Husqvarna has finally launched the Svartpilen 401 in India, and it shares the same 399cc engine as the KTM 390 Duke, and yet undercuts it by more than Rs 18,000! The Svartpilen 401 is also significantly bigger and more muscular than the Svartpilen 250.
Design
The older Husqvarna 250s had a minimalist design that many Indian riders didn't like because it felt too cramped. But the new Svartpilen 401 is different. It still looks exotic and minimalist but has more muscle and substance. It's attention-grabbing without being as bold as the new KTM 390 Duke. Compared to the previous-gen Svartpilen 250, the 401 looks better, with tidier wiring and more space, so taller riders can be more comfortable without feeling cramped, though shorter riders won't have to struggle to reach the ground.
Engine, Mileage & Performance
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 shares its 399cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with the new KTM 390 Duke, and it’s just as impressive. Everything from the superb handling to the sharp brakes and even the adjustable suspension is all top-notch. The claimed mileage of the Svartpilen 401 is 30.4kmpl.
Be it riding through the slow-moving city traffic in the higher gears or hitting triple-digit speeds on the highway, this bike handles it all effortlessly. It's engaging and enjoyable to ride, maintaining its magic even in the city. The quickshifter operates flawlessly especially once you cross 3000rpm.
Ride & Handling
Similar to the Duke, the Svartpilen 401 has sharp handling and features responsive brakes with good bite and feedback. This bike is undeniably sporty, but its suspension is exceptional! While it's adjustable, even the default settings are really nice. It feels comfortable over bumps, and stays composed even when encountering bad patches of tarmac at higher speeds. It has grippy tyres that inspire confidence. While the Svartpilen 401 can easily handle rough patches, taking the bike trail-hunting isn’t advisable.
Comfort
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 has an upright riding posture with a bit of forward lean. It has a comfortable and spacious seat. At 820mm, the seat height is 20mm taller than that of the KTM 390 Duke, but it still isn’t too tall for shorter riders. The handlebar needs to be taller than it currently is, which would contribute to overall comfort and stand-up riding as well.
Features
The Svartpilen 401 features a 5-inch TFT console, similar to the one on the new 390 Duke, but with a different layout. Among the three available layouts, the reduced mode displays only speed, revs, and gear position. This simplicity allows for better focus on the road ahead without much distractions on the display. However, if you prefer more information, you can choose among other available screen interfaces. While the Svartpilen 401 lacks the 390 Duke’s lean-sensitive electronics, and offers only Street mode instead of the trio of Rain, Street, and Track modes, these omissions are not dealbreakers. Besides, the new engine's performance and reasonable handling easily make up for these gaps in the features.
Should You Buy The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401?
If you desire the same performance as the 390 Duke but find the naked bike is too manic and loud for your taste, then you can opt for the Svartpilen 401. After all, not only is it an amazing machine with the same powerful performance and ride quality as the Duke, but it will also save you some money that you can re-invest into riding gear. The only significant negative point, then, is the absence of tubeless tyres.
