Ride Report: Husqvarna Svartpilen 701
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- The Bike Shed's Bossman, Dutch, skived-off work last week to test ride Husqvarna's Svartpilen 701, the black one, with handlebars, that everyone has been waiting for. ... So apart from enjoying a few sunny days in Lisbon, how much did he enjoy the bike - and when can the rest of us have a go?
Read the feature article over at on our website:
thebikeshed.cc...
Don't sell yourself short in comparison of other moto journalists. You're killing it!
Thanks Pat - We do our best.
Great review. really thorough and nice to hear from a guy who doesn't rate himself as a pro (that's not a criticism of pros - it's just nice to hear what a more normally skilled bloke thinks). Love the bike shed channel.
Agree 😃
Mate, I liked this review, simple straight up, I am viewing one today
Based on this review, I'm going to test ride one immediately!!! Thanks, Dutch!!
My 701 Vitpilen continues to be my absolute favorite bike in the garage. Comfortable enough to do all day rides as it is but those higher Svart bars are going to make it that much better for eating up those miles. MT-60s will be nice for exploring those dirt roads you come across. Once you bin the plate bracket (heavy cast aluminum piece) and stock exhaust it takes the bikes back to the purity of the design intent. It's just such an damn great bike. Can't wait to grab one of those ducktail pillion seats from the Husky parts bin.
In what universe is the Vitpilen comfortable? I test rode it twice and the seat is so thin you're basically sitting on the seat pan, I don't think my thighs have ever been so painful after a ride
@@francesboy2 sorry 'bout your butt dude. For me 200-250mi+ of backroads in a day. Tired and worn out but all over not just my ass. Riding with legs and core instead of arms helps too. Seriously fun to thrash all day long at my local SuperMoto track. Now my '05 Monster S4R.... 200mi and I'm crying for someone to put a bullet in my damn head. Only serious gripe about my 701 Vit is that if you don't shift it with extreme prejudice (using Shift Assist) you'll end up in a false neutral and bang it off the limiter.
does it vibrate a lot at 70mph?
My dream bike 😍
It's a stunning bike. I could get used to seeing one in my garage.
Man, you are in Portugal. Yes!
Beautiful city...
Realistic review, loved the footage and aerial drone views, plus ridden somewhere in its element.
I didn't like the look of this bike when it first came out but I sat on it a few days ago and now I love it! My only concerns are if it has excessive vibration on the highway, and if it will be reliable.
Yes! I want my Svartpilen 701!
Rode one today, and seriously considering buying one at $10.5k AUD ride away. Smooth but at times the front wanted to lift. Having both quickshifter plus auto blip too. Seat is hard at first, legs a little spread for tank, needs tail tidy, pipe is fine, prefer road tyres like Angel GT having a 18" front. Brakes and suspension are great. I liked the looks more after the ride so I suppose the soul was exposed...
I saw that price (in Oz) a few days ago MLB. Walked into the dealership and was blown away by the detail. Rarely do we get a package that looks and performs sensationally for that price. My only qualm is the sparse dealer locations around NSW
I live in Canberra and I passed on the 701 for the same reason, no dealer for 300kms
Finally its out. Saw it in prototype 2 years ago.
Only just got to this, excellent comprehensive review Dutch, many thanks. With the current discount of over £1k on the RRP and finance it should be tempting many. For me it would be a second to my Triumph twin so may need to check the back of the sofa...Lisbon local riding looks a joy...
Portugal! Hell yeah
I prefer the look of the 401, that bit of yellow just looks awesome
Love this bike...
Beautiful Husky
The stock exhaust looks like the Akra one for the R1, pretty good
Agree 😃
I thought this bike was so ugly at first...but damn have I changed my mind. This bike is just beautiful. I’m bored of always considering price, reliability when getting a bike, I have a Toyota for that. From now on I wanna make sure I’m getting a bike that I “feel”....ya feel me?
first class review Thanks.
I love the looks of the bike, I just looks too small when someone is on it.
Great review Dutch
Excellent video. 👍🏼
Beautiful bike!
That one sided number board is an eyesore! Overall it's a beautiful bike and great review!
I’ll admit. I’m biased because I love this bike, but this was an excellent review!
So much want. Test drove the Vitpilen last summer and it was awesome, but my wrist have arthiritis and didn't really like the driving position. This however...
I wonder how much that straight pipe would also drop the weight :O. I mean few horses more and weight around 140kg would be pretty insane.
Yes it would... Hopefully someone will find out soon and tell us.
Great review. Fun bike to ride and plenty of style.
Great review. Thanks 👍
My dream bike
awesome dutch!
Not exactly the same KTM 690 Geometry. Husky has shortened the wheelbase and change and steepened the rake. Subtle changes appear to have weaved some "black magic" (pun intended) on the coolest looking bike on the road IMHO. The fact that every expert is raving on about its blend of performance, balance and fun is just extra icing on an already perfect cake. Took one for a test spin, I LOVE it and want!
