Bought one a month ago. Its my 11th bike and by far with the smallest capacity and lowest power figures. Still don't find the performance lacking in any way. Really good fun. After years on a Beemer boxer this engine feels smooth as silk 😁
I’ve had my ‘21 for a few months now after selling off my Bandit 1250. Most of my miles are on city streets and backroads so I’m really enjoying the Svartpilen.
coming from many sport bikes and yes this is also my smallest CC bike. but easily the most fun. That's because I'm having fun 90% of the time whereas on a sport bike I'm only having fun maybe 10% of the time doing something stupid.
Obviously I need to sit on one myself, but would you find a 6'3" rider to be up in uncomfortable? Looking to buy my first bike soon. I'm a fairly nimble 38 year old dude who's never owned a motorcycle. They look perfect. I want something light that can do at least 80 mph while sitting comfortable. I wonder if anyone rises the bars at all? People seem to love them.
@@BurtGummerrr It’s got a relatively tall seat height, and is otherwise pretty roomy. It’s sized like a real motorcycle built for adult men. You won’t look like a bear on a tricycle riding a Svartpilen.
I have a 2020 and have put 10k on it so far, and I LOOOVE MY BIKE!!! I think you pretty much nailed it Dan. Its simply a FUN bike to ride. It's like the Miata of motorcycles. Husqvarna's campaign was "feels like flying" and I agree. The wide bars, agile handling, and good pop from the engine, make it a point and shoot machine. Just did a 700 km (round trip) last week, with tank and tail bag, and here's the thing... you are going to stop for gas every 90 mins or so, so you will never be sitting on it for longer than that at a time. A 10 minute break does wonders. There is very little that this bike is not good at doing, and with some customizing, even more so. Windshield, more off road/more race tires, etc.. you can put your bum back on the seat and ride it like a sport bike, or sit up and its a super moto or dual sport. Ive seen people put bags all over it with a giant windshield, and are giddy happy, and I don't have the heart to say how dumb I think it looks lol, but hey, to each their own! I've also kept up with litre bikes on twisties and actually slowed down while they lug their machines from left to right. For the money, this bike is very much- party up front - party out back lol EDIT: Forgot to mention the quick shifter- it's quirky but can be mastered at any rev count, and cant say enough about the suspension 43mm fully adjustable front and mono back. Very solid planted feel all around. It's fun to switch it up every couple weeks softer/firmer, makes it feel new all over again. Again, for the money you will not find ANY bike equipped with all those features and I researched for 2 years before I got mine. Sheesh. Oh adjustable brake and clutch levers too lol so if you're in the market, it's hard to beat. Also hard to get a hold of some places too. I searched for a month when I was ready to buy... Okay, just got home from a business trip and I haven't ridden in 4 days....Time to RIDE>>>>
A competition pre muffler delete and a DNA air filter also wakes these little bikes up some plus that big black box isn't lite. Looks better removed. Have 8000 miles on my 21 svart and love it for backroad ripping. That's were they shine
@Depeche Moto (MotoRoller), I agree with you. The two things I consider to be annoying on my Svartpilen are: 1. The Small fuel tank. 2. How absurdly expensive the spare parts can be. At least in South America, due to the currency exchange. Otherwise, it's an absolute FUN bike to ride both on the twisties and the off-road paths as well.
Stunning styling. I have a 390 Duke, so I know how this will perform. Small fuel tank on the 401. Too small. Clunky gearbox: I am surprised as my KTM's is slick, the best gearbox that I have experienced in 250,000 plus miles - equal with a Suzuki DR250SH and a KTM 950 Adventure. I'd rather like a Svartpilen 701. Excellent review.
This is my 4th motorcycle and I love it. Especially after exhaust reroute, new muffler, mirrors, luggage rack, this is a different motorcycle. Really it's so much fun to ride, so nimble, light and powerful enough to cut through heavy traffic or riding Los Angeles 80mph left lane. I even ride backpacking (camping) with 60 liter bag on the rack and gas canister on the side. It's a steal for the price. Max speed is +- 105mph with no chip.
13:57 I love these mud guards / number plate holders as opposed to the tail-hanging holders which most of the times serve as a disservice to the overall design
The long tail hangers and bumper plate holders are both design compromises to suit spurious legal requirements. At least the long tail stalks are easier to revert to something less preposterous.
Bought one barely used used a few days ago and I can’t stay off it. Bikes are funny as I can’t always articulate why I love certain ones, but I LOVE this one. I also have a MV and MT07, but this one is my baby.
Dan, thanks for the review. I've noted that on many (most) of your first ride videos you give the seat height and make a point of showing whether you are flat footed or on your toes, but not your inseam measurement. This would be super helpful! I come in at a whopping 5'6" of thundering manliness and it's helpful to see a visual reference.
If you’re looking for some seat position references check out yammie noobs video of the svartpilen. They did an ergonomics check with 3 different sized riders. There is also an aftermarket lowering kit available if needed.
I had a 2018 that I bought in 2019 and sold in 2020. Learned to wheelie it... since then WR250X, FZ07, FJ09, Triumph Scrambler 900 and then I traded the Scrambler for another Svart (2023) last week. The 2018 didn't come with quick shifter or adjustable suspension. Gonna be fun riding this beast again.
First time I'be watched one of your videos, and thank you! Very well done, I like how you emphasize that riding is much much more than spec sheets. You were clearly having fun, and I can feel that it would be a fun bike to ride.
I bought one just before Christmas, it is hilarious for a bit of back road blasting! Best looking small capacity bike by a country mile! Great review, keep up the good work!
