Husqvarna’s brand new Vitpilen 801 for 2025 is a hoot to ride and, among other aspects, satisfies my inner hooligan tendencies! Building on the success of the Vitpilen 401 and based on the Svartpilen 801 that debuted last year, the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 is the complete package for a naked all-arounder.
With over a century of moto history, Husqvarna had never produced a naked twin-cylinder sport bike until last year when we got the scrambler-inspired Svartpilen 801. For 2025, the pure roadster Vitpilen 801 boosts the marque into the sporting parallel-twin segment.
Within the Austrian family, the Vitpilen 801 is the closest cousin to the KTM 790 Duke. The 801’s $10,499 MSRP puts it in the price class with a collection of 900s—the BMW F 900 R, Kawasaki Z900, Triumph Speed Twin 900, and Yamaha MT-09.
- The Vitpilen and Svartpilen 801s are quite alike, utilizing the same platform. The significant difference is that the Vitpilen mounts the fabulous Michelin Road 6 tires, lacks a flyscreen, and has a straight-bend handlebar. There are also small trim changes, plus a sleek LED headlight wrapped in a circular illuminated frame.
- Fueling for the 799cc parallel twin is through a DKK Dell’Orto 46mm throttle body, and it is spot-on thanks to the Bosch EMS. The smooth and linear ride-by-wire throttle response has no hesitation or flat spots. Power production peaks at 8000 rpm (64 ft-lbs of torque) and 9250 rpm (105 horsepower). With a curb weight of 420 pounds, the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 can leap off the line like a scalded cat, producing grin-in-your-helmet performance whenever desired.
- There are three ride modes in stock condition, plus a fourth mode that comes with the $420 Dynamic Package. If you get the Dynamic Package, the Dynamic mode is added to Rain, Street, and Sport modes. As expected, each ride mode has its own characteristics and works as one might imagine. Each ride mode affects throttle response, traction control, peak power, and more.
- Dynamic mode allows direct control over all functions and reconfigures the data displayed on the dash. Dynamic mode includes five-level wheelie control, 10-step lean-sensitive defeatable traction control, throttle response options, and motor slip regulation to prevent skidding on downshifts. Traction control allows varied levels of traction slip at the rear wheel to permit drifting the rear while accelerating out of a corner while lifting the front wheel. Dynamic is my favorite mode, and I need it to keep up with the fast company I sometimes keep. If you’re the type of rider who wants the most performance, options, and rider aids, it’s well worth the $420 software upgrade.
- You don’t have to buy the Dynamic Package for the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 at the point of sale. Husqvarna lets you try the software to see if you want to buy it. If you don’t buy it straight away, the software can be unlocked by a dealer at any time.
- Sport mode gives you plenty of leeway and superb throttle response. Traction control doesn’t have the cornering awareness that the Dynamic Package offers. Wheelie control is deactivated, while ABS intervention is reduced and front-wheel only. If you don’t mind the loss of some rider aids, it could be all you need. While I prefer all the goodies, Sport mode is still highly capable.
- Street mode offers a smooth throttle response and two-wheel ABS. In Street mode, the available rider aids are more intrusive than in Sport mode, though the engine continues to be peppy. According to our sources at Husqvarna, Street is the best mode for less experienced riders and those riding two-up. Although I don’t fall into either category, I concur.
- I haven’t tested the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 in the rain, but should the road get wet, I would take advantage of its capability. Throttle response and peak horsepower are tamped down, and traction control and ABS don’t hesitate to intervene.
- Unlike the stylish dirt-track-inspired tires on the Svartpilen, the Vitpilen 801 is all-business with Michelin Road 6 rubber on 17-inch wheels. Those who have ridden on Road 6 tires know they offer long sport-touring tire life and fabulous grip under a broad range of conditions.
- With the slightly leaning-forward seating position and an aggressive 24.5 degrees of rake, the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801’s front-end feel inspires confidence. The Vitpilen is certainly an agile ride, though not at a great cost to stability. The spacious 58.1-inch wheelbase settles things down, so the Vitpilen is not nervous at speed or when you pick a line in a corner. The 801 has a WP non-adjustable steering damper to help keep things calm and predictable.
