India-spec Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Spied

The motorcycle will be launched in India in early 2020

[Update: Husqvarna Vitpilen 250, Svartpilen 250 Launched In India]

• The India-spec bike comes with a host of changes compared to the one sold abroad.
• Test mule features a redesigned seat.
• The exhaust routing is different too, hinting at BSVI compliance.
• Gets KTM 390 Duke-derived alloy wheels shod with MRF block pattern tyres.

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 has been spied testing again after a long time. However, this time around, the spy shots give us a lot of insights about how the motorcycle has been Indianised for the domestic market.

For starters, the India-bound motorcycle gets alloy wheels from the KTM 390 Duke. This is in contrast to the spoke wheels that are found in the European-spec motorcycle. It makes sound business sense for Bajaj to share KTM’s wheels with the Husqvarna. Not only does it saves cost but also thanks to the alloy wheels, it can have tubeless tyres - something that can handle punctures much better than tubed tyres. Interestingly, Husqvarna offers the same style of alloys finished in black as an optional fitment in the overseas market. The India-spec bike is shod with MRF block pattern tyres instead of Metzeler Sportec M5 seen on the international bike.

Even the crash guards have been carried over from the 390 Duke. The radiator seems to have a protective covering which is absent in the European model. Looking at the finish of the body panels and the crude-looking exhaust, it looks like the motorcycle is still in its pre-production stages. We believe Husqvarna is experimenting with locally-sourced parts for cost optimisation. The seat is a split unit instead of a single-piece one seen on the international-spec bike. Also, the pillion seat looks like it’s a lot broader for better comfort. It is evident that Husqvarna is taking efforts to make a motorcycle with such niche design as practical as possible. The large grab rail is also another example of how Husqvarna has kept everyday usability in mind.

Closer inspection reveals that the catalytic converter is also different from both the India-spec 390 Duke as well as the European Vitpilen 401. Even the exhaust downpipe has been routed downwards and then towards the rear side instead of how it is in the 390 Duke and the Vitpilen sold abroad. It certainly does look like Bajaj is preparing for BSVI emission norms, as India will be moving to the new standards by the time this motorcycle hits the market. Husqvarna has already confirmed that it will be launching the bike in 2020. We believe it will enter the market early next year, possibly with a price tag of around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

It will be powered by a 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine good for 43.5PS and 37Nm with a six-speed gearbox. But with the new exhaust system in place, we’re not sure if the bike will have the same power and torque figures. We do hope though that Husqvarna doesn’t detune it. The braking setup consists of 320mm front and 230mm rear disc with standard dual-channel ABS. Suspension duties are handled by inverted forks up front and monoshock at the rear, both sourced from WP. When launched, it would rival the BMW G 310 R and Benelli TNT 300 in terms of price.

Image credit: Amit Gaud