A biker from New Zealand commenting. A great review and watch. I’ve owned a navy 2020 Vitpilen 701 for over a year and love that bike. Added a 2021 Svartpilen 401 last recently to my fleet and can’t rate these bikes more highly for their fun, looks and ease of use. Out of the box I think these are an awesome package but mods I’ve done to mine include a Leo Vince slip on, bar end mirrors, tail tidy, rear rack and headlamp cage. Makes this cool bike even cooler. The “easy” shifter works well and a big feature over the Duke 390 which I’ve owned previously (great bike too). Some prefer more cylinders or a bigger displacement but for me these Husky’s give me huge enjoyment and pride of ownership. Ride what you want and enjoy - and ride safe all!
cheers from Auckland, ever ride it down the motorway ? / stable and safe I hope. seriously considering having one as my first bike. tossing between the Husqi and the MT03
@@eldalyeffendi6171 Hey. Ride it on the motorway no problem at all. The single is punchy and the bike is stable and fast enough. And it handles incredibly well. The MT03 being a twin will be smoother, but I love the husky thumpers and like nothing else. Cheers
@@australianwi-fi decided on the Husqi but then had a Suzuki GXR 250 mint condition got thrown at me for a very good price - thought well, might be a sign that I need to have it as my very first bike. so far no regrets (coming from someone who is very very green on this road).
Yankee owner , my wish would be for a larger capacity tank. Led turn signals might be in the works, along with a tail tidy. First ride in forty plus years. Loving it, hopefully not to death .
I have 2022 model and it is absolute blast of the bike. All points mentioned are spot-on, and despite "agricultural" QS, tall seat, plenty of wires all over the place and cheap looking and not most sophisticated dash, the bike shines in on and off-road rides. With 335 lbs wet it is so quick to move around, and accelerates swiftly. Range must be observed as the low fuel warning shows rather quick, I'd say as early ass 100km and that is about half the tank.9.5L is not much, and the 2024 models got upgraded to, I think, 13.5L. Husqvarna does not have many mods for this bike, but I found a bunch on Amazon that can improve it. Bar riser, engine guard, radiator grill, and tail tidy is what I got on mine. Lastly, gearing is bit tricky till one gets used to it. 6th gear is for cruising strictly and lacks pull, so most riding is up to 5th. Wind protection is minimal and anything over 120kmh is not great fun, and I hear it will go as fast as 160kmh. The known issues are sudden engine shutting off, and it has been assigned to a too rich fueling. Some people have used the add-on module (not sure what it is called) and reported more power and disappearance of the issue. Manufacturer is either not aware of it or hasn't gotten enough complains to do anything about it. Still, it is manageable. Great bike by all means, and a keeper. There is a 5L gas can and mount that can be attached to it to give it longer range - thinking on doing this. This would extend it to around 300km, which for a small bike and scrambler would be sufficient - hence the improvement for the 2nd gen. There is a great video by @stavros who showed what this bike is capable off-road even with 14cm suspension travel and clearance. I was grabbed by the look of it and all the high end specs and the price. WP adjustable suspension, QS, 44hp, 335lbs, spoke rims, Supermoto mode, KTM390 Duke engine and all for about CAD7K- that is great deal IMO. If you want it, get it, you won't be disappointed.
The chances of this are slim, I've just ordered an ex demonstration 401 with this exact registration plate. Can't wait to get it delivered moving from the 125 which has been great fun
Loverly review. I'm still loving my duke 390 from 2014, and on the back lanes and twisties are where these bikes come alive, they are so engaging to ride, banging up and down the box. I would love to have a go on the later models or even this model to see how far they have progressed over the years.
@@ilearner3319 No need for a bigger bike. 40-60mph is more than fast enough for the roads I ride on. If I was doing a greater distance or highway riding, I would move back to a bigger bike. A big bike doing the above speeds is a waste of money.
nice video, at 13:56 the body part you're trying to describe is : a rear tyre hugger combined with a license plate holder, which is actually well-designed by Husqi and worth mentioning as we don't find it in any other category.
I own the 701 svartpilen and get compliments e rywhere I go on it everybody asks what kind of bike it is and always suprised its from Husky. The 701 is a rocket imo very quick bike even with only 70-75ish horsepower. But smooth and fantastic sounding single. Got going on 5k miles on my 701 and been great fun reliable bike after replacing the stock slave clutch cylinder. If they had a better dash as well as cruise ontrol this would be a complete winner though I'm still happy with it.
I was a fan of the 401s the moment they came out in 2018 but bought a Honda CB300R instead due to their price at the time and uncertainty about their quality. Now it's 2022, I sold the Honda and got a brand new Vitpilen. It's the apple of my eye and rides as good as it looks.
@@christga100 The Honda is not boring and has plenty of character. But, the Vitpilen is far more refined and although the Honda is good looking, the looks of the Vit are on another level.
@@christga100 The CB is the lightest street bike you can buy, 317lbs wet. The Vitpilen is about 30lbs heavier, 10%, but it's got 40% more HP. It's only numbers, the CB's motor is very feisty.
@@georgekrpan3181 how much better on a highway/motorway is the husqvarna compared to the honda cb300 ? is it comfortable doing 80mph for 5 or 10 minutes?
The Husqvarna badge is actually a barrel of a gun (as if your looking down it) with the iron sights above. I believe they started making motorcycles in 1903.
FYI to new owners in America. My 2021 401 Svart's shifting was super clunky when I got it. Turns out the quickshifter isn't even activated til your first service(around 620 miles). The dealer contacted Husky to confirm this. After the first service and new levers it's a night and day difference.
I find it hilarious how Brits and Canadians both use a mix of metric and imperial measurements, but we do so in completely different ways. For instance, if this review were done in Canada, the speedo, odo and fuel mileage would all be in metric, while the dry-weight and seat height would be in pounds and inches.
