Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401 changes from 2019 to 2020

[NeverLost]

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. And now that I am an owner I found a few more differences.

Here are the differences I see for the 2020 compared to the 2019. I also think these all apply to the Vitpilen.

First some pictures! These must be computer renderings because the images are perfectly the same except for the changes.

2020 left side


2019 left side


2020 right side


2019 right side


These are the differences I have found on the 2020 vs the 2019, 2018 and 2017 bikes.
The 2020...

• the new bike is now manufactured in India by Bajaj for Husqvarna/KTM
• new paint scheme and wheel color
• new adjustable front forks (compression and rebound)
• the 2020 has “Easy Shift” (quickshift / ignition shift cutout)
• the 2020 has a 40mm longer sub-frame/seat
• the 2020 exhaust is completely different and runs under engine (for euro5 emissions) (but the rear exhaust hanger is the same so the passenger peg delete kit works on both years) the new exhaust reduces the ground clearance
• new skid plate to protect the underslung exhaust
• the 2020 has metal plates built into in the tank rack for the magnetic tank bag
• new larger front fender
• new rear license plate mount
• rear blinkers moved to the tail section
• different/larger rear brake fluid reservoir
• all of the body panels are slightly different. You cannot put the 2019 panels on a 2020
• the 2020 seat is longer, a 2019 seat will not fit on a 2020
• 2020 has a metal gas tank, 2019 was plastic
• 2020 handle bars have plugged ends with a threaded insert for the bar end weights. This makes installing bar end mirrors different (or harder)
• interestingly, the 2020 has quality control witness marks on many of the nuts and bolts all over the bike (these are easily cleaned off)
• many of the torx bolts that were on the 2019 have been replaced with hex or phillips head hardware on the 2020
• airbox is changed on the 2020

Anything else?

 

[Vanessa]

Husqvarna offered a lowering kit for the pre-2020 bikes, I'm not sure that they do for the 2020 bikes. As I'm quite small, the lowering kit was the main reason I was able to get the bike. Stock height was too tall for me.

 

[BISavage]

Yes, overall seat length is more on the 2020n but how about the front half, it is still the same length / interchangeable with previous years?

Are the changes like front forks, metal tank, longer fenders1-1 interchangeable?

 

[BISavage]

And it also looks like the rear oil screen/drain plug is now silver instead of black?

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Yes, overall seat length is more on the 2020n but how about the front half, it is still the same length / interchangeable with previous years?

Are the changes like front forks, metal tank, longer fenders1-1 interchangeable?

I'm confident the pics above are renderings... so well, the oil screen is black on my actual 2020.
The parts show the seats being different part numbers, and the prongs on the bottom look a bit different in the parts book, so I suspect they are not interchangable.
I'd bet the forks will fit in if they are the same diameter... but who knows on the tank and fender? Probably not?

 

[BISavage]

You mentioned an airbox change, did they make it add more power to compensate for euro 5, and is it still the same filter?

 

[Vintage Veloce]

2019


2020


Looks like the cover and filter are the same (I compared part numbers) but other parts are obviously different. I have no idea why...

 

[Vanessa]

Looks like they've made the 2020 airbox a bit bigger. A bigger airbox can reduce engine induction noise (Euro5 control) plus it helps emissions as there's a larger volume after the filter for the engine to draw upon before having to pull more in through the filter.
I've had a 2020 front mudguard on order for the last 5 months (damn Covid) as I want to fit it to my 2019 bike. If it ever arrives I'll let you know if it fits.

 

[BISavage]

Exactly, and looks like runner is shortened to match the new exhaust.

I wonder what the torque graph looks like on a 2019 vs a 2020.

 

[BISavage]

The new one looks easier to manufacture as well.

Nice to see the reuse of the filter too.

 

[bullet-man]

Nice write up. Thanks you've helped me decide between buying a 2019 or 2020. Hoping to get it this month. I'm in the same boat as Vanessa, want something for city commute/everyday and will use my Harley for long trips. This is only because the streets down here in MX are crap. If they're not full of potholes and ruts you've got tons of speed bumps. Not much fun for a heavy bike.

 

[Diego]

Nice write up. Thanks you've helped me decide between buying a 2019 or 2020. Hoping to get it this month. I'm in the same boat as Vanessa, want something for city commute/everyday and will use my Harley for long trips. This is only because the streets down here in MX are crap. If they're not full of potholes and ruts you've got tons of speed bumps. Not much fun for a heavy bike.

I also own a big Harley and bought this bike for downtown and short distances. It is a blast, you will not regreat buying it.

