2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 First Look [8 Fast Facts]

March 19, 2024

The Husqvarna Svartpilen line goes big this year with a 799cc parallel-twin motor and a neo-scrambler vibe. The 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 replaces the 701 thumper at the top of the Svartpilen lineup, with the 401 taking care of newer riders. It also serves as an alternative to the KTM 790 Duke, which shares the same motor. So, let’s take a look at the new Black Arrow 801.

The motor is the 799cc twin we’ve seen in previous sport and adventure motorcycles from Pierer Mobility. The DOHC twin in the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 gets a torquey cam to complement a chassis featuring handling that Husqvarna insiders describe as “sporty yet accessible.” Inside are three-ring forged aluminum bridged-box pistons, a connecting rod on plain bearings, two balancing shafts, and lightweight cams paired with valve-actuating finger followers with the DLC treatment

Plenty of electronic rider aids are summoned for the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. The motor has three standard power modes—Sport, Street, and Rain. The optional Dynamic Mode brings adjustable traction control and wheelie control, plus cruise control. The standard modes offer fixed cornering sensitive ABS and TC. Anti-slip engine compression braking is optional. A quickshifter is standard, and the clutch has assist and slip functions. Pair your smartphone with the TFT dash via Bluetooth, and you will get sophisticated turn-by-turn navigation, phone call alerts, and music selection.

The chassis is a familiar chromoly trellis design with the engine as a stressed member. WP Apex units take care of suspension duties. The fork is fully adjustable for damping, while the shock has rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustability. Five-position no-tool damping adjusters on the fork make settings changes simple and accessible. You’ll need tools for any shock adjustments.

The geometry of the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 is different from the KTM 790 Duke. While Husqvarna relaxed the rake by a half degree on the 801, the wheelbase is the same as the KTM 790. The 801 also weighs about 15 pounds more than the 790. A WP steering damper is standard.

In keeping with the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801’s scrambler theme, flat-track inspired Pirelli MT 60 RS tires are used. Husqvarna designers haven’t gone full retro, as the tires are mounted to 17-inch cast aluminum wheels.

The styling retains the steampunk theme of the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen lines. The look is angular and purposeful, while presenting as retro and futuristic simultaneously. The two-piece seat camouflages the pillion, adding to the clean look. Although the stainless steel exhaust is underslung, the final muffler is upswept, following the lines of the removable subframe. LED lighting reduces the size of the turn indicators, and the headlight and fly screen are distinctive. The design is virtually chrome-free, relying on black and aluminum, plus bronze-colored engine side covers.

Juan handles the deceleration duties, with assistance from Bosch. The 300mm discs in the front are grasped by radially mounted J.Juan calipers. As a reminder, J.Juan is a Brembo subsidiary based in Spain. Cornering-aware Bosch 9.3 MP ABS adds a safety net with two settings—street and rear-wheel-only Supermoto. A 240mm disc and two-piston floating caliper cover the rear wheel.

The 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 has a list price of $10,899. That’s a $1400 premium over this year’s KTM 790 Duke, and $96 less expensive than the latest Ducati Scrambler Icon. You should see the 801 on dealer showroom floors next month. As far as color goes, it’s called the Black Arrow for a reason.

2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801

ENGINE

Type: Parallel twin
Displacement: 799cc
Bore x stroke: 88mm x 65.7mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
Fueling: Bosch ride-by-wire EMS w/ DKK Dell’Orto 46mm throttle bodies
Exhaust: Stainless steel
Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
Cooling: Liquid and oil
Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
Clutch: Cable-actuated with assist and slip functions
Final drive: 520 X-ring chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Chromoly steel w/ aluminum subframe
Handlebar: Tapered aluminum w/ crossbar and 2 mounting positions
Steering damper: WP
Front suspension; travel: Damping-adjustable WP Apex 43mm inverted fork; 5.5 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-free, rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable WP Apex shock; 5.9 inches
Wheels: Cast aluminum
Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
Tires: Pirelli MT 60 RS
Front tire: 120/70 x 17
Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
Front brakes: 300mm discs w/ radially mounted J.Juan 4-piston calipers
Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ J.Juan 2-piston caliper
ABS: Bosch 9.3 MP w/ cornering ABS and Supermoto mode