NGC Husqvarna Vitpilen 701. Nice bike

[bobrebos]

I'm liking what I'm seeing!  So far...... Light weight too compared to what I ride now.  Its ripping it through the twisties is not my favorite type of riding , and the gauge is pretty small for these tired old eyes, but it might be worth a test ride!  You never know......

https://www.woolyscycles.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=8148434&p=3&make=husqvarna&s=Year&d=D&fr=xAllInventory

Wrapped in the 701's lovely trellis-style frame is a water-cooled, 693cc single that puts down around 74-horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. All that power is in a package that weighs just shy of 370-pounds soaking wet. That's a, uh, very favorable power to weight ratio.

[cookiemech]

Looks really sharp in blue. If only I really needed Bike #9 . . .   

[Sasquatch Jim]

They waited  until My legs are paralized and I probably have less than a year to live before they let this onto the market.

[Scout63]

I really want to like this bike.  If the engine is anything like the KTM large bore singles it is a joy to ride. Short service intervals for the KTM’s though. I’d love to try it.

[Travlr]

Try the Svertpilen.  Higher bars and more street scrambler sitting position.

M

[ozarquebus]

I never saw a bike highlight this feature and always thought it was breaking the rules to do it. Now another forbidden fruit cleared for normal use:

"The 6 speed gearbox is linked to an easy shift sensor which allows the rider to make seamless up and down shifts without the use of the clutch."

the 401 looks cool, too.

[SIR REAL ED]

I'm liking what I'm seeing!  So far...... Light weight too compared to what I ride now.  Its ripping it through the twisties is not my favorite type of riding , and the gauge is pretty small for these tired old eyes, but it might be worth a test ride!  You never know......

https://www.woolyscycles.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=8148434&p=3&make=husqvarna&s=Year&d=D&fr=xAllInventory

Wrapped in the 701's lovely trellis-style frame is a water-cooled, 693cc single that puts down around 74-horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. All that power is in a package that weighs just shy of 370-pounds soaking wet. That's a, uh, very favorable power to weight ratio.

Very similar to my 2016 KTM Duke 690.  You will love it.  As I told the salesman "Old man ergonomics."  Surprisingly fast.  Front end jumps up real quick and you hit the rev limiter in first before you know.  Second is better for wheelies.

Probably not a lot faster accelerating than a Suzuki SV 650, but feels much quicker due to lots of torque everywhere.

Great price too.  Don't wait too long.....

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Fort nine did a review of it. Looks really really awesome!

https://youtu.be/9Vf7uyYa0LU

[bobrebos]

Try the Svertpilen.  Higher bars and more street scrambler sitting position.

M

 

[bobrebos]

This one is in Cookeville, Tn not too far away.  Hmmmmm might have to go kick some tires.  https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2020-Husqvarna%C2%AE-Svartpilen-701-5010447776

[bobrebos]

Good review of the Svartpilen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWfLL6E5Y88

[SIR REAL ED]

This one is in Cookeville, Tn not too far away.  Hmmmmm might have to go kick some tires.  https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2020-Husqvarna%C2%AE-Svartpilen-701-5010447776

Go for it! 

Everyone who has tried out mine got off the bike and said "That's a single cylinder?  Holy shit!  That thing is fast!  Torque everywhere!"

Plus, it's comfy.  It likes to rev, you'l find that riding one gear lower, and a thousand rpm higher than "normal" is what the bike "likes!"

But, because it is a single, it seems like you are running less rpm.

[JJ]

Good review of the Svartpilen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWfLL6E5Y88

That looks like it would be a BLAST to ride!!  Light and FAST!!

[usedtobefast]

I recently bought a 2018 KTM 690 Duke, kind of the normal looking version of a Vitpilen.      There are still a few new leftover 2018 Duke's available. 

For some reason, the Duke's dry weight is listed lighter than the Vitpilen, like 20 lbs lighter, not sure why. 

If you like the looks of the Vit (that blue one looks decent!), then it could be a ton of fun.  Personally, I don't really get this styling exercise. 

The dual counter balancer engine is super smooth, bike makes ~70 hp with dry weight ~335lbs.  The word "Zippy!" comes to mind.     And seems to get awesome gas mileage at the same time.

If you like the Duke idea, the 2016 got the updated engine, so I went looking for a 2016-2018 used one and came across the leftover brand new one. 

Another big plus, many light weight street bikes are like 300cc engines that you have to rev to death to get anywhere.  That can be fun, but it can also get old.  With the KTM 690 you have awesome power at 3500 rpms, to me, that never gets old!   

For example, Versys 300 is 386lbs wet, Honda 300 ~360lbs, KTM Duke 390 ~340lbs wet. 

[SIR REAL ED]

There's your new Guzzi engine. 

