With KTM established as a Prepared To Race model by its proprietor, Pierer Mobility, the pure-street arm of the mother or father firm’s Husqvarna marque slots itself as a particular style-oriented model that doesn’t neglect its efficiency roots. Primarily based on the futuristically styled and sport-focused KTM 790 Duke, the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 places a steampunk/scrambler-inspired wrapper on its donor chassis whereas making it a bit extra pleasant to those that are interested in its look and aren’t fairly Prepared To Race. That, in fact, didn’t cease us from testing the Svartpilen 801 at a torrid tempo within the South of France. Right here’s what we found concerning the latest Husqvarna road bike.
- The 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 has the identical DOHC parallel-twin because the KTM 790 Duke. The mill has been round since 2017 and has been properly sorted out. The motor has a particular 285-degree crankshaft for a pleasant V-twinesque rumble. Easy fueling is delivered by way of Bosch EMS-controlled Dell’Orto throttle our bodies, that are a part of a complicated IMU-informed electronics bundle. The six-speed transmission will get a normal quickshifter and a slip-and-assist clutch. Put all of it collectively, and the Svartpilen 801 has a potent but manageable powerplant that fits riders of a broad vary of talent ranges with totally different driving targets in thoughts. You may rip on flippantly traveled and delightfully twisting backroads by means of the Alpes et Préalpes de Provençe, if that’s your desire, or get pleasure from a mannered experience in city confines.
- A lot of the 799cc motor’s versatility comes from the experience modes. There are three normal experience modes—Sport, Avenue, and Rain—plus the Dynamic mode, which is a part of the elective $420 Dynamic Pack. Along with altering the throttle response, the modes additionally modify the cornering-aware traction management and anti-wheelie management. The Bosch 9.3 MP ABS is at all times engaged; it’s additionally cornering-aware, besides whenever you’re utilizing the rear-only Supermoto mode. The quickshifter, which may be disabled, labored flawlessly in each instructions. After all, it prefers larger rpm when upshifting.
- Sport mode hushes the nannies. When you choose Sport mode, Husqvarna lets the Svartpilen 801 spin up the rear wheel when on the throttle and slide it with the rear brake absolutely engaged. Traction management stops being lean-angle-sensitive, and the wheelie management is disabled. When you would possibly suppose the result’s an unruly bike, the 801 stays intuitive to experience. Entrance-wheel ABS remains to be there, and you’ll really feel it when driving aggressively. The Pirelli MT 60 RS tires, that are a part of the “scrambler-inspired” styling train, contribute to the ABS triggering. The discount within the traction management will solely be seen by the hardest-charging riders, or those that frequent low-traction roads. This configuration is great for the sporting crowd, but stays civilized inside metropolis limits. You may experience round city all day in Sport mode and by no means really feel overwhelmed.
- The Dynamic Pack appeals to professional riders who need to personalize the electronics system of the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. The Dynamic Pack provides 10 ranges of traction management adjustment, 5 ranges of wheelie management, and skid-sensitive engine compression braking—all of that are defeatable. You additionally get the power to match full ABS operation with the sportiest throttle setting. The Dynamic Pack is about customizing the electronics and doesn’t present further energy or a extra aggressive than Sport throttle response. Dynamic Mode purchasers ought to be conscious that poor selections in setup will cripple the 801’s efficiency. Dial the traction management to the utmost, and the motor will spin up shockingly slowly popping out of corners. I made that mistake and rapidly switched to Sport mode till I may cease to reconfigure the settings.
- Newer riders might be completely satisfied to stay with Avenue mode whereas they develop into accustomed to the efficiency the p-twin gives. Removed from a canine within the Avenue mode, the 801 stays a potent experience within the canyons, although the throttle response is noticeably lowered. In the event you’ve been ripping by means of the twisties and end up on the town, go forward and faucet the switchgear to pick Avenue mode. The bike remains to be greater than quick sufficient, and also you’ll get all the security benefits of the electronics system. The wheelie management would possibly even prevent from a ticket, because the 801 does encourage some antics that the authorities frown upon. If the roads are moist, you’ll do properly to enter Rain mode. In any other case, keep on with Avenue and Sport—and Dynamic, if you happen to paid for it after the free sampling interval.
- The UI and the five-inch TFT might be acquainted to Austrian model homeowners. The software program has improved tremendously through the years, and illustrations are built-in to assist new riders arrange the electronics. The system permits for favorites and preset buttons. Curiously, cruise management is a $290 possibility that features totally different switchgear with an extra programmable button to entry a setting of your selecting rapidly and simply. With a few exceptions, Husqvarna saves your personalized setting whenever you shut the bike off, so that you don’t must rebuild from scratch each time you shut the important thing off.
