Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JJ on March 29, 2018, 05:33:55 PM
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https://www.cycleworld.com/husqvarnas-2018-vitpilen-701-rides-as-good-as-it-looks?CMPID=ene032918#page-11
:thumb: :cool: :1:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/k7x6s7/Screen_Shot_2018_03_29_at_3_34_38_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/k7x6s7)
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Who owns Husqvarna this week? :whip2:
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Mish-mash of ugly IMO.
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Who owns Husqvarna this week? :whip2:
I think it is KTM this time, yes? :cool:
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I think it is KTM this time, yes? :cool:
Nope - though you're close. Last I heard, the former CEO of KTM had left that company after he got tired of having to deal with a board of directors controlled by non-EU investors, and he had sold all his own shares in KTM. He then used the proceeds to buy Husky from BMW, who never quite figured out what to do with it. In this, BMW was in good company - such as Daimler with Chrysler (oops, can we sell this to FIAT?), Audi with Lamborghini (who needs a badge-engineered supercar?), VW with any number of Euro makers that have mostly just become pudding...
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I think it's cool and I'm glad to see it on the market. I love my 2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro, which is a surprisingly competent street bike. Add a few pounds, lower it, slap on some sticky tires and street-bike finish... wowzer it's a Vitpilen! I'm gonna test ride one the first chance I get. And there's a 401 Vitpilen on the way too, which looks like a hoot.
I like the Husqvarna Motorcycle story - since 1903. A bit of a rocky road for a motorcycle company that had iconic models in past, a sales peak some years ago... had multiple owners that seemed somehow confused about the brand identity... experienced a recent revival in sales... OMG, that sounds a lot like the Moto Guzzi story.
And you know what else the two brands have in common? Most people can't (or just won't) pronounce them correctly. Hooskvahrna... Moto Gootsy...
Here's to the continued success of both companies. :boozing:
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All I can see is a Yamaha 550 Vision... :whip2:
A 700 single?
Can't tour, no bags, no screen, no back rest, no forward foot rests...what's this world coming to?
:popcorn:
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All I can see is a Yamaha 550 Vision... :whip2:
A 700 single?
Can't tour, no bags, no screen, no back rest, no forward foot rests...what's this world coming to?
:popcorn:
Funny, as with all new model motorcycles...I always think the same thing as well...
"Can I go sport touring for a long 700-900 mile overnight weekend ride on one?!?"
Still, and interesting bike for around town...
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I'd ride that for a 700-900 mile weekend. Tankbag with toothbrush, wallet, water bottle, and some clothes. Done. Backpack if you need more stuff. And I'd take every twisty road I could.
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Funny, as with all new model motorcycles...I always think the same thing as well...
"Can I go sport touring for a long 700-900 mile overnight weekend ride on one?!?"
Still, and interesting bike for around town...
JJ, I thought that about the MZ Touring. "Sure, your teeth will fall out at about mile 200." Not true..it's perfectly possible to tour on a big single, if it is designed properly. Arizona Wayne is no spring chicken, either, and he rode to the Oregon nationals on his. When I rode to the sandy eggo rally last fall, (the first time I'd gone any distance on it) I never gave it at thought after the first hour or so.
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I'd ride that for a 700-900 mile weekend. Tankbag with toothbrush, wallet, water bottle, and some clothes. Done. Backpack if you need more stuff. And I'd take every twisty road I could.
You are absolutely right...tank bag a/or tail bag...that's really all you need for a long weekend ....leave the backpack at home....less is more...pack light...take only the essentials.... and MOTOR ON!! :thumb: :1: :cool:
I did 930+ miles on the ol' Yellow Horse last October....no problems! :thumb: :1: :cool:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/bLDs0S/IMG_4377.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bLDs0S)
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You are absolutely right...tank bag a/or tail bag...that's really all you need for a long weekend ....leave the backpack at home....less is more...pack light...take only the essentials.... and MOTOR ON!! :thumb: :1: :cool:
I did 930+ miles on the ol' Yellow Horse last October....no problems! :thumb: :1: :cool:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/bLDs0S/IMG_4377.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bLDs0S)
A *really* long way from home on the old beater SP... :smiley:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/885/40222001105_79a0a17804_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hhgBF)1-IMG_4694 (https://flic.kr/p/24hhgBF) by Charles Stottlemyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/107188298@N06/), on Flickr
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A *really* long way from home on the old beater SP... :smiley:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/885/40222001105_79a0a17804_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hhgBF)1-IMG_4694 (https://flic.kr/p/24hhgBF) by Charles Stottlemyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/107188298@N06/), on Flickr
Hi Chuckster! ...and where was that photo taken? Looks like Horsetail Falls in Oregon (??) :thumb: :1: :cool:
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JJ, I thought that about the MZ Touring. "Sure, your teeth will fall out at about mile 200." Not true..it's perfectly possible to tour on a big single, if it is designed properly. Arizona Wayne is no spring chicken, either, and he rode to the Oregon nationals on his. When I rode to the sandy eggo rally last fall, (the first time I'd gone any distance on it) I never gave it at thought after the first hour or so.
