Despite impressive attributes; a thin portfolio and lacklustre marketing meant Husqvarna could never scale the heights it aimed at in the Indian market. With feedback from buyers and on the back of Bajaj’s strong grip in the two-wheeler market, the company intends to get it right this time.
A step in that direction is the new Svartpilen 401 replacing the outgoing Svartpilen 250. Functional, aesthetic, and mechanical upgrades, there is a lot to differentiate the new from the older model. So does the Swedish brand get it right this time? Let us find out.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Similar looks, larger footprint
The new Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 retains the same styling ethos but gets some key visual updates over the previous-gen Svartpilen 250 that are noticeable only to a keen eye. For instance, it gets a similar shaped fuel tank with the integrated shroud extensions which give the bike a sharp appeal but it now wears the 401 branding. More importantly, underneath it gets a larger 13.5-litre fuel tank.
Up front, while the round headlamp seems carried over from the outgoing model, the tiny fly screen mounted on top of it seems a new and purely aesthetic addition. Another significant change is the side-on exhaust muffler making way for an underbelly unit in the new Svartpilen. The tail section now extends longer and carries a single piece pillion grab rail.
A more traditional rear fender attached to the tail has replaced the tyre hugger offered in the older quarter-litre Svartpilen. Also, amplifying the scrambler appeal are the new wire-spoked wheels that are more resilient in bad roads. Overall, Husqvarna claims that the new Svartpilen is 20% larger than its predecessor and it is clearly visible with its enhanced proportions. Thus, lending the bike a slightly bigger footprint.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Build quality & features
Although it is a completely localised product, the new Svarptilen’s DNA is European with its Swedish ancestry and Austrian upbringing. As a result, its build quality is bound to maintain a certain standard, and kudos to Bajaj, the local guardian, for maintaining the same. There are no inconsistent panel gaps, every touchpoint has a firm feel, and there is no cheap plastic employed. Overall, the build quality is certainly solid, if not very premium.
Keeping focus on quality, one clear improvement is the quality of the instrument console which is fairly legible even under direct sunlight, thanks to a new rectangular TFT display borrowed from the new-gen KTM Duke 390. This unit packs in a lot of features, although many of them offered in the orange-clad models are missing in the new Husky.
Overall, the display reads out several key information such as speedometer, odometer, tachometer, distance to empty, and gear position indicator. Switchgear on the left hand side of the handlebar lets one toggle settings on display like switchable traction control, ABS modes, etc. There is also an optional quickshifter on offer which we would have liked as a standard fitment.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Ride & Handling
The new steel trellis frame is carried over from its Austrian cousin, however, the Svartpilen 401 gets its own tubular rear subframe. This fundamental change has made a significant impact on its ride and handling as well as ergos. Ground clearance has gone up to 177mm, and on the flip side, seat height has come down to 820mm from 842mm making it more accessible to average sized riders.
With centre-set footpegs and a slightly low-set handlebar, the ridin’s triangle is sporty but not very committed, therefore a fairly comfortable posture. What also aids the riding experience is the new seat with better padding underneath, not too firm and not too soft, just the perfect balance.
The ride and handling of the new Svartpilen 401 is easily the best thing about this motorcycle. The damping is just spot on, slightly on the softer side yet stiff enough to handle the bends with ease. Moreover, the suspension setup is now fully adjustable at the front as well as the rear allowing each rider to find his/her sweet spot. Even the stock setting is perfectly balanced, offering ample comfort over undulated sections and yet able to inspire confidence across the twisties.
We managed to take the bike in a small off-roading patch for some time and while it is surprisingly capable thanks to the revised suspension setup with increased travel and higher ground clearance, it is best suited for tarmacs and some mild soft-roading. Although with the lowered handlebar, standing up while riding has now become slightly tricky. Also, profiling of the side panels doesn’t allow you to hug the motorcycle tightly enough to inspire confidence on extreme terrains.
Speaking of terrains, the knobby tyres from Pirelli do a fine job– providing solid grip both on and off the roads. Kudos to Husqvarna for installing these dual-purpose Pirellis— a rarity in this segment. With a kerb weight of 175 kg, the new Svartpilen 401 doesn’t feel cumbersome to handle at any point. Even though the wheelbase on paper has gone down marginally, Husqvarna claims the Swedish brand is more stable on a straight line.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Performance
As you might already know, the Svartpilen 401 borrows the 399cc, DOHC, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine from the new-gen Duke 390. But since this was my first experience with this motor, for me it felt completely new. On paper, this motor churns out the exact same peak output of 45 bhp and 39 Nm torque with an identical mapping to its Austrian counterpart. Even the 6-speed gearbox is the same along with the sprockets.
While it definitely doesn’t sound as crude as the older 373cc unit, the new engine does carry some inherent buzz on the handlebar and footpegs just above the idle rpm– nothing alarming though. Interestingly, the mild vibes settle once you start revving the engine. The motor is buttery smooth and so is the 6-speed gearbox. That said, tractability isn’t its strongest suit with nothing really to offer in the bottom end.
During my limited stint on all kinds of terrains, I found myself short-shifting quite often. In fact, if one isn’t careful, he/she might end up stalling the bike at slow speeds. As a result, this engine not only loves to but wants to be revved high. While the power buildup is fairly linear, once it hits the 5500 rpm mark there is a sweet surge of power and the engine comes to life. Even then the surge isn’t manic and something that even novice riders can enjoy.Â
Watch Video: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 Review
Another impressive aspect about the new Svartpilen is its stopping power and the brakes on this bike are quite sharp. ABS is not too intrusive but knows when to act. Also, the supermoto ABS, which is the switchable rear ABS, works fine on loose surfaces.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Verdict
The changes on the new Svartpilen are substantial and they have made significant impacts on various aspects of the bike. Right from performance to ride and handling as well as ergonomics, riding the new Svartpilen 401 is definitely a more refined and pleasant experience than its predecessor. Its dual identity of an urban scrambler and a naked street bike makes it a very attractive prospect.
While the Rs 2.92 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag may seem steep to many, when you compare it with its Austrian cousin, the deal appears a lot sweeter. So if you’re in the market for a compact yet fast and fun-to-ride motorcycle that can be your daily urban commute as well as your tool for short weekend getaways, you should definitely consider the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Get a test ride and decide for yourself.
