autoX Awards 2024: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2024: Husqvarna motorcycles are known for their Swedish minimalism and stunning design, and I’ll admit, I was a big fan of the smaller Svartpilen 250. While it was a beauty, it wasn’t without its flaws. The new Svartpilen 401, however, seems to address many of those issues, starting with, perhaps, one of the most significant ones – road presence. The 401 is larger in every dimension, offering much more space and a more substantial look on the road.

In terms of design, the rear of the bike has shifted from the custom-styled tail to a more conventional look. Although the taillight design remains the same, the indicators and number plate housing have moved to a standard mounting point, rather than being attached to the tyre hugger as before. The 401 now also features larger grab rails, and the fuel tank panel no longer extends as dramatically under the rider’s seat. The uniquely shaped fuel tank is also wider, enhancing its visual impact. While the road presence has certainly improved, I’m not entirely convinced that it is as stylish as the original.

Despite its knobby-looking tyres, the Svartpilen is unmistakably a street bike with the flair of a scrambler. It is powered by KTM 390 Duke’s renowned 399cc liquid-cooled engine. We’ve long held that this motor is the most thrilling in its class, and that engaging drivetrain continues to be the highlight here, even if the mid-range exhibits a bit of vibration. Husqvarna has also upgraded the previous round instrument cluster for the square-shaped TFT display from the Duke but with a custom graphic design that looks excellent. It comes equipped with features like traction control and SuperMoto ABS, though it misses out on the IMU found on the KTM.

Also Read: Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Unveiled Globally, Gets KTM 790 Duke Engine, Bi-LED projector headlamp and More

With India’s 400cc segment becoming increasingly competitive, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 still manages to stand out. It doesn’t even feel like it is competing in the same space – in fact, it seems to be in a league of its own, with a unique character that’s sure to resonate with riders.

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