I sold my Quota and made a DR650 my touring rig. If I could get better longevity out of the rear tire it's still be my touring rig.
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I sold my Quota and made a DR650 my touring rig. If I could get better longevity out of the rear tire it's still be my touring rig.
Always like the MZ Skorpion...almost bought one *NEW* in the crate when I lived in Germany (2004-2005), but they wanted way too much money at the time.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/iiNYqS/Screen_Shot_2018_03_30_at_9_42_55_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/iiNYqS)
By the way...check this clean example on "fleaBay" now! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :cool:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-SKORPION-TOURING/183148107904?hash=item2aa47a5880:g:Zg8AAOSwELdauPz7
Yes, the DR650 would be just fine, I presume...as sometimes, "lighter and less is better." :thumb: :cool:
My only issue with any of the smaller bikes, is that if you ride on the super-slab highway, you really be able to "cruise" at 70mph (minimum)...and sometimes that is a huge strange on a poor little single. :rolleyes:
However, there are some very capable little bikes HERE:
http://ridermagazine.com/2016/08/10/the-39-best-bikes-for-smaller-riders-and-budgets/
A buddy had a 500cc Royal Enfield Bullet and his changed the counter sprocket, etc., and he FLOGGED the hell out it for >20,000 miles...but then, the motor blew a hole in the piston!!! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: Now that bike is sitting in his garage in pieces...and he is now riding a 1980 Honda CB750K. :cool: :smiley:
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Hi Chuckster! ...and where was that photo taken? Looks like Horsetail Falls in Oregon (??) :thumb: :1: :cool:
You know..JJ.. I don't remember. "I've been everywhere, man.." Definitely pretty far west, though..
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My only issue with any of the smaller bikes, is that if you ride on the super-slab highway, you really be able to "cruise" at 70mph (minimum)...and sometimes that is a huge strange on a poor little single. :rolleyes:
My MZ Silver Star 500 (Rotax engine) was geared ridiculously tall from the factory, but once I dropped a tooth on the countershaft sprocket it was much better. It was really just waking up at 70 mph and had no problem running 75.
The Aprilia 650 Pegaso "Cube", that my brother owned and I put 10k miles on, had no problem running 75-80 mph. Not really a "little" single though. :azn:
That said, I avoid the "super-slab" if at all possible.
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I already mentioned the new KTM 790 parallel twin elsewhere here.
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That little single specs out pretty nice! Weight in the mid 300# range ..... just over 70hp.
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Some of you guys can take a topic sideways pretty fast. The 701’s closest rival would be the KTM Duke 690. Not sure why you would contemplate putting a windscreen and bags on a bike that is supposed to be more of a hooligan’s dream ride.
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I hope Husqvarna sells hundreds of thousands of them and there will be an army of young motorcyclists to follow us down that perfect curve...
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"That said, I avoid the "super-slab" if at all possible."
Not me. After smacking 2 deer I am far more mentally comfy on the slabs, as I have better odds of maybe seeing them in time. Both deer on the 2 lanes completely blindsided me.
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All I can see is a Yamaha 550 Vision...
What's wrong with a Vision.I still have my 82 that I bought new,with a boat load of Yamaha discounts.Went cross country on it.My son just picked one up for $100 and it runs great.Being a Husky guy from way back I'm glad to see them coming back strong.Last week at our clubs enduro there were quite a few on the starting line.I just can't see 10K for a dirt bike,but there selling.
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"That said, I avoid the "super-slab" if at all possible."
Not me. After smacking 2 deer I am far more mentally comfy on the slabs, as I have better odds of maybe seeing them in time. Both deer on the 2 lanes completely blindsided me.
I think it's good having the "option" to do both - slab or back roads, depending on the weather conditions, time of day, etc.
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motorcycle + interstate highway = bad juju
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Like the others I try to avoid the slab as much as possible but sometime its unavoidable and the DR650 is just fine.
After I get some other bikes sold off I might invest in a set of Warp 9 SM wheels for one of my DR's. That way I can run a 150 rear tire in hopes of getting better mileage out of it. If it works I'll probably then sell my DL650 and go back to running the DR as my touring rig.
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Besides getting a hug from one of my kids, my favorite thing is to spend the day riding in the White Mtns. I ride fast but I am well aware of my own mortality so I don�t take crazy chances and I know the roads well. After spending thousands of hours over the years up there I firmly believe that in that environment there is absolutely nothing faster than a single cylinder supermoto. I�ve stood on the side of Hurricane Mtn Road and watched guys on 40hp DRZ400 Supermoto�s pass determined riders on 100hp 600 Supersports. On the Appalachian or Middlebury Gap roads in VT a big single will walk away from anything on two wheels.
I�d love a Vitipilen but it�s a 690 Duke with a round headlight that costs $2,000 more than the KTM, has all the same quality control issues but nearly zero dealer support. If KTM ever gets the head gasket issue on the 390 fixed i think the Husky 401 would be the Vitipilen I�d buy.
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Janus Motorcycles (229 cc) made in Goshen IN: https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/
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Janus Motorcycles (229 cc) made in Goshen IN: https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/
With Chinese engine and other parts...
