After having dropped multiple teasers, Husqvarna has finally taken the covers off the biggest Svartpilen yet. Replacing the 701, the Svartpilen 801 is a scrambler-inspired street motorcycle based on the KTM 790 Duke. Whether Husqvarna will launch it here or not is something time will only answer, but for now, let’s take a closer look at the motorcycle.
So what’s powering the Svartpilen 801? Since it is based on the 790 Duke, it gets the 799 cc parallel-twin engine, packing 103.5 bhp and 8.8 kgm of torque. Cradled by a chromium-molybdenum tubular steel frame, the engine acts as a stressed element. The 801 borrows its suspension from its Austrian cousin, with a 43 mm compression and rebound-adjustable WP Apex forks with 140 mm of wheel travel, complemented by a WP Apex monoshock with rebound adjustability.
To come to a halt, the Svartpilen 801 makes use of J.Juan hardware; up front you get a 300 mm disc with two radial-mount four-piston callipers, while the rear gets a 240 mm disc with a dual-piston floating calliper. You also get the benefit of a corner-sensitive Bosch ABS system, along with a Supermoto ABS mode.
The Svartpilen 801 gets a 5-inch TFT unit which resembles the one on the 401 that we rode not too long ago. If you pair it with the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app, the cluster will enable turn-by-turn navigation, along with call alerts and music streaming. This motorcycle also gets anti-theft immobilization as well.
There are a bunch of electronic rider aids on offer, some of which include adjustable traction control, and four riding modes, namely Street, Rain, Sport, plus an optional Dynamic Mode. Opting for the Dynamic Pack gives you access to motor slip regulation (gives you controlled deceleration), wheelie control, and cruise control. The slip regulation is adjustable to ten levels, while wheelie control can be adjusted upto five levels.
Is it coming to India? Unfortunately, the chances appear rather bleak. However, Manaal’s idea of a Svartpilen 1301 looks rather tempting. The Bike Gods, come on, you got us the 401s, please get us the 801s at least!
