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Husqvarna Motorcycles South Africa took a big, bold move into an all-new world when the company pulled the covers off its daring new 401 Vitpilen urban motorcycle at the South Africa Bike Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit 26-28 May. The slick new 401 Vitpilen represents a major departure to a simpler, more progressive urban street market for Husqvarna, which prides itself on being the literal father of the dirt bike.

“We will took the covers off the forthcoming Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen at the Kyalami Bike Festival,” Husqvarna Motorcycles Brand Manager Fred Fensham confirmed. “This urban motorcycle will take Husqvarna into a new ‘simple progressive’ motorcycling market niche — it’s an exciting new venture for us and we were delighted by public interest in how this machine will connect with future Husqvarna urban lifestyle motorcyclists.” 

Husqvarna of course also showcased its regular dirt bike range on its state-of-the-art display the Johannesburg expo. The show stand featured a coffee shop to lure motorcyclists to Husqvarna’s new urban motorcycling adventure, at the same time as allowing a sneak peek of the edgy new 401 Vitpilen. The new 375cc single cylinder machine will hit local roads early in 2018.

The Vitpilen’s 33kW power is fed to a chain drive through a six-speed transmission, suspension is courtesy of a 43 mm WP front fork and WP monoshock at the rear. Bosch two-channel ABS brakes feature a four-piston ByBre front calliper clamping a 320mm front disc and single-pot rear calliper with a 230mm disc at the rear.