Following the release of the Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 earlier this year, Husqvarna has confirmed that its more road-oriented twin – the Vitpilen – is finally on the way.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen have always been a pair since the model's first debut as an offshoot of the LC4 single-cylinder platform through to the LAMS-approved 401 variants. Now Husqvarna is offering a very cool urban-inspired Svartpilen 801 to run alongside the new Svartpilen 801 launched earlier this year.
The biggest difference between the new Vitpilen and the Svartpilen comes in the way the bikes are styled, with the Svartpilen offering a far more conventional take on motorcycling than the very avant-garde Vitpilen. Front and centre is a very cool bi-LED headlight which really draws you in and sets the Vitpilen aside from pretty much everything else on the road.
At the heart of the new Vitpilen 801 is the LC8c DOHC, 799 cc parallel-twin engine. Weighing just 52 kg without oil, the powerplant offers a peak power output of 105 hp at 9,250 rpm and 87 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. The engine features active crankcase evacuation and a semi-dry-sump lubrication system to create incredibly long service intervals of 15,000 km.
Multiple state-of-the-art electronic rider aids add additional layers of customisation to the Vitpilen 801. A choice of four ride modes alters the engine performance, with Street, Sport and Rain as pre-set and the customisable Dynamic mode, ensuring maximum rideability on the road ahead. Together with Easy Shift, cornering ABS, and cornering MTC, the street riding experience is exceptional in all conditions. With the engine acting as a stressed member of the chromium-molybdenum steel frame, the overall weight has been kept to a minimum, resulting in an agile yet stable feeling on the roads.
Enhancing the connection between the Vitpilen 801 and the asphalt, easily adjustable WP APEX suspension offers 140 mm of fork travel and 150 mm of shock travel, in addition to the cast alloy 17” wheels that are fitted with Michelin Road 6 tyres for the highest levels of grip.
Completing the premium build of the new Vitpilen 801 is an extensive list of components and technical hardware. For highly effective stopping power, a J.Juan brake system, together with Bosch ABS, delivers confidence-inspiring braking performance. Providing maximum stability under heavy braking is the Power Assist Slipper Clutch (PASC), which also maximises traction under hard acceleration.
Tech wise the new Vitpilien rocks a 5” TFT dashboard, featuring an optically bonded mineral glass display to prevent glare, is conveniently positioned in front of the handlebars. Once the rider has downloaded the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app onto their smartphone and connected it to the machine’s Connectivity Unit, Turn-by-Turn navigation is available, along with the option to control telephone calls and music selection.
The 2025 Vitpilen 801 will be available in New Zealand in limited quantities from January 2025 onwards through all authorised Husqvarna Motorcycles dealerships.