VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P95
and Rain throttle modes the bike comes
with as standard. Should you not go for
the Dynamic mode, traction control and
wheelie control are just an on/off affair.
A couple of extras we didn't have
fitted include the $289 optional cruise
control and the $237.99 switch to make
it work. Yes, you read that right; if you
buy the cruise control (which is already
built into your Husky's electronics, all
the dealer does is turn it on), you then
must buy a new switch block so you can
actually use it. That's a bit lame, in my
humble opinion. However, you do get
turn-by-turn navigation on the five-inch
TFT dash for free via the Husqvarna app,
so that's a nice little add-on from
the Austrians/Swedes.
My test bike had the aftermarket
Akrapovic slip-on muffler, the billet brake
and clutch levers that felt oh-so-nice,
and the billet brake fluid reservoirs fit-
ted, although I have been unable to get
you prices on these parts at the time
of writing. The exhaust made zero
difference as far as I could tell—it
even sounded the same as a stock
exhaust because you can't take
the baffle out of it, but it looked
great all the same.
Looks-wise, the Vitpilen is a
spunky little motorbike, I must say.
After riding the 401s late last year,
I wasn't that enamored with the
aesthetic. I felt it missed the mark
somewhat, but the same can't be said
for the 801. It is a thoroughly good-look-
ing bike, especially with the funky hollow
LED headlight and LED indicators that
are now legal in America, even if they
are a little fatter than what the Euros get.
(Left) The seat's padding doesn't look great,
but it holds up to a day's ride well without
making it feel like you're riding a pack
bench. (Right) Throw it up for the lens! The
801's parallel-twin is built for this stuff.
