Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Review | What Is It?!

[@sverremoe4087]

Camshaft lubrication is an optional extra that automatically gets removed if you don't buy the cam pack

[@loztagain8278]

I love the looks of these husqvarna bikes, just don't like price tag, nor the 790 camshaft stories we are hearing...

[@andrewjohnson6297]

Never had a problem with mine and it got hammered

[@nazhif1]

the 790 engine was revised in 2023.

[@loztagain8278]

@@nazhif1 well you aint going to find out if that revision sorted it till bikes have done bigger miles than what they likely will of for now

[@paultaylorduke]

@@nazhif1 Did it? KTM typically updates part numbers when a part is improved, this hasn't been done for the pre-2023 parts fiches, so that indicates the issue hasn't been fixed - time will tell if the 2023+ engine is improved.

[@nazhif1]

@@paultaylorduke well that’s what the KTM reps said. Not sure if it applies to all 790 engines made in China or just some models

[@swieri2003]

Hopefully the absolutely god awful camshafts from the 790 issue is resolved, I wouldn’t touch one of these unless KTM actually addressed that publicly

[@motorsforthemasses]

2024 Husqvarna Svitpilen 801 UK REVIEW kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJzRlmyCm6ahnbM

[@irisgardener4141]

I fancied the 701 one as a tidy little retro vibe to take out to nicer establishments. Like smarter places I could wear a nice jacket and kevlar jeans to

[@kenjikenjikenj]

Quality-wise, I don't have a problem with it being built in China. I'm sure it meets KTM spec. However I think it's not great that those savings aren't being transferred at all to the customer.

[@sabamacx]

You mean you aren't fond of paying Austrian prices for Chinese/Indian bikes?

[@andy198712]

Trouble is “ktm spec “ isn’t what it used to be!

[@Nexus-6]

I had to do a double take, and there is in fact a pillion seat. It looks like a terrifying place to be. 😮

[@yohanyonsson]

It’s pretty big actually

[@oldblokeonaducati.8365]

Hope the Chinese camshafts last longer than the KTM ones and that they will replace under warranty

[@kiztime1234]

Is this is why they're not priced like Chinese bikes should be? Need the revenue to pay for the warranty repairs?

[@cunningpunt]

From what I can gather the cams are ok but the oil squirters to the cam lobes are hit and miss. If the cam lobes aren't getting oiled then they are gonna have a bad time. Oh and KTM will weasel out of warrenty repair on this, really why would you ever buy from such a company.

[@ggj666]

remember the vauxhall opel camshafts of the 80's, nothing changes

[@anxiousappliance]

maybe they won't make them out of Austrianesium.

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Do these still need the cams, cylinder head and valves replacing every 20,000 - 30,000 km like it's orange cousin?

[@justgotafilthyname]

where do you have the information from? I watched a 50'000km engine dismantle and most of everything was in great shape, including the valves and cams. I can link it here if you want.

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

@@justgotafilthyname I can link to a pirate racing video here if you want where a valve hit the piston and failed, because KTM installed the piston the wrong way round from the factory! Also wrong sized bearings installed in same video, oil pump issue and cams. Or how about my personal experience where my low kilometres bike spent four months next to four others waiting on engine parts at the dealer. The workshop doing my valve check who identified worn cams said they where taking bets before inspecting the valves if it had cam issues because they’ve had a bunch they’ve seen with it.

[@justgotafilthyname]

@@SomeRandoInternetPoster Thanks for the feedback. I've seen the video's about the wrong mounted 790 from pirate racing a couple weeks ago but thanks! Ok so it seems that you have experience with the cams which are in a bad state when checking valve clearance, right? So about 30'000km? Why did you mention the cylinder head and the valves beside it? What are the iusses with them?

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

@@justgotafilthyname In my case, the worn cams caused gouging in the head as they sit on it. That's what my dealer told me anyway, so they had to replace the head. They also said valves where worn out of spec so also needed replacing. Issue identified at 28,000 km as doing the 30k service 2k early. It likely had been worn for a a good while before that, can't say how long as only found them due to scheduled 30k valve check.

