Husqvarna Vitpilen 401

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401’s neo-retro design exudes a unique aura on the road, capturing the attention of both fellow riders and regular onlookers whenever it passes by. It looks loud yet minimalistic at the same time. Its trellis frame made of steel is credited for its confident handling and agile maneuverability. 

Upfront, it is given clip-on handlebars attached to forged aluminum triple clamps to further enhance its premium, minimalist cafe racer aesthetic. Like its smaller cousin, the Svartpilen 200, it also sports a classic-looking, round LED headlight, which delivers top-notch visibility and illumination at night. It also has a round digital instrument panel that displays the speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, and fuel gauge. In terms of convenience, it comes with a 12V socket and small under-seat storage for your personal belongings.

On the sides, it has a very sharp naked profile accentuated by a robust pair of 17-inch anodised spoked wheels. Its leather saddle provides decent support and cushioning on short trips within the city but becomes a bit tough on long-distance rides. Trailing behind this bike, its modern, sporty back end will definitely catch your attention thanks to its appealing V-shaped LED taillight. 

In terms of dimensions, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 has a seat height of 810 mm, a wheelbase of 1,368 mm, and a ground clearance of 120 mm. Its seat is a bit high for riders under 6ft, which might affect their riding experience when passing through traffic at low speeds.

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 utilizes a WP APEX 43 suspension at the front and a WP APEX Monoshock at the rear. This naked cafe racer is light and nimble to maneuver, allowing the rider to effectively pass through narrow urban streets and tight parking slots. It offers confident handling on winding roads and twisties even at higher speeds. However, due to its narrow frame, this bike is ideal more for city rides and short-distance out-of-town trips than full-on touring.

Moreover, it can also absorb small to moderate bumps and handle light off-road trails effectively. Anything beyond these, however, would expose the limitations of the bike’s low ground clearance. Still, the Vitpilen 401 is a breeze to ride in the city and on the open road (on shorter trips).

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is powered by a 373 cc, liquid-cooled, 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine that produces a maximum power output of 32 kW (44 hp) and a maximum torque of 37 Nm. It runs on a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox. 

This naked cafe racer is quick when ridden spiritedly, yet remains sensible and refined at lower RPMs. It runs smoothly and has a responsive transmission system, which leads to satisfying gear shifts. In the city, its engine is impressively efficient even when passing through bumper-to-bumper traffic at low speeds. It is one of those neo-retro bikes that can back up its confident appearance with an enjoyable yet efficient performance. 

In terms of safety, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is equipped with side reflectors, a pass switch, an engine check warning, and riding modes, which allow the rider to align the bike’s performance to the current road condition that he or she will be passing through. Its braking setup is also supported by a 2-channel Bosch 10.1MB anti-lock braking system. It utilizes 320 mm front and 230 mm rear perforated steel discs with hydraulic ByBre calipers.

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is a great option for discerning buyers seeking a premium neo-retro bike that has the performance, handling, and features to back up its very appealing look on the road. It delivers top-notch versatility and daily usability.