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2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Overview
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is a naked bike motorcycle, displacing 373.2 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve engine, a compression ratio of 12.6:1. On the performance side, it delivers 43 hp @ 9000 rpm of peak power and 37 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. On the road, the 2018 Vitpilen 401 tips the scales at 150kg, carries a 9.5-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 835 mm and spans a 1357 ± 15.5 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 51 kg lighter than the average naked bike in our database. The full 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 compared with other bikes in the Naked bike category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 against up to 1666 bikes in the Naked bike category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 68 of the other 1310 bikes in the Naked bike category have a taller seat height than the 835 mm of the Vitpilen 401.
- With 150 kg, the Vitpilen 401 has the joint 129th lightest wet weight of 942 bikes in the Naked bike category, 25% below the category average of 201 kg.
- Engine displacement of 373 cc is smaller than that of 1348 of the other 1665 bikes in the Naked bike category.
- Narrowing the field to the 524 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 835 mm is taller than that of 474 of the other 523.
2018 Vitpilen 401 - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 43 hp @ 9000 rpm and 37 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque on tap, the Vitpilen 401 is no slouch for its class.
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: At 835 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
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Modest fuel capacity: Range between stops is limited by the 9.5-litre tank - plan fuel stops accordingly on longer routes.
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Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
Vitpilen 401's Liquid cooled setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the Vitpilen 401 needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from single 320mm disc, 4 piston floating calliper - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The Vitpilen 401's suspension runs 43mm WP upside-down forks at the front. The rear uses WP monoshock. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The Vitpilen 401 uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Steel trellis frame, powder coated, the Vitpilen 401's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Vitpilen 401 - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 with its 373.2 cc naked bike, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 8 years old, this naked bike is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Vitpilen 401 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the Vitpilen 401's 373.2 cc four stroke, single cylinder, dohc, 4 valve like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.6:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the Vitpilen 401 needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 have?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 uses a Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve engine with 373.2 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.
How much does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 weigh?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 weighs 150kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 make?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 produces 43 hp @ 9000 rpm of power and 37 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 has a 9.5-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 158-190 km between stops.
Is the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 has a seat height of 835 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 have?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 uses single 320mm disc, 4 piston floating calliper at the front and single 230mm disc 1 piston floating calliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 use?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 runs 110/70 - 17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR front and 150/60 - 17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 have?
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Spec Evolution
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 was produced across 3 model years (2019-2022). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2019 |
2021 |
2022 |
| Max Power |
43 hp / 32 kW @ 9000 rpm |
43 hp / 32 kW @ 9000 rpm |
44 hp / 32 kW @ 9000 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
150kg / 330.6 lbs |
150kg / 330.6 lbs |
151 kg / 332.8 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve |
Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve |
Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC with cam levers, 4 valves |
| Brakes - Front |
Single 320mm disc, 4 piston floating calliper |
Single 320mm disc, 4 piston floating calliper |
Single 320mm disc, ByBre 4 piston caliper |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single 230mm disc 1 piston floating calliper |
Single 230mm disc 1 piston floating calliper |
Single 230mm disc, ByBre, single piston, floating caliper |
| Ground Clearance |
170 mm / 6.7 in |
170 mm / 6.7 in |
145 mm / 5.6 in |
| Suspension - Front |
43mm WP upside-down forks |
43mm WP upside-down forks |
43mm WP APEX upside-down forks, with compression rebound adjustability |
| Suspension - Rear |
WP monoshock |
WP monoshock |
WP APEX monoshock with preload adjustability |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve
Power
43 hp / 32 kW @ 9000 rpm
Torque
37 Nm / 27.3 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Fuel Capacity
9.5 Litres / 2.5 US gal
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Full 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Specifications
Year
2018 - 19
Make Model
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Seat Height
835 mm / 32.8 in
Wheelbase
1357 ± 15.5 mm / 53.4 in
Ground Clearance
170 mm / 6.7 in
Fuel Capacity
9.5 Litres / 2.5 US gal
Wet Weight
150kg / 330.6 lbs
Displacement
373.2 cc / 22.8 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve
Bore x Stroke
89 x 60 mm
Compression Ratio
12.6:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Engine Management
Bosch EMS
Exhaust
Stainless steel/ Aluminum silencer with regulated catalytic converter
Fuel Induction
Fuel injection
Ignition
Digital CDI
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Clutch
PASC antihopping clutch, mechanically operated
Final Drive
Chain, X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4″
Primary Drive Ratios
30:80
Secondary Drive Ratio
15:45
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Steel trellis frame, powder coated
Suspension - Front
43mm WP upside-down forks
Suspension - Rear
WP monoshock
Clamp Offset - Triple
32 mm / 1.8 in
Rake
25°
Steering Head Angle
65 °
Trail
95 mm / 3.7 in
Wheel Travel - Front
142 mm / 5.5 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
150 mm / 5.9 in
Brakes - Front
Single 320mm disc, 4 piston floating calliper
Brakes - Rear
Single 230mm disc 1 piston floating calliper
ABS
Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS (disengageable)
Tyres - Front
110/70 - 17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
Tyres - Rear
150/60 - 17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
Wheels - Front
Wire-spoked w/ aluminum rims 3.00 x 17
Wheels - Rear
Wire-spoked w/ aluminum rims 4.00 x 17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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