Here in NZ they aren't selling so are now £4000 new, so unbelievably cheap. I've ridden around the world from the UK and I've just bought one of these, small fun bikes for the win
I had a 2019 Euro 4 model. As an A2 license holder I can´t compare it to something more powerful obviously but I NEVER felt like I needed more. You will eat 95% of cars for breakfast if you wanted to, there is absolutely enough power for overtaking and highway riding. I am 6´1" and it was literally perfect for my size, really comfortable apart from the wooden seat😅 It is probably the best looking bike in this category by a long shot. The Euro 4 version has a very good sound even with the stock exhaust. On top of that it`s extremely frugal, it never needed more than 3.6 litres, no matter how hard you were pushing it. Another thing that is often overlooked are the lights. Most bikes simply have horrible lights even if they are LED. Not the case here, the low beams are simply amazing. I found that they are even a bit brighter than modern LED car headlights and they shine incredibly far down the road if you adjust them correctly. The KTM guys simply know how to do good lighting, it truly is a treat! Unfortunately I sold mine a few months ago and I already regret it. As soon as I have enough money, I will get my buddy back 😍
Copped an SSR150 besides looking cool and sound awesome it’s so bad I’m already look for another bike and this one springs to mind. Time to save some dough
Love my Svart (2018). The Euro 4 model is great to mod to free up the engine sound and smooth the lower end fuelling for even more fun and character. Bought mine for £3k with hardly any miles - can still hardly believe it when I look at 125 prices 😁
So far I’ve only heard good stuff about the 401 and I’m definitely interested in getting it, however the few things I’ve heard are that bad is minimal oil leaks and the bolts need to be replaced pretty soon. Has anyone experienced this?
Really thinking about this bike. I'm pretty sure it can be made fast if need be. We just need time and some test dummies. Lol. But this bike looks awesome. I'm a cafe/scrambler fan so it fits
Hello, me also finally bought a new Svartpilen 401. Overall, I am very excited about it, but I still have noticed one little problem: the “balance” of the motorcycle. - When I ride straight on the road and lift my hands from the handlebars, the motorcycle starts to pull slightly to the right ... Considering that the motorcycle is brand new, from the store, I find it a little unusual that the center of gravity is out of balance. Have any of you had a similar problem? Please for any advice or experience .. Thank you very much, Jure
Funny you say that. I have a 2021 401, I have exactly the same issue - both hands off bike it leans right. Putting balls of feet on the pegs mitigates the issue a little bit (but not alot). Tell you what though, riding a 401 is like a gocart on 2 wheels
Thanks for the review! I kind of like the looks of the bike but I wish they made a 890cc version. Also for me that dash just ruins it (seems so dated) Other than that I love the whole cyber punk aesthetics of it
Did you do any stop start riding around town? I had a 390 Duke and the fueling for this and slow riding was terrible. Also had a tendency to conk out when decelerating to slow speeds. I was told this was due to lean fueling and could be sorted by a booster plug or power commander but rather than mucking about I sold it. Having said that, it was great fun on back roads.
I'm looking for a small displacement 2nd bike to putter around on for city and backcountry roads. Curious what you would pick, this or one of the Royal Enfield 350s?
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Husqvarna is most familiar with most produced chainsaws and lawnmowers - also robotic. They produce also MX bikes, and compete in MXGP. It is KTM+ of Sweden.
I totally agree , it s an awesome bike ! Own myself a 2021 svart , loving it everyday a little more ! But quick question tho , which GPS app are you using ? Still trying to find something better than google map and your look pretty neat. Thanks !
Nice review as always Dan. I do like the bike. Good styling. It would be a toss up between that and the Duke 390 for me. I reckon the Duke just stands out more for me but it is a different style of bike. Hope you are keeping well sir. Catch you on the next one 👍🏻
I have the 2021 Duke 390 and although I like looking at other bikes all the time reality is unless you are going to spend a lot of time on the motorway commuting long distances this engine in this lightweight package is all anyone really needs. 68+ MPG doesn't hurt either with gas prices as ridiculous as they are right now. A bigger bike would never come close to that.
Great review Dan , I noticed there was a chop in the footage when you mentioned you were finding neutral, in a few different reviews I noticed this was an issue I was wondering if you had the same issue ?
Hopefully there's reviews of the new 2024 model very soon. New engine and gearbox. Reviews of the Duke 390 say that the quickshifter is improved... maybe the gearbox is less clunky too - not that that's an overwhelming problem
I'm getting ready to sit my test in the next month or so, I have been riding a Honda Grom for the past 3 years on CBT and enjoyed it for the most part. I ride all year around no matter the weather within reason. Once I pass my test, I would like to move to a bigger bike and narrowed my choice to the following in no particular order: Honda CB300R, Honda CB650R & Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Having watched your reviews on these bikes, I still can't decide which would be best. The bike will mainly be used for commuting with a mix of city, B roads & A roads, just over 12 miles each way. The CB300R seems a good choice but I'm just worried I'll regret it and wish I went for the CB650R. The 401 seems to be the middle ground, I'm just not keen on the spoke wheels, I can see them being hard to keep clean. Whats your thoughts @EnglishBikerDan?
really dumb question but I am doing my motorcycle license soon and I'm planning on buying this bike as my first bike. You say it has a quickshifter yet you still use the clutch when shifting. Am I missing something or do you still need to press the clutch when using a quickshifter? I thought that was the whole point of it? please help because I am thoroughly confused about what a quickshifter actually does... Thanks!
A quickshifter means clutchless shifting, but you'll still need to pull the clutch when moving off or coming to a stop. I also just like using the clutch at certain rpm's.
Dan I appreciate the fact that you give us a look at how you fit the bike. But I have questions. I know you mentioned that you are 5'7 but what is your inseam measurement. And do you measure pant length or to the ground. I've seen people do it both ways. Thanks
My work commute has about 25 minutes of mountain highway driving ( downhill one way - up hill, the other ). Can this bike maintain 70+ mph on a highway that climbs a bit?
