Random comments on my new 2020 Svartpilen 401

Vintage Veloce

Vintage Veloce

pro rider
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
1,087
Location
San Diego
PXL_20201011_200901190.jpg


Some random comments on my experience so far on my new 2020 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.
  • I find myself looking with concern at that cable operated clutch. I have a bunch of vintage bikes that all have cable clutches and they can work great. And the Svartpilen 401 clutch does work great! I'm really shocked how smoothly it works. I suspect it is the new modern cable. But I still look at that thing with suspicion and I may install a magura hydraulic clutch kit.
  • I miss an analog dial gauge instrument cluster. I want an actual needle that swings for both the speedometer and tachometer. Much easier to see than even a TFT.
  • OK, there are some nice features on the digital gauge. But what's with the gas mileage reading: gal/100mi? or liters/100mi? Where is the miles per gallon or km per liters?
  • I had heard that the 2019 and earlier bikes had a somewhat soft suspension. I suspect this changed for 2020. The new bike has a new adjustable suspension, and maybe they changed the spring rates too? I weigh about 136 pounds (62kg) naked and about 165 pounds in full gear (75kg). And the suspension on my 2020 401 is stiff. Certain bumps and ripples in the pavement hit hard. I've been playing with the settings... but I think the springs are too stiff for me on both the front and rear. (edit: this was very wrong. The rear was much too soft/progressive for me. I was hitting the bump stop regularly, and that is why the soft spring felt too harsh! The fix was a single rate rear spring.)
  • The seat. It's fine around the city, but on longer rides in the country I want to slide back a bit and my rump hits the rise and split in the seat. And that lip is uncomfortable. I'd much prefer a one piece seat that I could modify or re-foam to be flatter. Supposedly an ergo one piece seat is coming for the 2020, but it isn't available in the USA yet.
  • Ride by wire throttle. It feels nice to twist but not much different from a well maintained cable throttle. Definitely won't require the cables to be lubed, so I'm expecting the feel to stay very nice.
  • Braided steel brake lines. Well, I assume they are braided steel, they could be kevlar or something. But they aren't the rubber balloons I'm used to finding on a new bike that I have to immediate swap out. It's so nice to have good brake feel right off the dealer floor!
  • ABS brakes. This is a first for me. It's kind of strange. I'm used to being able to lock the front wheel. I tried it in some sand patches and a dirt road. I'm sure the ABS is safer, especially if you are surprised and slam on the brakes on the street. But I'm having trouble describing how strange this is to someone who hasn't had ABS on a motorcycle before.
  • On my first ride on the 401 I was really happy with how nicely it shifted. And frankly I was complimenting my own skill a bit! And then... I realized... this thing must have a slipper clutch! I have some vintage single cylinder motorcycles, and it's possible to stall them on a bad downshift, or even to lock the rear wheel. But this slipper clutch thing really makes downshifts smooth. I am still using the clutch for downshifts, and I think that will continue. But it does make things smooth! Hmm... I wonder if it's possible to push start this bike if the battery is dead?
I'm really enjoying the bike!
 
Last edited:
Excellent post.

Have you tried supermoto mode?
I dont know about the Svartpilen 2020, but on some KTM the supermoto mode turns off rear abs and turns the throttle by wire from linear mode to agressive mode, basically giving it a quick turn throttle.

Unfortunately the 2019 does not have supermoto mode so I have no experience.
 
I haven't tried supermodo mode yet... I had no idea it might do something besides turn off the rear ABS! I'll try that on my next ride.
 
I have not found literature on this, but it is advertised for certain models by ktm and on some machines you can actually hear/feel the difference.
 
BISavage said:
I have not yet succeded at clutch starting it while rolling. Figured the slipper clutch doesnt help.
Click to expand...
I've done it in second at a way lower speed.... first time I was going too fast and locked the rear tire.
 
Vintage Veloce said:
View attachment 156


Some random comments on my experience so far on my new 2020 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.
  • I find myself looking with concern at that cable operated clutch. I have a bunch of vintage bikes that all have cable clutches and they can work great. And the Svartpilen 401 clutch does work great! I'm really shocked how smoothly it works. I suspect it is the new modern cable. But I still look at that thing with suspicion and I may install a magura hydraulic clutch kit.
  • I miss an analog dial gauge instrument cluster. I want an actual needle that swings for both the speedometer and tachometer. Much easier to see than even a TFT.
  • OK, there are some nice features on the digital gauge. But what's with the gas mileage reading: gal/100mi? or liters/100mi? Where is the miles per gallon or km per liters?
  • I had heard that the 2019 and earlier bikes had a somewhat soft suspension. I suspect this changed for 2020. The new bike has a new adjustable suspension, and maybe they changed the spring rates too? I weigh about 136 pounds (62kg) naked and about 165 pounds in full gear (75kg). And the suspension on my 2020 401 is stiff. Certain bumps and ripples in the pavement hit hard. I've been playing with the settings... but I think the springs are too stiff for me on both the front and rear.
  • The seat. It's fine around the city, but on longer rides in the country I want to slide back a bit and my rump hits the rise and split in the seat. And that lip is uncomfortable. I'd much prefer a one piece seat that I could modify or re-foam to be flatter. Supposedly an ergo one piece seat is coming for the 2020, but it isn't available in the USA yet.
  • Ride by wire throttle. It feels nice to twist but not much different from a well maintained cable throttle. Definitely won't require the cables to be lubed, so I'm expecting the feel to stay very nice.
  • Braided steel brake lines. Well, I assume they are braided steel, they could be kevlar or something. But they aren't the rubber balloons I'm used to finding on a new bike that I have to immediate swap out. It's so nice to have good brake feel right off the dealer floor!
  • ABS brakes. This is a first for me. It's kind of strange. I'm used to being able to lock the front wheel. I tried it in some sand patches and a dirt road. I'm sure the ABS is safer, especially if you are surprised and slam on the brakes on the street. But I'm having trouble describing how strange this is to someone who hasn't had ABS on a motorcycle before.
  • On my first ride on the 401 I was really happy with how nicely it shifted. And frankly I was complimenting my own skill a bit! And then... I realized... this thing must have a slipper clutch! I have some vintage single cylinder motorcycles, and it's possible to stall them on a bad downshift, or even to lock the rear wheel. But this slipper clutch thing really makes downshifts smooth. I am still using the clutch for downshifts, and I think that will continue. But it does make things smooth! Hmm... I wonder if it's possible to push start this bike if the battery is dead?
I'm really enjoying the bike!
Click to expand...

Very nice!!!
I'm enjoying my 2019 a lot. Enough bike for my needs. I just want a 701 because in my eyes it looks nicer. But for my first street bike (at 40 years old!), the Svart is perfect.
 
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