Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Sneak Peek

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Camouflaged to hide final styling details, the upcoming Svartpilen 801 has broken cover, with Husqvarna confirming that it’s coming as a 2024 model. (Husqvarna/)

This is the first official glimpse of the forthcoming Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. It’s a machine that takes the bones of KTM’s 790 Duke and wraps them in distinctive neo-retro styling to align with the smaller Svartpilen and Vitpilen models in the range.

It’s the first time the Svartpilen name has been applied to a twin-cylinder machine, a decade after the first model in the company’s KTM-owned era to bear the title was unveiled at EICMA in 2014. This year saw the original KTM 390 Duke–based Svartpilen and Vitpilen completely renewed, with the all-new 2024 KTM 390 Duke as their basis, but the Svartpilen 801 brings the model into a more competitive part of the market. Not only will it have to face competition from machines like Honda’s CB750 Hornet and Suzuki’s GSX-8S but also from sister models including the cut-price KTM 790 Duke—recently reintroduced as a Chinese-made, lower-cost alternative to the 890 and the new 990 Duke—and the CFMoto 800NK that uses the same engine.

Pretty sure we aren’t going to get spiked ice tires on the new Svartpilen 801, but dang, that looks fun. (Husqvarna/)

It’s a bit of a surprise to see the Svartpilen appear as the “801″ with the 799cc version of KTM’s LC8c parallel twin, since Husqvarna already uses the larger, 889cc variant of the same engine in the Norden 901. The decision is even more surprising when you hear that both Husqvarna models make the same peak power of 103 hp, though the Svartpilen needs 9,250 rpm to reach that figure, according to European type-approval documents, while the Norden’s larger engine hits it at 8,000 rpm. The Norden has more torque too (74 lb.-ft. against 64) with its maximum arriving at 6,500 rpm compared to 8,000 rpm for the 799cc Svartpilen.

Like the engine, the Svartpilen 801′s chassis is borrowed directly from the KTM 790 Duke and 890 Duke, rather than adopting the completely new design that debuted for 2024 on the latest 990 Duke. That means the usual combination of a steel tube frame and cast alloy swingarm, with WP Apex suspension at each end. The brakes are straight from the Duke as well, with four-piston radial-mount calipers and 300mm discs at the front, albeit wearing Husqvarna branding rather than KTM badges.

From this image we can pick out some of the chassis details, such as the suspension and braking packages. (Husqvarna/)

Husqvarna is currently only saying that the bike, which gets a full unveiling in a couple of weeks’ time, has “state-of-the-art electronic rider aids.” Those are likely to include the same cornering ABS and traction control as the KTM Duke it’s based on, as well as multiple riding modes. A quickshifter is confirmed, and there’s a good chance the bike will also get wheelie control and engine-braking control systems, as used on its KTM cousin. On board, a TFT dash appears to be the same design already used by KTM for the Duke.

When it comes to other specifications, Husqvarna says the Svartpilen 801 weighs in at 399 pounds, and the type-approval documents that have been filed in Europe show that its outright length and 58.1-inch wheelbase are shared with the KTM Duke it’s based on. However, its bars are both taller and wider than the Duke’s, and with the smaller Svartpilen and Vitpilen models Husqvarna has proved an uncanny ability to give its bikes their own distinct character and riding position despite sharing most of their components with KTM models.

The 2024 Husky Svartpilen 801 in action. (Husqvarna/)

In terms of visuals, there’s nothing surprising here. The design language for the Svartpilen and Vitpilen is well established and the 801 ticks the same boxes. Oversize, round headlight? Check. Chamfered flat sides to the fuel tank? Check. Short headlamp cowl? Check. Stubby seat unit? Check. We’ve yet to see the final color options and the prototype on show here has ice-racing studded tires and distraction camo graphics that will be gone for the production models—Husqvarna says the final bike and full technical details will be unveiled on March 19.

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