I own a Kawasaki with this Motor/Engine platform , I enjoy the quick response and how smooth this single cylinder motor is. The engine is built in India. Hope that you enjoy the ride and keep verticals on two wheels.
Idk about a2 but here in Australia we have Lam's and the bikes the one of the quickest 0-100kmph you can get. Easy sub 5s should be quick enough for most people in that market. Also normally the quick shifter isn't active during break in so that could be why you found it agricultural. Did you notice it blipping the throttle when clutch less down shifting at the appropriate rev range? (Another issue is not many people use the quick shifter in the applicable rev range)
Hey biker Dan, love you video's. Any plans to ride triumph 900 tiger rally plus?. I have one and I think it's brilliant. It would be interesting to get your opinion on the bike 🏍. Keep the video's coming. Tim 👍
Good to see a review on this, it’s a pretty rare bike on TH-cam it seems. Sat on one at the Bikeshow back in December and it felt like a good riding position. I actually think I prefer the look of it to the KTM 390 Duke. Could this be a contender for your second bike?
Wondering the same, 195 cm tall and this bike caught my eye also. It is absolutely gorgeous, any tall riders that can share their experience on this bike?
TBH, the 401 would look like a small toy between your legs because of your height. If you can find a pre-owned Svartpilen 701 within your area it would be a great deal, because it can be a more fitting bike for taller men like you.
You can also change the gearing (hi end/low end) by changing the sprocket set up. At my age I'm done with trying to break land speed records & acting foolish.
The bike has a really nice style and look which I really love! A medium build/height friend of mine ordered a 2023 model which will probably suit him really well but not to sure how bigger, heavier guys like myself would feel on this bike? From what I have seen, even the 700cc Japanese naked bikes like MT-07 have very short wheelbase where I felt like I was over the handlebars. Though the MT-07 had plenty of torquey power to move my fatass which would be another concern with this bike.
Bought one a month ago. Its my 11th bike and by far with the smallest capacity and lowest power figures. Still don't find the performance lacking in any way. Really good fun. After years on a Beemer boxer this engine feels smooth as silk 😁
I’ve had my ‘21 for a few months now after selling off my Bandit 1250.
Most of my miles are on city streets and backroads so I’m really enjoying the Svartpilen.
coming from many sport bikes and yes this is also my smallest CC bike. but easily the most fun. That's because I'm having fun 90% of the time whereas on a sport bike I'm only having fun maybe 10% of the time doing something stupid.
Obviously I need to sit on one myself, but would you find a 6'3" rider to be up in uncomfortable? Looking to buy my first bike soon. I'm a fairly nimble 38 year old dude who's never owned a motorcycle. They look perfect. I want something light that can do at least 80 mph while sitting comfortable. I wonder if anyone rises the bars at all? People seem to love them.
@@BurtGummerrr
It’s got a relatively tall seat height, and is otherwise pretty roomy. It’s sized like a real motorcycle built for adult men. You won’t look like a bear on a tricycle riding a Svartpilen.
@@jayhafe Thanks, brother. Good to hear. Gotta go sit on one, but seems perfect for the rural roads I have around me in SW Washington. Stoked.
I have a 2020 and have put 10k on it so far, and I LOOOVE MY BIKE!!! I think you pretty much nailed it Dan. Its simply a FUN bike to ride. It's like the Miata of motorcycles. Husqvarna's campaign was "feels like flying" and I agree. The wide bars, agile handling, and good pop from the engine, make it a point and shoot machine. Just did a 700 km (round trip) last week, with tank and tail bag, and here's the thing... you are going to stop for gas every 90 mins or so, so you will never be sitting on it for longer than that at a time. A 10 minute break does wonders. There is very little that this bike is not good at doing, and with some customizing, even more so. Windshield, more off road/more race tires, etc.. you can put your bum back on the seat and ride it like a sport bike, or sit up and its a super moto or dual sport. Ive seen people put bags all over it with a giant windshield, and are giddy happy, and I don't have the heart to say how dumb I think it looks lol, but hey, to each their own! I've also kept up with litre bikes on twisties and actually slowed down while they lug their machines from left to right. For the money, this bike is very much- party up front - party out back lol
EDIT: Forgot to mention the quick shifter- it's quirky but can be mastered at any rev count, and cant say enough about the suspension 43mm fully adjustable front and mono back. Very solid planted feel all around. It's fun to switch it up every couple weeks softer/firmer, makes it feel new all over again. Again, for the money you will not find ANY bike equipped with all those features and I researched for 2 years before I got mine. Sheesh. Oh adjustable brake and clutch levers too lol so if you're in the market, it's hard to beat. Also hard to get a hold of some places too. I searched for a month when I was ready to buy...
Okay, just got home from a business trip and I haven't ridden in 4 days....Time to RIDE>>>>
I just explained to a friend that it's like the Miata.
A competition pre muffler delete and a DNA air filter also wakes these little bikes up some plus that big black box isn't lite. Looks better removed. Have 8000 miles on my 21 svart and love it for backroad ripping. That's were they shine
@@jeffreyhogue8364 Yessir! Those mods are definitely on the list!!
@Depeche Moto (MotoRoller), I agree with you. The two things I consider to be annoying on my Svartpilen are:
1. The Small fuel tank.
2. How absurdly expensive the spare parts can be. At least in South America, due to the currency exchange.
Otherwise, it's an absolute FUN bike to ride both on the twisties and the off-road paths as well.
Could you explain your technique for mastering smooth shifts at any revs with the quick shifter?
Stunning styling. I have a 390 Duke, so I know how this will perform. Small fuel tank on the 401. Too small. Clunky gearbox: I am surprised as my KTM's is slick, the best gearbox that I have experienced in 250,000 plus miles - equal with a Suzuki DR250SH and a KTM 950 Adventure. I'd rather like a Svartpilen 701.
