More known for its prowess in off-roading and
supermoto, Swedish motorcycle maker Husqvarna unveiled the Svartpilen and
Vitpilen naked sports bikes a couple of years ago. At this year’s EICMA show in
Italy, Husqvarna brings two variants to the table, the flat tracker styled
Svartpilen 701 and the cafe racer inspired Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept.
While it is not known if these two new iterations of
the Svartpilen and Vitpilen will make it to the market, the minimalist styling
of Husqvarna’s street bike offerings has attracted the interest of many riders.
The 701 Svartpilen’s styling is inspired by flat track racers with taller
handlebars and a race number plate on the side.
The Svartpilen uses the same engine as the Husqvarna
701 Supermoto, a single-cylinder mill displacing 692.7 cc, with output claimed
to be 73.8 hp. Power gets to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbix equipped
with a slipper clutch.
Colouring for the Svartpilen is predominantly black
and grey with colour coordination in that theme carried out throughout the
bike. This includes the 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel, exhaust, 12-litre
fuel tank, LED headlight housing and engine guard.
A WP Suspension 43 mm diameter front fork is used,
complemented by a WP monoshock in the rear with braking done by four-piston
Brembo calliper in front clamping a single 320 mm disc and single-piston Brembo
at the back with a 220 mm disc. ABS is standard fitment and all up weight is
said to be 158.5 kg.
As for the Vitpilen 701 Aero Concept, decked out in
blue and white, this prototype betrays a racing design style, looking very much
like a cafe racer. This is borne out by the front fairing, lowered handlebars
and more aerodynamic styling such as the front mudguard.