- The Husqvarna engineers made the dealing with of the Svartpilen 801 extra forgiving than The Scalpel—KTM’s nickname for the 790 Duke. To get there, Husqvarna kicked out the rake a half-of-a-degree to a still-sporting 24.5 levels and outfitted the 801 with flat-track-style Pirelli MT 60 RS tires on its forged aluminum wheels. The additional rake and the usual WP steering damper sluggish the Svartpilen 801’s dealing with sufficient to offer further confidence to a more moderen rider. Additionally, the MT’s dirt-oriented knobby-ish tread sample gives much less traction than the 790 Duke’s sport-touring Maxxis Supermaxx ST rubber. The Svartpilen shouldn’t be as exacting as The Scalpel—a very good or dangerous factor, relying in your driving preferences.
- Whereas the Pirellis had been chosen by a design workforce trying to improve the “scrambler-inspired” styling, the MT 60 RS tires are succesful performers. The sting grip of the Pirellis is spectacular, although I bought a way that the frequent ABS intrusion when driving exhausting—both upright or in a nook—was as a result of MT 60 RS’s lowered contact patch and inherent tread flex. Regardless, the texture of the Pirellis is great, giving me the arrogance to push my self-imposed danger envelope and by no means lose my nerve, or the entrance finish. Nonetheless, do you have to desire sportier rubber from any variety of producers, a set can simply be mounted on the 801’s 17-inch wheels.
- WP Apex items maintain the suspension. These are good items with a novel vary of changes. To maintain issues easy, there are simply 5 settings for the compression and rebound damping for the 43mm inverted fork, and the damping is hand-adjustable—no instruments required. The changes are vital, although the usual settings labored greatest for me. Common for WP, the spring-preload is fastened, although I wasn’t hamstrung by that. The shock requires instruments for adjusting the rebound damping and spring preload; compression damping is fastened. I didn’t really feel any want to interrupt out the instruments, as the usual settings met my wants within the diversified street situations and demand I placed on the chassis.
- Brembo-owned, Husqvarna-branded J.Juan calipers work with the Bosch ABS. That is one other space the place the Svartpilen deviates from the Duke. Husqvarna opted for softer brake engagement, which has two benefits for the proper consumer. Much less skilled riders, and people working the 801 primarily in city environments, will admire the dearth of aggressive braking when pulling within the lever. Entrance braking energy from the 300mm discs is progressive, with the deceleration compounding as your hand grip will increase. The ultimate entrance braking energy is sufficient to activate the ABS, in order that’s all you’ll be able to ask for. The rear brake is usable so don’t ignore it when sport driving and also you need to scrub off pace in a rush. The entrance finish doesn’t dive excessively, so the rear brake is a viable complement.
- With pure ergonomics, the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 is comfy all day lengthy. Though the 801 is designed to look good, it is also a useful bike. The three.7-gallon gasoline tank is slim on the knees, and the seat has flat ribs to assist maintain you in place. Ought to your groin slide ahead into the tank, there’s a big, padded space to cut back injury to delicate male accouterments. Vibration shouldn’t be a problem at any touchpoints; credit score the twin counterbalancers. The spherical mirrors have that retro look, however provide a restricted rearview—bar-end mirrors are an possibility. There’s no wind safety, which you’ll undoubtedly discover when hitting triple-digit speeds.
- Husqvarna will get a $1400 premium for the Svartpilen 801 in comparison with the KTM 790 Duke. We frequently see a value enhance with the styling variants, such because the retro-themed Yamaha XSR900 or Kawasaki Z900RS. Within the case of the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801, useful adjustments imbue the Svartpilen with its distinctive character. In the event you’re somebody who sees the Svartpilen 801 and swipes proper, you’re prone to have a really profitable relationship.
Pictures By Marco Campelli and Sebas Romero
RIDING STYLE
2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Specs
ENGINE
- Kind: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 799cc
- Bore x stroke: 88mm x 65.7mm
- Compression ratio: 12.5:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: Bosch ride-by-wire EMS w/ DKK Dell’Orto 46mm throttle our bodies
- Exhaust: Chrome steel
- Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
- Cooling: Liquid and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
- Clutch: Cable-actuated with help and slip features
- Closing drive: 520 X-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Chromoly metal w/ aluminum subframe
- Handlebar: Tapered aluminum w/ crossbar and a pair of mounting positions
- Steering damper: WP
- Entrance suspension; journey: Damping-adjustable WP Apex 43mm inverted fork; 5.5 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Linkage-free, rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable WP Apex shock; 5.9 inches
- Wheels: Solid aluminum
- Entrance wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
- Tires: Pirelli MT 60 RS
- Entrance tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Entrance brakes: 300mm discs w/ radially mounted J.Juan 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ J.Juan 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Bosch 9.3 MP w/ cornering ABS and Supermoto mode
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 54.6 inches
- Rake: 24.5 levels
- Triple clamp offset: 32mm
- Path: 3.9 inches
- Seat top: 32.2 inches
- Gasoline capability: 3.7 gallons
- Curb weight: 421 kilos
2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Worth: $10,899 MSRP ($11,319 as examined)
2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Assessment Photograph Gallery