12k? This makes Ducatis look affordable. You can get a Monster 821 for the same price. More HP, more torque.
As an old friend once explained it to me. "Do you know why divorces are so expensive? It's because they're F-ing worth it." Vit/Svart is more targeting the Scrambler "motorcycle lifestyle" market segment (yeah I know puke) which is absolutely HUGE for Ducati. Monster seems kinda lost in Ducati's marketing scheme its like they are keeping it alive because it was/is so iconic. It's not getting the respect it deserves for sure.
In my experience, that's a good litmus test for if a bike's for you. If your first thought is what *else* you could get, keep looking. I'll likely end up with a Svartpilen 401 because, despite it being a bit overpriced, there's nothing for the same amount that I like more.
@@epbrown01 Yep, Svartpilen 401 is somehow alone/special in it´s own category.
@@epbrown01 The 18 models are now at £3399....so the price is probably a little more appealing! :)
@@husqvarnamotorcyclesuk5848 A little. Price here on a 2018 is $5299 USD now.
Great video! Love this bike
Take that terrifying cat out, put some stickies on the spoked wheels, a bit larger/more agressive handlebars and i'd be in love.
The 701 dual sport, blacked out like this would be nice.
When can we see the norden? I love the svartpilen but i think the norden will be a more versatile bike.
looks much better in black than silver
Portugal 👍
do more reviews, greets from ur greek firend
Great review - very honest :) was just wondering if you would recommend this as a beginner bike?
You could begin with the 401 version
Quite Stylish =)
Nice & Thanks :)
LOL. Those are the exact same handle bar switches as the Yamaha tw200 I had when i was growing up. They really went cheap on those.
You are RJ!!!
Villanelle could use it to get to her next target. Or maybe too modern, she liked the v7 Guzzi....
When will it launch in India
Recommend to buy or not
start entering the corners much later and you´ll be much faster AND saver!!!
I want one
First bike ? This, or Honda Rebel 500 vs. Harley Iron 883.....?!
As much as I love the husky [I will be getting one probably next year], I think the Rebel is the best beginner’s bike. It’s easy to handle, quite forgiving, and the power is easily manageable. The husky likes wheelies and it’s not the best idea for a beginner. It has nearly twice as much power [considering its low weight]. I’d go with Honda.
Pan PeStowski Copy that ! Hear you loud and clear. I actually went to go sit on a Rebel 500 and I think it’s too small for me, I felt crunched / cramped. Immediately sat on a CB300R and that actually fit. Was more standard posture and upright, like my dirtbike. Thinking about it..
Fagan from 44teeth at 1:50
Wish this bike launch in India 😓😓😓
But single sillies tho
LX factory 👀
....like the leaf blower company?
Where do you think they get the motors?
I never get why anyone cares about the damn number plate hangers... and proceed to hack it off.
Because they're ugly, heavy and are not really part of the bike....
Should have extended it around into a full mudguard.
Just sounds agricultural
Onboard footage of Svartpilen 701 on track: ua-cam.com/video/fAasdkcGWjw/v-deo.html
the look of this bike is crazy, it's beautiful. Engine? not so much. Throw in a real engine, then I'll buy it.
For the price, a Yamaha MT-07 with suspension work and a custom exhaust would probably be more reliable. I would add a couple of black arrows at the back, to go with the shart-piling name for this bike. It might be better to buy the Yamaha Tracer 900GT for long trips, and a smaller bike like this for short trips.
On the 701 you are definitely paying a premium for better suspension, brakes and styling, aside those, the MT07 it's a japonese bike meaning more reliability and lower price
If you compare them as a transport commodity, you have a point, but there is more to bikes than what they cost to the consumer - as they all make similar profits per bike. ... Yamaha have the luxury of buying component parts for the XSR700 add MT-07 in the hundreds-of-thousands, so get huge discounts, plus they use non-adjustable suspension from brands that are more affordable. Husky's are made in small quantities by a small company, and they have to buy in expensive premium components. If you ride a Husky, Norton, CCM or similar bike, you won't often see another on the road. If you ride an MT-07 you are on a great bike, but you will see hundreds of others.
Who else noticed “tough looking materials” ?...
I did, as I wrote it, and I said it. (Dutch) ... What I meant was simply what I said. The materials look tough - i.er. more robust than some other bike parts on motorcycles not made by a company that produces bikes for off-road riding - and lots of abuse. However, I am not an expert, so only time will tell if they are as tough as they look.
Bike Shed Motorcycle Club fair enough. I just know how press releases can sometimes go and the hype that surrounds them. I appreciate your honesty
Everything is good, just don't like the sound of that single cylinder engine.
Even some lawnmowers have better sound.
Looks ugly as sin to me, wheels just don't sit right with me, spokes would look better.
Dan Everitt spokes are an option
Interesting yet quite ugly.
thumbs-down #12 I am, Thursday evening 25 April 2019! It looks too much like many Japanese bikes I see. Does not sound much different either. I am not going to put myself through any more “thumpers”.
Not an attractive looking bike.