2019 Husqvarna 701 Vitpilen Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2019
- 2019 Husqvarna 701 Vitpilen Review: It seems like ages ago when Husqvarna unveiled the Vitpilen at the NEC show, at the time I have to say the looks of it were a bit radical for me (although I applaud Husqvarna for daring to be different!) and I had kind of forgotten about the machine. Wind on a year or two and Husky got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to borrow a Vitpilen for a few weeks, I was intrigued to find out what this odd looking bike would ride like, in this first ride review I find out!
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I have a Vitpilen 701. I love it, despite having more issues with this bike in the first 2-3 weeks of ownership than any other bike I have bought! It broke down within 24 hours. Turned out to be a dodgy negative terminal on the battery! Also had a variety of warning messages on the dash - traction control / ABS failure etc but dealer confirmed all cleared off on diagnostic check and no permanent faults. Time will tell and maybe I am unlucky. Pros - looks, lightweight, performance given low weight (c475bhp per ton), noise including snap crackle and pops from stock exhaust, dealer service (Gear 4 Market Deeping UK), frugal consumption, strangers want to know about it. Cons - current reliability, bit vibey on the throttle hand, hard seat, strangers want to know about it. People think 75 BHP from a single is gutless and immediately discount it. I am lucky - I own a Street Triple RS and a BMW R Nine T Racer in addition and this still thrills. That comes from someone who has had sports bikes over the years inc. RR8 Fireblade (turbine engine), 848 Evo and various ZX6R's... On the road the Vitpilen rocks and is all you need.... c200+ BHP Panigale / 1000RR BMW - pointless on the road....
I find my husqvarna very comfortable,reasonably economical, it has a smooth V twin engine .....it cuts grass really well!
Nice one Johnston - I have an old one and it sews hems beautifully!!
Ah,now! There's something I have no experience of. 🤔
TheMissendenFlyer , mine does a reasonably good job of shortening the limbs so they fit in the fireplace 😜
I also seem to remember an addvert for the Husqvarna Minett mini-dishwasher....... Anyone?
1990. Yep ,a Briggs &Stratton!
So pleased you’re doing a long termer on this bike, TMF. Was one of my top 3 bikes to buy but ended up with a 2019 Triumph Street Twin. Keep up the great work!
Hey I'm considering the twin. Can you share your opinion on the bike?
Sankalp Roy I’m really happy with it. Very comfortable ride, great commuter wth handle bars not too wide (like the scrambler) so easy for lane filtering, sounds terrific with the stock exhaust and looks good! My first Triumph and am really impressed
Michael Moretti for sure!
Great review, as always. Never considered this motorcycle. Thank you again for doing such diverse range of vids from the whole motorcycle world👍
You're very welcome - it is my pleasure!
Cool review! Back in the Sixties, my dad owned both a HVA Silverpilen and a Guldpilen (Goldenpil), Silverpilen had a 175 cc engine and the Guldpilen had a 200cc engine. and they all weighed under the 75 kg limit. Cheers from norwegian subs.
Thank you for posting. From a design point of view, nice to see a manufacturer taking a little bit of a chance by thinking outside the box. kudos.
I agree 100%
Lovely video & I can't wait for the long-term!
Would love to see one on the 401 as well.
Thank you - stay tuned!
I like it. Simple machine but quality and performance are what you expect from Swedes, top-notch. Personally still going to go with Japanese and my next “commuter” is going to be new CB1000R.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." words of Leonardo da Vinci ;)
Really enjoyed the Vitpilen when I reviewed it - handles like a razor and bags of character. Noise sounds better in the flesh that when recorded, although like you say a pipe would improve that. For a premium bike, I would have liked to have seen lean sensitive abs and traction control though like on the cheaper KTM 790. Personally like the dash and the message when you start her up. Great review.
Thanks for another review Mr flyer!
Hi!
Saw it, bought it, I'm still amazed!
