Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
2026 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401: 45 hp A2 scrambler, 399 cc single, 159 kg without fuel, €6,749. Full specs, press reviews and rivals.
At a glance
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is a neo-scrambler suitable for the A2 licence without restriction, powered by a 399 cc, 45 hp single shared with the KTM 390 Duke and rolling on spoked wheels with knobbly tyres. Listed at €6,749 in France (€5,999 on promotion in October 2026), it comes standard with a quickshifter, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, a 5-inch TFT screen and Bluetooth connectivity. Reviewers praise its equipment, light weight and comfort, but criticise an engine that is flat at low revs and vibrates higher up, along with brakes judged inconsistent.
World press review
Meta-score
8 sources
Press ratings
An almost entirely new bike, better equipped and more upmarket, at its best when pushed; soft below 4,500 rpm with possible stalls when pulling away, footpeg vibrations around 8,000 rpm, uneven upshift quickshifter on the test bike.
Still agile and playful despite larger dimensions and more weight; convincing engine, ergonomics, design and electronics; disappointing brakes (spongy rear) and slightly underdamped factory suspension.
First-rate accessibility, riding dynamics, engine character and equipment, more than adequate brakes; less radical design than before and vibrations above 7,500 rpm.
Engine more civilised low down, pleasant Easy Shift, comfortable suspension adjustable without tools, comprehensive electronics and intuitive TFT; the test Svartpilen's brakes were less convincing than the Vitpilen's.
Appealing overall behaviour, instantly intuitive handling, quality chassis and up-to-the-task brakes; engine a little flat below 4,000 rpm and vibey above 8,000, raw mechanical integration, Triumph Scrambler 400 X better finished.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
No review of the 2025 and 2026 model years has been published: they carry over the 2024 bike without technical change, and all reviews cover that model. The 83/100 meta-score is therefore calculated from the three numeric scores given to the 2024 model year: 4/5 from MCN, 4/5 from Bennetts BikeSocial and 87.5/100 from Motorcycle.com (a score shared by the Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401). RevZilla, 1000PS, Moto.it, Motorrad and Le Repaire des Motards tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: top-level equipment for the A2 class, with a standard quickshifter, cornering ABS and traction control (MCN, BikeSocial, Motorrad, Moto.it); adjustable WP APEX suspension that does not feel low-budget (BikeSocial); a light, easy and comfortable bike, the more comfortable of the two 401s according to MCN; original-equipment Pirelli tyres praised by BikeSocial and Moto.it; a quality chassis and instantly intuitive handling (Le Repaire des Motards). Motorcycle.com feels its revisions are “exactly what I believe these machines needed”.
What they criticise: a snatchy or flat engine at low revs (MCN, RevZilla, Le Repaire des Motards) and vibrations higher up (MCN, Moto.it, RevZilla, Le Repaire des Motards); inconsistent brakes (Motorcycle.com, 1000PS, Motorrad); suspension too soft in its factory settings (MCN, 1000PS); no taller sixth gear for the motorway (MCN); an uneven upshift quickshifter on RevZilla’s test bike; tube-type wheels according to Motorcycle.com; a less polished finish than the Triumph Scrambler 400 X according to Le Repaire des Motards.
Key quotes
"Add to this five-step adjustment in the WP Apex forks and shock, plus decent build quality, back lit switchgear, and a clear-yet-concise TFT dash, and the Svartpilen 401 becomes a bike worthy of serious consideration."
"The 401 shares many components and characteristics with the excellent and exciting KTM 390 Duke, which can only be beneficial. The 5-inch TFT dash is neat, the rider aids are top level for the A2-class, and the adjustable WP APEX suspension doesn’t feel low-budget like some bikes do in this sector. Overall, both 401s make for an impressive package."
"The revisions to the Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401s are exactly what I believe these machines needed."
"The Svartpilen and Vitpilen are still as plucky as they are playful. They’re just better equipped for the small-bore battlefield now."
"The strengths of the Husqvarna Naked Bike lie in its powerful engine, successful ergonomics, stylish design, and modern electronics."
