2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 – First Look

The Svartpilen 801 has a new roadster-styled sibling, as Husqvarna announces the new “White Arrow” Vitpilen 801. Like the Black Arrow, the Vitpilen adopts the 799cc LC8c Parallel-Twin of the KTM 790 Duke, offering yet a new option to the shared platform.

Ryan Adams recently reviewed the Svartpilen 801 and found it a “worthy contender in the market that brings its own unique style alongside proven performance.” That theme continues with the new Vitpilen, which brings its own take, with more aggressive ergonomics and a bright splash of color in yellow (a silver color is also available if you prefer something less flashy).

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Visually speaking, there’s more commonality than difference between the two 801s. Overlaying images of the two, the similarities are quite apparent, with the twins sharing the same engine and chassis, and even similar bodywork. Apart from the color, the biggest visual difference is in the Vitpilen’s headlight, which has a more slanted shape than the Svartpilen’s light. The front fenders are different, as are the radiator shrouds, and the Vitpilen 801 adds some bodywork under the engine. The wheels are the same five-spoke design, but the Vitpilen comes with Michelin Road 6 tires instead of the Svartpilen’s Pirelli MT60s.

The footpegs are in the same spot, but the Vitpilen 801’s handlebars are positioned lower and further forward than on the Svartpilen, creating a less upright riding posture. The handlebar is adjustable by 7 mm front to rear, however, so you can fine tune it to your liking.

The 799cc engine is unchanged from the Svartpilen 801, claiming the same peak output of 105 hp at 9,250 rpm and 64 lb-ft. at 8,000 rpm. Service intervals are also the same at 15,000 km (9,320 miles).

The Vitpilen 801 comes with three ride modes: Street, Sport, Rain, with a custom Dynamic mode available as an add-on (yes, Husqvaran’s continuing the practice of locking some features behind a paywall). A  cornering-sensitive traction control and ABS systems come standard, but Dynamic mode opens up 10-levels of rear wheel slip adjustment and a switchable Supermoto ABS mode. Motor Slip Regulation to even out engine drag torque during downshifts is also available, either on its own or as part of the Dynamic pack. A bidirectional “Easy Shift” quickshifter, anti-wheelie control, and cruise control are also available as add-ons.

Up front, the Vitpilen 801 comes equipped with a 43mm WP APEX open cartridge fork offering 5.5 inches of travel and adjustable compression and rebound. A WP rear shock connects directly to the swingarm, offering 5.9 inches of travel and adjustable rebound and preload.

J.Juan supplies the brakes, with dual 300 mm discs and radially-mounted four-piston calipers up front, and a two-piston caliper and 240 mm disc at the rear. Bosch provides the 9.3MP ABS.

The five-inch TFT display is similar to the Svartpilen’s screen, with an optically bonded mineral glass design to reduce glare. The infotainment screen can connect with smartphones via the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app, opening up turn-by-turn navigation, music, and phone calling.

Other highlights include a 32.3-inch seat height, 6.7 inches of ground clearance, a 3.7-gallon fuel tank, and a claimed weight – without fuel – of 397 pounds.

The 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 will arrive in dealerships in November. Pricing has not been released as of this writing.

2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Gallery

By Dennis Chung