If you’re familiar with the Svartpilen 125 or 401, you’ll immediately notice that the 801 doesn’t share exactly the same design as those two.
The 801 is another motorcycle with its own design and equipment. As always in the Austrian group, the Svartpilen 801 shares many things with its cousin the KTM 790 Duke while knowing how to stand out.
The uniqueness of a scrambler
Whatever its displacement, the Svartpilen draws its inspiration from the world of scramblers. We see here its reinforced handlebars with a bar which makes it easier to install a phone holder at the same time, its round headlight, the single exhaust silencer raised on the right side and of course the studded tires seen on quite a few machines of this type but which are perfectly suited to road use.
There is also the general design of the motorcycle which seems very flat with the saddle and the tank on the same line or almost.
The saddle is also a little lower than on the Duke 790, but on the Svartpilen, you are mainly seated on the bike and not in the bike with this design, a bit like on an old-fashioned enduro machine or a scrambler precisely.
Inspired by the Duke 790
The other inspiration comes straight from a roadster in the family, the Duke 790, whose platform Husqvarna takes over with some adjustments for singularity.
What we notice most is obviously the beautiful aluminum rear loop and the specific exhaust.
The suspension elements adjustable in all points are identical to the two cousins. At the heart of the Svartpilen, it is also the parallel twin of the Duke 790 which beats with new engine maps.
The two machines are very close, but when driving, we still notice small differences which should tip the balance to one side or the other.
A roadster spirit for the Svartpilen
By taking many elements from the Duke 790, we can expect the same handling, but this is not quite the case.
First of all, the position changes a little with a slightly lower and more horizontal saddle, a feeling of being placed on the bike and a wide, old-fashioned motocross-style handlebar.
The caster angle is also different. The weight also with 7 additional kg on the scale. The atmosphere is completely different on the handlebars of this Husqvarna 801, but when driving, you are riding a roadster and not a scrambler.
An intuitive machine to use
We find the 790 engine of the Duke willing and having a good range of use. It is easy to use in Street or Sport mode. In Dynamic mode, it is much more responsive and therefore less easy to manage if you are looking for a trickle of gas, but it is very playful.
With the somewhat sensitive stock shifter, the gears come together quickly as soon as you exit a curve. The firm suspensions give the machine precision and responsiveness, especially with this large handlebar with a large lever arm.
The tires are perfect despite their small studs. The saddle is not a model of comfort but we suspected that when looking at it. It’s a shame because the driving position is pleasant and efficient as soon as the pace picks up.
A little over €11,000
All electronic aids can be adjusted as desired, depending on your mood and driving style.
The Svartpilen 801 is an intuitive machine to handle with a unique style that allows Husqvarna to successfully enter the world of roadsters.
You have to pay 11,299 euros, it’s a little more than the KTM at 9,199€ with which it shares a lot of things but we have beautiful aluminum parts and a more original design inspired by the world of scramblers than we come across not on every street corner.
