Svartpilen. In Swedish: Black Arrow. The name has been part of Husqvarna’s design concept since the model’s 2017 launch: Vitpilen, White Arrow, is the café racer; Svartpilen, Black Arrow, is the scrambler. Both use the same engine, and both grew out of a design concept intended to give Husqvarna an independent identity after its integration into the Pierer Group.

In 2024, Husqvarna comprehensively revised the 401 models: a new, larger engine, increasing displacement from 374 cc to 399 cc; a lower 820 mm seat height, 15 mm lower than before; a wider chassis; a 5-inch TFT replacing the LCD; and new Supermoto ABS. The model is unchanged for 2026—the Mk2 generation is the mature result of that update.

399 cc, 44 hp, 39 Nm: The Urban Engine

398.6 cc. Single-cylinder. Liquid-cooled. DOHC. Bosch EMS. Ride-by-Wire. Dell’Orto 46 mm throttle body. 89 × 64 mm bore and stroke. 44 hp / 33 kW at 8,500 rpm. 39 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Six-speed transmission. Bidirectional Quickshifter standard. Euro 5+. A2. 10,000 km service intervals.

After testing the 2024 update, 1000PS rider GREGOR summed it up as “decent punch from the single, excellent Quickshifter, little vibration.” That describes an engine that does exactly what it should in the city: useful torque at 7,000 rpm, a Quickshifter for fast clutchless gear changes, and low vibration. This is not a high-revving engine, but a smooth everyday single. Fuel capacity is 13 liters, with a range of approximately 300 km.

159 kg, 820 mm: Light and Accessible

Dry weight is 159 kg. That is reasonably light, though not sensational. For a 44 hp motorcycle designed primarily for urban riding, 159 kg dry gives it a good power-to-weight ratio. Seat height is 820 mm. That is not excessively tall. Riders from approximately 1.70 meters should be able to place both feet fully on the ground.

WP APEX Suspension, 150 mm, Supermoto ABS

Up front is a 43 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge fork with 150 mm of travel and adjustable compression and rebound damping. At the rear is a progressive WP APEX monoshock, also with 150 mm of travel, adjustable for spring preload and rebound. Think of it as the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto’s suspension in a smaller package. Ground clearance is 180 mm, and wheelbase is a compact 1,368 mm.

The ABS system has four settings: Street, Cornering ABS, Supermoto, and Supermoto+. The Supermoto ABS concept is familiar from the 701 Supermoto: rear-wheel sliding under braking is permitted. On a 44 hp urban motorcycle, that is the right approach for budget-conscious trackday enthusiasts. 1000PS does criticize the brakes, however, describing them as having “little bite” and slightly diminishing the riding fun. That is the limitation to keep in mind before taking it to a trackday.

Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR on Tubeless Wire-Spoke Wheels

The Svartpilen uses 17-inch wire-spoke wheels with a tubeless system. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires come standard, sized 110/70-17 front and 150/60-17 rear. It is the same tire choice used on the Husqvarna Norden 901 and KTM 390 Adventure R—a mixed-use tread that works on pavement and does not feel lost on gravel. The tubeless system provides the usual puncture-safety advantages of tubeless wire-spoke wheels, while flat tires can be repaired quickly and conveniently. For an urban motorcycle with scrambler styling, the Pirelli STR is a more consistent choice than pure street tires.

5-Inch TFT, Bluetooth, Navigation, Audio Player

A 5-inch TFT display comes standard, with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation through the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app, and audio-player control through the display. That is more TFT functionality than most motorcycles in this price class offer. 1000PS says, “The new display is nicer to look at and offers practical benefits.” This is the update that most clearly distinguishes the Mk2 generation from the previous Svartpilen.

€6,794 and the Competition

The price is €6,794, with a 48-month warranty. For comparison, the KTM 390 Duke, its technical sister model in orange with the same 44 hp, costs the same. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex costs €5,690 and produces 40 hp. It also has a TFT, but no Supermoto ABS and no Quickshifter as standard. The Svartpilen 401 costs roughly the same as its competition while including a Quickshifter, Supermoto ABS, Pirelli STR tires on wire-spoke wheels, and a 5-inch TFT with navigation as standard, so it holds a clear equipment advantage.

Verdict

The 2026 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is the A2 urban motorcycle for riders who value character over conformity. 44 hp, 159 kg dry, 820 mm seat height, Quickshifter standard, Supermoto ABS, Pirelli STR tires, and a 5-inch TFT. €6,794. 1000PS calls it an “agile fun bike with decent punch and little vibration. Brakes are no highlight.” Its character is unmistakable, and reaction to that determines the buying decision.

 

Quick Check

+ Quickshifter standard, bidirectional: not a given in this price class.

+ Supermoto ABS + Cornering ABS, four modes: rear-wheel sliding under braking permitted.

+ Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR on tubeless 17-inch wire-spoke wheels: scrambler-ready from the factory.

+ 159 kg dry: one of the lighter A2 motorcycles.

+ 820 mm seat height: accessible from approximately 1.70 meters.

+ Adjustable WP APEX suspension, compression + rebound front; preload + rebound rear.

+ 5-inch TFT with Bluetooth, navigation, and audio player: one of the most comprehensive displays in this price/performance class.

+ Design: Black Arrow theme, flyscreen, engine guard, ring-shaped LED—unmistakable.

+ 48-month warranty.

 

– Brakes “a little weak, with little bite,” according to the 1000PS road test: not a trackday highlight.

– 150 mm suspension travel: limited for gravel tracks; more urban scrambler than enduro.

– No passenger operation intended: single-seat concept with no factory passenger option.

 

Technical Specifications: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2026)

Make / Model: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2026; Mk2 generation since 2024; 399 cc single-cylinder; Urban Naked/Scrambler; A2); manufacturer: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH, Mattighofen, Austria; Pierer Mobility / Bajaj Auto

Engine: 398.6 cc; liquid-cooled single-cylinder; DOHC; Bosch EMS; Ride-by-Wire; 89 × 64 mm; 44 hp / 33 kW; 39 Nm at 7,000 rpm; six-speed; Quickshifter standard; Euro 5+; A2; 10,000 km service intervals

Front Suspension: WP APEX Open Cartridge fork; 43 mm; 150 mm travel; adjustable compression + rebound

Rear Suspension: WP APEX monoshock; 150 mm; progressive; adjustable spring preload + rebound; steel trellis frame; 1,368 mm wheelbase; 180 mm ground clearance

Brakes: Four-piston front brake caliper; two-channel ABS; Cornering ABS; Supermoto ABS, rear-wheel sliding permitted

Wheels / Tires: 17-inch wire-spoke wheels, tubeless system; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 110/70-17 front / 150/60-17 rear

Weight / Seat Height: 159 kg dry; 820 mm seat height, 15 mm lower than Mk1; 13-liter fuel tank

Electronics: Ride-by-Wire; Cornering ABS + Supermoto ABS, four modes; traction control; riding modes; Quickshifter standard; 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, navigation, audio player; LED lighting including DRL; ring-shaped LED position light

Design: Flyscreeen standard; engine guard standard; black color scheme; slim bodywork; Swedish-inspired graphics in dark tones

Stationary Noise: Not published, Tyrol limit 95 dB(A)

Warranty: 4 years

Price in Germany: €6,794 plus additional charges