Bajaj Auto has just revealed that the Husqvarna range of retro-modern motorcycles will be launched in India during 2019. This announcement was made at Bajaj Auto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held yesterday at Pune. The Husqvarna small capacity motorcycles including the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 will be built at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan factory, alongside the KTMs. The Husqvarnas will have a high amount of localization and Bajaj Auto will be the export hub for the motorcycles, which will be exported to international markets. Production of the Husqvarnas will start from later this year.
Both motorcycles will be positioned as Royal Enfield rivals in the retro-modern category of premium bikes. Both the Husqvarnas are expected to cost less than Rs. 3 lakhs thanks to extensive localization. Notably, both the Vitpilen and Svartpilen share their engines and most cycle parts with the KTM Duke 390.
The 373cc, four stroke motor will power both motorcycles. This engine gets liquid cooling, a four valve twin cam head, fuel injection and a slipper clutch. A 6 speed manual gearbox is standard. Peak power is rated at 44 Bhp while peak torque is rated at 37 Nm. The engine also does duty on the KTM Duke 390 and RC 390.
The Vitpilen will get cafe racer styling and will have an aggressive riding position while the Svartpilen 401 will be a scrambler, with a more relaxed riding position. Both motorcycles will get alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, and their frames will be borrowed from the KTM Duke 390. Dual channel ABS will be standard and both wheels will get hydraulic disc brakes. Suspension will consist of upside down front forks and a monoshock rear. the Svartpilen 401 will get on-off road tyres and could get higher suspension travel thanks to its Scrambler positioning. An early 2019 launch is on the cards for both motorcycles.
[“Source-cartoq”]