaust system, slipper clutch, 9.5-litre fuel tank, long single seat and street-oriented Metzeler M5 tyres complete the package. No complicated electronics here but there is, of course, Bosch two-channel ABS that provides the essential safety net.

The other streetbike in Husqvarna's 2017 line-up is the Svartpilen (Swedish for 'black arrow') 401, which to us looks like a 'street scrambler' type of machine, with its Pirelli Scorpion knobbly tyres, a tank rack, skid plate, wider, motocross-style handlebars and a more upright riding position. Like the Vitpilen 401, the Svartpilen is powered by a KTM-sourced 375cc single-cylinder engine with ride-by-wire throttle management, while its swingarm and steel-tube trellis frame also seem to be borrowed from the KTM 390 Duke. Like the Vitpilen, the Svartpilen also gets LED lights, WP suspension and Bosch two-channel ABS. Despite the mechanical / technical similarities, we suppose both bikes will offer sufficiently different riding experiences, with the Svartpilen more suited to those who like to do a bit of mild off-roading once in a while.
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