The Vitpilen 701 is the bike I was looking for for (at least) the last 30 years! The bike rocks. It's the most amazing bike - single cylinder - I've ever driven. Before the 701 I had a KTM Supermoto. To me the 701 is much more fun.
LOVE IT!!!! Even though it has quirks.
The gear box works as bad as the 690 KTM one does (there also is a NEUTRAL between the 5th and the 6th gear) and the electronics on my ride are really bad (several yellow warnings on the dash)...
BUT: It rides like no other 1 cylinder I've ever had. => It's my 1st choice as it has a lot of power and as it rides like no bike I've had before (over the last 30-something years)!
=> THNX KTM/Husqvarna for building THIS bike!
You are excellent, TMF! Anytime enjoying your vlogs. Keep it up!
Thank you Tim...
Hmm think I need to try one...Great review TMF
Oh look, another video I’m extremely interested in, cheers!
My biker senses had me watching those kids with an eagle eye as you approached.
There mere fact that there are so many varied opinions on this bike simply means it actually has a personality. More bikes should.
I did a proper 250km test of the G310gs today, will post my observations below your review of that bike.
Such a unique looking machine. It's a niche bike no doubt, but almost universally loved by reviewers. Personally speaking, I like the way it looks. Never ridden one, but will no doubt get a ride real soon.
Hey TMF! Nice looking bike, thanks. Apart from the dirt of course....! Could you maybe do an episode where you explain/show the differences when you actually adjust the suspension? Is this a dark art or relatively straightforward? Many thanks, as always.
Unusually, I couldn't agree with you on this review. I rode one of these and expected to like it...however I really didn't. As you say, it's light and flickable, and I really like the style, but I found the vibration from the engine enough to loosen your fillings, the power in too much of a narrow band....and it was also possibly the most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden. I guess we can't all like the same bikes and still a great review.
Thanks for your comment, it's all I needed to know. But I do like the idea of this kind of machine.
Another cracking review from the Alan Partridge of the bike world. Nice one T. M. F. 👍🏼💚 genuinely love your videos.
Back of the net!
TheMissendenFlyer I was worried how you were going to react to that comment. Jokes aside, your reviews are legendary and much appreciated. The work you put in doesn't go unnoticed. I'd love to see you review a Ural sidecar bike by the way. Thanks from Jimmy in Dundee.
@@TheMissendenFlyer 😂
That would probably be a hoot for thrashing around Welsh mountain roads. Preferably in the dry though. Looking forward to the in-depth review.
Awesome review,as always. Looking forward to a Benelli leoncino 500 review. Preferably the trail version but the street version is great too.
A fair weather bike, seeing all the crap thrown up on to the seat and I am sure your back!
Yes very true - still picking the crud out of my jacket!
Great review as always.
Thank you Ian
Yes, finally TMF gets his hands on my first love. Spotted this at the back end of 2017 and passed my license in Oct 2018. Currently riding a 2015 CB500 until around 2020 (if I last that long without temptation) when I'm thinking of getting one of these. The only thing that puts me off is the price, as compared to other bikes for similar or a tad less money - as you alluded to.
I'm so eager to see what your long term review will show. Plus ongoing costs is going to be interesting,,,,I'm assuming it's on the pricier side but I do hope not. All I do know is, when I look at this bike it's like seeing your school crush walk passed you in school. I think I may just have to buy one to get it out of my system.
Most interesting! I will give it a try this saturday. And the black one. (if they have it) I think it's one of those bikes that looks...well, noone can pass it without an opinion! Look forward to test it and look forward to your longtime review! :-)
I admire your persistence for an in-depth review 😉
...this is just the first review, the in-depth one is coming soon!
@@TheMissendenFlyer I commented too soon ! Great review though, I for one hate getting in/out of wet kit ! Would choose to go back out again. That's dedication :P
Nice U turn there TMF wished you show my mate how to do that lol only been riding 30 years & still can't master it, His 78 year old dad has no problems doing it
Pricing and smaller capacity aside, I like it. The styling is very unique.