Two of the KTM 690 cylinders and heads mounted on a Guzzi crankshaft.

[AJ Huff]

That 701 looks super cool. I was unaware of it. Too small for me but  I really like the look.

-AJ

[twowheeladdict]

Unless you just crave owning something exotic, I would do a comparison with the Yamaha FZ-07 before making a decision on a mid displacement Naked bike. 

For that matter, why not check out the new V7s while you are at it? 

When I rode the KTM 690 Duke it was like riding a paint shaker.  There never was a smooth place in the RPM range.  I believe it was a 2014 or 2015 MY bike with zero miles on it.  I liked the 390 Duke better, but couldn't fit my knees behind the tank cutouts.  After test riding many 400 lb or less motorcycles I ended up with the FZ-07. 

[bobrebos]

Unless you just crave owning something exotic, I would do a comparison with the Yamaha FZ-07 before making a decision on a mid displacement Naked bike. 

For that matter, why not check out the new V7s while you are at it? 

When I rode the KTM 690 Duke it was like riding a paint shaker.  There never was a smooth place in the RPM range.  I believe it was a 2014 or 2015 MY bike with zero miles on it.  I liked the 390 Duke better, but couldn't fit my knees behind the tank cutouts.  After test riding many 400 lb or less motorcycles I ended up with the FZ-07.

 

[SIR REAL ED]

Unless you just crave owning something exotic, I would do a comparison with the Yamaha FZ-07 before making a decision on a mid displacement Naked bike. 

For that matter, why not check out the new V7s while you are at it? 

When I rode the KTM 690 Duke it was like riding a paint shaker.  There never was a smooth place in the RPM range.  I believe it was a 2014 or 2015 MY bike with zero miles on it.  I liked the 390 Duke better, but couldn't fit my knees behind the tank cutouts.  After test riding many 400 lb or less motorcycles I ended up with the FZ-07.

Amen.  FZ-07 are great bikes.  Great price too.  Same with the Kawasaki Versys and Suzuki SV 650.  If I was in the market for a new bike, the FZ and the Versys would be hard to walk past.

I recall riding a friend's KTM 620.  Also a paint shaker.  The 690's only became smooth running engines in 2016.

[Huzo]

Vitpilen....Hmmm..
Sounds like something a Doctor would prescribe for dysfunctional wedding tackle or communicable disease..

[bobrebos]

Vitpilen....Hmmm..
Sounds like something a Doctor would prescribe for dysfunctional wedding tackle or communicable disease..

You are mistaken.  That would be Svartpilen....the other model!   

[Huzo]

You are mistaken.  That would be Svartpilen....the other model!   

I’ll take two and call next week..

[twowheeladdict]

Bob, sent you a PM with a lead on an FZ-07.   

[drw916]

Can’t add much, but my 2018 KTM 690 Duke is the first bike in years to make me giddy at the thought of riding it.  The new generation engine is very smooth, and it absolutely rips.  If you haven’t tried one, give it a shot.  You will remember why you got into riding in the first place.

[twowheeladdict]

Can’t add much, but my 2018 KTM 690 Duke is the first bike in years to make me giddy at the thought of riding it.  The new generation engine is very smooth, and it absolutely rips.  If you haven’t tried one, give it a shot.  You will remember why you got into riding in the first place.

That would make an interesting survey and story. Why did you get into riding in the first place.

I’m sure there are different reasons based on the age, location, income level, etc

Your comment peaked my interest because what you describe is not the reason I started riding in the first place.

[inditx]

Amen.  FZ-07 are great bikes.  Great price too.  Same with the Kawasaki Versys and Suzuki SV 650.  If I was in the market for a new bike, the FZ and the Versys would be hard to walk past.

I recall riding a friend's KTM 620.  Also a paint shaker.  The 690's only became smooth running engines in 2016.

This^
Plus the Husky is just not attractive to me. I’m an old geezer Guzzi guy though...
inditx

[LowRyter]

Unless you just crave owning something exotic, I would do a comparison with the Yamaha FZ-07 before making a decision on a mid displacement Naked bike. 

For that matter, why not check out the new V7s while you are at it? 

When I rode the KTM 690 Duke it was like riding a paint shaker.  There never was a smooth place in the RPM range.  I believe it was a 2014 or 2015 MY bike with zero miles on it.  I liked the 390 Duke better, but couldn't fit my knees behind the tank cutouts.  After test riding many 400 lb or less motorcycles I ended up with the FZ-07.

I rode a 690 Duke, I didn't feel the vibration was excessive for a big single.  I was a little disappointed with power.  Perhaps my expectations were too high?

[twowheeladdict]

I rode a 690 Duke, I didn't feel the vibration was excessive for a big single.  I was a little disappointed with power.  Perhaps my expectations were too high?

From what others have said the MY is relevant to the conversation about the 690.