Nice to see an experienced rider grab one of these. I'm new (at 50+ years) and started on a BMW F900R but decided that to get better I needed something smaller and more comfortable so I bought a Svart.
That's great. Currently I also have the BMW R18 and the Royal Enfield INT650, but this is most fun of the three of them! Great for any level of rider. Have fun!
I live in the city in Japan like 2 hours from Tokyo, have had a svartpilen 401 for about a week and it's awesome for city riding. Once I have a day off I'll be taking it to the mountains around meyagase dam and yabitsu pass "can find video's from that area". Can't wait!!
I’ve had my Svartpilen for about a year now, a 2022 401, it’s really fun and I love how it looks, nice to see an experienced rider getting one, I’ve only been riding 18 months or so, nice video, thanks
My pleasure! Thank you. Yes, it’s a uniquely great bike for any level of rider. It’s light weight is wonderful but it’s also got the power to handle highways and the geometry to carve backroads. I never could get into owning a KTM 390 but the scrambler style of the Svarty is brilliant.
I bought a Kawasaki z900RS in 2018. Absolute awesome machines. I sold it in 2021. A couple months back I bought a Svartpilen 401 for commuting and I absolutely love it. Sure, I miss the absolute grunt of the Z900RS but the 401 is a great little bike. Love it!
I seriously considered buying the Z900 but this bike has plenty of zip without what really is unusable power. Insurance, tire wear, versatility, fun; the 401 checks so many boxes over bikes with two, three or five times the horsepower!
New Subscriber. This is easily the best Svartpilen content on YT. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with this bike. This is going to be my starter bike... just need to decide between the 2023 vs 2024. I'm seeing the older version for as low as 4.5(k) - so I think I might spend the savings on an engine guard & a fuel cannister.
Got 7,500 miles on my ‘20 Svart 401 and it’s hands down the most fun I’ve had on 2 wheels - especially for the $5k OTD price! I’ve owned many bikes, but in the NC mountains, this thing is a hoot. Light gravel is no problem, but good asphalt is where it shines. Gas gauge is notoriously inaccurate, ride is cramped for anyone over 5’10”, and the instrument gauge is a PITA. Nevertheless, strap a liter Primus gas can on it, add a Coffman pipe, Puig windscreen, and a small tank bag…..and have a day!
I totally agree! When I work through the Pirelli tires the bike came with I'm going to be looking for something a bit more road-biased, because it is a last on a curvy road. Thanks!
I’ve had mine a few months and neutral gets easier to find after a while. I apply a little forward pressure before notching it up and haven’t had an issue in a good while now. Awesome bike though, so light and nimble, not to mention the looks!
Yes, totally agree. Also I found if you take some slack out of the clutch cable, which moves the compact zone further out, then pulling in the clutch all the way allows a shift into neutral. Thanks.
Just got my new Husqvarna svartpillen 250 last month, my very first bike and learning driving on it.. Very happy with everything except ground clearance on indian roads😅
A great review on the svart, thanks! Honestly, i am selling my 2022 Svartpilen after riding for about 3 Months. Its a great bike, i fell in love with the looks of it and riding it was so much fun! But- i am propably spoiled by my MZ 660 Supermoto. I was used to the acceleration of the 660 (the XTZ 660 Yamaha Motor), which easily got to 150-160 Km/h. It takes so long for the Svart to get to this speed, any trying to outrun a car on a higway is a real challenge here in Germany. I think that a Duke 690 would have been a better choice for me. But- the svart is surely a nice bike still!
You raise a really interesting point: we need a bike that matches local speeds. Where I live, lots of two-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. The Svartpilen is perfect, something like the Royal Enfield Meteor is too slow. I totally get you need a faster bike for your roads. Just be aware of physics! Stay safe!
Great review! Local dealer had a few at a good price so I jumped on it and had one delivered a couple weeks ago. 6 out the door. First road bike, first bike period in over 30 years. Too cold to ride now so silent she sits, plus I only have a permit and can't ride alone or after dark, which is like 5pm now. Will be taking the MSF class in April for full endorsement. Can't wait!
Sounds great! I made two, easy, significant mods. A DNA air filter and the Fuel-X Lite. Both, super easy to install. The DNA gives it a wonderful induction growl and the Fuel-X Lite smooths out the engine at low RPMs. No need to change the stock muffler. This bike soooo good. Ridiculously fun. Enjoy!
@QuentinsMotoVlog Those are definitely planned, probably after some miles are put on her as stock first, so I can appreciate the bump more. I've got frame, exhaust and wheel sliders & a radiator guard on the way. Figured protection is a higher priority for now.
Min leaked a little too, coolant only and just a few drops of blowback. It used a little oil at first never leaked externally but after 500 miles no more leaks or issues. Just the stalling on downshift. Other than that I love my bike, 2 year and 2400 miles.
Cool. It turned out the o-ring was missing or improperly installed on my front oil drain plug. Dealer fixed it. I added the Fuel-X Lite which helps the bike run smoother at low rpms. Thanks!
@@QuentinsMotoVlog Was the install of the Fuel-X lite hard? I am probably going to pick up a Svart next weekend. My dealer is offering $1K off but with the other fees it will end up about MSRP and taxes. And where did you get the tail bag?
Thanks my friend! The Pan America is a powerhouse of a bike with a bunch of little flaws, but it turned out to be just too much bike for my needs. Early days, but the 401 is a gem!
I have long admired the Svartpilen, even the Asian made in the Phillipines version, which lacks some features such as the quick shifter, spoked wheels and adjustable front forks. You now have two of my favourite bikes, the Interceptor and the Svartpilen 401.