"The technical equipment (in which we also include the excellent choice of original-equipment tyres) and the technology are first-rate, and the ride is satisfying and distinct between the two models"
"Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, 2 riding modes ("Street" and "Rain"), lean-sensitive two-stage traction control – when it comes to rider aids, the A2 Huskies have nothing to hide."
"Already convincing before, the renewed version of the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 wins you over with its overall behaviour."
Pros
- A2 licence without restriction (45 hp as standard)
- Comprehensive standard equipment: quickshifter, cornering ABS and traction control, 5-inch TFT, connectivity
- Adjustable WP APEX suspension
- Light (159 kg without fuel) and easy, 820 mm seat
- Low fuel consumption (3.9 L/100 km recorded by BikeSocial)
- Premium warranty up to 4 years
Cons
- Engine flat at low revs and vibey higher up
- Brakes judged inconsistent in several tests
- Suspension a little soft in its factory settings
- No cruise control (speed limiter only)
- Short sixth gear for the motorway
- Less polished finish than the Triumph Scrambler 400 X according to Le Repaire des Motards
Our review
What price in France?
Husqvarna France offers a single version of the Svartpilen 401 for 2026, with a list price of €6,749; a temporary promotion showed it at €5,999 in October 2026. With 33 kW (45 hp) as standard, it is directly available to A2 licence holders, with no restriction kit. In the United States, only the 2024 model year is offered, at $5,899. According to MCN and Motorrad, the bike is built in India by Bajaj, and it shares its engine with the KTM 390 Duke.
What changes for 2026?
Nothing significant: the 2025 and 2026 spec sheets on the French website are identical apart from the added wheelbase, and the 2026 page uses the 2024 model’s photos. The last major update came with the 2024 model year, an entirely new generation: engine, frame, swingarm, electronics and styling. The only difference found is that the 2026 owner’s manual lists a final drive ratio of 14:43, against 15:45 in the 2024 and 2025 manuals and 14:45 on the French website. Since the 2025 model year, the bike has been covered by Husqvarna’s Premium warranty, for up to 4 years.
How good is the engine?
The liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve 398.6 cc single (89 x 64 mm) produces 45 hp (33 kW). Husqvarna publishes neither the peak power rpm nor the torque: tests by BikeSocial, 1000PS and Moto.it give 45 hp at 8,500 rpm and 39 Nm at 7,000 rpm. The ride-by-wire engine meets the Euro 5+ standard. The six-speed gearbox comes with a slipper clutch and the standard two-way Easy Shift quickshifter. Husqvarna quoted 3.4 L/100 km on the 2024 spec sheet, without stating the test cycle; BikeSocial recorded 3.9 L/100 km at a moderate pace, which gives a range of about 330 km from the 13-litre tank.
Several testers find the engine flat or snatchy at low revs (MCN below 6,000 rpm, RevZilla below 4,500 rpm) and vibey higher up (Moto.it above 7,500 rpm, RevZilla around 8,000 rpm). In late 2025, a recall updated the engine software of 2024 to 2026 Svartpilen 401s to prevent stalling at low revs; according to Husqvarna, the update also improves low-rev torque.
How does it ride?
The steel trellis frame carries a cast aluminium swingarm and an offset rear shock. The 43 mm open-cartridge WP APEX upside-down fork is adjustable for compression and rebound, the WP APEX shock for preload and rebound; both offer 150 mm of travel. ByBre brakes pair a 320 mm front disc gripped by a four-piston radial caliper with a 240 mm rear disc. The Bosch ABS works in corners and offers a Supermoto mode that frees the rear wheel. The 17-inch spoked wheels wear knobbly Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres. The bike weighs 159 kg without fuel; Husqvarna does not publish a wet weight.
Testers praise its agility and stability (Motorcycle.com, 1000PS), but the brakes divide opinion: Moto.it finds them more than adequate, while Motorcycle.com noted front brake fade when ridden hard, and 1000PS and Motorrad found differences from one test bike to another. The suspension is judged a little soft (MCN) or underdamped (1000PS) in its factory settings.
What electronics?
Equipment is comprehensive for the A2 class: Street and Rain riding modes, lean-sensitive MTC traction control that can be switched off, cornering ABS, a 5-inch TFT screen, backlit switchgear and a standard Bluetooth connectivity unit (calls, music and turn-by-turn navigation through the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app). There is no cruise control, only a speed limiter. Lighting is full LED, a USB-C socket is provided and heated grips are optional.
