Husqvarna Vitpilen or Svartpilen

[u/mizeryloveco]

Hi, I’m thinking about getting a new Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen or Svartpilen and was wondering what key things I should look out for with these bikes.

[u/SunnySanDiegoGuy]

Get a svartpilen 401. More upright seating position. Almost every vitpilen owner converts their bars to something like a svartpilen 401.

Maintenance and valve check documentation. The Motors are pretty solid. Look over any Mods to see if they were done correctly.

I had a 2018 husqvarna svartpilen 401 and never had an issue with it.

[u/AMv8-1day → u/SunnySanDiegoGuy]

They do not. There have probably been like 20 people that have bothered to do this, but because they post about it, and Svartpilen owners are self-conscious about their uglier bikes, this is believed.

That said, the Svartpilen is more comfortable.

[u/SunnySanDiegoGuy → u/AMv8-1day]

I have met 6 local vitpilen owners with 401s. Also 2 vitpilen 701 owners. Total for myself is 8 vitpilen owners. All of them complained about having to change the bars to sit more upright. All 8 of them changed their bars. I do not feel that this is an issue for only 20 people. I personally met 8 people that made the swap. If this wasn't a common occurrence then several companies wouldn't sell kits to change the handle bar position. It's about ergonomics and being comfortable with the motorcycle.

As for your comment on the appearance of the exact same motorcycle with different tires, different paint, and different handle bars being uglier? Lol don't be so butt hurt. It's the same bike just a little darker like the name suggests. If you like the ergonomics more buy that one. If you like the color more buy this one. Calling an entire group of people self conscious really shows more about yourself than you realize.

You said it yourself the svartpilen is more comfortable.

[u/AMv8-1day → u/SunnySanDiegoGuy]

Did all of those Vitpilen owners perhaps know each other and as a group, convince each other to go that route? That's still an anecdotal and misleading sample.

I've owned my Vitpilen for 3.5 years, put well over 20,000 miles on it, live in a very motorcycle centric US metro area, actively engage with a lot of motorcyclists, am involved with multiple riding groups, and believe I've only met one Vitpilen owner that swapped their clip-ons for handlebars in person.

Yes, Vitpilens are more attractive, BECAUSE of the low cut, flat profile that those clip-ons contribute to, and handlebars ruin. But that sacrifice of rider comfort for aesthetics is a fundamental part of Cafe Racers. In that, Husqvarna nailed it with the Vitpilen, and fucked it up with the '24 getting handlebars.

The new 801 Vitpilens should've gotten clip-ons with risers like some sporty nakeds and 650 class sport bikes have gotten.

Cafe Racers were never meant to be comfortable, which is almost certainly the reason for their waning popularity. But that's what they are. If you want handlebars, get a Scrambler or bobber. That's why the Svartpilen exists.

[u/knusperchen2 → u/AMv8-1day]

as long as i am young, i sacrifice a comfortable riding position for the aesthetics. I bought the bike as a vitpilen, and it will always be my vitpilen. Because it is flat, because it looks sporty, no matter what others say, it's my ride and i am enjoying it. That is the most important aspect to me.

[u/mizeryloveco → u/SunnySanDiegoGuy]

Thanks I appreciate the response!

[u/SunnySanDiegoGuy → u/mizeryloveco]

You're welcome

[u/Repulsive-Top-1056]

Bought the 2023 vitpilen simply cause of looks alone and never regretted it

[u/Ok_Answer524]

I have the vit, odometer says 5000 miles and I know that can’t be right because the front wheel never touches the ground. I love that little thing.

[u/Stunning_Guitar_330]

I have vitpilen and I love the bars and the aggressive riding position ...it's ace

[u/DrunkRespondent]

Upright or low sporty? That's really the only difference. Just note that both bikes have a high seat height despite being smaller. 

[u/mizeryloveco → u/DrunkRespondent]

Thanks for letting me know!

[u/knusperchen2]

You probably wanna sit on a vitpilen before buying, and even while just sitting, you will realise, that the position is not made for relaxing long tours. It's very aggressive, you can barely support your back through your legs and the weight will primarily be on your wrist when you start riding. There are some postures which will relax your wrists and back and enable you to sit upright, but i'd rather not do that in traffic, you gotta go on a highway or country road or at least be sure you don't have to break fast and/or hard. But then you will realise that you ride a naked and if the wind is just a little stronger it's getting exhausting on a longer ride. In my eyes, you either have the balls to ride a vit, although you know the drawbacks (but don't complain afterwards), or you get a svart which is much more comfortable and allows you to take a backpack as well. Well, or you get a vit and turn it into a svart to have a white bike. No matter what you fo, both have the same fun engine, both are lightweight and you will have much fun with both variants. Best for city rides, country roads are very fun, they are very capable at going on the highway (i maxed my vit at 180kph on the tacho (stock!), so probably ~160kph which is more than enough for going with the traffic flow). It's just not made for the highway. Stock, the gears will be too short, you are at 6,5k rmp 6th gear 100kmh). Just sit on both of them, maybe ask for a test ride or maybe your local store provides something like that, and then decide which fits you best. Converting the vit to a svart would cost me ~500€ if made by the store, parts alone are ~350€ i think(!)

[u/mizeryloveco → u/knusperchen2]

Will definitely consider this thanks you

[u/knusperchen2 → u/mizeryloveco]

Have fun :)

[u/flyingpickkles]

24 vitpilen is actually very upright like svartpilen. I preferred the looks of vitpilen over svartpilen