[@justgotafilthyname]

@@SomeRandoInternetPoster thanks for the additional information. Hope to have a better 790 then... Already have 21000km on it. Wish me luck for the 30k Service 😜

[@franklinwilkerson2061]

Wow this is pure mutiny!! And I love it. Never have I read so many negative comments about a 44teeth review. I just thought the bike looked crappy having no idea about the camshaft issues. V4, V2, inline 4 or maybe a triple for me.

[@Colin-on-Vaction]

the "Camshafts" get munched before lunch warning light that what KTM didn't install on the 790

[@ellwoodwolf]

Oh look ! Another p-twin.... But with crappy KTM reliability and price . Woooohoooo just what I didn't want. Lots of existing bikes I would pick over this.

[@Andryk_QV]

What else would you prefer?

[@bazitube390]

@@Andryk_QV literally anything else. mt09,ducati monster, street triple etc

[@bingoberra18]

I got my license a week ago and went on a test ride on one of these two days ago. I also drove the GSX 8S and CB750 Hornet same day. I think I preferred the GSX, but the sound was better on the CB750. And the Svartpilen was nice but I´m not sure I can say it was any better. I cant get over why I would want something that has been compromised (however little) for the asphalt just so it can run on gravel, when it never will. Its a naked rascal. Without having driven it (I will) I would go for a Duke 890 for the same price.

[@Nerezza1]

Just don't actually go for the 890. Get a Trident/Striple, mt09 or gsx-s 1000 instead. All three offer something different whilst being reliable. Z900 is trash as well btw

[@urbanstrencan]

Just gorgeous 😍😍😍😍. Can't wait to get mine , ordered it before eaven saw it

[@CunningStuntsGoFast]

i want this 105bhp twin engine to build into my 701 sm . would be a great project .

[@mitchellwhitfield4704]

If you’re gonna do that a 990 twin would make more sense I think

[@inked-96]

They dropped a bollock with this pricing...

[@northernlefty5412]

Damn people eviscerating this bike (rightly so)😂

[@Renzsu]

There's no excuse for crappy parts on premium bikes, they need to be on top of this.

[@yahoodlums]

Head to head with XSR900 would be great

[@Mtthwpez]

With all the issues with this engine, and KTM denying/putting their head in the sand and leaving owners out in the cold, I wouldn't buy a bike with any version of this engine in right now!

[@HolyMoleyJoelyPoley]

Man it's such a shame KTM have quality/reliability issues. If the brand had a better name in this regard, I'd be looking at the 801. l similarly would've picked a 1290 SuperDuke over an MT-10 if it weren't for their dubious track record for reliability. Needless to say, I bought the MT-10.

[@rickmancr]

Now, if the designers would just figure out that they could make that rear light/number plate bracket fulfill another function. If they made it wider it would catch the water and mud thrown up by the rear wheel, guarding the rider's clothes and helmet. They could call it a "mudguard".

[@mungo75]

Have to laugh at all the comments on reliability, way back when in 2002-2003 I had a XR650 in supermoto trim. The supermoto forum I went on was full of people with the old KTM SMC's going pop and/or constantly having problems. To the point they were just called K-T-BOOM's. 😅 I remember it vividly. It's a real shame, we've moved on a long way, I honestly thought KTM had got it dialled in the last few years. But obviously not. As for paying KTM prices for a CF Moto, fuuuuuck that. I've always had a soft spot for Husky's, but not a chance.

[@Vtwin_Superbikes]

Another splendid review, Nige.

[@Dean-does-Stuff-81]

I think I would just go for the cf moto 800 nk.... less money and basically the same thing..

[@Migs2Wheels]

plus you get an ipad for a dash lol

[@mattwilliams7454]

I like the looks. I can't pretend I don't.

[@MV-XD2]

Hard hitting at @6:23 very nearly was! It certainly looks different to a Duke, which is no bad thing as they’re uniformly hideous, but there’s something about the back end and those rad cowls that just don’t work. £2,500 more than a Duke seems a hefty premium for looks. Nice try at being different but not for me.

