We have known for almost a year now, that Husqvaran is on it’s way in to India. Initial reports might suggested that Husqvarana might launch the first set of motorcycles as early as 2018. However new reports out of the 2017 EICMA where KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, said that KTM will help establish the Husqvarana brand in India and is likely that both brands will also be available on the same dealership floor. Like the Bajaj-KTM-Kawasaki dealership before Kawasaki decided to sever ties with Bajaj early last year. This is far from a surprise, especially if you consider that both the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 are based on the Duke 390. The names in case you are wondering are based on mean black arrow and white arrow respectively. As of now, both the 401 and Vitpilen 401 are being built at KTM’s Mattighofen facility in Austria. But Pierer did confirm that both the bikes will be built in India by late 2019 for export to Asian markets, followed by an Indian launch in 2020.
Now, reports from a Husqvarna clinic being held on Indian soil have begun emerging on the interwebs, to establish how Indian customers felt about the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401. Taking feedback from potential owners from KTMs existing clientele. Most companies carry out clinics to understand the mindset of the customer, to settle things like price point, alterations that need to be made (if any). Both the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 are based on the 390s platform but have very separate approaches to design. The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, is a modern take on the retro-cafe racer concept and looks sharp and command quite a bit of road presence. A stark contrast, the Svartpilen is a street-scrambler, with styling that add’s to it’s brutish charm. It also gets a wider-set handle bar and on-off road tyres.
Both the Huskies are powered by the same motor as seen on the new KTM 390 Duke, which makes as much as 44hp and 37 Nm of torque. However, it is likely the once launched the motors on the Husqvarna will be re-tuned and will have revised gear ratios. Also, it is likely that both bikes might get ride-by-wire throttles, a slipper clutch and dual channel ABS as standard. The Trellis-Frame which is similar to the one on the 390 will be slightly changed to suit the body of both motorcycles, will be suspended on 43mm WP telescopic fork at the front and a WP monoshock unit at the rear. Anchorage is provided by 320mm disc rotor with Bybre callipers at the front and 230mm disc brake with Bybre callipers at the rear. Both the bikes use 17-inch wire-spoke wheels, with the Vitpilen getting road-focused tyres. We expect the two bikes to be priced at a slight premium over the KTM 390 duke.
Image Source: Motoroids
