The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is the Swedish manufacturer’s entry-level naked bike with futuristic design cues and more aggressive café-racer-like ergonomics compared to its upright scrambler-esque sibling, the Svartpilen 401. The heartbeat of this machine comes from the approachable 373cc single-cylinder engine, which is similar to that found in its parent company’s KTM 390 Duke and RC 390. It features a steel trellis frame, adjustable WP Apex suspension, ByBre brakes (Brembo’s subsidiary), and 17-inch spoked wheels to tackle the urban sprawl.
Cycle World put the 2018 Vitpilen 401 on the in-house dyno to record rear wheel power figures and this single produced 41.4 hp at 8,740 rpm and 26.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,880 rpm.
In our small bike comparison between the Honda CB300R, KTM 390 Duke, and Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, we stated that the Vitpilen was a motorcycle that’s styling commanded attention and its ergos were the most aggressive of the group. “If you’re a taller, lanky fellow, the setup works well,” Waheed wrote.
For 2020, the Vitpilen’s bolt-on subframe has been extended to increase support and comfort for the passenger. The color has also been updated with a subtle silver as the primary color with bronze accents highlighting the design.