Excellent review.
This is my 4th motorcycle and I love it. Especially after exhaust reroute, new muffler, mirrors, luggage rack, this is a different motorcycle. Really it's so much fun to ride, so nimble, light and powerful enough to cut through heavy traffic or riding Los Angeles 80mph left lane. I even ride backpacking (camping) with 60 liter bag on the rack and gas canister on the side. It's a steal for the price. Max speed is +- 105mph with no chip.
Wdym by no chip? In supermoto mode?
Dude you should get a FuelX
13:57 I love these mud guards / number plate holders as opposed to the tail-hanging holders which most of the times serve as a disservice to the overall design
I do, too. A lot of people don't.
I love how triggered people get about them, always amuses me. :D
The long tail hangers and bumper plate holders are both design compromises to suit spurious legal requirements. At least the long tail stalks are easier to revert to something less preposterous.
Husky's always look Nice, but ugly floating rear mudguard (yes that's what they are called). Maybe it's bc i"m middle-aged, let's take a poll.
Bought one barely used used a few days ago and I can’t stay off it. Bikes are funny as I can’t always articulate why I love certain ones, but I LOVE this one.
I also have a MV and MT07, but this one is my baby.
Glad you're enjoy it, ride safe!
Dan, thanks for the review. I've noted that on many (most) of your first ride videos you give the seat height and make a point of showing whether you are flat footed or on your toes, but not your inseam measurement. This would be super helpful! I come in at a whopping 5'6" of thundering manliness and it's helpful to see a visual reference.
If you’re looking for some seat position references check out yammie noobs video of the svartpilen. They did an ergonomics check with 3 different sized riders.
There is also an aftermarket lowering kit available if needed.
@@dominikwirth9852 OEM lowering kit also available - at least in Oz. 25mm drop from memory with (supposedly) no effect on dynamics etc
Check the description, as my info is always there if I forget to say it in the vid. Thanks for watching. :)
@@jasonsievers4882 thanks. Now I’ll have yet another internet rabbit hole to jump into.
@@Englishbikerdan thanks. Nothing creepy at all about asking a grown man for his measurements. Nothing at all!
I had a 2018 that I bought in 2019 and sold in 2020. Learned to wheelie it... since then WR250X, FZ07, FJ09, Triumph Scrambler 900 and then I traded the Scrambler for another Svart (2023) last week. The 2018 didn't come with quick shifter or adjustable suspension. Gonna be fun riding this beast again.
First time I'be watched one of your videos, and thank you! Very well done, I like how you emphasize that riding is much much more than spec sheets. You were clearly having fun, and I can feel that it would be a fun bike to ride.
I bought one just before Christmas, it is hilarious for a bit of back road blasting! Best looking small capacity bike by a country mile! Great review, keep up the good work!
Thanks! 👍
A biker from New Zealand commenting. A great review and watch. I’ve owned a navy 2020 Vitpilen 701 for over a year and love that bike. Added a 2021 Svartpilen 401 last recently to my fleet and can’t rate these bikes more highly for their fun, looks and ease of use. Out of the box I think these are an awesome package but mods I’ve done to mine include a Leo Vince slip on, bar end mirrors, tail tidy, rear rack and headlamp cage. Makes this cool bike even cooler.
The “easy” shifter works well and a big feature over the Duke 390 which I’ve owned previously (great bike too).
Some prefer more cylinders or a bigger displacement but for me these Husky’s give me huge enjoyment and pride of ownership.
Ride what you want and enjoy - and ride safe all!
Cheers for watching! 👍
cheers from Auckland, ever ride it down the motorway ? / stable and safe I hope. seriously considering having one as my first bike. tossing between the Husqi and the MT03
@@eldalyeffendi6171 Hey. Ride it on the motorway no problem at all. The single is punchy and the bike is stable and fast enough. And it handles incredibly well. The MT03 being a twin will be smoother, but I love the husky thumpers and like nothing else. Cheers
@@eldalyeffendi6171 Yo, have you decided between a Husqi and MT-03 yet? They're the two I'm tossing up as well
@@australianwi-fi decided on the Husqi but then had a Suzuki GXR 250 mint condition got thrown at me for a very good price - thought well, might be a sign that I need to have it as my very first bike. so far no regrets (coming from someone who is very very green on this road).
Yankee owner , my wish would be for a larger capacity tank. Led turn signals might be in the works, along with a tail tidy. First ride in forty plus years. Loving it, hopefully not to death .
I'm liking what KTM/Husqie is doing with these bikes. The look just works
Yeah, looks great!
I have 2022 model and it is absolute blast of the bike. All points mentioned are spot-on, and despite "agricultural" QS, tall seat, plenty of wires all over the place and cheap looking and not most sophisticated dash, the bike shines in on and off-road rides. With 335 lbs wet it is so quick to move around, and accelerates swiftly. Range must be observed as the low fuel warning shows rather quick, I'd say as early ass 100km and that is about half the tank.9.5L is not much, and the 2024 models got upgraded to, I think, 13.5L. Husqvarna does not have many mods for this bike, but I found a bunch on Amazon that can improve it. Bar riser, engine guard, radiator grill, and tail tidy is what I got on mine. Lastly, gearing is bit tricky till one gets used to it. 6th gear is for cruising strictly and lacks pull, so most riding is up to 5th. Wind protection is minimal and anything over 120kmh is not great fun, and I hear it will go as fast as 160kmh. The known issues are sudden engine shutting off, and it has been assigned to a too rich fueling. Some people have used the add-on module (not sure what it is called) and reported more power and disappearance of the issue. Manufacturer is either not aware of it or hasn't gotten enough complains to do anything about it. Still, it is manageable. Great bike by all means, and a keeper. There is a 5L gas can and mount that can be attached to it to give it longer range - thinking on doing this. This would extend it to around 300km, which for a small bike and scrambler would be sufficient - hence the improvement for the 2nd gen. There is a great video by @stavros who showed what this bike is capable off-road even with 14cm suspension travel and clearance. I was grabbed by the look of it and all the high end specs and the price. WP adjustable suspension, QS, 44hp, 335lbs, spoke rims, Supermoto mode, KTM390 Duke engine and all for about CAD7K- that is great deal IMO. If you want it, get it, you won't be disappointed.
