Husqvarna’s Vitpilen cafe racer and Svartpilen Scrambler made their first appearance in the 2014 EICMA show. Since then, these models have been going through various testing phases and consequently, a number of changes have been incorporated in the styling of these bikes. According to the latest spy shots of the near production-ready version of Svartpilen in India, the bike seems to have taken the design and styling to the next level.
Some of the key defining elements on the Svartpilen include an oversized headlight, fuel tank with chamfered edges, and side sections with shaved design. Panels on either side of the radiator are new and the TFT dash makes for a neat appearance. At the back, the license plate is conventionally designed and comes across as a more practical replacement to the swingarm-mounted plate of the original model.
The steel trellis frame and swingarm have been carried over from the new 2024 KTM Dukes that have been spotted in testing. The new horizontal mounting for the rear shock clearly highlights the aspect. The other important chassis elements such as WP Apex forks and ByBre brake calipers have been carried over by the designers. The rear suspension is very closely to the chassis and swingarm on each sides depicting dramatic behavior in riding dynamics, noticebaly very quick to response upon turning in or out. The exhaust in the new prototype model is underneath though the muffler in the existing model is on the right-hand side. This is also means mass centralization and more focus on riding dynamics is on focus. What is also well focused enough is the new seat which seems longer, a tad bit wider and the seat height, the most important part, should be lower. Either optional or standard, there will be a low seat height variant.
In terms of engine, the single-cylinder 373cc capacity motor is expected to produce the motive force though it’s surprising that no components seem to have similarities with the design of the currently used 373 cc engine in existing models. Also, the engine gives away the hint that it is also borrowed from the new generation Duke 390 that is also spotted on test. Just like the chassis part. The exact capacity of the engine is still unknown and will be declared by the company in time. It’s expected that the next-generation Svartpilen will make its debut by late 2023 or early 2024 and the Vitpilen cafe racer will follow. This 400cc unit seen here could come as the 250cc has not been widely appreciated by the public for its mediocre engine and high seat height. The 200 or 250 could come at in late 2024.
