Husqvarna names their models with difficult-to-pronounce and spell names, but the Swedish firm makes cracking motorcycles. The latest generation of the bike boosts the already desirable model, and the improvements will surely attract many more buyers. The Road Tests and Reviews team took a trip on the part of Scotland’s NC500 and found the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 extremely capable.

Let's start with the handling and ride; with the road-focused tyres delivered as standard, you will not want to be adventuring on much more than compacted, dry earth trails. The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 would be tricky to ride off-road even though ground clearance has increased to 180mm. The bike is shod with 17-inch spoked wheels at each end, and you get two-stage lean-sensitive traction control and ABS shared with the Vitpilen 401.

Other changes are lowering the seat height to 820mm from 835mm, allowing more people to access the 401, and aiding this are the upturned flat bars being within reach. It makes the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 an easy naked scrambler to ride, ideal for those moving up from 125cc machines or riders looking to downsize in CCs and weight. You feel confident planting your feet when stopped, and it is light and small, but you think it is a larger capacity bike. It is super agile and can be flicked around at will; the long, flat seat is comfortable, and the small fly screen offers some protection from the wind but not rain.

When you take the bike out of the urban environment and get a chance to get some speed on, the Husky is stable and confidence-inducing with smooth power delivery that is unlikely to catch you out. One drawback is that the engine always seems to be at its limit, and you are always looking to change to a 7th gear if there is one. It is a 399cc single-cylinder engine on the 401 with a 13-litre tank, and it likes to be reved to get the best performance. The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is estimated to deliver 83mpg, around 237 miles from a full tank, which is lovely.

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is at the cheaper end of the A2 market, which is impressive considering the specs it comes with as standard. Husky’s main rivals are the £5595 Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which starts at £5750. You could also consider the £6149 Honda CL500, a fantastic bike we reviewed earlier this year.

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is easily one of the best-equipped machines in its class. It features a standard lean-sensitive electronics package, complete LED lighting, quality Pirelli tyres, adjustable suspension at both ends and mobile connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation. The package makes the bike desirable and a natural candidate for an A2 licence holder. It has the technology and capability you find on larger bikes. You can add optional extras, including a Remus end can, luggage, crash protection, and more. The backlit switchgear is easy, and with the five-inch TFT, it’s straightforward to navigate. The display also doubles as a shift warning light, flashing in your peripheral vision at 8500rpm and then again at 10,500rpm, announcing that you should change up. The self-cancelling indicators remain active long enough to negotiate an entire motorway slip road.

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 has a new Euro5+ engine, a new trellis chassis, updated styling, and lean-sensitive electronics. It has a decent riding position and an upright position governed by the bar position. Being A2 compliant without restriction, the Husky faces many competitors in the small-capacity single-cylinder market, including Triumph’s Scrambler 400 X at £5595 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 at £5750.

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is a capable road bike, providing plenty of confidence. The Husky loves tackling the twisties but would struggle with mud or wet grass. The single-cylinder shrills like an enduro bike, meaning you want to keep changing up. Helpfully, it is helped by a standard up/down quickshifter.

The trim presented on the Husqvarna as standard is pleasing and not often found on other A2 machines. The package includes two riding modes, switchable traction control and cornering ABS—including a Supermoto mode that deactivates the rear ABS. A KTM-style ‘demo mode’ is fitted, meaning you can keep these features for the life of the machine without the need for additional payments. With a five-step adjustment in the WP Apex forks and shock, decent build quality, backlit switchgear, and concise TFT dash, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 has to be seriously considered for your A2 machine.

The team was impressed with the Husky and was happy to jump on it at every opportunity. It makes you smile, which is what a bike should do.

£5,599

Technical highlights:

New frame and swingarm that accommodate the new engine with off-centre rear suspension

New 5” bonded glass TFT display

Open cartridge front fork (big piston fork on Svartpilen 250)

A premium paint finish with overcoated decals

Low seat height of 820 mm

Cornering ABS (dual-channel ABS on Svartpilen 250)

Easy Shift and connectivity features as standard

LED headlight with positioning light ring (without positioning light ring for Svartpilen 250)

Spoked 17” wheels with premium Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres (Svartpilen 125 and Svartpilen 401)

Cast aluminium 17" wheels with 6-spoke aero design and premium Michelin Power 6 tyres (Vitpilen 125 and Vitpilen 401)

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