Good review. The rear suspension does have damping adjustment as well as preload. It takes a bit of getting used to but like the SM try keeping the revs much higher for your long term review. 60mph is 4th gear really
Seems like a really good fun bike to ride, you seemed to be very much enjoying it despite the rain. Though it looks like it makes itself very dirty quickly. It's certainly different and not a dull bike.
100% agreed - I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did, really nice ride!
Love the sound of that single cylinder thumper.
Good one Tmf . Not sure about the 701 haha and the rain. Good review anyway.thanks Danny
The 2018 had plenty of issues with the Auto Blip. Has this been fixed for the 2019 model?
Great review as always. I love the 701, love the look and design. I like the dial, I know it's not as good as a TFT but I dont think a bike like this needs a TFT
I’m not a huge TFT fan either but would rather it’s one or the other - if your going to go with a “dial” make it a dial! To me this one just doesn’t look good on an otherwise highly designed/styled bike....
Thanks for perseverance on this one. The styling is a bit off for me but I have not seen one in person. I am a bit confused who and what about the bike's intended purpose, but I will stay tuned.
It is certainly a bit of an odd looker isn’t it Jerry! Surprised me though as it rides beautifully and is much more sporty than I expected (from a riding position point of view as well as shove)....
Great review. Nice bike with odd looking back thats begging for a good tidy but not sure about the single, sounds like an electric tyre pump so would definitely benefit from an after market exhaust. Remember the single Honda Dominator ? That sounded great...maybe the emissions
Take a look at the tyre information sticker on the chain guard of your CRF250, it looks like the bike graphic on there.
Handsome bike, I love the minimalist looks. Apart from the back end, which needs some changes
I felt your pain with the weather! But nice commitment to get that walk around. Although I must admit to twitching at the crap all over the bike 😉
....well it did mean I had to get the soap and sponges out later, which as you may know, I love....
it does have up and down quickshifter ?
Huskies great dirt bikes in the 70's not sure about the Austian road bike in 2019 look forward to your long term review
So because of interruptions it has taken me 6-attempts to watch this review. How I giggled wen you came out for the third time to do the walk around :-) Glad I stayed to the end though as like you through the review the bike started to appeal more. Not sure if I could live with the lack of any rear end protection from the weather, but life would be boring without bikes like this :-)
Yes, hats off to Husky for daring to be different!
Yet again you've done a great review. Thanks!
Have you seen the Vitpillen review by TH-camr Marlon?
I haven't no - I'll look it up!
Keep up the good work Mr flyer. Honda crosstourer anyone?
Nice bike like it. And good to see you riding through my home town buckingham 😄
I ride there often Dave!
Hello Missenden Flyer, it’s funny because i was just from the ktm/husky dealer having a look at this bike then came back home and instantly found your video. How does this compare to the 2017 Ktm Duke 690 seeing they share the same engine?...also if you were faced with picking this bike or 701 Supermoto which would you go for and why?
I'd have the Supermoto on looks grounds. I preferred the Vitpilen to the KTM 690 by far....
Thanks for the reply, looking forward to your long term review. How about performance between the Husky’s? I am asking because at the moment i am leaning towards the supermoto but could always have my mind changed
Hey TMF! Any chance of a 2018/2019 MT07 review? Would love to watch one with the TMF twang!
Sounds so far like a good commuter bike for the 30 miles I have to drive to work ( on sweeping corner A roads ). Interested to see the rest of your reviews on this bike.
Stay tuned!
Looks like a futuristic caff racer from the side. Looking forward to the metisse factory visit. Remember it only rains on the righteous 😂😂😂
TMF had a ride on the new Moto Guzzi V85. Courtesy from your old friends at On Yer Bike. They have a range of Guzzi's for demo. I am sure if you gave them a call they'll be more than happy to let you review one.
Ooo that would be nice....
Different route today ? Looks like they may as well have made an all enclosing rear hugger instead of the BMW style shovel at the rear. How was the back of your jacket and helmet?
Not pretty!