Looks fast enough with that said think I found my first motorcycle.
The Svartpilen 401 can reach up to 170/180 Km/h. Its torque does wonders, and thanks to it the machine goes from 0 to 100 pretty quick.
The chances of this are slim, I've just ordered an ex demonstration 401 with this exact registration plate. Can't wait to get it delivered moving from the 125 which has been great fun
Loverly review. I'm still loving my duke 390 from 2014, and on the back lanes and twisties are where these bikes come alive, they are so engaging to ride, banging up and down the box. I would love to have a go on the later models or even this model to see how far they have progressed over the years.
don't expect too much different, just go more than 450cc
@@ilearner3319 No need for a bigger bike. 40-60mph is more than fast enough for the roads I ride on. If I was doing a greater distance or highway riding, I would move back to a bigger bike. A big bike doing the above speeds is a waste of money.
nice video, at 13:56 the body part you're trying to describe is : a rear tyre hugger combined with a license plate holder, which is actually well-designed by Husqi and worth mentioning as we don't find it in any other category.
A few bikes have these style hugger/holders and they always polarise opinion! 😊
I own the 701 svartpilen and get compliments e rywhere I go on it everybody asks what kind of bike it is and always suprised its from Husky. The 701 is a rocket imo very quick bike even with only 70-75ish horsepower. But smooth and fantastic sounding single. Got going on 5k miles on my 701 and been great fun reliable bike after replacing the stock slave clutch cylinder. If they had a better dash as well as cruise ontrol this would be a complete winner though I'm still happy with it.
I was a fan of the 401s the moment they came out in 2018 but bought a Honda CB300R instead due to their price at the time and uncertainty about their quality. Now it's 2022, I sold the Honda and got a brand new Vitpilen. It's the apple of my eye and rides as good as it looks.
You haven’t minded the clip-on handlebars?
@@gumonthepants No. I love the clip-ons. That's why I bought a Vitpilen instead of a Svartpilen.
@@christga100 The Honda is not boring and has plenty of character. But, the Vitpilen is far more refined and although the Honda is good looking, the looks of the Vit are on another level.
@@christga100 The CB is the lightest street bike you can buy, 317lbs wet. The Vitpilen is about 30lbs heavier, 10%, but it's got 40% more HP. It's only numbers, the CB's motor is very feisty.
@@georgekrpan3181 how much better on a highway/motorway is the husqvarna compared to the honda cb300 ? is it comfortable doing 80mph for 5 or 10 minutes?
An American here and some of those road widths simply blow my effing mind.
Aussie here, me too😂😬
Haha. That's why we don't really need liter bikes here.
The Husqvarna badge is actually a barrel of a gun (as if your looking down it) with the iron sights above. I believe they started making motorcycles in 1903.
FYI to new owners in America. My 2021 401 Svart's shifting was super clunky when I got it. Turns out the quickshifter isn't even activated til your first service(around 620 miles). The dealer contacted Husky to confirm this. After the first service and new levers it's a night and day difference.
This shifter was activated.
I find it hilarious how Brits and Canadians both use a mix of metric and imperial measurements, but we do so in completely different ways. For instance, if this review were done in Canada, the speedo, odo and fuel mileage would all be in metric, while the dry-weight and seat height would be in pounds and inches.
Here in NZ they aren't selling so are now £4000 new, so unbelievably cheap. I've ridden around the world from the UK and I've just bought one of these, small fun bikes for the win
This bike and i don’t know nothing about bikes, Absolutely elegant
I had a 2019 Euro 4 model. As an A2 license holder I can´t compare it to something more powerful obviously but I NEVER felt like I needed more. You will eat 95% of cars for breakfast if you wanted to, there is absolutely enough power for overtaking and highway riding.
I am 6´1" and it was literally perfect for my size, really comfortable apart from the wooden seat😅
It is probably the best looking bike in this category by a long shot. The Euro 4 version has a very good sound even with the stock exhaust.
On top of that it`s extremely frugal, it never needed more than 3.6 litres, no matter how hard you were pushing it.
Another thing that is often overlooked are the lights. Most bikes simply have horrible lights even if they are LED.
Not the case here, the low beams are simply amazing.
I found that they are even a bit brighter than modern LED car headlights and they shine incredibly far down the road if you adjust them correctly.
The KTM guys simply know how to do good lighting, it truly is a treat!
Unfortunately I sold mine a few months ago and I already regret it. As soon as I have enough money, I will get my buddy back
😍
This is the bike I definitely want to own
I didn’t like the look at first, but tbh I think it’s awesome now, only thing I’d change are the mirrors
Bought mine a year ago ,was a little disappointed with power but my last 400 was a zxr so that's a while back that been said it's a very decent bike.
Wow, that makes as much hp as my 650 KLR with only 375 cc. Looks like a great ranch bike to chase cows with.
The 401 looks so much better than the 250. Unfortunately they only sell the 250s in my country despite apparently making them here.
Thanks for the review and info. I didn't know the company had been around for so long. Impressed with the bike. Looks good too!
Thanks for watching! 👍
Copped an SSR150 besides looking cool and sound awesome
it’s so bad I’m already look for another bike and this one springs to mind. Time to save some dough
Fun watching your video, your laughter says it all. 😀 I had a 390 KTM Duke and I think I’ll go for this cool looking futuristic beauty.
