Motorjournals by PSN Jr.

  There are motorcycles that you ride, enjoy, park, and forget about. And then there are motorcycles that seem to whisper something into your ears every time you saddle up - a suggestion, a dare, a promise of adventure where none existed before. The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 , for me, was very much the latter. After spending a solid week with this motorcycle through dusty trails, congested city lanes, and open highway stretches, I can confidently say: this one made me fall in love with the  idea of scrambling . First Impressions: Neo-Retro with a Twist At first sight, the Svartpilen 401 doesn’t try to look like your typical retro scrambler. Husqvarna has gone bold with a  neo-retro-meets-futurism  language. The lines are sharp and geometric, with a single round LED headlamp that’s wrapped in a modern DRL ring. The tiny tank shrouds, slim tail section, and matte paint finishes give it an almost concept-bike vibe. Where a Ducati Scrambler looks playful and nostalgic...

I’ll admit, viewing the BSA Bantam 350 and Jawa 42 FJ together feels like judging a pair of twins at their first family reunion. On paper, they share nearly everything - engine, chassis, even the parent company that manufactured them. So which story is more accurate: are these bikes mere clones clad in slightly different costumes, or do they actually reveal their own personalities once you crank the starter? A Brief Backstory: Classic Names, Modern Engines Both BSA and Jawa are legendary brands, known for stirring the souls of generations past. The BSA Bantam first flew the Union Jack in 1948, while Jawa’s Czech roots have long infused Indian roads with a sense of European flair. Fast-forward to 2025, and both names have been rebooted for young, style-savvy motorcyclists, especially in India and Europe. But this time, their mechanical DNA runs almost identical: both are crafted by Classic Legends, a Mahindra-owned revival factory that seeks to blend the old and new. Looks: The F...