The Svartpilen 701 is Husqvarna’s fourth model powered by a four-valve, liquid-cooled single and the second big-bore member of its ’Pilen lineup, the first being the Vitpilen 701 or “White Arrow.” The Svartpilen 701—you guessed it, “Black Arrow”—is a flat-track-inspired machine that shares the same steel trellis frame as the Vitpilen and uses parent company KTM’s LC4 engine as a stressed member of the chassis. Fully adjustable WP suspension offers nearly 6 inches of travel front and rear, and Pirelli Scorpion MT 60 RS tires complete the sideways-sliding look. Just like the Ford Model A, you can get it in any color as long as it’s black.
Wide, pullback handlebars—think 1970s superbike—give the Svartpilen a more upright seating position than the café-racer-style Vitpilen. Handling is quick and lively, even with the chunky tires. The big single’s torque-rich power delivery adds to the overall light and spunky feeling. Antilock brakes and switchable traction control are standard equipment. The only real disappointment is the cheap-looking circular liquid-crystal display that is exceedingly difficult to read in bright daylight. It’s a single blemish on what is, overall, the best of the Swedish arrows.
Likes: Torquey powerband, comfortable ergonomics, polarizing styling
Dislikes: Possibly the worst liquid-crystal display ever, polarizing styling
Verdict: Husqvarna's most comfortable and entertaining-to-ride 'Pilen to date
Cycle World Senior Editor Justin Dawes attended the press launch for the 2019 Svartpilen 701 earlier this year in Lisbon, Portugal. After a full day of riding the single-cylinder machine up and down an exhilarating mix of city streets and mountain roads, he concluded, "It's a winner—the best Pilen yet."
With similar engine displacements and riding positions, KTM’s now-discontinued 690 Duke, as well as the retro-style, twin-cylinder Yamaha XSR700, Triumph Street Scrambler, and Ducati Scrambler Icon are arguably the most likely competition for the single-cylinder Svartpilen 701, which is substantially more expensive than those motorcycles, the Yamaha in particular.
How to personalize a 2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701? Among the available accessories: Two Akrapovič slip-on exhaust systems, bar-end and stalk-type rear-view mirrors, frame/swingarm protection, knurled aluminum footpegs, a tank bag, and a RoadLok, the latter advertised as “the most effective and elegant option for protecting your motorcycle from theft.”
