Husqvarna Svartpilen 125
Small bike with a big heart
HUSQVARNA SALES HAVE been soaring since its 401 and 701 machines hit the market in 2018 and now the firm’s new 125 Svartpilen should shift even more.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 (available in UK dealers soon) uses the same Euro5 DOHC four-valve singlecylinder motor as KTM’S 125 Duke and the same trellis frame. So far, so KTM — but the big difference is the bodywork and styling. The Husqvarna has an all-enveloping, short, one-piece design creating an almost monocoque-like appearance. The high bars and lofty (for a 125) seating position make the baby Husky an ideal traffic tool, because you can slide forward on the smooth two-part seat and see over cars.
The very light clutch action and crisp but controllable throttle response also help rip up traffic-choked streets. The Svartpilen’s 125 motor is willing and you can happily zing along using the cleanshifting gearbox, with the large red shifter light at the top of the circular dash flashing at 8000rpm in every gear.
Other neat features include the LED lights front and rear, with the round retro headlamp featuring a circular daytime running light around the rim. There’s also a luggage rack on top of the tank with clip-on points for luggage.
It steers neutrally and the Indo-italian Bybre brake package is excellent. The narrow seat seemed more designed for form than function but overall, the Svartpilen 125 is a small bike with a big heart.