HUSKYS GUNNING FOR STREET CRED
Svartpilen 401 has more of an off-road style husqvarna is a name many of us are familiar with, but possibly don’t know too much about.
We’re aware it’s perhaps best known for off-road machines and that it sounds scandinavian. Like many motorbike, bicycle and car manufacturers, husqvarna started out making arms – specifically muskets.
Look closely at the firm’s logo and you’ll see it represents the sights of a rifle as you look down the barrel. The business was founded in 1689 in huskvarna, southern sweden.
originally a royal company, in the mid-18th century it moved into private ownership, supplying arms to the swedish and Norwegian armies.
The first motorcycles were produced in 1903, using imported engines until 1918. The first in-house motor was a 550cc four-stroke V-twin.
During the 1930s,
The Vitpilen 701 husqvarna competed with some success in grand prix road racing and also produced its first two-stroke bike. In the 1960s and 1970s, lightweight two-stroke “huskys” dominated off-road racing, winning 14 Motocross World Championships and 24 Enduro World Championships.
In 1987, the firm’s motorbike division was sold to Italian manufacturer Cagiva, part of MV Agusta and then, in 2007, to BMW.
But, in 2013, the brand became part of Austria-based KTM. Now, to add to its range of motocross and enduro machines, the firm has introduced three street bikes for 2018.
First up is the Vitpilen 401, which uses an A2 licencecompliant 375cc single-cylinder four-stroke motor.
The people at husqvarna told Mirror Motorcycling the approach was to make “simple but progressive” machines “reduced of unnecessary excess”.
It certainly looks distinctive – all pared down and narrow, with sleek, flat lines, with a seat “floating” above the rear wheel.
Features include clip-on bars, a round digital clock, WP suspension, spoked anodised wheels and LED lights, front and rear.
The svartpilen 401 is essentially the same bike given a more rugged, off-road style overhaul.
It features higher bars, knobbly tyres, a skid plate, exhaust protector, tank luggage rack and more substantial footrests.
Both bikes retail at a very reasonable prices.
The Vitpilen 701 employs a 693cc motor, featuring traction control and ride-by-wire. It has Brembo calipers and a Bosch ABS system, with adjustable suspension by WP.
Again, it’s pared-down and minimalistic, with a trellis frame, floating seat and some nice detail touches, including the black-coated silencer. The 701 is a beauty. We are looking forward to a first ride on the new huskys – so watch this space.