It was back in July 2018 that Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto confirmed the plans of bringing the Swedish motorcycle brand Husqvarna to Indian shores by 2019. The initial rumours were obviously focused on the 401 twins, the Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401, which would be powered by the same 373cc motor as on the 390 Duke, that makes 43 bhp and 37Nm of torque.
KTM promised and delivered with the launch of the KTM 390 Adventure at the Great Migration (Indian Bike Week 2019). The debut strategy for the Husqvarna range of motorcycles is similar to how Bajaj introduced the KTM motorcycles in India, starting with the 200 Duke and then the 390 Duke. Spotted at IBW 2019 was the Svartpilen, sporting a ‘250’ badge, obviously suggesting that it would get its power from the 249cc motor that powers the current-gen KTM 250 Duke in India.
As per the current spec sheet, the 249cc single-cylinder motor puts out a healthy 29 horses and 24Nm, mated to a six-speed transmission with a slipper-clutch. The motor sits inside a single-unit trellis frame based on the pre-2017 KTM 390 Duke. Even the brake units on the Svartpilen were from the 250 Duke; 300mm disc up front with four-piston Bybre calipers and a 230mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. The 250cc Huskies will likely get 43mm WP USD forks and an aluminium swingarm with an adjustable monoshock. The styling on the Svartpilen 250 and the Vitpilen 250 are identical to that on the 401 siblings, also featuring LED lighting all around.
Prices have not been announced, but both the bikes will be priced under Rs 3 lakh, and will be sold under Bajaj Probiking showrooms, with sales commencing in January 2020.