Topic: Test Ride: 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701

[AutoTrader.ca]

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[Fobroader]

That is a great looking bike!! Great review.

[rrocket]

Ride the 690 and you'll be wowed by the handling.

And I couldn't disagree more about traction control...I could spin up the rear tire on my 690 at will coming out of corners during aggressive riding. Heck, I've even spun up my 390 a couple of times,

Not that I'd want traction control though! Spinning it up is part of the fun.

[johngenx]

The pricing is a little dear, but otherwise, very nice bike.

[rrocket]

Yea, looks better than the smaller version.

[Guy]

Wow, love the look of this bike. Gives me the itch to ride again..

[Nate4x4]

Once you fall off, if you do...there's probably not much left of you.

[dkaz]

I like this bike overall, but I'd have a hard time choosing this over a CB1000R that has nearly double the HP and Honda reliability for only $1,600 more. Apparently the $9,600 XSR 700 being compared is also in the same price range and the XSR 900 doesn't exist. The 701 does have good organic style I'll admit. The XSRs look good too other than the too big radiator, and the CB looks good in their own way and they never admit to being retro, calling it a neo sports cafe.

Once you fall off, if you do...there's probably not much left of you.

Because motorcycles are dangerous and the fact that autos.ca members have collectively ridden over a million km with just one minor street accident is a complete fluke? 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

 

[dkaz]

I neither confirm nor deny that I was talking about you.

[Gurgie]

I saw a the 401 version on the highway yesterday, pretty cool looking bike!

[dirtyjeffer]

I like this bike overall, but I'd have a hard time choosing this over a CB1000R that has nearly double the HP and Honda reliability for only $1,600 more. Apparently the $9,600 XSR 700 being compared is also in the same price range and the XSR 900 doesn't exist. The 701 does have good organic style I'll admit. The XSRs look good too other than the too big radiator, and the CB looks good in their own way and they never admit to being retro, calling it a neo sports cafe.

another nice "retro style" bike in the $13k range is the new Kawasaki Z900RS SE...every review i've watched has had pretty high praise...it also looks great.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I had a 1975 Kawasaki 900 Z1. More engine than the handling and brakes could handle. Fixed it up and sold it.

You can certainly see the lineage here.

[dkaz]

Forgot about the Z900RS. The new one probably has more power? But also has traction control.

Maybe another for $13k if you don't mind an air cooled engine, BMW RNineT Pure.

[DriverJeff]

I like this bike overall, but I'd have a hard time choosing this over a CB1000R that has nearly double the HP and Honda reliability for only $1,600 more. Apparently the $9,600 XSR 700 being compared is also in the same price range and the XSR 900 doesn't exist. The 701 does have good organic style I'll admit. The XSRs look good too other than the too big radiator, and the CB looks good in their own way and they never admit to being retro, calling it a neo sports cafe.

another nice "retro style" bike in the $13k range is the new Kawasaki Z900RS SE...every review i've watched has had pretty high praise...it also looks great.

Love that Kawi... Got to put about 1,000 kms on one this summer and it's a really nice machine.  But $13k+ is a lotta clams for it.  For style, I prefer the Kawi to the XSR900, but I think I like the sound and feel of Yamaha's triple better.

I was in a dealership overseas earlier this year that had both the 701 and the new 790 Duke side by side.  I was able to go from one to the other, and while the styling and finishes on the Husky were more impressive than the KTM, I think I'd take the (slightly) cheaper Duke, especially with the new parallel twin engine.  Just wish they'd hurry up and get 'em here to Canada to try one out!

[rrocket]

You still need to try the 690, Jeff! Or have you by now?

[DriverJeff]

You still need to try the 690, Jeff! Or have you by now?

Still on my hit list.  In fact, I have my STR listed now and have found a few "next bikes" for me, including a very reasonably priced 690. 

[rrocket]

You still need to try the 690, Jeff! Or have you by now?

Still on my hit list.  In fact, I have my STR listed now and have found a few "next bikes" for me, including a very reasonably priced 690.

Oh....just wanting something different?  STR didn't work out for you?

[DriverJeff]

You still need to try the 690, Jeff! Or have you by now?

Still on my hit list.  In fact, I have my STR listed now and have found a few "next bikes" for me, including a very reasonably priced 690.

Oh....just wanting something different?  STR didn't work out for you?

A couple of things have motivated it...  1) I find whenever I've gone for any sort of long ride in the past few years, I've simply taken a press bike, which I can often choose to best suit the type of trip (spoiled, I know), so I might as well have a cheaper daily rider for commuting, errands around town and the occasional weekend jaunts.  2)  I recently rode/reviewed the Ninja 400 and loved how light and playful it was around town.  When I had my Miata, every time I drove it -- no matter where I was going -- it was as if I was trying to qualify for something.  I loved that you could thrash it and not lose your license.  A smaller, lighter bike is like that (not that the STR is a giant pig by any stretch...)   3)  Your bloody influence about how much you love that damned Duke.  There are a few *very* reasonably priced Duke 690s out there that have caught my eye... 

That said, I've priced my bike pretty high, and won't let it go unless I get my price.  It's a perfect specimen and I really do love that machine.  But there are so many other great bikes to try!

[rrocket]

You still need to try the 690, Jeff! Or have you by now?

Still on my hit list.  In fact, I have my STR listed now and have found a few "next bikes" for me, including a very reasonably priced 690.

Oh....just wanting something different?  STR didn't work out for you?

A couple of things have motivated it...  1) I find whenever I've gone for any sort of long ride in the past few years, I've simply taken a press bike, which I can often choose to best suit the type of trip (spoiled, I know), so I might as well have a cheaper daily rider for commuting, errands around town and the occasional weekend jaunts.  2)  I recently rode/reviewed the Ninja 400 and loved how light and playful it was around town.  When I had my Miata, every time I drove it -- no matter where I was going -- it was as if I was trying to qualify for something.  I loved that you could thrash it and not lose your license.  A smaller, lighter bike is like that (not that the STR is a giant pig by any stretch...)   3)  Your bloody influence about how much you love that damned Duke.  There are a few *very* reasonably priced Duke 690s out there that have caught my eye... 

That said, I've priced my bike pretty high, and won't let it go unless I get my price.  It's a perfect specimen and I really do love that machine.  But there are so many other great bikes to try!

What year Duke?  2016+ might be best for you...(less vibration).