When Husqvarna canceled the 701 Svartpilen, we wondered: What’s up with that? Is Husky abandoning big-bore streetbikes, and if so, why? Surely the success of the 401 series proves that people like the Scandinavian styling…
As it turns out, Husqvarna is still very much interested in full-sized streetbikes, and we have the new-for-2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 to prove it.
This is an all-new bike, kind of, but it follows a very familiar formula. Unlike the previous 701 model, which ran a single-cylinder engine, the 801 is a DOHC twin-cylinder, using an LC8c engine similar to what’s found in the KTM790 Duke (chances are, that engine was made in China by CFMOTO—that’s who builds the 790 engines for KTM).
The parallel twin comes with six-speed gearbox, including quickshifter as standard and a slip/assist clutch. Claimed output is 103 hp at 9,250 rpm, and 64 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm. That’s plenty of muscle, and Husqvarna also says the new bike can get about 4.5L/100km fuel economy, so it’s not completely impractical either. Service intervals go to 15,000 km intervals, so you’re also pinching pennies on your maintenance costs.
This may be a naked bike, but it’s not un-sophisticated. The Svartpilen 801 has a ride-by-wire throttle enabling Sport, Street and Rain ride modes (and Dynamic mode, if you want to pay extra). Like the other 790/890/901 models in Pierer Mobility’s lineup, the Svartpilen 801 also has an IMU. This gyro chip allows them to put in leaning-sensitive traction control and ABS (programmed by Bosch, including a supermoto mode that lets you slide around the rear wheel).
Pay extra, and you can upgrade the electronics with Husqvarna’s Dynamic Pack, which gives you wheelie control, cruise control, and Motor Slip Regulation, which lets you control the interference from engine braking on downshifts.
As is standard on all big bikes now, you get a 5-inch TFT screen that displays your speed/RPM and other electro-mechanical details. You can also connect to this screen with your phone, and it will act as an interface, beaming music, calls and turn-by-turn nav to your helmet comm.
Husqvarna turned in-house to WP for suspension, with an APEX fork (adjustable for rebound and compression, with 5.5 inches of travel) and APEX shock (adjustable for preload and rebound, with 5.9 inches of travel). That’s actually a decent amount of suspension travel, and it’s interesting to see the video above shows the Svartpilen with Pirelli MT60 RS tires riding down gravel roads. The neo street tracker styling might be more than just a look—the intro video hints that you can actually go off-pavement if you want. Or maybe that’s just marketeering; with 17-inch wheels as standard, your off-roadability is going to be limited for sure.
J. Juan brakes are standard, with radially-mounted four-piston calipers up front, with 300 mm discs. There’s a two-piston caliper in rear, with a 240 mm disc.
Dry weight is a claimed 181 kg, and seat height is 820 mm. The bikes should be at Canadian dealers soon, but we haven’t seen the MSRP yet.
