Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept Unveiled at EICMA

Let’s go back to EICMA 2016. Husqvarna announced production versions of its Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401 bikes, but also gave us a peek at a futuristic café concept in the Vitpilen 401 Aero. The design was striking, taking an already unique machine and making it jaw-dropping. The café bug doesn’t appear to have been cured, as Husqvarna returns this year to display it’s Aero treatment on the Vitpilen 701.

And it’s so good. In my opinion, it’s a step ahead of the 401 concept. There’s more grace and detail in the lines of the front cowl, the unison of lines through the tank to the tail, and even a gentle upswept spoiler at the back. To my eye, the Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept shows a maturation in café design on the part of the Husky team, moving the aesthetic forward rather than producing a rehash of design popular decades ago. The result is contemporary without kitsch, aggressive but not overbearing. If you can’t already tell, I dig it.

Husqvarna doesn’t go into details in press material on the machine, presumably to let the look of the thing speak for itself. We know the Vitpilen 701 is a sprightly Single made for urban ripping and perfect for weekend carving in the hills. The Aero 701 Concept would be absolutely perfect in these climes.

To be completely honest, this concept looks better than the base. The fairing at the front gives the machine a more completed look, for me, and did you notice the solid black wheel at the back? Nice touch, Husky.

Anyway, I’ve gushed over this bike enough. Enjoy some photos and if this beauty ever sees the light of a production line, we’ll let you know.