HUSQVARNA

Svartpilen 801: Naked with scrambler dyes, fun and elegant. A background with her!

Rebirth one of the Husqvarna models that generated the most controversy as is the naked Svartpilen.

The concept of the previous version, mainly due to its aesthetics and ergonomics, did not remain indifferent to nature, generating passion or rejection, without any means. It was a bold venture that had a sales figure of 73,304 units, along with the Vitpilen twin variant - differentiating in black or white color -.

Husqvarna's development department, together with Kiska's design department, had powerful brain storming to put together the shot as part of the Svartpilen concept, knowing that it had to be a bike with disruptive aesthetics, but without being as disruptive as the first. version.

On this ground, there has also been thought of enhancing it to elevate it to a higher level of performance and fighting in the segment of naked “centenarians” at the level of maximum power, where there is much rivalry with a wide range of successful motorcycles , both European and Japanese, Chinese…

For the engine, the previous single-cylinder is replaced by the powertrain that has a twin-cylinder in parallel at 75º of 799 cc, used in trail models such as the Norden, which produces 105 CV and 87 Nm, also soon available in a variant for the A2 (48 CV) -aún en homologación-. Euro5+ approved propellant adapted for naked use with respect to the trail scheme, through the configuration of the electronics, as well as the exhaust, the air box...

It has three driving modes (Sport, Street, and Rain), with the option of adding the so-called "Dynamic Pack" which allows you to adjust the traction control with assistance when cornering, and manage the electronic engine braking control and system on 10 levels. anticaballito, and choose between different response modes of the -electronic, of course- accelerator. Electronic aids include the Svartpilen 801 quickshifter and clutch with PSC anti-rebound system.

Taking care of the naked aesthetic, with scrambler tins, the engine falls protected in its bottom with a cover plate that also protects the outlet of the exhaust manifold that connects with a silencer placed in a high position, adding design, weight placement, comfort for the passenger together with the effective response of the engine.

EFFECTIVE AND LLAMATIVA...The cycle part also renews its scheme on the previous Svartpilen 701, providing a new steel trellis multitubular frame with a portable motor, without a cuna, which is complemented with a subchassis in aluminum plates that houses in its inside the filter box, located low to the floor, and with good access for filter maintenance.

To this subchassis, in an elevated position, the license plate holder now falls anchored, fixed to the tilting and lowered position, in the previous Svartpilen -has been fashionable at a given moment-.

In the minimalist bodywork the word comfort has been found this time so that the pilot finds a logical and good handling position, at a good height to the ground (820 mm), suitable for all heights and for daily “commmuting” use .

The ergonomics of the Svartpilen 801 presents the stirrups in the same line of the chair and the handlebar, off road type with central bar, at medium height, completing a triangulation where the rider falls semi-erected. The tank has been redesigned so that now the wheels do not touch the curvatures and protuberances protruding on the sides, and the volume of the tank has also been increased to 14 liters, double the volume of the previous Svartpilen.

Greater autonomy is achieved (240 to 300 km, depending on consumption) also because this engine consumes less than the single-cylinder engine before. The geometry of the bike is configured seeking agility and stability in equal parts, with a distance between the wheels appropriate to the mix that proposes this model with the character of a naked sports car and neo scrambler.

At the controls we find a 5" TFT screen with a new design of graphics and colors, with standard connectivity that, using the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app, can enjoy navigation using arrows, turn by turn, and manage mobile phone functions. Also It includes an anti-robot system and a new one, some pins with better touch and easier handling.

EASY ADJUSTMENT...The suspension is made from WP Apex components with an inverted horquilla with 43 mm front bars (140 mm of travel), and shock absorber (150 mm), which works on an aluminum rocker, fully adjustable.

It is worth highlighting in this sense that the range of adjustments has been reduced to 5 clicks on both components, both in compression and extension. Reduction that makes life easier for the pilot, with 5 clearer and more sensitive gearbox options, even being able to modify the throttle control in gear -compression in the left button and rebound at the right, with the dials in the upper part-.

The cycle part includes J.Juan brakes, with 300 mm discs at the front, with ABS system with cornering functionality and even detachable at the rear thanks to Supermoto mode. I call the shoe that mounts with Pirelli MT60 RS tires, on 17" rims - optionally, with radios -, mixed design gums to reinforce the scrambler face and allow for some off road adventures on dirt tracks and roads , or, for example, you are on a skidding dirt track, on an autocross, rallycross circuit...

