KIWI RIDER 02 2019 VOL.1 | Page 55

SECOND OPINION: TODD SUTHERLAND Fantastic. Something different! With so much ‘same-same’ in motorcycling’s learner offerings, it’s refreshing to see a brand push the boat out there. First impressions can have you perhaps thinking that a Ducati Scambler, watched an Indiana Jones movie, got excited and mounted a Ural sidecar, giving rise to the Svartpilen – or is that just the way my mind works...? Anyway, the world is always evolving. A nose-pierced, mohawk’d Urban Explorer very much has a place as we edge toward the 2020s. The generous suspension travel (142mm front, 150mm Rear), relatively light weight, and tight turning circle all help carve the Svartpilen its own place, but a supermotard it is not. The quoted 43hp is enough to have the front wheel gently rise up under hard acceleration - of its own accord. That’s plenty more than First impressions can have you perhaps thinking that a Ducati Scambler watched an Indiana Jones movie, got excited and mounted a Ural sidecar, giving rise to the Svartpilen needed to boost away from any car and give you a little clear space. The motor and chromium steel frame are ac- tually shared with sporty sister, the KTM Duke 390. The Svartpilen with its flat bars and softer suspension is more ‘real world’ in the urban environment. So too are the (must have ABS) brakes – which are nicely progressive, and the gearbox is slick. I do fear that the Svartpilen’s $1000-$1500 pre- mium and ‘different’ looks will stymie its New Zealand sales. Us Kiwis don’t generally buy into the ‘I got it because I like to be different’ ideal, but I hope I’m proved wrong because conserv- ative me sees it as more ‘flipping the bird’ with an ‘I don’t care what you think’ attitude – and completely ‘owning it’. Why? ‘Cause it’s a great little bike.