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I sold my previous motorcycle in July, and recently acquired my current one in August. This was my first brand new motorcycle, a 2022 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401. I've ridden 1,000 miles since I've acquired it, and I'm fully in love with it! In my subjective opinion, it's the sexiest motorcycle that I've ever seen.
I like the Huskys, would probably have the Svart over the Vit & probably in the big thumper over the 401
Haven't been on 2 wheels in a few months.
Had a line on a project BMW, but that seems to have evaporated
That's a good looking bike. I didn't know that they had 401 model. How does it do on the highway? My single cylinder bike doesn't take too kindly to highway cruising, but I've always wondered about the Vitpilen since it's more of a sport model.
I think the Huskys & the BMW G310 variants are more suited to lower speeds than sustained highway running, but they'll all hit around 100mph.
But, like above, I'd have the Svart 701 instead.
Are you asking regarding OEM or aftermarket parts? I've seen a plethora of aftermarket parts available, which I'm not interested in at the moment. I just want to ride as much as possible before I store it for winter.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I like the Huskys, would probably have the Svart over the Vit & probably in the big thumper over the 401
Haven't been on 2 wheels in a few months.
Had a line on a project BMW, but that seems to have evaporated
I was actually seeking out a Svarptilen for several months, and I had 3 sales that I lost due to various reasons. Eventually, I had enough and managed to find this Vitpilen locally, when it was posted. I paid slightly more than the seller was asking because I needed to end my hunt already. The 401 is more than adequate in regards to power. Also, the Vitpilen is surprisingly comfortable! The reason why I wanted a Svartpilen was the allurement of the higher handlebars. I don't regret my purchase whatsoever, though!
Originally Posted by Blazin Si
That's a good looking bike. I didn't know that they had 401 model. How does it do on the highway? My single cylinder bike doesn't take too kindly to highway cruising, but I've always wondered about the Vitpilen since it's more of a sport model.
It is adequate in the power department from a standstill until ~90 MPH. The top speed is rated right around 105 MPH. On the highway, there's enough power to overtake cars at 60-75 MPH.
My previous motorcycle was a Honda CBR250R, and that was NOT adequate on power. It topped out at 84 MPH, and was an annoyance to ride on the highway.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I think the Huskys & the BMW G310 variants are more suited to lower speeds than sustained highway running, but they'll all hit around 100mph.
But, like above, I'd have the Svart 701 instead.
I'm at a point where I don't care about power too much. However, after experiencing a 250, and now this 400, there is a certain bare minimum that needs to be met when it comes to power. My only issue with the 701's is the cost, which is double that of the 401's.
OK then. I finally got back to the Alps after a two-year break thanks to Covid.
The Alps is a motorcycling paradise as can be seen in the parking lot of the Hotel Olympia in Arraba, Italy. This isn't just one big group riding together, but several smaller groups from all over Europe. My bike is the 2003 BMW R1150 GS Adventure with the grey and red seat, the second one in from the top left. Next year, it'll be 20 years old since I bought it new. The Alps with all its twisties is where the sides of the tires wear first and the center is like new.
And the view from our balcony at Hotel Paradiso above Lago di Garda, Italy. Not bad for $45 per person, per night. Try getting that view for that price here.
And Tremola, aka Passo del San Gottardo, Switzerland. I finally got a shot that you see in postcards. It is all cobblestone. I drove it in 2002 and then again this year.
Motorcycle builder Ducati is no stranger to building impressive machines, and its latest creation is nothing short of incredible. The Italian company has just created the most powerful single-cylinder engine in the world, and it did so in a unique way. The record-breaking quad-valve 659cc unit has no conventional valve springs but still manages to crank out 77.5 horsepower at 9,750 rpm with a standard exhaust. That figure then goes up to 85 hp with a racing exhaust.
Called the Superquadro Mono, it revs out to 10,250 rpm, which Ducati claims makes it the highest-revving single-cylinder engine currently in production. It is derived from the larger twin-cylinder 1299cc Panigale and shares a few important parts with it, like the piston, valves, and design of the combustion chamber.
The high revs are enabled by a few key aspects of the design. The first is the extreme bore-to-stroke ratio. The piston's diameter is 116 mm while the crankshaft's stroke is only 62.4 mm, or about 2.5 inches. The other is the "desmodromic" valvetrain, which is extremely interesting.
Ducati is the only remaining major manufacturer to use the desmodromic valve system, which has a cam lobe not only to open the valves like a conventional engine but also to close it. This may sound confusing, but it attempts to address a key issue with high-revving engines: valve float. Back before metallurgy had advanced to where it is today, valve float at high RPMs was a limiting factor in engine performance. The springs of the time either couldn't close the valves fast enough or high spring pressures led to premature engine wear. The solution that a few companies came up with, mostly for racing, was to include another lobe on the camshaft to close the valve, as well as the conventional one to open it. In this way, the valve would be forced shut and pesky springs were unnecessary.
In theory, no springs are needed, but in practice, Ducati still maintains a few. They only exist to keep the valves closed at rest, not actively shut them. This reduces wear in the system, which is the big reason why Desmodromic valves never really caught on. The Italian company claims it's even figured that out, though. Oil changes happen every 9,000 miles with valve clearance checks every 18,000.
Two balance shafts ensure that the vibrations at such high engine speeds are likewise kept in check. Other interesting details include several magnesium components, including the alternator, clutch, and head covers. The massive 46.8 mm intake valves are also made from titanium, although despite all of this lightweight metal bolted to the engine, no weight figure was specified. All in all, the Superquadro Mono is a reminder of why we love internal combustion. In the era of electrification, automakers aren't investing a ton of money into making new high-revving, naturally aspirated engines anymore. Motorcycles are different, sure, but this all reminds us of just how impressive, interesting, and exciting a pure ICE machine taken to its limits can be.
