Nordic styled learner-legal 125 naked roadster hits dealers.
The Husqvarna marque is an intriguing little niche conceit, which we quite like. Owned by KTM, the Husky road range is, on the face of it, merely a series of re-badged KTM Duke models – the 690, 390 and now the Duke 125 – converted to Svartpilen and Vitpilen models.
But the firm has done a lot more than just switch the paint booth sprays from orange to black or white – the Husky versions get slightly tweaked engines, primo chassis kit and a proper style makeover.
Sure, they’re pricier, and our inner man-on-the-street would always be tempted to save the cash and get the KTM. But we’re very glad these exist in the world, and definitely recommend them to folk looking for something fresh and different. We tested the firm’s 701 Svartpilen a while back, and really enjoyed its punchy motor and slick chassis, dressed up with some unconventional Scandi styling.
So – for 2021, there’s a new Husqvarna Svartpilen 125, based as we said around the basic chassis and engine design of the KTM Duke 125. That means a learner-legal single-cylinder 125cc motor in a steel tube trellis frame with WP APEX USD cartridge forks and monoshock, aluminium machined swingarm, ByBre brakes with Bosch ABS and upright riding position.
The Husqvarna looks very different from the bright orange Duke though, with totally redesigned bodywork in the typical one-piece tank/seat Husky style. The Duke’s cast wheels are swapped for wire-spoked 17” rims with chunky Pirelli rubber, and the rear seat unit is cut-down in the ‘retro scrambler’ style, with a swingarm-mounted rear fender to suit.
The exhaust is changed from a minimal underslung unit to a slick branded side-mount end can, and you get the high-quality Husqvarna details: bronze-finished engine cases, premium badging, LED headlight, CNC machined footrests and slick minimalist neon paint highlights.
Husqvarna works hard on its merch as well as its bikes, and there’s a range of saucy kit to go with the Svartpilen. Husky’s Functional Street clothing range features “high-quality products, all designed and made to the highest standards to deliver style and unrestricted movement”.
So there you go.
The bike gets a choice of sweet bolt-ons too: “to protect and enhance the Svartpilen 125, an extensive line-up of high-quality Technical Accessories ensures increased durability, personalisation and functionality.”
Can’t argue with that!
The 2021 Svartpilen 125 is available now at Husqvarna dealers in the UK, priced £4,499.
Technical highlights Svartpilen 125:
Excellent power-to-weight ratio
EURO 5 homologated
A1 licence compliant
High-quality components and technology
17” front and rear spoked wheels fitted with Pirelli tyres
Premium build quality
125 cc single cylinder engine delivers controllable power
Lightweight – 146 kg without fuel
CNC machined footrests
Nimble handling
LED headlight and taillight
Low fuel consumption