- Forged aluminum triple clamps are matched to a tapered handlebar. The handlebar mounts provide two positions for a front-to-back adjustment range of 7mm. That one-quarter inch might be helpful to some riders. I found the riding position all-day comfortable, with the wide handlebar providing plenty of leverage and control, making any turn smooth and easy. The 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 cockpit fits nicely for my six-foot frame, and the rubber-inserted aluminum footpegs are high enough that they neither felt cramped nor touched down in a corner.
- The WP Apex suspension works well, and fork-damping adjustment is tool-free. I like that the fork adjusters are a hand-adjustable wingnut type, allowing super easy changes, whether at a stoplight or on the fly. The telltale ring on the front tubes showed that I used up all but an inch of travel—just about right. I didn’t need to dial in the suspension, front or rear, as it worked wonderfully with the factory settings.
- Going fast on twisty roads requires brakes commensurate with the speeds delivered. The calipers are sourced from Brembo-owned J.Juan, though built to Husqvarna’s standards and have the crown branding. With twin 300mm discs up front, the system brakes did a masterful job of shedding speed smoothly when needed. They have excellent initial bite with great proportional response to input. I knew they were doing a fabulous job because they just worked and I did not need to give them much thought during the ride. ABS is provided through Bosch 9.3 MP and includes cornering-ABS. Supermoto mode in Dynamic mode deactivates rear-wheel ABS, lessens front-wheel intrusion, and abandons lean angle calculations. The standard setting is fine for me and allows plenty of leeway.
- If you’re planning on longer rides on the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 that include freeway drones, cruise control can be had at a price. You will have to shell out $289 for software and $238 for the upgraded switchgear, which also has a button that allows programming for quick access to a favorite function. I would never buy another bike without CC, so I’d be in for another $527. Depending on how aggressively you ride, you should be able to get at least 150 miles out of the 3.7-gallon tank.
- The color TFT dashboard is easy to read, even in bright sun. I can easily scroll through all the usual trip computer functions and calculations. The display is user-configurable and shows a trip odometer, fuel range, fuel consumption, engine temperature, ride mode, and ABS settings. Nothing was lacking in the information offered. Download the Ride Husqvarna app to your smartphone and you can pair it to the dash for the usual phone and music interactions, including turn-by-turn navigation.
- I like the minimalistic bodywork that wraps the 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801. The flow of the body from fuel tank to subframe is pleasing to my eye as is the chin spoiler that does a nice job enveloping the lower portion of the engine. Its slim design makes it easy to straddle the machine, and the seat has a pleasant contour and nice cushioning. The saddle holds me in place nicely while still allowing repositioning as desired. Husqvarna’s accessories catalog allows for personalization ranging from an Akrapovič slip-on muffler to bar-end mirrors.
- The Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 was a joy to ride and delivered the exciting performance I was hoping. It does this while also coddling me in a comfortable and good-looking package. For those of us who feel too large and experienced for 401, I’m happy to say that the Vitpilen concept scales up nicely.
Photography by Kevin Wing
RIDING STYLE
2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 799cc
- Bore x stroke: 88mm x 65.7mm
- Maximum power: 103 horsepower
- Compression ratio: 12.5:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: Bosch ride-by-wire EMS w/ DKK Dell’Orto 46mm throttle bodies
- Exhaust: Stainless steel
- Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
- Cooling: Liquid and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
- Clutch: Cable-actuated w/ assist and slip functions
- Final drive: 520 X-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Chromoly steel w/ aluminum subframe
- Handlebar: Tapered aluminum w/ crossbar and 2 mounting positions
- Steering damper: WP
- Front suspension; travel: Damping-adjustable WP Apex 43mm inverted fork; 5.5 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-free, rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable WP Apex shock; 5.9 inches
- Wheels: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
- Tires: Michelin Road 6
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 300mm discs w/ radially mounted J.Juan 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ J.Juan 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Bosch 9.3 MP w/ cornering ABS and Supermoto mode
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.1 inches
- Rake: 24.5 degrees
- Triple clamp offset: 32mm
- Trail: 3.9 inches
- Seat height: 32.2 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3.7 gallons
- Curb weight: 420 pounds
- Colors: Yellow; silver
2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Price: $10,499 MSRP
2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 Review Photo Gallery