Love my Svart (2018). The Euro 4 model is great to mod to free up the engine sound and smooth the lower end fuelling for even more fun and character. Bought mine for £3k with hardly any miles - can still hardly believe it when I look at 125 prices 😁
So far I’ve only heard good stuff about the 401 and I’m definitely interested in getting it, however the few things I’ve heard are that bad is minimal oil leaks and the bolts need to be replaced pretty soon. Has anyone experienced this?
Really thinking about this bike. I'm pretty sure it can be made fast if need be. We just need time and some test dummies. Lol. But this bike looks awesome. I'm a cafe/scrambler fan so it fits
Hello, me also finally bought a new Svartpilen 401. Overall, I am very excited about it, but I still have noticed one little problem: the “balance” of the motorcycle. - When I ride straight on the road and lift my hands from the handlebars, the motorcycle starts to pull slightly to the right ... Considering that the motorcycle is brand new, from the store, I find it a little unusual that the center of gravity is out of balance. Have any of you had a similar problem?
Please for any advice or experience .. Thank you very much, Jure
Funny you say that. I have a 2021 401, I have exactly the same issue - both hands off bike it leans right. Putting balls of feet on the pegs mitigates the issue a little bit (but not alot). Tell you what though, riding a 401 is like a gocart on 2 wheels
Personally, I think the design of the Husqvarna bike is very good.
Got a Leo Vince exhaust on mine, sounds great
I was curious about the 2022 Euro 5 version. Great review. I really like the Svartpilen 401 overall.
Thank you for watching my rambling! 😁
Great review. Bought one yesterday.
Seems like a fun all-rounder. Interested to see if Honda comes through with a 500 Scrambler as rumoured.
That would be great! 👍
Good test. Now, I'm interested in that bike.
Now, I have the mine 💪✌️
Thanks for the review!
I kind of like the looks of the bike but I wish they made a 890cc version. Also for me that dash just ruins it (seems so dated)
Other than that I love the whole cyber punk aesthetics of it
they make a 690 version called the vitpilen 701
They also make a 890 adventure called the Norden 901
@@N_O_P_E...noabsolutelynot They don't make the 701 anymore, it was discontinued last year.
Yeah 890 of this would be epic!
@@SheldonElectricals Interesting. I'm guessing it wasn't a big seller.
What gear do you use for your audio setup? It sounds great in all your videos.
I just connect the GoPro to an external Sena 10S boom mic, using the GoPro media mod. Thanks!
I love your jacket
Me too!
Did you do any stop start riding around town? I had a 390 Duke and the fueling for this and slow riding was terrible. Also had a tendency to conk out when decelerating to slow speeds. I was told this was due to lean fueling and could be sorted by a booster plug or power commander but rather than mucking about I sold it. Having said that, it was great fun on back roads.
Yeah, it seemed okay but has the same amount of snatchyness as most Euro5 bikes tbh.
I'm looking for a small displacement 2nd bike to putter around on for city and backcountry roads. Curious what you would pick, this or one of the Royal Enfield 350s?
Husqvarna is most familiar with most produced chainsaws and lawnmowers - also robotic. They produce also MX bikes, and compete in MXGP. It is KTM+ of Sweden.
Nice review!
Very nice review, well done.
Thanks 👍
Imaging calling that bike Swedish while running a bike channel. Fascinating
If you listened carefully, I didn't. Although Husqvarna Motorcycles are used under license from Husqvarna AB, Sweden.
Well made review...but, weight is 150 kg wet! I agree, I think it looks so good! So thank you for this.
Weight is 152 Kg without fuel according to the Husqvarna website at least. Thanks for watching. 👍
@@Englishbikerdan Well, no need to argue about that! It's heavier than I've been told. Sorry!
such a sleek bike, was thinking to change mine soon :)
I love the design as well.
it looks beautiful
I totally agree , it s an awesome bike ! Own myself a 2021 svart , loving it everyday a little more ! But quick question tho , which GPS app are you using ? Still trying to find something better than google map and your look pretty neat. Thanks !
Nice review as always Dan. I do like the bike. Good styling. It would be a toss up between that and the Duke 390 for me. I reckon the Duke just stands out more for me but it is a different style of bike. Hope you are keeping well sir. Catch you on the next one 👍🏻
Thanks Dan, yeah the 390 is a lovely bike for sure. And a bit cheaper! Take it easy!
Great vid as always Dan. I had a 2019 cb500x chalk and cheese or comparable? Appreciate your feedback
I have the 2021 Duke 390 and although I like looking at other bikes all the time reality is unless you are going to spend a lot of time on the motorway commuting long distances this engine in this lightweight package is all anyone really needs. 68+ MPG doesn't hurt either with gas prices as ridiculous as they are right now. A bigger bike would never come close to that.
Great review Dan , I noticed there was a chop in the footage when you mentioned you were finding neutral, in a few different reviews I noticed this was an issue I was wondering if you had the same issue ?
Yep, had issues finding neutral. Thanks!
Hey thanks for the video :)
Hopefully there's reviews of the new 2024 model very soon. New engine and gearbox. Reviews of the Duke 390 say that the quickshifter is improved... maybe the gearbox is less clunky too - not that that's an overwhelming problem
I'm getting ready to sit my test in the next month or so, I have been riding a Honda Grom for the past 3 years on CBT and enjoyed it for the most part. I ride all year around no matter the weather within reason. Once I pass my test, I would like to move to a bigger bike and narrowed my choice to the following in no particular order: Honda CB300R, Honda CB650R & Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Having watched your reviews on these bikes, I still can't decide which would be best. The bike will mainly be used for commuting with a mix of city, B roads & A roads, just over 12 miles each way. The CB300R seems a good choice but I'm just worried I'll regret it and wish I went for the CB650R. The 401 seems to be the middle ground, I'm just not keen on the spoke wheels, I can see them being hard to keep clean. Whats your thoughts @EnglishBikerDan?
really dumb question but I am doing my motorcycle license soon and I'm planning on buying this bike as my first bike. You say it has a quickshifter yet you still use the clutch when shifting. Am I missing something or do you still need to press the clutch when using a quickshifter? I thought that was the whole point of it? please help because I am thoroughly confused about what a quickshifter actually does... Thanks!