Who is it for?
The Svartpilen 401 targets new A2 riders and urban motorcyclists who want a light, scrambler-styled bike with an 820 mm seat. Its flyscreen, tank luggage rack, pillion grab handle and spoked wheels set it apart from the more road-oriented Vitpilen 401, which gets cast wheels and Michelin Power 6 tyres. Despite its knobbly tyres and off-road-style handlebar, Motorcycle.com feels it does its best work on tarmac.
The generations
The first Svartpilen 401 (2018-2023) used a 373 cc single with 44 hp and 37 Nm, for 152 kg without fuel, with a round LCD instrument, a 9.5-litre tank and an 835 mm seat. The second generation, launched in 2024, gains 25 cc, a new frame, a 13-litre tank, a seat 15 mm lower and lean-sensitive electronics.
Reliability and recalls
Two recalls affect the second generation. In November 2025, the fuel cap seal of 2024 models, which could crack and leak fuel, was replaced (Safety Gate SR/04339/25, NHTSA 25V740000). In December 2025, the engine software update mentioned above was launched for all markets (NHTSA 25V825000). Both are carried out free of charge by dealers.
Specifications
| Displacement | 399 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 45 hp (33 kW) @ 8,500 rpm (rpm not published by Husqvarna; figure from BikeSocial, 1000PS and Moto.it tests) |
| Torque | 39 Nm @ 7,000 rpm (not published by Husqvarna; figure from BikeSocial, 1000PS and Moto.it tests) |
| Weight | 159 kg (without fuel) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.53 |
| Seat height | 820 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 13 L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.4 L/100 km (Husqvarna figure from the 2024 spec sheet, cycle not stated) — 79 g/km CO2 (2026 spec sheet) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 10,000 km or 12 months — Valves: check every 20,000 km (Husqvarna 2026 owner's manual) |
| Engine type | 4-stroke single, DOHC, 4 valves actuated by rocker arms, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, 520 X-Ring chain, PASC slipper clutch |
| License | A2 |
| MSRP | €6,749 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 89 x 64 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 12,6:1 |
| Fuel system | DKK Dellorto electronic fuel injection, 46 mm throttle body, Bosch EMS engine management, ride-by-wire |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves actuated by rocker arms, chain-driven |
| Max power RPM | 8500 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 7000 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Tubular steel trellis frame, steel subframe, powder-coated; cast aluminium swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 24 ° |
| Wheelbase | 1368 mm |
| Ground clearance | 180 mm |
| Front suspension | 43 mm WP APEX open-cartridge upside-down fork, adjustable compression and rebound, 150 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Offset WP APEX monoshock, progressive spring, adjustable preload and rebound, 150 mm travel |
| Front brake | Single 320 mm disc, ByBre four-piston radial caliper |
| Rear brake | Single 240 mm disc, ByBre two-piston floating caliper (single-piston according to the owner's manual) |
| Front tire | 110/70 R17 (Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR) |
| Rear tire | 150/60 R17 (Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR) |
| ABS system | Bosch cornering ABS, Supermoto mode (ABS on the front wheel only) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Street, Rain |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Two-way, standard (Easy Shift) |
| Cruise control | No (No cruise control: speed limiter only) |
| Dashboard | 5-inch bonded-glass TFT |
| Connectivity | Standard Bluetooth connectivity unit (Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app: calls, music, turn-by-turn navigation) |
| Other features | Lean-sensitive MTC traction control, switchable, Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, Ride-by-wire, PASC slipper clutch, Backlit switchgear, Configurable shift light, Full LED lighting, front positioning ring, USB-C socket, Ice warning, Immobiliser, Adjustable brake and clutch levers, Optional heated grips |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Upright, high off-road-style aluminium handlebar on risers |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Small flyscreen |
| Max total weight | 355 kg |
The Svartpilen 401 seats the rider upright, behind an off-road-style aluminium handlebar, higher than the Vitpilen 401’s and mounted on risers. The 820 mm seat is 15 mm lower than on the previous generation. MCN finds it light and small between the legs, easy to hold on one foot, while still offering a big-bike feel and room to move about on the seat; BikeSocial finds it more comfortable and roomier than the KTM 390 Duke. The brake and clutch levers are adjustable. The single’s vibrations eventually make themselves felt through the feet over distance (MCN). The small flyscreen offers only limited protection, and BikeSocial finds the pillion grab handle odd. Le Repaire des Motards highlights its instantly intuitive handling. The maximum permitted weight is 355 kg.