[@MarkGib]

Love the fact that they retained the overall 701 styling but have evolved it. I remember you gushing over the 701 svart when you reviewed it but clearly not so much now, why the change of heart?

[@jonomasonILoveU]

I`m on my second KTM and absolutely love them, however this Svartpilen is so tempting, I`m seriously contemplating purchasing this motorcycle. I love kTm😁.

[@johnDukemaster]

Me too! I'm on the same fence. Love the KTM's (had a 690 Duke and now a 790 Duke) but this 801... I'm a bit crossed with all these "experts" who never had a KTM, going on with camshafts. It's not that big a deal actually! There are more stories than actual cases. Anyway, I'm waiting to see one in the flesh and go for a spin. Then I'll decide! How about you?

[@geniusanthony]

I have the Husqvarna yth22v46 and hate it, the spindle bearings are perpetually wearing out. The bike looks ok, I'm sure rides fine too, would just feel weird about my mower having the same name plate as my bike. Also, my husq chainsaw is kind of crap also. Great review Al, always like your ride reviews in beautiful places.

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Does it also eat cams?

[@Larry_Mott]

FYI from a Swede - it's pronounced Svart-peelen. Now go impress scandinavians! :)

[@farhunt94]

I've own a 750cc bike. I don't know when I'll outgrow it since every ride is an enjoyment for me.

[@pasizdobrekuce]

I like how it looks! That said, I'd slap 1390 unit and some more premium components though.

[@cowmath77]

I’d value a more interesting engine (non P-twin) over interesting plastics. I just can’t jump on the P-twin train. I’ve got a Duc L Twin, a Triumph triple and Honda thumper.

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

You got the right idea…different engine formats. I got k5 1000, speed triple 1050 and XR650R SM…love big twins, had a tl1000r last year but the k5 punches so hard it feels like a v twin! P twin just offers no excitement to me not in a rush to get one in the stable.

[@cowmath77]

@@AdamBrowne-eg1eb P-twin is the inline 4 of the car world. They work, they’re efficient, and they can be fun, but it doesn’t change the fact that just like the Inline 4, the P twin is the most boring engine ever.

[@TheLightningII]

You do realize the KTM p-twins have the same firing order and sound as their V-twins, right?

[@sabamacx]

@@TheLightningII The only reason these parallel twins exist is because they're so much cheaper to make. KTM used to make 990 V-twins and they were superb, much rather one of those then yet-another-parallel-twin.

[@TheLightningII]

@@sabamacx Yeah that's the main reason but why is that a bad thing? They're also lighter and cheaper to maintain. And likely slightly more reliable given the lower number of moving parts. The only advantages a V-twin has over a parallel twin is maybe better weight distribution or width for certain types of bikes.

[@witnesspropro]

I'd buy it tomorrow as a replacement of my 5 year old MT 09 SP if it had the same engine configuration.

[@Sanemancured]

Al , was that you in Milnthorpe Cumbria this evening as I droned through on my old 1150?

[@yohanyonsson]

Everyone is bashing the price and comparing it to the 790 without even looking at the differences in components. It’s the same people complaining about “made in China” but don’t want to pay premium because it’s made in EU.

[@overboost7667]

What Is It?! With the manufacturers track record it is a grenade with the pin pulled and the clip retained by a prayer ...

[@sdipotaroeno]

The comparison with your kid’s classmates difficulty to identify themselves 😂

[@sofakingcrazy1]

Did they fix the 790 engine? I thought that thing was such a turd that that's why they released 890 so quickly so soon after?

[@ampelec]

Nope. Lots of issues with cam wear on both the 790/890 platforms. Supposedly fixed with the 990 but too early to tell

[@subzero-ku2wx]

No, they're still fuc*ked.

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Wouldn't go near a KTM or any derivative. The list of issues is far too long, and after sales support is abysmal.