Good review as ever TMF.....but however good the Husky is it's not easy on the eye!. I can't imagine parking it and glancing back thinking wow!. But each to their own!! Cheers, Steve
Yeah I tend to agree Steve....
1:16 HAHA, even around Silverstone you still run into those pesky white vans, LOL! Lovely views of the track/grandstands as you were leaving; one of my favorite F1 tracks.
Do you have a contact at Husqvarna UK HQ? there are no dealers near me at all but their HQ is about 15 mins away from me, looking for a replacement for my 07 Kawasaki ER6-N.
'Marlon' has posted a good review of this bike. It's a funny few minutes and worth a watch.
I like the look of it apart from the clocks. Don’t think I could live with it full time though, unless it was a second bike for sunny day rides.
How does this bike compare to the ktm 790. If you have to choose between vitpillen / ktm 790 what would you choose?
That's a tough one, preferred the ride on the Vitpilen but prefer the more conventional styling of the KTM....
Lovely little bike I did a first ride and impression on its little brother (or sister ) the 401 over on my channel ✅👍🏼
I don't know if it goes for other dealers but GH Motorcycles are selling new 2018 Vitpilen 701 for £6,999.
They cut the price about a month after I bought my 701sm.
I might have considered the Vitpilen over the sm as well 😕
Thx, TMF... not a fan ...especially the price point versus their competition aspect, but great thorough review as always.
I love the looks, but all the plastics for that price was too much...
Loved the review!!
On the fence with this one TMF. really don’t know how i feel about the looks.
I think it is a nice looking bike, if I would have a second bike apart from my Vstrom 1000 XT, this would be a beautiful more city like option.
I really like the look of this bike. It would look better with a tail tidy and a conventional hugger, but it's a really good looking bike.
This review clearly shows one of the main drawbacks of this bike, it covers itself in dirt very quickly in wet weather ! This is an very important design flaw as most people wouldn't be able to clean their bike on a daily basis if they were commuting on it. I often leave my bike for a few weeks before cleaning it and it never looks as bad as that !
It's a case of it being designed to look right and ride right but practicality never entered the equation, for that price they really need to think again.
..fair point, it certainly throws the crud over itself (and the rider) in poor weather, as I found out...
Mechanically its the same bike as the 690 duke. So are the extra bits and bobs, and the style change worth the extra money?
I think so - the 690 didn't really do it for me - this feels far more special, and is in a different league when it comes to quality of fit and finish...
To much cash for me. Paying for the style i think. Great vid as always sir
Thanks for watching Paul!
As always a good review but have to say not the type of bike I like
Is an 801 Vitpilen coming perhaps? By the way how did those school kids react?
Great concept - I love big singles, and the light weight gets top marks from me.. (I once owned a Silk 700S - 140kg/309lbs - now that was flickable!)
But oh the looks.. It looks like a motorcycle designed by someone who's not seen one before. I don't mind "different" - but not plug ugly.
Fair enough! :0)
@@TheMissendenFlyer This was my old '67 Matchless G80CS..
th-cam.com/video/aVwO4bQ4s2g/w-d-xo.html
Big thumper? Tick.. Great looks? Tick.. Light weight? Er, no.. 2 out of 3..
Huskie? Light, big single, ugly as a bag of spanners.. 2 out of 3.
Nice!
Great review Mr Flyer , I wouldn’t like the bike , I had a Ktm lc640 single and it should have been called the Ann summers experience, a vibrator on wheels , myglasses sometimes shook on the bridge of my nose and you would see two of everything , through the Rev range ,cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧
Yes you do have to ride them in the sweet spot, but this wasn't as bad as the 690 I rode a few years back, think they've made some internal wizardry happen....
Personally I love the vibes of a big single cylinder or twin as opposed to the overly smooth delivery of a four cylinder. I used to have 660cc so God Yamaha MT03 and have just bought an 853cc Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer. As for the quick shifter, I started doing clutchless year changes on my CBT 25 years ago 😁
..well there is that...
I actually like what they did to the rear of the machine.
