2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Review

Fresh for the 2025 model year, Husqvarna introduces an eye-catching addition to its streetbike lineup: the twin-cylinder-powered Vitpilen 801 naked bike. This sleek street machine pays homage to the Swedish-turned-Austrian brand’s heritage while incorporating a modern twist. It delivers an impressive combination of performance, technology, and design.

“The goal with Husqvarna is always to have that callback to the [Swedish] heritage of Husqvarna, but not to look back,” says KTM North America’s product manager, Ryan Sarancha. “So you’ve got that feel, but you have a modern-looking motorcycle. You have a modern interpretation of what might look like an old cafe racer or something similar, but at the same time, the lines are modern.”

The Vitpilen boasts a clean, contemporary design that showcases its Swedish roots. We appreciate styling touches like the round headlight and the textured muffler end-cap. The bike has well-balanced proportions and generally exhibits pleasing fit and finish. Our only complaint is engineers could have spent more time optimizing the routing (and preferably hiding) of cables and the rear brake line.

At the heart of the Vitpilen 801 is a 799cc parallel-twin engine. This water-cooled unit features dual-overhead camshafts and an eight-valve cylinder head. According to Husqvarna, the engine produces a robust 105 hp and 64 lb.-ft. of torque.

“It is the most compact in its class. You can put that parallel twin up against anything else—even some single-cylinders in the small-displacement midsize naked segment,” Sarancha says.

The engine and integrated six-speed transmission weigh 114 pounds, approximately 30% of the motorcycle’s 397-pound curb weight (without fuel).

Weight reduction was a priority for KTM/Husqvarna, which employed a special manufacturing technique for the engine’s bottom end. “At the base of the connecting rod, instead of just cutting it, we use a machine to split the con-rods in half along the crank journal,” Sarancha explains. “This creates a jagged mating surface, eliminating the need for locating dowels and reducing weight.”

Power is delivered to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission, complemented by a cable-actuated clutch with a slipper function. The clutch lever also offers position adjustment. For those seeking an even smoother ride, an electronic quickshifter is available as a $349.99 accessory.

“From a riding perspective, you get the torque of the twin, the sound of a V-twin due to the firing order, but what we really have is something that’s just fun to ride,” KTM North America’s Media Relations Street R&D Manager Chris Fillmore says. “You’ll notice it firsthand when you ride—it spins up really quickly, so you can be low in the rpm range, grab a handful of throttle, and it gets going fast.”

As Fillmore mentioned, the engine is peppy and quick to rev. What stood out most however is how much smoother and more refined the powertrain feels compared to the original 790 engine (from the 2019 model year). The new engine produces minimal unwanted vibrations and delivers a smooth and pleasing power curve. Clutch action is also improved, making the bike feel more polished overall.

“It has two balancer shafts—one driven off the crank, one off the cam—so it’s lively, fun, and playful, yet also smooth,” Sarancha adds.

“I would say this is a little bit more well-rounded. Not to take away from or compare it to other brands, but the Husqvarna has that same feel as the KTM—just a little more refined,” Fillmore continues.

The engine is fed by a 3.7-gallon fuel tank with deep cutouts for the rider’s legs. During a mixed urban ride at an elevated pace, we recorded 48 mpg. The Vitpilen 801 tips the scales at 397 pounds, without fuel, making it a relatively lightweight option in the naked bike segment. The handlebars are wide with a more forward bend compared to other bikes in this class, though the footpegs feel oddly narrow.

The 801 is built on a steel trellis frame paired with a cast aluminum swingarm. The front suspension consists of a WP inverted fork, while the rear features a direct-mount shock. Suspension travel is rated at 5.5 inches in the front and 5.9 inches in the rear. Additionally, the fork allows for toolless compression and rebound damping adjustments (but not preload), while the shock enables preload and rebound damping adjustments (but not compression).

“You have five-click increments for compression and rebound,” Sarancha says of the fork. “So instead of 30 clicks, they reduced it to five, making each click equivalent to five traditional clicks.

“A lot of people get lost within the clickers,” he continues. “With 20 or 30 clicks, they’re not always sure which direction they’re going.”

The Vitpilen 801 is equipped with triple-disc hydraulic brakes from J.Juan (a Spanish components manufacturer owned by Brembo), ensuring strong stopping power. The system is further enhanced with steel-braided brake lines and lean-angle-sensitive, IMU-powered ABS. Riders who prefer more control can disable the rear ABS via the Supermoto setting.

This bike is packed with modern technology, starting with a 5-inch color TFT display that includes a USB-C port for charging devices. It also features a suite of electronic riding aids, including adjustable traction control, engine power modes, and five-way-adjustable wheelie control (available as part of the $419.99 Dynamic Pack). Cruise control is available for an additional $526.98.

“You’ve got three ride modes: Sport, Street, and Rain,” Sarancha explains. “The optional Dynamic Pack adds adjustable slip control, with 10 levels of motorcycle traction control intervention. This allows you to fine-tune how much the rear wheel spins before the system cuts throttle and regains traction.”

Additionally, the Vitpilen 801 features full LED lighting and backlit switch gear enhancing visibility during night rides. Smartphone integration, including turn-by-turn navigation on the display, is also a nice touch. While the display is generally easy to read, the placement of the “slip” and gear position indicators are confusing. A more prominent layout for these readouts would be beneficial. Lastly, we value the 90-degree tire inflation stems that make checking and adjusting tire pressure much easier than conventional setups.

With its stylish design, lightweight chassis, and smooth yet punchy engine, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 ($11,268 as tested) positions itself as a strong contender in the naked bike segment. It has more capable suspension than others in the segment but only time will tell if that’s enough to displace other contenders in this popular US motorcycling segment.