[@samsebin7895]

can you guys enlighten me on the issue of camshaft

[@nunyabidness9257]

Trying to understand where they are selling a premium bike like this with the 790 engine while they are now selling the 990 version of this engine…. Fuck it, I’ll take a street triple.

[@RiderReview]

I love the current 401

[@pokawolf24]

Might as well get the CB650R? Maybe a little tame, but certainly Better value for the same look?

[@dannyflint2607]

Was thinking the exact same thing 👍🏼

[@hamishkilpatrick9933]

I actually liked the old number plate holders

[@jamespither1382]

£1500 more than a Street Triple R, and you dont even get KTM's 890 motor. Seems a con to me

[@Weini123]

8:23 made me choke on my dinner thank you very much... 😅

[@ccaalluuss]

Who needs another naked with that engine?

[@anxiousappliance]

The CFMoto 800NK is another 790 variation and a stunning looking bike. $8500 US. I hope the Chinese can teach KTM how to build a bike.

[@subzero-ku2wx]

🤡🤡🤡Look! Another LC8c-equipped engine with soft camshafts! ALL of these engines are prematurely wearing their cams. Next time mention this and hold them accountable. 😢😢😢 (Former 890 R owner)

[@Nerezza1]

Soon to be a former 890 R owner as well. Trading it in today for an MT09SP before the cams become an issue.

[@subzero-ku2wx]

@@Nerezza1 I replaced mine with a '24 base model MT-09. You can tell the suspension is not as good and the throttle neutering in second gear is atrocious and needs to be tuned out ASAP. The SP suspension should be good for you but you will still need the tune.

[@Nerezza1]

​​@@subzero-ku2wxI'll ride it and see how bad it is. Prolly not gonna be a priority since I never sit in second gear that much ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ Anyway, right away I noticed how much nicer the 09 is just by looking and sitting on it. Yam has really stepped up their game since the first model year.

[@Deano_77]

Cadburys diary milk camshafts.

[@thisisntmyname9506]

Doesn’t matter how good it is in the UK market as a 21 year old I am 100% uninsurable even with an full A licence and no points and multiple years NCB so I’ve given up on motorbikes

[@rogerkay8603]

Thats a proper shame buddy, feel your pain.

[@HollyBerryDOOG]

Not impressed with the KTM family in terms of reliability, my SD was awful

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

So was my SAR.

[@brianrainey2739]

@@thepassionofthegoose5472 My SDR, RC390, and 690SMC have all been great!

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

A 2024 smc690r owner is already having reliability issues…it’s going to take ktm 2 months to get it in to look at it…doesn’t that kind of say they are currently backlogged with reliability issues and can’t keep pace?…waiting two months is crazy…we only get 4 month’s decent weather here so there’s half of your nice weather riding out the window. I wouldn’t go anywhere near one if I’m honest, not when there’s street triples and mt07’s out there that are built to last and super reliable.

[@kiztime1234]

Reject it, get the Hypermotard, never look back.

[@svracing3]

I had nothing but issues with my 2022 bike was in the dealer getting worked on longer than it wasn’t sold it as soon as the dealer gave it me back after 3 months with them

[@T3-RIDER]

Welcome to ktm ownership! I had a 125 duke 21 model, had to wait 3 months for an exhaust vavle, best advice is to sell after your warranty expires, that's what a ktm mechanic told me 😂

[@jdam28k]

@@kiztime1234Ducati reliability is still hot dogshit, had a 2022 Scrambler 1100 that was nothing but issues, never again.

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

@@kiztime1234it’s my mates bike but he’s keeping it!…I wouldn’t have one if you paid me. I have a 2003 XR650R SM which is 20kg lighter, same power and is bomb proof reliable!

[@hubert1142]

got to have the NIGE hoodie

[@KentRoads]

can get a ZH2 for like 20% more money

[@ricatiman]

Why no Vitpilan 801? We want 17" wheels please...

