Svartpilen 401 - Can You Ride It on the Highway and What about Fuel Economy?

[@hob976]

Got a Svartpilen 401 yesterday! I'm stoked!

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Congratulations and happy riding!!!

[@marioperez2443]

Enjoy!

[@ramr7051]

hows it going with it?

[@hob976]

@@ramr7051 Thanks for asking! It's been a flawless bike. I've rarely made big purchases in my life that were "perfect wins". This bike is one. And it was barely more than $6k. I put it on a credit card. I'm not exaggerating when I say that every time I walk through my garage and look at it, I grin. I've kept everything stock but the mirrors, and I love the way it looks. I can't really comment on performance, I drive like a grandma. I like smooth rides. But, even yesterday, I guy getting in his car in a parking lot told me how cool it looks. It's glances and nods all the time... I put "ethanol free" gas in it and it's a $6 gas tank. The small tank IS the only downside. But, if you Amazon "Motorcycle 5L 1.3 Gallon Black Fuel Can", there's a container that easily fastens to the side of the bike ( when you want it ) and it looks like it was made for the Svartpilen. If my ride is more than 1.5 hrs, I put it on. Lastly, the bike is light. I got a cheap trailer-hitch mounted bike rack, so the bike rests sideways, behind the tailgate. When you drive, you don't even know it's there. More than 45 min on the bike is a bit much for my girl, so we truck it to a beautiful place and take it off the truck from there. I'm not gonna understate it, that bike might be one of my favorite things... Do you ride one?

[@ikariku]

Over 6-6.5k RPM the ECU switch from closed to open loop, providing the engine a richer fuel mix. Than's why the fuel economy drops and also why you feel a surge of torque on that point.

[@DiogenesOfCa]

I own a mini-moto and I ride city, but there is times where taking a highway would save me tons of time. This answered my question on this bike as it is on my radar.

[@retro-butionautomotiveprod9614]

Thankyou for Sharing im planning to buy one, Great timing Beautiful Sunrise Ride!

[@RafaelHEscobar]

Hi. A Svartpilen [the grey one] owner here. It is obvious that the more you accelerate the more gas will be consumed. The bike can speed up to 170/180 Kmh, but due to its lightness it isn't recommended to accelerate past 160 km/h because it will wobble even if you put pressure on the laterals with your legs. BTW, the Svartpilen is a bike that withstands high revs (9000 - 11 000) for decent periods of time. That is the advantage of having a high compression engine. Anyway, I hope you can enjoy it on the twisties. You'll feel it almost like a SuMo.

[@marvij7715]

nice. would you recommend the svartpilen 401 for like a cross country tour including off-road rides? considering the price/budget.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I wouldn’t. There are other bikes that would be a better fit. Could you do it? Yes. But tank is really small, for example so I’d be worried all the time about gas. KTM 390 Adventure might be worth looking at.

[@marvij7715]

thanks! I'll check it out@@ridingwithgravity401

[@masonmax1000]

if you adjust the suspension properly it wont wobble as bad if at all.

[@bachkim4485]

Do you think it can be ridden 900km one day? I am thinking riding it from sydney to Brisbane in a day

[@jktho]

Nice video. I’ve wondered how my vitpilen would do back in Dallas where I used to live. It’s perfect here in SF.

[@papercut1987]

i have been riding my svart401 for the last summer. other than the wind, I'm happy on this "little" bike. it needs a good windscreen to help me tuck into something, and bike it self is short so i seat on pillion seat when I'm riding against or side wind.

