A tyre import ban has forced Bajaj to swap the fancy Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR for locally made Apollo Tramplr XR tyres on the new Husqvarna Svartpil
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The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 was launched earlier this year and one of the key highlights on the motorcycle were the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR dual-purpose tyres, which impressed us too. The new offering has now begun arriving at dealerships and it turns out that the production-spec model gets the locally made Apollo Tramplr XR tyres instead of the fancier Pirellis.
Apparently, a fresh government regulation bars manufacturers to import tyres of a particular size if they are being locally built by a tyre maker. Considering Apollo makes the tyres in the size and spec required for the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Bajaj was not given the licence to import the Pirellis for the Swedish scrambler-styled offering. The ban though is only for the OEM, while private players will still be allowed to import the tyres in the aftermarket space.
Also Read : 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 first ride review – More fun than the KTM?.)
This is certainly a big disappointment for those looking forward to enjoying the Husky with the dual-purpose tyres, particularly given its big block pattern, allowing good traction on and off-road. Bajaj has not announced plans to reduce prices given the change in the tyre maker, especially since the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR command a hefty premium.
The new tyre import regulation also puts cloud on other motorcycles, which use imported tyres. This is particularly relevant for the Svartpilen’s cousin, KTM 390 Duke and RC 390, which use Metzeler M5 Sportecs, while the TVS Apache 310s use the Micheln Road 5 tyres. Both are imported into the country. As we’ve been made to understand, the discretion lies with the government to issue the licence to the manufacturer for importing tyres, and the latter does not have a larger role to play in the same.
That said, this is not to say that locally made tyres are of substandard quality. The Tramplr XR range from Apollo offer excellent grip. That said, buyers may feel some of the value-friendly quotient on the Husqvarna has been robbed off, especially with no price reduction in sight.
First Published Date: 05 Apr 2024, 13:32 PM IST
