
Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Review
"A genuinely capable scrambler for riders who actually ride hard."
Used Buyer Review
The Svartpilen 801 is genuinely one of the more interesting bikes you can buy used right now. That 799cc parallel-twin punches hard — it's the same engine as the Norden 901 with slightly different tuning, and it pulls strong from low revs without feeling agricultural. The scrambler-ish styling isn't just aesthetic either; the suspension travel is legitimate and it handles gravel roads with surprising confidence for something this road-focused. That said, go in with eyes open. First-year examples had some software gremlins and a few owners reported fueling hiccups at low throttle openings — check dealer service history obsessively. The WP suspension is good but feels underdamped for heavier riders without a proper setup. Seat comfort is genuinely terrible past 90 minutes, no argument there. Used prices are holding firm because demand is real and supply is limited. Inspect the TFT display carefully — replacements aren't cheap. Overall though, this is a bike that rewards confident riders who actually want to use that capability rather than just photograph it.
Pros
Cons
You prioritise long-distance comfort over excitement
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