Buying a Svartpilen 401, New or Used

okcerto

okcerto

contributing rider
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
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8
Location
Europe
Hi guys,

I'm buying a Svartpilen 401, but I'm in doubt about the build quality of the new ones.

What do you think, buy new one, or a used one from 2019 with 4.000 miles? btw is this too much mileage for it?!

Thanks for your comments.

Best
 
at 4000 miles, your engine is just starting to get loose, don't sweat it.
it should be a fair amount cheaper then new,if not, then go for a new one, or look out for another good deal.
 
hannesd said:
at 4000 miles, your engine is just starting to get loose, don't sweat it.
it should be a fair amount cheaper then new,if not, then go for a new one, or look out for another good deal.
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Hi, the new one costs about 6.300€, i'm trying to get a used one for 4.000/4.500€.
 
There is a good list of the differences here...
hqvadventure.com

Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401 changes from 2019 to 2020

When I started looking at the 401 Svartpilen, I really liked the bike, but didn't like the color scheme, nor the super short tail section. Then I saw the 2020! And it seemed to fix all that. So I bought one! When I was shopping, I had been curious what all the differences were, so I made a list...
hqvadventure.com hqvadventure.com
 
Evryone needs to know for themself, if feel good with the deal you get, then thats the main thing.

So go with your gut.

And if you do plan on picking up the chicks, "oh, so how many miles this thing got" or "is this one made in India" are probably not the questions theyll be asking.
 
BISavage said:
Evryone needs to know for themself, if feel good with the deal you get, then thats the main thing.

So go with your gut.

And if you do plan on picking up the chicks, "oh, so how many miles this thing got" or "is this one made in India" are probably not the questions theyll be asking.
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I know, I know, but I struggle to decide between the looks of the new one (most likely large number of extra parts available also), against the quality that I've acknowledge from looking at the old one.
 
I bought mine with exactly 4000 miles and I don't regret it at all. I got a very good deal and I'm very happy with the bike (Being this my first bike ever).

Only issue being the battery that ran flat due to the previous owner not using it. Other than that the bike feels brand new.
 
I really much preferred the appearance of the 2020+, and the more adjustable suspension.
Besides many of the bolts heads changing from torx/hex to plain hex, what quality issues do you perceive on the newer model?
The only thing I don't really prefer on the newer model is that the exhaust now runs under the engine.
 
NeverLost said:
I really much preferred the appearance of the 2020+, and the more adjustable suspension.
Besides many of the bolts heads changing from torx/hex to plain hex, what quality issues do you perceive on the newer model?
The only thing I don't really prefer on the newer model is that the exhaust now runs under the engine.
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I also do not like that exhaust route under the engine.
I had them side by side, and the new one just feels cheaper, it’s hard to tell, but for example the handlebar painting/feel
 
I've never seen them side by side in real life. Certainly the construction and finishes are different. I too might have gone for the earlier version if I didn't prefer the appearance and features of the 2020+ so much more.
Only you can pick!
 
In all reality, if you are looking for the utmost in reliability and quality, you'd probably be better off with one of the Japanese manufacturers. If you're willing to let that take a back seat towards getting a 401 with some soul, style, and uniqueness, then quibbling over some minor differences regarding perceived quality differences between the 18/19/20 model years shouldn't be a deciding factor. Rather, I'd go for an individual bike of any year that you feel has been well maintained, has service records, and you get a good vibe from the owner. I'd rather get a bike from a responsible rider than someone who has been stunting and thrashing on their bike, for example. I've got 3200 trouble free miles on my 2020 so far, so I have no regrets about getting one with "lower quality".

Note, for 2020, the first valve clearance adjustment isn't required until 9300 miles. For the 18/19's, it was at 621 miles. Also, you'll have more factory warranty remaining with a 2020 (2 years from purchase date) compared to a 2018/2019.

So, consider what is most important to you and what gives you the most peace of mind when it comes to buying a used bike.
 
Dan00Hawk said:
In all reality, if you are looking for the utmost in reliability and quality, you'd probably be better off with one of the Japanese manufacturers. If you're willing to let that take a back seat towards getting a 401 with some soul, style, and uniqueness, then quibbling over some minor differences regarding perceived quality differences between the 18/19/20 model years shouldn't be a deciding factor. Rather, I'd go for an individual bike of any year that you feel has been well maintained, has service records, and you get a good vibe from the owner. I'd rather get a bike from a responsible rider than someone who has been stunting and thrashing on their bike, for example. I've got 3200 trouble free miles on my 2020 so far, so I have no regrets about getting one with "lower quality".

Note, for 2020, the first valve clearance adjustment isn't required until 9300 miles. For the 18/19's, it was at 621 miles. Also, you'll have more factory warranty remaining with a 2020 (2 years from purchase date) compared to a 2018/2019.

So, consider what is most important to you and what gives you the most peace of mind when it comes to buying a used bike.
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Do you know if we can route the exhaust of the new one, to reflect as it was on the previous model?
 
BISavage said:
The valves is a interesting topic, actually its the same on all years of the 401. (15000km)

Otherwise I need to agree with Dan00Hawk (+1)
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Everything I've seen on the 18/19s indicate the maintenance schedule called for them to get their valve clearance checked at the first 1000km service. But yes, then again at 15000km. For the 2020, they eliminated needing to check the valves after the first 1000km, likely due to the reality that it wasn't really necessary on the 18/19s that they had seen. All in all, I'd say it bodes well for the expected reliability of the motors. Plenty of Duke 390s running around for us to get an idea as they hit higher miles than those of us with Vits and Svarts with lower miles.
 
They changed the clearances and the interval prior to putting the Pilens in the showbroom.

Here is an excerpt of the Manual in German rev. 07/2018

Ventilspiel --> Valve Play
 

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