Husqvarna has given its Vitpilen 250 a ground-up redesign, including the engine and chassis from the new KTM 250 Duke. With its unconventional looks, uncomfortable ergonomics, and small fuel tank, the outgoing Vitpilen never caught on like the Duke did. Husqvarna will be looking to set that right with a larger fuel tank, longer wheelbase, new handlebars, and a lower seat height.
The 2024 Vitpilen 250, like its predecessor, presents a uniquely Scandinavian take on the neo-retro theme that has come to be the identifier of the Husqvarna range. The retro-style round headlamp featuring DRLs is offset by the sculpted flat silver fuel tank that screams retro futurism. The stubby exhaust is disguised in black and tucked neatly under the belly of the bike. The predominantly black finish on the bike’s mechanicals lends it a restrained contemporary look as opposed to the KTM’s bright orange. On either side of the rectangular instrument cluster are classic round mirrors. The Vitpilen also gets black 6-spoke alloy wheels that fit right in with the bike’s aesthetic.
Like the previous generation, the 2024 Vitpilen 250 shares its powertrain with the contemporary KTM 250 Duke which has recently received a new engine. The liquid-cooled SOHC 249cc single-cylinder engine produces 31bhp at 9500rpm and 25Nm at 7500rpm. Putting the power down is a 6-speed gearbox featuring a slip-and-assist clutch and a quickshifter as standard. A notable shortcoming of the previous Vitpilen 250 was its tiny 9.5-litre fuel tank. This has been rectified with a new 13.5-litre fuel tank that should give the Vitpilen more real-world usability.
The 2024 Vitpilen 250 gets significant changes on the ergonomics front including new lightweight handlebars and a reduced seat height of 820mm (vs 842mm on old bike), the seat is also 100mm longer than on the outgoing model. The steel trellis frame lends the bike a weight of just 163.8kg fuelled up. The Vitpilen 250 also features a higher ground clearance of 177mm vs 152mm on the outgoing model, and a longer wheelbase that now stands at 1368mm. The 17-inch front and rear alloys wear 110/70 front and 150/60 rear tyres. Front suspension is handled by a 43mm WP Apex USD fork, with the rear getting a preload adjustable monoshock. Stopping power comes from a 320mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc.
The 2024 Vitpilen 250 gets a quickshifter as standard, alongside contemporary features like traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, and a SuperMoto ABS mode that turns off ABS on the rear wheel. The bike gets a 4-way switch that controls electronic functions through a 5-inch LCD display. The Vitpilen 250 also gets full LED illumination with the round headlamp featuring a positioning lamp flanked by LED turn signals. The Vitpilen 250 also gets USB charging.
The 2024 Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 has been launched at an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.19 lakh, which makes it Rs 20,000 more affordable than the KTM 250 Duke, which is priced at Rs 2.39 lakh ex-showroom. However, the Husqvarna name is not as well-known in India and the Vitpilen’s looks and ergonomics may not be for everyone. Other competitors include the Honda CB300R (Rs 2.40 lakh ex-showroom), TVS Apache RTR 310 (Rs 2.43 lakh ex-showroom), and Bajaj Pulsar N250 (Rs 1.49 lakh ex-showroom) and Dominar 250 (Rs 1.83 lakh ex-showroom).