Ownership & maintenance
3.9 L/100 km (Bennetts BikeSocial reading at a moderate pace, 2024 test)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~330 km (calculated: 13 L tank / 3.9 L/100 km recorded by BikeSocial)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 10,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 20,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 20,000 km |
| Chain | Adjusted and lubricated at every service; chain and sprockets checked every 10,000 km or 12 months |
Average service cost
Not published by Husqvarna; MCN estimates £200 a year in the UK
Warranty
4 years / No mileage limit stated (Premium warranty up to 4 years from the 2025 model year, subject to services at an authorised dealer)
The 2026 owner’s manual specifies a first service at 1,000 km, then an oil change with filter and strainer cleaning every 10,000 km or 12 months, using 1.5 litres of fully synthetic SAE 15W/50 oil. The air filter is replaced every 10,000 km; valve clearance is checked and the spark plug replaced every 20,000 km. Brake fluid is changed every 24 months and coolant every 48 months. The chain is adjusted and lubricated at every service, and the chain kit checked every 10,000 km or 12 months. Husqvarna does not publish a service cost; MCN estimates it at £200 a year in the UK. Since the 2025 model year, Husqvarna France has offered its free Premium warranty of up to 4 years, provided services are carried out by an authorised dealer; no mileage limit is mentioned. 2024 models are not covered.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 | €6,749 | 45 hp (33 kW) @ 8,500 rpm (rpm not published by Husqvarna; figure from BikeSocial, 1000PS and Moto.it tests) | 159 kg (without fuel) |
| Triumph Scrambler 400 X2027 | €6,645 | 40 hp | 179 kg (wet, tank 90% full) |
| KTM 390 Duke2026 | €6,299 | 45 hp | 165 kg (full tank) |
| Honda CL5002025 | €6,199 | 46.6 hp | 192 kg (kerb) |
| Kawasaki Z5002027 | €6,099 | 45 hp | 167 kg (wet) |
Generations
- Svartpilen 401 (1re génération)2018 – 2023
373 cc · 44 hp · 37 Nm · 152 kg (without fuel)
Launched on the basis of the KTM 390 Duke: 373 cc single, steel trellis frame, 43 mm WP fork, spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, 9.5-litre tank, 835 mm seat and round LCD instrument; longer subframe in 2020 (150 kg without fuel at launch, 152 kg afterwards).
- Svartpilen 401 (2e génération)2024 – today
399 cc · 45 hp · 39 Nm · 159 kg (without fuel)
New 398.6 cc Euro 5+ single, new frame and aluminium swingarm with offset shock, 820 mm seat, 13-litre tank, 5-inch TFT screen, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, standard quickshifter and connectivity (torque not published by Husqvarna: 39 Nm according to the press).
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Svartpilen 401 (1re génération)2018 – 2023 Launched on the basis of the KTM 390 Duke: 373 cc single, steel trellis frame, 43 mm WP fork, spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, 9.5-litre tank, 835 mm seat and round LCD instrument; longer subframe in 2020 (150 kg without fuel at launch, 152 kg afterwards). | 373 cc | 44 hp | 37 Nm | 152 kg without fuel |
| Svartpilen 401 (2e génération)2024 – today New 398.6 cc Euro 5+ single, new frame and aluminium swingarm with offset shock, 820 mm seat, 13-litre tank, 5-inch TFT screen, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, standard quickshifter and connectivity (torque not published by Husqvarna: 39 Nm according to the press). | 399 cc | 45 hp | 39 Nm | 159 kg without fuel |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
Fuel cap seal may crack and leak fuel (2024 models): seal replaced free of charge by dealers
Voir le rappel →Engine software may cause stalling at low revs (2024 to 2026 models, all markets): free ECU update by dealers
Voir le rappel →