We?ve waited so long, and it’s finally here. It was over three years ago, in November 2014, when Husqvarna revealed the Vitpilen 401 concept at the huge EICMA show in Italy. It marked Husqvarna?s return to the street motorcycle segment, and the attention it received was massive.
The angular, fresh design helped: for many, it was a welcome respite from the endless focus on the retro scene. Then a year later, the bigger 701 concept was unveiled: another clean and modern design, built around the 690 Duke engine from sister company KTM.

Fortunately, the production Vitpilen 701 is very close to the concept, and the design is stunning in the metal. The tank is a piece of modern art, and so is the tail unit. It?s all very clean and sleek?very Swedish, pure and simple. This is the DNA of the bike, and its vision too. It was not developed for a specific target group, and there is no stereotype that matches its philosophy. The Vitpilen 701 defines its own segment.

After three interminable years from concept to production, the Vitpilen 701 is now available at dealerships in many countries?along with its smaller siblings, the Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401s.
We?ve just ridden the 701 in Barcelona, Spain, and one thing became immediately clear: the riding performance is on the same level as the design. The new Husqvarna is a serious and ?grown up? motorcycle, and not just a style item.

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