[@ehiggins7476]

The Svart 801 has 17" wheels

[@williamrae9954]

That's 1here the concept is flawed...the Svartpilen should have wire spoke wheels and a 18" rim on the front...Vitpilen could have been KTM's rescue bike(stunning),but the damage has been done,way overpriced, this should have been under £7999

[@mattm1841]

uploaded 8 seconds ago is earliest iv seen an upload show up in my feed lol

[@andy198712]

These used to look special and different and out there. Now it kinda just looks like any other bike?? No fault of its own just other bikes have really moved on in the style department and this now is drowned by it…. Odd pick up but those wheels look like the ones on my ktm 950sm?! Reusing old molds 👀 Hopefully the heads are getting better now??

[@sverremoe4087]

if you want to ride your bike and be happy stay away from all 790 engines xD... ktm in general.... i have a 990 smt dont @ me

[@alexerioeduardo2844]

I don't understand why they think they can charge so much more for a middle weight? This is supposed to be the value class!

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Milk the middle class...class

[@sabamacx]

Austrian prices for Chinese bikes. Hard pass. (Still no rival for my Nuda 900R, too.)

[@VeeFour]

Tyres chosen for their aesthetics rather than their performance is the biggest no no for me. Nice looking bike though.

[@Akkiben]

Eye sore, hearing the Cam issues, made it easy to not bother.

[@karlwinton1776]

Thank you great quick roundup of a new bike. But it’s very clear I can now see ktm’s new strategy if you make your flagship 1390 bike incredibly ugly how can you convince customers to buy it? Here is how make your other bikes really ugly like this abomination and then maybe we can sell some 1390s.

[@MrH250]

Let me think for a second…… NOPE!

[@buckymoto1784]

I owned a Svart 701 for 2 years. When I watched your 701 review you had an absolute Ball riding it. You laughed constantly, you had the front wheel off the ground almost the whole video. I found this review you liked the older Svart more than the new one.. Personally. I prefer the quirky looks and number board of the old Svart. That's one of the reasons I bought it. I'm the kind of guy wants somthing quirky and different. This one looks like a cookie cutter honda hornet.. I think the new one is ugly.. 🤷‍♂️... Sorry husky you've lost my interest. I wish had my channel up an running when I had the Svart 701, I think I could have made some cool vids of it... Such a hooligan machine.. 😎

[@C64SX]

I've done about 10,000km on my Svart 701 now, and I'm still very much in love with it. Of the few p-twin engines I've tried so far, none have come even close to the fun factor of the thumper. More comfortable, yes, but that's not what this bike should be prioritising.

[@Nelis_86]

Svart 701 is a smile maker, a riders bike with eccentric looks.

[@karlmustermann6005]

Why no vitpilen 801??? Come on husqvarna

[@Oilyhands749]

Katastrophic Terminal Motors

[@Jamesulchip]

As a regular viewer who happens to be a French teacher in secondary, I'm impressed!

[@GiancarloBenzina]

Nice nature, whatever the bike.

[@Nerezza1]

Cool 790 I guess

[@MarkMcCurdy]

Damper. I want to demo

[@semidelta7756]

Love it 😭

[@mattdog1982]

Errrrm can they just bring one out that looks like the 400 from the 60s?

[@Scouse.Malinois]

Hang on. Has he just said it looks nothing like a 790?😂 mate it looks near enough identical just smoother lines. This bikes 100% going to be a flop. If you buy this instead of an 890 or mt09 you need a full time carer. I could think of a lot worse of a bike to have but to me it makes no sense, if it was same price as the 890 then fair enough its just a slightly different flavour someone else could prefer but to charge like 4k more is hilariously an awful buisness plan

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

😂 agreed

[@rogerkay8603]

I'd have one, the 790 engine issues were well sorted by KTM years ago, still haters gonna hate.

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Why are there still reports of it happening now on 2023 models if fixed years ago? How are owners who purchased 7/890 bikes and have cam issues and poor support from KTM haters? They liked the bike enough they went and brought one, hardly haters if liked the bike enough to buy it!

[@l.s.1709]

When was the last time you looked at your camshaft and cam followers?

[@Nerezza1]

It's only gotten worse since the first model year. My 2018 790 was great, but after that the quality fell off a cliff.

