Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 2025

There are motorcycles that are like a shot of espresso—brief, intense, and leaving you wide awake. And then there's the Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. It's like that rare summer evening when the breeze is warm, the light is golden, and suddenly all your worries fade away. That's exactly what happened to me the first time I rode it home from the company parking lot. A day full of meetings, stress, emails—gone in just 20 minutes in the saddle. Just that broad, genuine grin under the helmet. I've felt it before, on a Ducati Scrambler or a Harley-Davidson in relaxed mode. But rarely as pronounced as here. Why? Because the Svartpilen offers an immersive sensory experience, engaging every sense distinctively—measured, never overwhelming, always ensuring your mind doesn’t have time to dwell on worries.

Husqvarna positions the Svartpilen 801 as an urban all-rounder that doesn't stop at the curb. It’s powered by the well-known 799cc parallel-twin from Mattighofen, featuring a 270° crankpin offset, delivering 105 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 87 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The chassis—a chrome-molybdenum trellis frame—weighs only 181 kg dry, with a seat height of 820 mm and a 14-liter fuel tank. Up front, it’s equipped with a 43 mm WP-APEX USD fork (140 mm travel, adjustable for compression and rebound), and a WP-APEX monoshock at the rear (150 mm, adjustable for rebound and preload). There's 300 mm dual discs with radial four-piston calipers at the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear. Factory features include cornering ABS, traction control, and three ride modes (Street, Sport, Rain); the optional Dynamic Package adds anti-wheelie, MSR, and a multi-level quickshifter. Market prices? In Germany, dealer offers start at around €9,891, and in Austria at €9,499—exceptionally affordable for a bike with this setup. Current listings can be found here.

The first thing you notice: you don't need the tachometer. The engine is so responsive that you always feel where it's operating. Throttle and rear wheel—it feels like a single, cohesive entity. Down low, it's full of torque; up top, surprisingly wild. In everyday riding, you mostly keep it in the mid-range, rarely revving high—until you push it to its limits. Then, the relaxed cruiser transforms into a sporty naked that holds its own against the usual 100-hp contenders. The quickshifter operates smoothly, and the gearbox shifts cleanly. Acoustically, the optional Akrapovic exhaust from Husqvarna accessories provides a warm, rich tone—present, but not overwhelming.

In relaxed mode, the Svartpilen is a cruiser. It steers easily, remains stable, and forgives rough steering inputs. The seat provides just enough feedback to make you feel connected, without becoming uncomfortable. Switch your mindset, and it shows its second face: taut, agile, and eager to tackle fast stretches with precision. Here, you can feel that Husqvarna test riders, who love to push the limits, developed the setup. The tuning isn't overtly sporty, but it's practical—and that's exactly what makes it so appealing.

Cornering ABS, finely tuned traction control, quickshifter, selectable ride modes—it's all there, and all functional. Interestingly, you quickly forget these aids are at work in everyday riding. The Svartpilen inspires so much mechanical confidence that you rarely need to check the menu. The TFT display is bright and high-contrast, with backlit controls ensuring you’re not left guessing at night.

The handlebar bend with a crossbar and the upright seating position—all fit perfectly with the concept. It handles gravel roads without complaint. The stock Pirelli MT-60 RS tires with semi-knobby tread are a promise: asphalt is their comfort zone, but they’re ready when the path continues. They offer good grip in lean angles, though they feel a bit more stable and less agile than pure sport tires—it’s a matter of taste. However, there are some criticisms: the downward-facing mirrors look sleek, but force you to take your eyes off the road. And visually, it doesn't handle luggage solutions well—whether original or aftermarket, they slightly disrupt the line. For those who want to travel, a backpack is the better choice.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 has a cooler look, but it's weaker at the top end and significantly more expensive. Naked bikes like the KTM 990 Duke offer similar performance but always push you a bit more. It’s remarkable how small differences can change a motorcycle’s character. Triumph Street Scrambler models are sexy but don't offer the riding dynamics of the Svartpilen.

The Svartpilen occupies a niche: it can be sporty without constantly pushing you and can decelerate without becoming boring.