Divide opinion, then multiply it by the power of how ever many motorcycle brands you currently own. It’s a strategic equation which Pierer Mobility Group has used of ten to great effect. But different is only good, commercially, when you can hypnotise the head-strong, coaxing them onboard the renegade train in substantial numbers. For my cynical Swiss-army style sensi bilities, Husqvarna’s street range has always sailed a bit too close to being styling for vanity’s sake.
It’s been a slow burn, but finally I’m willing and able to appreciate the ’pilens, both Svart and Vit. Why? Because this first big model update makes the pseudo-Swedes a lot easier to swallow. These are fine motorcycles first and an artist’s indulgence second, not the other way around.
In the last issue (AMCN Vol 7 No 18), Wattie got the holeshot on me with a spin on KTM’s 2024 Duke 390, with which the Husky 401s are very closely related. So, rather than going over ground already scorched in Wattie’s Duke launch review, let’s focus on the Husqvarnability of the new PMG platform.
The frame is all-new and tubular steel from top to tail, as opposed to the Kato, which gets a die-cast
