2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 debuts at Eicma

HUSQVARNA’S Vitpilen 701, first revealed as a concept two years ago, has been unveiled in Milan today as a 2018 production model.

The stripped-down naked roadster, pictured above, was shown at the Eicma motorcycle show along with a new concept – the Svartpilen 701, a more scrambler-esque take on the same theme.

Both use the 692.7cc engine from Husqvarna’s 701 Supermoto and 701 Enduro, and originally from KTM’s 690 Supermoto and 690 Enduro, making 75hp and 53lbft.

Husqvarna confirmed that the Vitpilen 701 would be available to buy in the first quarter of 2018, along with Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401, similarly-styled smaller models using the 373.2cc single-cylinder engine from KTM’s 390 Duke.

The Vitpilen 701 gets a ride-by-wire throttle and switchable ABS with a four-piston radial mounted Brembo caliper on a 320mm front disc and a single-pot on a 240m disc at the rear.

It also gets a slipper clutch to reduce back-torque on down-shifts.

Suspension is from WP, consisting of an upside-down 43mm fork and monoshock.

The frame is trellis steel and the claimed un-fuelled weight 157kg.

Husqvarna said in a press release: ‘The VITPILEN range marks a return to the simple spirit that originally made street motorcycling attractive. The simple yet progressive design of these bikes are a thought-provoking paradox that challenges perceptions through a series of contrasts – surreal yet realist, cold yet enticing, bold yet humble.’

On the Svartpilen 701 concept, the firm said: ‘The new Husqvarna SVARTPILEN 701 is the dark street explorer, inspired by the resurgence of the iconic flat track scene, packaged as a progressive single-cylinder motorcycle that is designed to deliver an authentic, pure and honest riding experience.’

Scroll down for more pictures of the Vitpilen 701.

Here are the Vitpilen 701's specs, straight from Husqvarna:

See the Vitpilen 701 at Motorcycle Live.