[@p-dub7422]

Excellent video and commentary! I just happened to catch this video. I have a 701 Svartpilen and this video is also helpful for me. But, I am surprised that the 401 is able to comfortably keep that kind of speed on the highway. I thought the 401 would struggle due to lower HP etc. This is something that I wondered about that bike. It seems like the 401 with the lower HP might be even better around town and in tight places, is that correct? You mentioned the wind and that you can feel the wind etc. Would you consider a windscreen or you are good without it. I like the look of my bike without it so right now no windscreen for me. But, the surprise is the kind of range I heard you report like 160 miles. That is really surprising for the tank size that you have. I do not think that I am filling my bike up like I can because it's tricky. I have never had a bike like this before. And I think your suggestions for riding early on the highway for new riders is a good one I have not thought about that. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Thank you, @P-DUB! Gas Mileage: I'm sure my range is largely because most of my riding is below 6000 RPMs on city streets. That said, I still wish I could stretch it further. If I did the 16 tooth front sprocket as @dantediss1 had suggested, I could lower the RPMs at higher speeds and that would help. I'm still annoyed by the tank size, particularly when I go on longer rides, but that's probably because I need a second motorcycle (LOL); I got the Svart for city riding, not heading out for long country rides. Highway Speeds: 401 definitely more suited to pounding concrete on city roads and navigating the streets. However, it's surprisingly good at hitting highway speeds quickly and holding the speed. Very comfortable around 80 MPH. Today I did a speed run to see how fast I could get her to go. I'll share that in a separate video. I did that speed run so that all of you out there don't have to do it yourselves. Adrenaline. Windscreen: I don't think I'll get a windscreen either. I am getting more used to the wind, except when I turn my head and it feels like I'm going to get pulled off my motorcycle. I'm ready for that now too though. If I rode on the highway often enough, I'd consider it. I'm guessing I'd need a big one to avoid the "helmet in the wind" and I don't want that. Maybe someone out there can comment if they've got a great windscreen???

[@Cnuggets]

Wind is my problem as well scary on high speeds. I like the torquiness when urban riding.

[@charlestontate9499]

Nice informative video

[@muhammadc2000]

I wish I could've gotten the 400 in London, I have the 125 and going on main road u have to full tuck to hit 70mph and It feels ridiculous

[@masonmax1000]

ive gotten mine up to 110 on a track of course.

[@alexjohnson3696]

Great video, thank you

[@Coolio157]

Just bought the last of the new 2023 401 Vitpilens. Love it. Did you consider putting in a 1 up size front sprocket? I find the gearing quite low. And I do a lot of highway miles. I think 16T would be just one larger than stock.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I’ve heard good things about doing the 16 front sprocket, especially if you are mostly riding highway/commute. I hit the highways a lot but most of my riding is still city and the highway traffic here is pretty slow (Minneapolis- St Paul). I actually find myself in fifth a lot or just barely touching sixth gear. But it will lower your RPMs at highway speeds so I expect you’ll get slightly better gas mileage if you do the 16. If I had to guess, you’ll like the 16 front.

[@javiervar494]

Good video early in the morning. 💪

[@galbmw]

i been riding it mostly highways for the last 7.5k kilometers and i have to admit yeah it revs high buut i think the worst part ive seen so far is the tyre wear. it gets pretty bad on highway use

[@Trunions11]

Is it that bad?

[@galbmw]

@@Trunions11 mine is pretty bad. we do have concrete highways in australia too so that may have something to do with it but flattening is pretty bad on mine

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Someone had asked why the motorcycle was shaking at 70... Perhaps this is because I am referring to miles per hour, not kilometers per hour (70 Miles per Hour = 112.7 Kilometers per Hour). Regardless, the obvious first factor is the condition of the road. This bike will easily get up to 90 MPH (for me) but it's super light, weighing in at 152 kg / 335.6 lbs, so it's not quite as stable at higher speeds and you will feel the wind a decent amount. Personally, I like a stiffer suspension on my motorcycle and automobile. I feel like I can really feel the road and I want confidence in the grip of the tires, so I ride with a stiffer suspension. You could always adjust this on the Svartpilen to alter your ride.

[@greghao]

as others have mentioned, obviously the more throttle you use the higher rpm the engine revs and naturally the more gas is consumed. would be curious rathe than hearing about rpm, what the mpg difference after extended cruising on freeway.

[@Vakator-29]

I started out wanting a ninja 400 or and have now decided on this or the z400. Main reason is the sound, if I'm buying a sports bike I want it to sound like one and I could only spend 5-6k rn. All the lower ccs sould the same to me and I liked the fact I could go on the dirt with this, but I know the z400 goes a little faster so good I could see how the svart does on the highway.

[@brianrichard1768]

Good Review. most of what I wanted to know.

[@JoloSmokes]

i wonder if he mad he missed out on the new 2024 models standard specs smh so I think it is now a very good starter bike for city riding ima copppp I think over the yamaha mt07

[@stensballe3683]

400 is so tame but staying off the highway isnt hard. 👌🙃

[@Astrojamus]

i feel like when i was giving it throttle past 70 that little rpm light would come on so i backed off

[@ridingwithgravity401]

During the break-in period Husky doesn’t want people to push the engine so the shift light comes on sooner; they want minimal strain on the engine during break-in. First service is 620 miles (1000km) so after that they will adjust that shift light indicator and it’s okay to ride at higher revs, at which point you should find hitting 70 a 80 MPH not a problem.

[@adam346]

the only motorcycles that are technically full-sized I would worry about on the highway are the 20hp and sub category... Himalayan, rebel 250 ect... the cb300r has enough grunt to do 70 on the highway and that tends to be the lowest powered of the beginner bikes out there outside of the Royal Enfield bikes.

[@mireliomarzo6468]

135 pounds is what you weigh, so 70 mph is less hectic , I am 220lbs of muscle and 70 mph is doable but she is not calm nor steady . She gets squiggly. My big frame also traps more wind so I giver a lot of wind resistance. But she is quick for sure.

[@chazdomingo475]

You need a bigger bike, big boi

[@mireliomarzo6468]

@@chazdomingo475 oh yes! Blessed to have a 2022 BMWR18 bagger and two VTX’s 1800

[@mireliomarzo6468]

She is just so much fun to zip around in Miami Beach .

[@igbl108]

Hey, I was thinking about getting the Svart as my first bike. I would mostly be doing city riding peaking out at maybe 50mph rarely. Yet, maybe once or twice a month I would have to go on parkway trips for about 60 miles at 65-80 mph. I weigh about 100lbs more than you, and was wondering how big of a difference that would really make getting up to speed? Should I look for something around the 500-600 range? Maybe even the 801? The idea of starting on the 801 does not sound ideal, especially if one of my first trips is on the highly congested Garden State Parkway with heavy traffick going 75-80 mph 😅 TLDR; at 220 lbs should my beginner bike for 75 mph highway usage be the Svart 401 or something with a higher cc range?

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Mmm...that's a great question. I would suggest posting on Reddit to the "Suggest a Motorcycle" thread (link below in this comment). You'll get a lot more responses and hopefully some useful suggestions and tips. www.reddit.com/r/SuggestAMotorcycle/ If you have the chance, also worth going to sit on one (and test ride if they will let you; some places don't allow test rides).

[@Anthony-lm8fx]

Are you still enjoying the bike? Looking at getting the 401. I’ll be commuting from garland to Dallas a few times a week.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Absolutely, hoping to keep it when I eventually get bike #2. I just moved to Minnesota but had a blast riding around DFW for about a year.

[@fabioleonosorio2298]

❤❤❤

[@cg1288]

Is that illuminated switch-gear?

[@montgomery3605]

nice review on the topic, found it very informative. Would you consider this a 3/4 sized bike. It seemed smaller than usual on display at a local dealer.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

That's a tough one. I don't really think of it that way, but I had the same reaction at the dealership looking at all the really large bikes. It just depends on the type of motorcycle. Obviously bigger engines need bigger frames, so some of that is the type of bike and some of that is the engine size and appropriate frame/parts to maximize performance for the spec sheet they are going after. I know that's not a great answer. It's designed to be compact as a city bike and a scrambler capable of light off-roading. Not an exhaustive list, but if you think of alternatives in the sub-500cc class, they would be bikes like these: Yamaha MT-03, Honda CBR300R, BMW G310R, Yamaha R3, KTM Duke 200, KTM Duke 390 (same engine as the Svartpilen), Vitpilen 401 (obviously very similar to the Svartpilen), Honda Rebel 300, Honda Rebel 500, Kawasaki Ninja 400, Yamaha V-Star 250, CFMoto 300 (SS or NK). Think "entry level sub 500." Many of those are smaller (generally speaking) and of course they also have smaller engines. Light, nimble, maximize the smaller engine and design a frame for good maneuverability and performance. On that note, some of the main mods for the Svartpilen are for saving weight to get more kick from the engine.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

P.S. What is deceptive about the Svartpilen is that it has a high seat height (32.9 inches) compared to some of those alternatives. I'm good with that because the seat height, riding ergos, and flickability make it great for city riding.

[@Marvin-t3e]

160-180 Miles of range is pretty good actually, I thought it would be way less.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I’m now at about 140-150 range with the mods, FYI.

[@jessesebastiansamuel]

What would you say it’s fuel economy is in terms of mpg for highway speeds?

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Unfortunately, I don’t have a great sense of purely highway riding. All of my riding is mixed city/highway, and with the mods I’ve done I’m averaging about 55 MPG. I do spend over half that time on highway or country roads between 60 and 70 MPH. (Performance Mods: FuelX Lite, K&N High Performance Air Filter, DNA High Performance Air Filter stage 2) The tank is so small that I pretty much get gas every 100 miles.

[@bhushan2k]

What's ur and seat height? Do your feet touch ground completely while not riding?

[@ridingwithgravity401]

My 2022 Svartpilen 401 is about 32.9 inches high or 835 mm. I am only 5’6” tall (168 cm). I cannot flat foot the bike. I could tip toe it on both sides if I wanted but I always do left foot down (flat) and right foot on the brake. I did a video on it. Link below. It’s fine for short riders. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3zClGWbgtyAj6c

[@Javonidas]

My 5th gear goes up the 76mph same bike

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I could certainly hit that in 5th but for fuel economy I try to keep my RPMs low. I didn’t really specify that when I was riding and talking. The ranges in the video are just my personal “fuel economy” based shifting targets.

[@jblock8]

What kind of gas are you using? I only have 91 octane around me. Thank you

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I use 93 octane

[@adam346]

interesting fact: you are not technically using much more fuel per mile than you would be in the city.. you might only be hovering around 3-4k rpm but you are also only doin 40mph compared to 6-7k rpm at 60-70mph... when people talk fuel consumption.. yeah, you are consuming more fuel but you are also going further, faster than you otherwise would be... this is why people tend to get better fuel economy on the highway... because you get better distance per rpm.

[@ridingwithgravity401]

💯

[@ridingwithgravity401]

I will say that to keep up with Dallas traffic I had to push it beyond the ideal rev range sometimes and it tanked my fuel economy. Not horribly, but very different from city vs highway in a car. That’s just crazy Dallas traffic. Now I can cruise comfortably around Minneapolis-Saint Paul without having that problem.

[@akhilmathew9431]

How’s the effect of winds?

[@ridingwithgravity401]

Mostly I feel it when I head check, but over longer stretches or super windy days you'll notice it more. Be prepared when doing a head check on the highway that the wind will try to rip your head off. Even with a small windscreen you'll probably still get that effect. I generally tuck in and have gotten pretty used to it by now. Also depends on if you're going 60 MPH or 85 MPH. 😃 Just a difference in how much you'll feel it.

[@akhilmathew9431]

@@ridingwithgravity401 thanks mate!!