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I’d love one. It sounds just about perfect. No, not if you’re into Vetter Windjammers and can’t travel anywhere without the entire contents of your house in boxes on your bike but oddly enough that isn’t what motorcycling is about for me.
I’m sure you could conjure up some way to mount some small panniers if needed, (C-bows?) but a tail bag and tank bag will do in a pinch. I did that up the west coast of the US on a Griso and didn’t use half the crap I had on board! Could of gone with a smaller tail bag easily enough.
I might have to see how easy the motor is to access and work on and try and find out more about the RBW system.....
Pete
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if you read KTM's corporate website, it will be noted there that Husqvarna Motorcycles belongs to the "KTM Group", along with WP Suspension and several other entities. (The KTM Group, btw, is 48% owned by India's Bajaj Auto, which produces the small-displacement KTM Duke and RC lines.) The Vitpilen 701 is not a rival to the KTM 690, as someone noted, but rather a close first cousin or variant. Mechanically, the Vitpilen and 690 are nearly identical. Where they differ is principally in the styling and presentation: The 690 is outfitted in KTM's signature space alien edgy stying by Kiska Design (another member of the KTM Group), whereas the Vitpilen has an altogether different set of clothes, clearly by a different design school. Essentially the same bike, but with contrasting configurations, for which the Vitpilen will fetch a hefty premium. Both bikes produce 70-75 HP with a curb weight in the mid 300's, a very impressive power-to-weight ratio with performance to match. Like the 690, the Vitpilen presents a radical, polarizing styling exercise which leaves few observers indifferent.
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Styling has kept me away from KTM, that and the reputation for fragility. But the Vitpilen looks interesting.
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Styling has kept me away from KTM, that and the reputation for fragility. But the Vitpilen looks interesting.
I'm not a fan of the Decepticon styling of KTM's and their reputation for fragility is well earned. However, their reputation for performance is also well earned. I test rode a Super Duke and got off it with my hands shaking. I didn't realize it was in Track mode so it had minimal electronic nanny inputs...making it terrifying at anything over about quarter throttle. There's a reason manufacturer's began putting traction and wheelie control on bikes as soon as they broke the 130hp barrier.
I don't understand why the Vitipilen is $2500 more than a Duke 690. It's the same motorcycle with a round headlight.
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if you read KTM's corporate website, it will be noted there that Husqvarna Motorcycles belongs to the "KTM Group", along with WP Suspension and several other entities. (The KTM Group, btw, is 48% owned by India's Bajaj Auto, which produces the small-displacement KTM Duke and RC lines.) The Vitpilen 701 is not a rival to the KTM 690, as someone noted, but rather a close first cousin or variant. Mechanically, the Vitpilen and 690 are nearly identical. Where they differ is principally in the styling and presentation: The 690 is outfitted in KTM's signature space alien edgy stying by Kiska Design (another member of the KTM Group), whereas the Vitpilen has an altogether different set of clothes, clearly by a different design school. Essentially the same bike, but with contrasting configurations, for which the Vitpilen will fetch a hefty premium. Both bikes produce 70-75 HP with a curb weight in the mid 300's, a very impressive power-to-weight ratio with performance to match. Like the 690, the Vitpilen presents a radical, polarizing styling exercise which leaves few observers indifferent.
Correct, Pierer transferred interest to KTM. Husqvarna is a part of the KTM empire based in Mattighofen, Austria.
I hope this Big Single flourishes in today's market.
Based on the KTM machinery, maintenance is not a low-impact factor of ownership.
I still have my BMW G650X Country single and I have made many long-distance trips on it with no problems.
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Jay Leno rides it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd6_MmqkiHw
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What's wrong with a Vision.I still have my 82 that I bought new,with a boat load of Yamaha discounts.Went cross country on it.My son just picked one up for $100 and it runs great.Being a Husky guy from way back I'm glad to see them coming back strong.Last week at our clubs enduro there were quite a few on the starting line.I just can't see 10K for a dirt bike,but there selling.
Sorry, dont mind me, just trolling for 550 Vision owners...! I like em! Just looking at this body frame tank size and the 550 popped into my mind...I'm thinking of the v twin the wrong way 550... Way better than the cruiser based virago twins
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Since KTM has brought back the Husky name, I am looking forward to a new Penton. :wink:
I really would like to ride one of these.
(https://www.cycleworld.com/sites/cycleworld.com/files/styles/2000_1x_/public/images/2017/11/ktm-790-duke.jpg?itok=sib0AQCL&fc=50,50)
not that I could ride like that. It looks like parallel twins are the new deal. This is the first "modern" styled bike that I sorta like. I wonder if they have a flyscreen for it?
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Husky has been making motorcycles a long time...and they have made some pretty cool street / TT bikes in the past!!
:thumb: :thumb: :cool: :cool: :1: :1: :smiley: :smiley:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/ioO3Gc/Screen_Shot_2018_04_04_at_4_27_55_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/ioO3Gc)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/csuAwc/Screen_Shot_2018_04_04_at_4_28_03_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/csuAwc)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/mcNxbc/Screen_Shot_2018_04_04_at_4_28_11_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/mcNxbc)