[@michiel1362]

Collega traded his 1290 super duke in and the shopman asked how many breakdowns repairs did you need so far… bike did not have major issues but the assumption alone, from somebody in the motor trade, is scary

[@rogerkay8603]

@@l.s.1709 had 2 of the 390's, did 27000 miles (one written off by a cager) and neither had a problem - how many you owned then?

[@DarronHaig-q7b]

Runolfsson Trail

[@mr.d280]

Is this bike not made by CF Moto as well? It probably shares the exact same bones right? Surely there’s a sticker hiding out somewhere on a frame tube that states the bikes origin country?

[@rigaudio]

I thought they were being made by Bajaj in India, or could just be the 401 I'm thinking of

[@TheLightningII]

Did you watch the video. The bike is made is Austria. The engine is made in China but it's the same KTM designed engine that they've been making since 2018.

[@sverremoe4087]

@@TheLightningII so the engine is shit

[@paultaylorduke]

4 year warranty provided an authorised dealer does all the servicing, so if it does eat the cams, Husq/KTM has already got you to pay for the repair in advance. lol

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Ever dealt with KTM warranty? My experience is the first response is “no”, then it’s “no” again, then you issue legal threats and suddenly it’s “oh, yes we will cover that now”. Warranty isn’t worth the paper it’s written on, it’s an uphill struggle.

[@paultaylorduke]

@@SomeRandoInternetPoster for my camshaft/valves/follower repair the initial response was no but I suspect the dealer didn’t even ask KTM to cover it because the bike had well over double the mileage of their warranty but out of frustration I emailed KTM directly and they are covering the cost of parts.

[@AlexisDecicco-m9n]

Lucio Stravenue

[@C64SX]

Why do utubers all of a sudden say the 701 has 9l of fuel? It was originally 12l, then after fuel tank recall the new tank was down half a litre or so, 11,5l.

[@gsmoto9790]

I ran my 701 Vit dry and pushed it into a petrol station, filled it up sitting on the bike, wiggled it several times to push out the air bubbles and get more in. It took 10.3 litres

[@C64SX]

@@gsmoto9790 Good to know, thanks :) I've never run dry, so have never been able to really check how much the tank really holds. In the 11,5l stated, some of that volume might perhaps be above the lower part of the filler cap and not really usable. Just speculating here of course :) Still, more than 9l!

[@36moto]

Spit the pill out pal, it’s a 790, with a different jacket on.

[@cruze86]

Obviously mate

[@FortyFourTeeth]

Did you watch the video? 🤦🏻

[@MillardIkner-e6k]

McGlynn Run

[@EmmaOsborn-o2n]

Ondricka Radial

[@UrsulaHinman-o2g]

McGlynn Burgs

[@CroftChristopher-l5q]

Madie Throughway

[@JeffreyLeblanc-f9j]

Lilly Mission

[@ThelmaIverson-q1t]

Vandervort Walk

[@JimBiddle.]

If I wanted a KTM, I'd buy a KTM. This is a KTM for hipster old people? Rather they put money into sorting the chocolate cams.

[@AguedaGraczyk-h4q]

Cora Locks

[@ClassieLevesgue-b8s]

Cloyd Glen

[@jt4105]

This bike need spoke wheels

[@bryangreen9672]

The name alone does my head in 🤦‍♂️

[@JovitaWilson-r2f]

Marguerite Spur

[@KathleenMaxwell-r1r]

Hayes Hills

[@BrewsterEmily-c5m]

Raheem Freeway

[@dnlvrl.]

Too many cylinders. Mortards are really fun but most aren't jumped, so a single cylinder naked makes a lot of sense and seems more fun to me but won't win the spec sheet races. There's already a lot of twins with better support and no history of troubles. The tires make no sense except to appear in internet searches for scramblers

[@BrightEddie-y9k]

Krajcik Tunnel

[@WilburVasquez-c1b]

Reichel Junction

[@SherwoodCoyne-c1r]

Lowe Harbor

[@DavyNeil-e4m]

Kianna River