Futuristic bodywork makes the small Vitpilen easy on the eyes.
Futuristic bodywork makes the small Vitpilen easy on the eyes. (Husqvarna/)

Ups

Easy Shift for clutchless up/downshiftingLightweight and compact for easy handlingGreat brakes

Downs

Ergonomics not as comfortable as Svartpilen’sSeat is also uncomfortableIllegible dash

Verdict

The Vitpilen 401 brings the same exciting small-displacement spirit as Husky’s Svartpilen, but clip-ons and street-focused Metzeler M5s give it a cafe racer vibe. What it may lack in riding comfort it makes up for in handling.

Overview

Husqvarna does a great job at bringing its concepts to life, and the Vitilen is a perfect example. First introduced alongside the Svartpilen 401 concept at the 2014 EICMA show, the Vitpilen went into production just three years later.

Now in its fifth year in production, the Vitpilen 401 continues to strut its stuff as the brand’s small-displacement, cafe racer-styled model. This motorcycle goes with road-focused tires, clip-on-style handlebars, and vibrant white paint compared to its dark, rugged Svart sibling. A 373cc single-cylinder engine, WP Apex suspension, and steel trellis chassis give it nimble, street-shredding capability.

The Vitpilen 401 has seen a significant drop in price over the years. Priced at $6,299 early on, the bike now sells for $5,399. It is more wallet-friendly than ever.
The Vitpilen 401 has seen a significant drop in price over the years. Priced at $6,299 early on, the bike now sells for $5,399. It is more wallet-friendly than ever. (Husqvarna/)

Updates for 2022

The Vitpilen sees cosmetic changes to its bodywork, including the new white finish, anodized rims, and some changes to the detailing on the side panels.

Pricing and Variants

The 2022 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 shares the same $5,399 MSRP as the Svartpilen.

Competition

Husqvarna sees competition not only in its own backyard, with the Svartpilen 401 and KTM 390 Duke, but also from the Kawasaki Z400, Yamaha MT-03, and Honda CB300R.

The ’Pilens’ cafe and scrambler styles balance each other; if the Svartpilen is the yin, then the Vitpilen is the yang.
The ’Pilens’ cafe and scrambler styles balance each other; if the Svartpilen is the yin, then the Vitpilen is the yang. (Husqvarna/)

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 373cc single-cylinder engine is a punchy, exceptionally entertaining powerplant. Twist the ride-by-wire throttle and let the low-end torque and 40 ponies carry you down the straightaway or around tight bends. The quick-revving thumper has no issue getting up to and maintaining highway speeds either.

Its peppy engine is paired with a slipper-clutch-equipped six-speed gearbox. The slick-shifting gearbox is also connected to Husky’s Easy Shift sensor, which allows for clutchless up- and downshifting.

On our dyno, the 401 produced 41.4 hp at 8,740 rpm and 26.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,880 rpm. As you can read in our test coverage, Husky says that it is tuned more for urban riding, with its power lower in the rev range compared to its more purely athletic cousin, the RC 390.

The steel trellis frame and single-cylinder engine are a compact pairing.
The steel trellis frame and single-cylinder engine are a compact pairing. (Husqvarna/)

Handling

Weighing in at just 340 pounds on the Cycle World scales, the Vitpilen is extraordinarily light. This minimal weight combined with a compact steel trellis frame and admirable WP suspension means the bike is easy to flick through quick transitions and extremely maneuverable at low speeds, despite cafe-style handlebars that provide less leverage than a wide, upright bar.

The 43mm WP Apex fork and monoshock are nicely balanced, soft enough to absorb smaller chop yet firm enough to limit jostling on harsh patches. If riders find that some fine-tuning is needed due to weight or riding style, the fork can be adjusted for compression and rebound. The

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By: Staff
Title: 2022 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/buyers-guide/husqvarna-vitpilen-401-2022/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:26:02 +0000