Vitpilen—White Arrow in Swedish. While the Svartpilen, Black Arrow, takes the scrambler route, the Vitpilen is the brand’s sporting roadster: sportier ergonomics, a flatter and wider handlebar, higher footpegs, and a slightly forward-leaning upper body. It is not as café-racer aggressive as a Continental GT 650, but it is clearly more committed than the Svartpilen 801. That is the design and character difference between Husqvarna’s Black and White Arrows.

1000PS says: “The new Vitpilen 801 is less eccentric and considerably more suitable for everyday use than its 701 single-cylinder predecessor.” That is the right assessment. The 801 generation has a broader range of abilities: more torque, a larger fuel tank, more modern electronics, more everyday comfort—and 105 hp instead of 74.

What Separates the Vitpilen From the Svartpilen

The same LC8c engine, the same frame, the same Pierer platform. What separates the Vitpilen from the Svartpilen 801 is a longer wheelbase, 1,475 mm versus 1,388 mm; a larger fuel tank, 16 liters versus 14; sportier ergonomics with a flat, wide handlebar, higher footpegs, and a slightly forward-leaning upper body; it comes with Street, Rain, and Sport riding modes standard, whereas the Svartpilen gets only Street and Rain. And there is one more difference: the Quickshifter is an extra-cost option on the Vitpilen, while it comes standard on the Svartpilen 801.

Unfortunately, that last point is a negative surprise. The Quickshifter is now optional rather than standard. On its technical sibling, the Svartpilen 801, Easy Shift comes standard; on the Vitpilen, it costs extra. Recommendation: the Quickshifter is absolutely worth having. It is an additional expense that should be factored in before buying.

The L Version: 820 mm Instead of 840 mm

The Vitpilen 801 L has an 820 mm seat height—20 mm lower than the standard Vitpilen 801 at 840 mm. Suspension consists of a 43 mm WP APEX fork with 140 mm of front travel, compared with 150 mm on the standard model, and a WP APEX monoshock with 150 mm of rear travel. The L version is tuned for more comfort than the standard Vitpilen 801—less sporty and direct, more suitable for everyday riding. If you want to enjoy the 105 hp with a more relaxed chassis setup, choose the L. If you want the full sporting suspension travel, choose the standard model.

16-Liter Fuel Tank: Range as a Selling Point

Sixteen liters. That is two liters more than the Svartpilen 801 and 801 L, which carry 14 liters. At 4.5 L/100 km, range is approximately 355 km. Compared with the Svartpilen’s 14 liters and roughly 310 km, that is about 45 km more. This is the Vitpilen’s practical advantage on longer rides. With its relaxed knee angle and good seat comfort, it is entirely suitable for backroad touring and travel. The larger tank is part of what makes that possible.

Michelin Road 6: The Road Tire

Michelin Road 6. 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear. 17-inch cast wheels. The Road 6 is a pure street tire—not a mixed-use tread like the Pirelli MT60 RS on the Svartpilen or the Scorpion Rally STR on the Norden. That fits the Vitpilen concept: no scrambler tire, no mixed-terrain ambition, but maximum asphalt grip. On winding roads, the Road 6 is better than the MT60 RS. On gravel, it is the inferior tire. That tire choice clearly defines the Vitpilen’s intended use.

Electronics: Three Riding Modes Standard, Dynamic Pack Optional

Street, Rain, and Sport come standard, compared with Street and Rain on the Svartpilen. That is an equipment advantage. Cornering ABS is standard. Lean-angle-sensitive traction control is standard. A 5-inch TFT, Bluetooth, navigation, and audio-player control are standard. The optional Dynamic Pack adds Supermoto ABS, Anti-Wheelie Control, and nine-level adjustable traction control. Cruise control is optional. The Quickshifter is optional—and that is the omission that hurts most in the standard equipment package.

Approximately €11,500: Same Price as the Svartpilen

Vitpilen or Svartpilen, L or standard: all carry the same price. The technical differences are the Vitpilen’s longer wheelbase, two-liter-larger fuel tank, Sport riding mode standard, Michelin Road 6 tires, and sportier ergonomics. The tradeoff is that the Quickshifter is not included as standard.

Verdict

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 L is the sportier, longer version of the 801 family: the same 105 hp engine, but with an 820 mm seat height in L form, a 16-liter fuel tank, Michelin Road 6 tires, Sport mode standard, and sportier ergonomics with a flat handlebar and higher footpegs. The Quickshifter is not standard and is recommended as an accessory. For riders who want 105 hp in a more committed riding position with greater fuel capacity.

 

Quick Check

+ 105 hp / 87 Nm LC8c parallel twin: identical to the Svartpilen; refined, rev-happy, and ideal for backroads.

+ 820 mm seat height, L version: 20 mm lower than the standard Vitpilen 801; more accessible for riders around 1.70–1.75 meters.

+ 16-liter fuel tank: two liters more than the Svartpilen; approx. 355 km range.

+ Sport riding mode standard, while the Svartpilen comes standard with Street + Rain only.

+ Michelin Road 6: the best pure-asphalt tire in this 801 family.

+ Sportier ergonomics: flat, wide handlebar, higher footpegs, more precise cornering stance.

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

+ 15,000 km service intervals.

 

– Quickshifter NOT standard, extra cost; included on the Svartpilen 801.

 

Technical Specifications: Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 L (2026)

Make / Model: Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 L (2026; Low version; 799 cc LC8c parallel twin; Roadster/Naked; Category A license); manufacturer: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH, Mattighofen, Austria; Pierer Mobility / Bajaj Auto. Based on 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; six-speed; Euro 5; 15,000 km service intervals. Quickshifter OPTIONAL, extra cost, recommended.

L vs. Standard Vitpilen 801: L: 820 mm seat height / 140 mm front suspension travel / more comfort-oriented calibration. Standard: 840 mm / 150 mm front / sportier calibration. Engine and electronics identical.

Vitpilen vs. Svartpilen 801: Vitpilen: 1,475 mm wheelbase / 16 L tank / Sport mode standard / Michelin Road 6 / Quickshifter optional / sportier ergonomics. Svartpilen: 1,388 mm / 14 L / Street + Rain standard / Pirelli MT60 RS / Quickshifter standard.

Suspension: 43 mm WP APEX USD fork; 140 mm travel, L; WP APEX monoshock, 150 mm; chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame; 1,475 mm wheelbase

Brakes: Four-piston front caliper, 300 mm disc; twin-piston rear caliper, 240 mm disc; Cornering ABS; lean-angle-sensitive traction control

Wheels / Tires: 17-inch cast wheels; Michelin Road 6, 120/70-17 front / 180/55-17 rear

Weight / Seat Height: Approx. 181 kg dry; 820 mm seat height, L; 16-liter fuel tank; 4.5 L/100 km; approx. 355 km range

Electronics: 5-inch TFT with Bluetooth, navigation, audio player; Cornering ABS; MTC; Street/Rain/Sport riding modes standard. Optional Dynamic Pack: Supermoto ABS, Anti-Wheelie, nine-level TC. Optional cruise control. Quickshifter optional.

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

Warranty: 4 years, Husqvarna standard

Competition: Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 L: €10,994; Quickshifter standard; shorter wheelbase; 14 L. Yamaha XSR900: €12,249; 119 hp; 190 kg; 14 L. Honda CB750 Hornet: approx. €8,700; 92 hp. Vitpilen 801 L: Sport mode standard, Michelin Road 6, 16 L, same price as Svartpilen 801 L.

Price in Germany: €10,994 plus additional charges