The weight figure of 181 kilos is well achieved for a motorcycle that can complement the customer with a wide list of accessories available in the brand's catalog with aluminum parts, mirrors, silencers (Akrapovic and Remus), magnetic storage bag, support mobile phone, small flashing lights (approved), radiator covers, radio covers, cruise control…

VERY FUN...When I was told that I had to go to the presentation of the Svartpilen, at first, my reaction was like “uff”, a little awkward. I have this model associated in my head with a unique motorcycle, not too practical and difficult to digest. Cuestion of tastes, puts customers who are happy with her, puts niche bikes into passion and culture, without the option to argue, whether they love or hate each other.

But the new Svartpilen has nothing to do with the previous 701, and even though it also wants to be cult, and has an aesthetic of marked personality, its design with functionality is not reflected.

I was surprised by the comfort that you are at your command, even in a seat that seems hard, lying at a distance on the floor, which is very accessible to everyone. Maybe someone has a handle with a “motocross” type central bar - it lacks a “morcilla” of protective foam - they don’t like it much or it feels a little tall on the trail.

To me, being from “clay” seems perfect to me, it gives me a cañero aesthetic touch and allows me to take the bike brilliantly, curved, straight and when you lift the wheel, something that, for sure, delights this bike. What vice is there with making caballitos!, nothing that is insinuated.

And that's why the Svartpilen 801 has fun and an extroverted character, thanks to the engine and the cycle part. A sensational thrust engine that, with its 105 CV, is powerful on any terrain, elastic, fast, functional, sporty… With faster gearshift development, to have full power at all times, and with a correct timing that is complements it with the sensational quickshifter.

It responds like naked racing or the sports scrambler, being able to harness the power in different ways with the 4 motorcycle maps we have available, including the optional Dynamic. With this, I chose the gas pressure response faster and set the traction control level to a minimum, ensuring that the motorcycle glides at my leisure when exiting the curves.

The good progress of the engine allows it to be connected to the gas in order to push and it allows us to find plenty of power when accelerating. Very fun on the route we took in France in the area of Provenza around Sant Baume, Auriol, Marsella… Curved interior roads of the Costa Azul with different asphalts, smoother areas and other steeper slopes, where We have seen its best facet.

And that's why the Svartpilen 801 has fun and an extroverted character, thanks to the engine and the cycle part. A sensational thrust engine that with its 105 CV proves to be powerful, elastic, fast, functional, sporty… With faster gearshift development, to have full power at all times, and with a correct timing that is complemented by the sensational using the quickshifter.

It responds like naked racing or the sports scrambler, being able to harness the power in different ways with the 4 motorcycle maps we have available, including the optional Dynamic. With this, I chose the gas pressure response faster and set the traction control level to a minimum, ensuring that the motorcycle glides at my leisure when exiting the curves.

The good progression of the engine allows us to have plenty of power when it comes to acceleration. In suspension, great touch and operation; and makes life easier for the pilot by having 5 clearer and more sensitive gearshift options, even being able to modify the throttle control in gear -compression in the left button and rebound at the right, with the dials in the upper part-. And the braking is sensational, supreme.

The new Svartpilen has nothing to do with the previous 701. Although it also wants to be cult and has an aesthetic of marked personality, it is not tied to its design with functionality. A motorcycle that responds brilliantly with engine and part cycle. You have a lot to decide in your segment, if the price is so high it will be a handicap to fight against a competence that changes in its majority for less than 10,000 euros, even if you don't have the same electronics or the same equipment.

DATASHEET

Price: €11,949

MOTOR

Type: 4T, 2 cyl. online, refrig. liquid; Diameter x track: 88.0 x 65.7 mm; Displacement: 799 cc; Compression: 12.5:1; Max power dec.: 77 kW (105) CV at 9,250 rpm.; Max pair dec.: 87 Nm at 8,000 rpm.; Sec. transmission: Cadena; Exchange: 6 relationships.

CYCLE PART: Chassis: Multitubular steel, double-arm aluminum tilting; Geometry: 65.5º; Rear suspension: Inverted Horquilla 43 mm/Monoshock absorber; Front/rear brake: 2 300 mm discs, 4-piston radial calipers/ 240 mm disc; Wheels: 120/70-17” / 180/55-17”; Tank capacity: 14 liters; Dist. wheelbase: 1,475 mm; Seat height: 820 mm; Weight: 181 kg.

Reporter: Santi Ayala