Author Topic: Check this out! The NEW Husky street single...."The Vitpilen!!" (Read 5868 times)

JJ · « **on:** March 29, 2018, 05:33:55 PM »

https://www.cycleworld.com/husqvarnas-2018-vitpilen-701-rides-as-good-as-it-looks?CMPID=ene032918#page-11

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ITSec · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2018, 08:15:15 PM »

Who owns Husqvarna this week?

wymple · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2018, 08:45:25 PM »

Mish-mash of ugly IMO.

JJ · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2018, 09:46:02 PM »

Quote from: ITSec on March 29, 2018, 08:15:15 PM

Who owns Husqvarna this week?

I think it is KTM this time, yes?

ITSec · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2018, 10:23:34 PM »

Quote from: JJ on March 29, 2018, 09:46:02 PM

I think it is KTM this time, yes?

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...

Scud · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2018, 10:37:03 PM »

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.

chuck peterson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2018, 05:47:56 AM »

All I can see is a Yamaha 550 Vision...

A 700 single?

Can't tour, no bags, no screen, no back rest, no forward foot rests...what's this world coming to?

JJ · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2018, 07:17:58 AM »

Quote from: chuck peterson on March 30, 2018, 05:47:56 AM

All I can see is a Yamaha 550 Vision...

A 700 single?

Can't tour, no bags, no screen, no back rest, no forward foot rests...what's this world coming to?

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...

Scud · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2018, 09:52:57 AM »

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.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2018, 10:14:42 AM »

Quote from: JJ on March 30, 2018, 07:17:58 AM

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.

JJ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2018, 10:16:40 AM »

Quote from: Scud on March 30, 2018, 09:52:57 AM

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!!

:1:

I did 930+ miles on the ol' Yellow Horse last October....no problems!

:1:

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2018, 10:34:12 AM »

Quote from: JJ on March 30, 2018, 10:16:40 AM

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!! :1:

I did 930+ miles on the ol' Yellow Horse last October....no problems! :1:

A *really* long way from home on the old beater SP...

1-IMG_4694 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

JJ · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2018, 10:47:16 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 30, 2018, 10:34:12 AM

A *really* long way from home on the old beater SP...
1-IMG_4694 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

Hi Chuckster! ...and where was that photo taken? Looks like Horsetail Falls in Oregon (??)

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Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2018, 11:23:43 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 30, 2018, 10:14:42 AM

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.

JJ · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2018, 11:46:03 AM »

Quote from: Perazzimx14 on March 30, 2018, 11:23:43 AM

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.

By the way...check this clean example on "fleaBay" now!

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."

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.

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!!!

Now that bike is sitting in his garage in pieces...and he is now riding a 1980 Honda CB750K.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2018, 12:32:53 PM »

Quote from: JJ on March 30, 2018, 10:47:16 AM

Hi Chuckster! ...and where was that photo taken? Looks like Horsetail Falls in Oregon (??) :1:

You know..JJ.. I don't remember. "I've been everywhere, man.." Definitely pretty far west, though..

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2018, 04:10:17 PM »

Quote from: JJ on March 30, 2018, 11:46:03 AM

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.

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.

That said, I avoid the "super-slab" if at all possible.

LowRyter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2018, 05:40:12 PM »

I already mentioned the new KTM 790 parallel twin elsewhere here.

ohiorider · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2018, 05:46:58 PM »

That little single specs out pretty nice! Weight in the mid 300# range ..... just over 70hp.

Canada72 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2018, 06:17:02 PM »

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.

twowings · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2018, 06:19:04 PM »

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...

wymple · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2018, 12:21:31 AM »

"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.

hauto · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2018, 06:50:02 AM »

Quote

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.

JJ · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2018, 07:43:43 AM »

Quote from: wymple on March 31, 2018, 12:21:31 AM

"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.

twowings · « **Reply #24 on:** March 31, 2018, 10:22:27 AM »

motorcycle + interstate highway = bad juju

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2018, 12:29:04 PM »

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.

JohninVT · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2018, 07:08:03 AM »

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.

G5 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2018, 06:06:05 PM »

Janus Motorcycles (229 cc) made in Goshen IN: https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2018, 06:16:38 PM »

Quote from: G5 on April 01, 2018, 06:06:05 PM

Janus Motorcycles (229 cc) made in Goshen IN: https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/

With Chinese engine and other parts...

pete roper · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2018, 07:30:40 PM »

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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Author Topic: Check this out! The *NEW* Husky street single...."The Vitpilen!!" (Read 5868 times)

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Author Topic: Check this out! The NEW Husky street single...."The Vitpilen!!" (Read 5868 times)