A quickshifter means clutchless shifting, but you'll still need to pull the clutch when moving off or coming to a stop. I also just like using the clutch at certain rpm's.
Great review of a fab looking bike. 👌
Great review and cool jacket! What is it?
Thank you! It's the Merlin Chigwell Utility jacket in olive green. 👍
Hi Dan, you can get chain saws and strikers made by husqarna . Great vid and it looks a bit straing with its looks
Yeah I came across their other tools during my research. Crazy stuff! Thanks for watching! 👍
Not really on topic but which phone holder do you have installed there? Thanks for another great review!
Ultimateaddons tough case, with Helix mount. Check out the link in the description and use code EBD10 to save 10%. Cheers!
@@Englishbikerdan Thanks!
Dan
I appreciate the fact that you give us a look at how you fit the bike. But I have questions. I know you mentioned that you are 5'7 but what is your inseam measurement. And do you measure pant length or to the ground. I've seen people do it both ways. Thanks
Hey, I'm actually 5 foot 8 inches tall. 29" inseam measured from top of my inside leg to the floor not wearing any boots. Cheers.
Thanks Dan. I also have a 29" inseam. Helpful information to have.
My work commute has about 25 minutes of mountain highway driving ( downhill one way - up hill, the other ). Can this bike maintain 70+ mph on a highway that climbs a bit?
Yep, it will do great.
What button are you pressing with your left thumb after you clutch usually? It looks like a little white button.
The indicator cancel button, it's a weird tick I've had for years!
@@Englishbikerdan oh ok it's not something you have to do while driving.
Don't think I'd like to get my wedding tackle anywhere near that tank rack.
How is the radiator fan noise on this 2022 version has it improved or still a bit annoying?
I don't find fans annoying tbh, so it didn't really bother me.
@@Englishbikerdan I just find it annoying that fans on 401 huskies are even louder than whats on my 700cc bike. 😓
I own a Kawasaki with this Motor/Engine platform , I enjoy the quick response and how smooth this single cylinder motor is. The engine is built in India. Hope that you enjoy the ride and keep verticals on two wheels.
Idk about a2 but here in Australia we have Lam's and the bikes the one of the quickest 0-100kmph you can get. Easy sub 5s should be quick enough for most people in that market. Also normally the quick shifter isn't active during break in so that could be why you found it agricultural. Did you notice it blipping the throttle when clutch less down shifting at the appropriate rev range? (Another issue is not many people use the quick shifter in the applicable rev range)
The quickshifter was active, as this is a press bike.
@@Englishbikerdan and you where only using it in the appropriate rev ranges? They are different ranges for up and down?
Had my eye on these for years, but having only one dealer in Tasmania, they are rare so servicing and parts would be a major issue.
Nice review as always. Cheers Dan!
I like the style, unique.
Hey biker Dan, love you video's. Any plans to ride triumph 900 tiger rally plus?. I have one and I think it's brilliant. It would be interesting to get your opinion on the bike 🏍. Keep the video's coming. Tim 👍
I had one and didn't get on with it. It was far too tall for me. 😢 Thanks for watching!
Good to see a review on this, it’s a pretty rare bike on TH-cam it seems. Sat on one at the Bikeshow back in December and it felt like a good riding position. I actually think I prefer the look of it to the KTM 390 Duke.
Could this be a contender for your second bike?
It could be.......... :D
Handsome bike.
I’m 194 cm tall any insight if the bike would fit me? I have my big boy GS but I want a little bike for city riding and this one caught my eye
Wondering the same, 195 cm tall and this bike caught my eye also. It is absolutely gorgeous, any tall riders that can share their experience on this bike?
TBH, the 401 would look like a small toy between your legs because of your height.
If you can find a pre-owned Svartpilen 701 within your area it would be a great deal, because it can be a more fitting bike for taller men like you.
what's the verdict? Suzuki SV650 or this bike?
Cool, fun little machine.
Absolutely.
Any idea why the 701 is so hard to get in the UK?
They discontinued it in 2021
They only sell the 701 Supermoto now. :(
Does it look and feel like a full size bike?
Interesting looking bike not quite as in your face as the 390. Shame about the tank size though and not much more money than the cb300 so good value.
You can't flatfoot it. How tall are you? Thanks for the video!!
looks so nice...
You can also change the gearing (hi end/low end) by changing the sprocket set up. At my age I'm done with trying to break land speed records & acting foolish.
Think I'd get the Scram instead...but looks fine.
Scram would struggle to keep up with this
For a beginner, would you recommend this over a Trident 660?🤔
Both will do the job well.
The bike has a really nice style and look which I really love! A medium build/height friend of mine ordered a 2023 model which will probably suit him really well but not to sure how bigger, heavier guys like myself would feel on this bike? From what I have seen, even the 700cc Japanese naked bikes like MT-07 have very short wheelbase where I felt like I was over the handlebars. Though the MT-07 had plenty of torquey power to move my fatass which would be another concern with this bike.
Just repeating two lines in whole video, so much fun 😀 and not too bad, bad experience, Sorry but you know 🙁
You've lost me I'm afraid.
Any difficulties finding neutral regularly?
Can't say I had many issues with that.
its pretty much a 390 Duke. It means "the black arrow" in Swedish!
And Vitpilen is white arrow. 😊
Hi, How tall are you? I'm asking because of the fairly tall seat height.