Thanks my friend! I am very happy with the change. The HD Pan America is a beast of a bike but just far more than I need. I took the 401 out again yesterday and the engine is wonderful.
The trick to getting Neutral on the Svartpilen 99% of the time on the first try is to pull the clutch lever all the way in. You can actually feel that the shifter is softer and falls easily into N in comparison to if you only pull in slightly over the friction zone.
Do you think it's easier up from first or down from second? I had a bike once that was easier to find neutral shifting from second. My zx9 has a thing that if you shift up from first while stationary it always goes into neutral (99% anyway), I don't know why this isn't standard nowadays. I'm really excited to be getting a Svartpilen soon.
@@Armrongeddon My dealer said that it’s he finds it easy to go in Neutral from second while coasting. I tried that, but somehow I tend end up in a false Neutral, and it would stall when I release the clutch, so I prefer to go from one. If I do go from second, I’ll gently release the clutch to see if there’s any friction.
@@Armrongeddon I’ve tried both ways. If you hold the clutch in as far as you can and give it the slightest touch you might get it into neutral. But if you’re in first and you try to find neutral as you’re coming to a stop but still moving it finds neutral easily.
I bought Svartpilen just several weeks ago. There was no day that I wouldn't have a smile on my face riding it. But European version has nicer side signals.
I found some tricks as well. When rolling to a stop at about maybe three mph it easily slips up into neutral. And, if I’m completely stopped, letting out the clutch just a bit in first with the brakes on to put a little pressure on the transmission and then letting off, also let’s it slip into neutral.
Great video. I love your grumpy attitude towards idiots! 😂 I can't help but think your leak was just over spill of oil before it left the dealer. Little tip is when you're reaching for the sidestand is to first lift the footpeg up with your toe and then push straight down on the stand. It took me a couple of days to figure out on mine. 👍🏻
Hopefully that’s it. They still have my bike back at the dealership looking into it. So far, since I bought the bike, they’ve had it more days than I have! Really frustrating because it’s such an awesome bike! So much fun to ride.
I did get the complete kit and changed all three filters. Glad I did; they were filthy!! Oil change, Fuel-X Lite, and I adjusted the chain, which had too much slack. The bike is much smoother across the board. Thanks!
svart has quick shift for both, up and down. And also i have heard its a typical thing for the bike to leak some oil drops now and then. Maybe it will get better after first oil change when you tighten everything well. Really fun bike and very light. I've had my licence for about a week now and its freaking fun.
Thanks. The bike went back to the dealer for a week, but it’s back in my hands and the oil leak from the front drain plug is fixed. I am back on the road and loving it! Be careful out there so you get to ride for a long long time!
Hey . .I'm viewing your video all the way in Jamaica,I'm privilege to own one of these motorcycle , very nice however the 401 engine seems to be similar in physical size .are they the same in size ( the 125 and the 401engine )
I still love that bike. I sold it, but only because I had three motorcycles and I’m trying to economize a bit. The Svartpilen was a little bit “young” for me, if you know what I mean. I sold it to a lovely young woman in her twenties who was thrilled to get it. And I know she got a great bike. Engine, suspension, brakes, handling, all top notch. I kept my BMW R18 and my Royal Enfield Int650 because they are each too beautiful to sell.
Oh geez, I bought it so long ago. Plus, this one, with its sloped rear doesn’t hold very much. I recommend you measure the area of your rear seat and then go onto Amazon and AliExpress and search for motorcycle tail bags. There are lots of cheap ones, they’re all made in China, and the quality is sufficient. If you want a high quality tail bag, I recommend you buy a Nelson Rigg. They are two or three times as much, but the quality is there. Good luck!
It is not wrung out at highway speeds. And that is very important to me, especially around here where I ride and even most of the backroads are posted 55 mph. She will happily do 70 with plenty to spare.
Bought a new Svart 401 last month to go with my VTX1800 and its the bomb! Not a big fan of the mirrors though. Was wondering what kind of after market mirrors you put on and how they compare to the original ones? (any chance of doing a 401 comparison to the INT650?) Awesome video btw!
Thanks man! Yes, the new mirrors are just some Amazon specials I had lying around. Much better looking and better working than the OEMs. I like the idea of comparing the INT650 and the 401! Definitely some contrast there. Thanks!
I could hardly see with the original mirrors so I bought some bar end mirrors and they are really good. Need to be able to see behind easily, not sure of brand
I got these on Amazon: 7/8'' 22mm Universal Motorcycle... www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT5NV5F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share The adjustment is a little bit primitive but the view behind is clear and impressive once installed.
@@ThanhNTrinh-xz4by sorry. I think it is tie one: AliExpress, $40.45 37% Off | Motorcycle Side Bar End Handlebar Mirror For Husqvarna Svartpilen Vitpilen 401 250 CNC Moto Accessories a.aliexpress.com/_mqly3Z6
Me too. The bike has been at the dealer for four days now waiting for them to get around to checking the problem. When meanwhile I’ve explained to them it’s the front drain plug where the leak is obviously coming from. The delay in fixing this is really pissing me off.
Bro wtf... U guys only pay 93 cents a gallon?? Which like 3.5 liters... Dudeeeee we here in Bangalore India pay like 1.23 dollars(112 rupees) per fking liter... And it's not even premium.. whaaaaaaaaaaaaat dafkkk bruh...
Something is wrong with the math here. I pay around $3 dollars a U.S. gallon for regular (87 octane) and closer to $4 per gallon for premium (93 octane).