 

[agusta74]

Looks like they've made the 2020 airbox a bit bigger. A bigger airbox can reduce engine induction noise (Euro5 control) plus it helps emissions as there's a larger volume after the filter for the engine to draw upon before having to pull more in through the filter.
I've had a 2020 front mudguard on order for the last 5 months (damn Covid) as I want to fit it to my 2019 bike. If it ever arrives I'll let you know if it fits.

Did it fit?? I was thinking of doing the same thing....

 

[Factory-Fit]

Looks like they've made the 2020 airbox a bit bigger. A bigger airbox can reduce engine induction noise (Euro5 control) plus it helps emissions as there's a larger volume after the filter for the engine to draw upon before having to pull more in through the filter.
I've had a 2020 front mudguard on order for the last 5 months (damn Covid) as I want to fit it to my 2019 bike. If it ever arrives I'll let you know if it fits.

I added Pyramid plastics extenders to rear and front mudguards (fenders), makes massive difference to rear shock and radiator, they stay clean now

 

[UnfriendlyMoose]

Great write up!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the QC marks on the 20/21s. Just picked mine up in December and was surprised on the amount of QC stickers and marker all over the bike. Don't get me wrong I rather have that and be sure everything was checked but was a little disappointed to have to scrub off a surprising amount of marker on a new bike. Also the welding on my exhaust at least on my 21 isn't exactly the cleanest out of the factory as well. All in all I am happy I got a 21 for the larger frame and optional Ergo seat but hope Husqvarna works with Bajaj on having bikes leave the factory in a better presentation and stricter requirements on exhaust welds.

Edit: Also 20/21s in the US seem to have different indicator wiring / connectors than the 18/19s

 

[aad]

Interesting research. I just bought a Svartpilen 401, 2019, 16000 km, as a beginners bike since I did not ride for the last 48 years, really. I changed tires immediately for the Pirelli Scorpions. The larger 2020 front fender is a must have for me, the rear fender 2020 also seems longer. Nice website, I hope more Europeans will join. My son bought a Nuda 900R as his first bike, too heavy for me.

 

[BISavage]

With all the interest in longer fenders, surprised to see so little interest for the original wet weather upgrade from Husky.

Post in thread '250 Improvements' https://hqvadventure.com/forum/threads/250-improvements.261/post-2356

 

[hawaiian_arrow]

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. And now that I am an owner I found a few more differences.

Here are the differences I see for the 2020 compared to the 2019. I also think these all apply to the Vitpilen.

First some pictures! These must be computer renderings because the images are perfectly the same except for the changes.

2020 left side
View attachment 819

2019 left side
View attachment 820

2020 right side
View attachment 822

2019 right side
View attachment 821

These are the differences I have found on the 2020 vs the 2019, 2018 and 2017 bikes.
The 2020...

• the new bike is now manufactured in India by Bajaj for Husqvarna/KTM
• new paint scheme and wheel color
• new adjustable front forks (compression and rebound)
• the 2020 has “Easy Shift” (quickshift / ignition shift cutout)
• the 2020 has a 40mm longer sub-frame/seat
• the 2020 exhaust is completely different and runs under engine (for euro5 emissions) (but the rear exhaust hanger is the same so the passenger peg delete kit works on both years) the new exhaust reduces the ground clearance
• new skid plate to protect the underslung exhaust
• the 2020 has metal plates built into in the tank rack for the magnetic tank bag
• new larger front fender
• new rear license plate mount
• rear blinkers moved to the tail section
• different/larger rear brake fluid reservoir
• all of the body panels are slightly different. You cannot put the 2019 panels on a 2020
• the 2020 seat is longer, a 2019 seat will not fit on a 2020
• 2020 has a metal gas tank, 2019 was plastic
• 2020 handle bars have plugged ends with a threaded insert for the bar end weights. This makes installing bar end mirrors different (or harder)
• interestingly, the 2020 has quality control witness marks on many of the nuts and bolts all over the bike (these are easily cleaned off)
• many of the torx bolts that were on the 2019 have been replaced with hex or phillips head hardware on the 2020
• airbox is changed on the 2020

Anything else?

Does anyone know if the body panel dimensions changed from the XXXX-2019 to the 2020-2022 models? Wanting to get new panels but all I can find are the 2019 variations and need to know if I am wasting my money and time trying to fit the 2019 panels on a 2022.

 

[BISavage]

Yes they did.
The 18-19 are shorter.

 

[Lozion]

Nice post. Had a '18 Vit that I sold last year and am now going for a 2020 Svart:

Note the cast wheels??