Motorcycle specifications Husqvarna801 Vitpilen 2025 Sting on the city

With the 701 Svartpilen and Vitpilen, Husqvarna unleashed an enigmatic yet appealing duo. A roadster and a pseudo-café racer powered by a big 75 hp single was rare, trippy and offbeat. The big 'Pilens, however, decided to move on to something more consensual without losing any of their originality. The 'Svart' doubled its number of cylinders in 2024; its sister now follows, becoming the 801 Vitpilen.

The 701s were very similar in terms of design, the Vitpilen concentrating above all on a more typical driving position. In its 801 format, the Vitpilen seeks to become even more emancipated. And it succeeds in doing so, with a highly sophisticated front end. It's a delight to contemplate this suspended ring of light, bevelled and orbiting around a headlight cyclops. That's all there is to it, and the impact is striking.

Then, the Vitpilen only stands out in detail: the radiator scoops, the front mudguard, the black finish of the exhaust. Its overall silhouette marks a complete visual and technical break with the 701, yet it still exudes a sense of Nordic runes that fascinates as much as it disturbs. Wherever you look at a Husqvarna, you'll notice it.

The "white arrow" is naturally more sporty than the " black ". Its tires (Michelin Road 6s) are more roadworthy than the Svartpilen 's mixed rubber, and its lower handlebars take the rider into a more incisive stance. However, this stance is much less pronounced than on the 701 Vitpilen, which opted for more aggressive handlebars and wristbands. A change in fashion? Or a desire for greater accessibility? For those who want to adjust this position a little, the handlebar clamps are adjustable.

Beneath the Scandinavian garb lies the 790 Duke's technology. Who'd have thought it! The Husky roadster is built on a minimalist chrome-moly frame, with the engine as a structural element. The 799 cm3 twin delivers 105 hp (10 more than theAustrian) at 9,250 rpm and no less than 8.9 mkg at 8,000 rpm. Enough to have fun on any road, especially as this block is not stingy with energy when you put it to the test.

It comes with 3 riding modes (Street - Rain - Sport); four with the Dynamic (customizable) if you take a look at the options. The latter also unlocks the Supermoto braking mode, allowing you to play with the machine's c... by switching off the rear ABS. The shifter is also optional. On the other hand, the 801 Vitpilen comes as standard with angle-sensitive ABS and traction control, a 5-inch color TFT screen with connectivity unit for Smartphone interaction (turn-by-turn navigation, call management, music), WP APEX suspension and J.Juan braking.

a word of clarification: Dynamic Mode lets you adjust throttle response on 3 levels (Street / Sport / Dynamic), traction control on 10 levels, anti-wheeling on 5, and adds engine slip regulation on deceleration. For experienced enthusiasts, traction and wheeling controls can be deactivated.

The Vitpilen's 43 mm upside-down forks can be adjusted for rebound and compression. The shock absorber prefers to adjust rebound and preload. The bike has 140 mm of travel at the front and 150 mm at the rear. As for the brakes, the Spanish equipment manufacturer supplies 4-piston radial shoes to bite two 300 mm discs. Two pistons are fitted at the end of the swingarm to flirt with the 240 mm disc.

Choosing a Vitpilen means riding a roadster with a difference. Not only in its looks, but also in its character, which is markedly different from that of the KTM siblings.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos