Connect with us

Futuristic bodywork makes the small Vitpilen easy on the eyes.
Futuristic bodywork makes the small Vitpilen easy on the eyes. (Husqvarna/)

Ups

Easy Shift for clutchless up/downshiftingLightweight and compact for easy handlingGreat brakes

Downs

Ergonomics not as comfortable as Svartpilen’sSeat is also uncomfortableIllegible dash

Verdict

The Vitpilen 401 brings the same exciting small-displacement spirit as Husky’s Svartpilen, but clip-ons and street-focused Metzeler M5s give it a cafe racer vibe. What it may lack in riding comfort it makes up for in handling.

Overview

Husqvarna does a great job at bringing its concepts to life, and the Vitilen is a perfect example. First introduced alongside the Svartpilen 401 concept at the 2014 EICMA show, the Vitpilen went into production just three years later.

Now in its fifth year in production, the Vitpilen 401 continues to strut its stuff as the brand’s small-displacement, cafe racer-styled model. This motorcycle goes with road-focused tires, clip-on-style handlebars, and vibrant white paint compared to its dark, rugged Svart sibling. A 373cc single-cylinder engine, WP Apex suspension, and steel trellis chassis give it nimble, street-shredding capability.

The Vitpilen 401 has seen a significant drop in price over the years. Priced at $6,299 early on, the bike now sells for $5,399. It is more wallet-friendly than ever.
The Vitpilen 401 has seen a significant drop in price over the years. Priced at $6,299 early on, the bike now sells for $5,399. It is more wallet-friendly than ever. (Husqvarna/)

Updates for 2022

The Vitpilen sees cosmetic changes to its bodywork, including the new white finish, anodized rims, and some changes to the detailing on the side panels.

Pricing and Variants

The 2022 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 shares the same $5,399 MSRP as the Svartpilen.

Competition

Husqvarna sees competition not only in its own backyard, with the Svartpilen 401 and KTM 390 Duke, but also from the Kawasaki Z400, Yamaha MT-03, and Honda CB300R.

The ’Pilens’ cafe and scrambler styles balance each other; if the Svartpilen is the yin, then the Vitpilen is the yang.
The ’Pilens’ cafe and scrambler styles balance each other; if the Svartpilen is the yin, then the Vitpilen is the yang. (Husqvarna/)

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 373cc single-cylinder engine is a punchy, exceptionally entertaining powerplant. Twist the ride-by-wire throttle and let the low-end torque and 40 ponies carry you down the straightaway or around tight bends. The quick-revving thumper has no issue getting up to and maintaining highway speeds either.

Its peppy engine is paired with a slipper-clutch-equipped six-speed gearbox. The slick-shifting gearbox is also connected to Husky’s Easy Shift sensor, which allows for clutchless up- and downshifting.

On our dyno, the 401 produced 41.4 hp at 8,740 rpm and 26.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,880 rpm. As you can read in our test coverage, Husky says that it is tuned more for urban riding, with its power lower in the rev range compared to its more purely athletic cousin, the RC 390.

The steel trellis frame and single-cylinder engine are a compact pairing.
The steel trellis frame and single-cylinder engine are a compact pairing. (Husqvarna/)

Handling

Weighing in at just 340 pounds on the Cycle World scales, the Vitpilen is extraordinarily light. This minimal weight combined with a compact steel trellis frame and admirable WP suspension means the bike is easy to flick through quick transitions and extremely maneuverable at low speeds, despite cafe-style handlebars that provide less leverage than a wide, upright bar.

The 43mm WP Apex fork and monoshock are nicely balanced, soft enough to absorb smaller chop yet firm enough to limit jostling on harsh patches. If riders find that some fine-tuning is needed due to weight or riding style, the fork can be adjusted for compression and rebound. The

Read More

—————-

By: Staff
Title: 2022 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/buyers-guide/husqvarna-vitpilen-401-2022/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:26:02 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.mansbrand.com/road-tested-gear-from-icon-1000-and-malle-london-2/

Motor

BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

AdobeStock 527991764 Editorial Use Only copy 200x123 1 jpeg

>

BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

Read More

—————-

By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

Continue Reading

Motor

2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

269679 Front 3 4 200x133 1 jpg

>

2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

Read More

—————-

By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

Continue Reading

Motor

From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

honda cbx 1000 restomod 745x497 1 jpg

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

—————-

By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

Continue Reading

Trending