L stands for Low. That is all Husqvarna wants to say with the suffix: a lower seat height. Everything else—engine, electronics, equipment, design—is identical to the Svartpilen 801. The buying decision comes down to a single question: Is an 840 mm seat height a challenge for me?

1000PS describes the Svartpilen 801 as a motorcycle equally capable of a relaxed after-work cruise and a sporty Sunday morning ride. The L version changes none of that. It simply opens the door for riders for whom 840 mm had previously kept that door closed.

What Separates the L From the Standard Svartpilen 801

The seat is 20 mm lower: 820 mm instead of 840 mm. That does not sound like much. For riders around 1.70 meters tall, however, it can make the difference between touching down with your toes and placing a foot flat on the ground. The suspension components are adapted to the lower seat height: a WP APEX fork with 140 mm of travel instead of the standard model’s 150 mm, while the rear shock retains 150 mm. The calibration is more comfort-oriented than on the standard 801. That is the consequence of the lower seat height: less suspension travel combined with the same lowering requires different geometry, optimized here for road comfort.

What remains identical is the engine, with 105 hp and 87 Nm; the electronics, including the 5-inch TFT, Quickshifter+, Cornering ABS, and MTC; the chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame based on the KTM 790 Duke; the Pirelli MT60 RS tires on 17-inch cast wheels; and the design, with scrambler aesthetics, dark coloring, and the LED ring. Two versions of the same motorcycle with one measurable difference: seat height.

105 hp, 87 Nm: The LC8c Parallel Twin From the KTM 790 Family

799 cc. Parallel twin. Liquid-cooled. 105 hp at 9,250 rpm. 87 Nm at 8,000 rpm. LC8c—the designation comes from KTM nomenclature and identifies the compact 800-class parallel twin. It is the same basic engine architecture associated with the KTM 790 Duke family. In the Svartpilen 801, it is tuned for an urban-naked character: direct throttle response and strong midrange drive. 1000PS calls it a “real corner carver, refined engine, can handle the highway too.”

Quickshifter+ comes standard and works in both directions. It is included on the L version as well—no extra charge, no options to select. The difference from the Svartpilen 401, with 44 hp and 399 cc, is substantial: 61 more horsepower, 48 more Nm, and a parallel twin instead of a single-cylinder. This is a different class of motorcycle.

Pirelli MT60 RS on Cast Wheels: Urban-Oriented

Pirelli MT60 RS tires come in 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear sizes on 17-inch cast wheels. The MT60 RS is a dual-purpose tire with a stronger road bias than the Scorpion Rally STR used on the Svartpilen 401. For urban riding with occasional excursions onto lightly unpaved roads, it is the right choice. For serious mixed-terrain use, the smaller 401’s STR has a more pronounced block pattern. That reflects the target groups: 801 L equals city and backroads; 401 equals city with occasional gravel.

5-Inch TFT, Cornering ABS, Optional Tech Pack

A 5-inch color TFT comes standard, along with Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity, navigation, music control, and call management. Quickshifter+, Cornering ABS, and lean-angle-sensitive traction control are also standard. Street and Rain riding modes come from the factory. The optional Tech Pack adds Performance mode, while cruise control is also optional. This is the electronics level of a modern middleweight naked bike, complete as standard except for cruise control and Performance mode.

91 dB(A) and the Price

Stationary noise is 91 dB(A), identical to the standard 801 and Tyrol-compliant. The L version costs the same as the standard Svartpilen 801. The official German MSRP for 2026 is €10,994 plus additional charges. The L version is not the cheaper model—it is simply the more accessible model.

Svartpilen 801 vs. 801 L: The Buying Decision

Standard Svartpilen 801: 840 mm seat height, 150 mm of front suspension travel, sportier calibration. Svartpilen 801 L: 820 mm seat height, 140 mm of front suspension travel, more comfort-oriented calibration. Same engine. Same electronics. Same price. The decision is a question of rider size and comfort preference. If you want more suspension travel and a sportier chassis response, choose the standard version. If you want easier ground contact and a more comfortable setup, choose the L. Given these differences, test-riding both versions before buying makes sense.

Verdict

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 L is for riders who find the standard 801’s 840 mm seat height too tall. 105 hp, 87 Nm, LC8c parallel twin, Quickshifter+, Cornering ABS, 5-inch TFT—but with an 820 mm seat height, 140 mm of front suspension travel, and more comfort-oriented tuning. A 20 mm difference with a measurable effect in everyday riding.

 

Quick Check

+ 820 mm seat height, 20 mm lower than the standard 801: better ground contact for riders around 1.70–1.78 meters.

+ 105 hp / 87 Nm LC8c parallel twin: identical to the standard 801; strong, refined, highway-capable.

+ Quickshifter+ standard, bidirectional.

+ 5-inch TFT with Bluetooth, navigation, and audio player standard.

+ Cornering ABS + lean-angle-sensitive traction control standard.

+ More comfort-oriented suspension tuning than the standard version: more accessible for urban riders and long-distance use.

+ 91 dB(A), Tyrol-compliant.

+ + Scrambler styling, LED ring, dark color scheme: unmistakable.

 

– 140 mm front suspension travel, standard 150 mm: 10 mm less; noticeable over severe bumps.

– Pirelli MT60 RS, less block-patterned than the 401’s STR: not a serious mixed-terrain tire.

– No Performance mode / no cruise control standard: optional Tech Pack required.

 

Technical Specifications: Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 L (2026)

Make / Model: Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 L (2026; Low version; 799 cc LC8c parallel twin; Urban Naked; Category A license); manufacturer: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH, Mattighofen, Austria; Pierer Mobility / Bajaj Auto. Technical basis: KTM 790 Duke.

Engine: 799 cc liquid-cooled LC8c parallel twin; 105 hp / 77 kW at 9,250 rpm; 87 Nm at 8,000 rpm; Quickshifter+ standard; six-speed; identical to standard Svartpilen 801

L vs. Standard: L: 820 mm seat height / 140 mm front suspension travel / 150 mm rear / more comfort-oriented calibration. Standard: 840 mm / 150 mm front / 150 mm rear / sportier calibration. Engine, electronics, and design identical.

Front Suspension, L: 43 mm WP APEX USD fork; 140 mm travel, 10 mm less than standard; more comfort-oriented calibration

Rear Suspension, L: WP APEX monoshock; 150 mm travel; chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame

Brakes: Four-piston front brake caliper; two-channel Cornering ABS; lean-angle-sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control, MTC

Wheels / Tires: 17-inch cast wheels; Pirelli MT60 RS, 120/70-17 front / 180/55-17 rear; more urban-oriented than Scorpion Rally STR

Weight / Seat Height: Approx. 196 kg ready to ride; 820 mm seat height, 20 mm lower than standard 801 at 840 mm

Fuel Tank / Consumption: 14 liters; approx. 4.3 L/100 km; approx. 325 km range

Electronics: 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, navigation, audio player; Quickshifter+; Cornering ABS; MTC; Street/Rain riding modes standard. Optional Tech Pack: Performance mode. Optional cruise control.

Stationary Noise: 91 dB(A), identical to standard Svartpilen 801; Tyrol-compliant

Warranty: 4 years, Husqvarna standard

Competition: Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 standard: 840 mm, more suspension travel, sportier calibration. KTM 790 Duke: technical sister; approx. €8,700; 105 hp; sportier ergonomics. Yamaha MT-07: approx. €9,500; 74 hp; 805 mm seat height; broader all-round focus. Svartpilen 801 L: lowest seat in the 800-class with 105 hp, unmistakable design.

Price in Germany: €10,994 plus additional charges