Rode possibly that very bike, loved it especially the engine and quick shifter. Supermoto more my kind of bike, as a second bike to enjoy the twisties there is something in their parts bin suitable for my future enjoyment
Great bike, I do hope they make another variant based on the 790 parallel twin engine, that would be ideal :-)
Yes I agree!
Nice 1st, 2nd & 3rd impressions review. Are you sure this isn't the enduro version? The amount of crud it looks like you took it off-road. It's bad the rear seat was covered in dirt showing the rear mud guard does nothing. I bet the rear of your jacket was covered as well. Interesting bike but looks best suited to fair weather use.
...that is true...
Would it be fair to say that this manufacturer does not really bother about fitting mudguards? Weird design.
Most modern bikes this seems to be the case they are almost optional extras, Something I just don’t understand at all. This review really showed how bad this bike was in that respect, a bit of rain and the rest end is covered me ver mind the front end
Loved it when it came out, really interesting design, but thought it was a bit pricey..... now they've lopped £2k off the price, I took a test ride last week and loved it even more - now waiting for delivery as a second bike alongside R1200 GSA Rallye TE 😁..... should've been tomorrow, but my local mower mechanic is off sick and gotta wait for him to PDI it (not joking 🙄)....... Fingers crossed for next week! The bike i test rode had the Akra can, but have held off that for now....i did go for the swankier non-Mickey Mouse mirrors though!
Congratulations Ian! Exciting times eh?
@@TheMissendenFlyer will be interesting to see how you get on over the next coupke of weeks and if I draw the same conclusions! Definitely only gonna use it when the sun's out 😁
I'm learning why you don't see many on the road - the dealers are bloody useless!
Did you check the back of your jacket? Judging by the way the bike throws the crud around, including the top of the seat, I expect you'd be cleaning your jacket regularly.
Indeed - I'm still picking out the crud!
Man the looks of this bike certainly split opinions. Also , whats a calf racer? 😇
caff racer sir, caff.....
Cool bike..
But if it's mine, tail tidy is a must...I mean, look all that mud on passenger seat..lol..
I'm really looking forward for your opinion on the black one, sir..
....it's in the diary for later in the year!
Will you make a year review?
Nope - I only had it for three weeks...more videos to come though - stay tuned!
How does it compare with the KTM 690 Duke? I believe under the skin they are very similar bikes
I prefer the Husky....
I commend them for trying a different design style. Not sure I like it but I haven't seen one in the flesh so I will reserve judgement. I'm not keen on the look of the clip on bars, speedo, mirrors area. So the bit you are looking at when in sat on it doesn't do much for me. Single cylinder I can't imagine being to my taste as I'm in love with triples but again I haven't ridden it so.....
I have to say to me it rides much better than it looks....and the looks grow on you, it's beautifully made....
Yes! He's finally done it!! Did you know that the bike qualifies for A2 licence too?
Really? I didn't know that - helluva beast for a beginner bike!
Surely, that's not the case. Not with 75 horsepower. It's little brother, the 401 is probably A2 though.
I did read you can restrict the Svartpilen (or however you spell it) so maybe you restrict this as well. But has to be restricted to less than 47HP I think.
Yeah it's less than 94bhp and meets the power to weight restrictions ! The 401 Vitpilen and Svartpilen are A2 right off the line.
160 rear? That'd be a blast on a country road. Mush you huskies!
I wish Husky UK would lend me a bike, whilst I try and sort out the complete madness of registering my Husky FE imported from California with the DVLA.
Something tells me you will be well practised when it comes to the "How is it to clean" portion of the final review ;)
You're not wrong there Matt!
I like the bike in a “I Robot” kind of way.
Those "clipons" look more like they're built into the triple clamp? (which looks terrible IMO, the only part of the bike that seemingly has no design touches)
Hate the display, looks like it will be illegible 90% of the time.
Love the lines of that fuel tank tho. Bike desperately needs a rear hugger and a longer front mudguard.
Isn't it fantastic whether one likes the style or not...how good is it the range of different bikes available now when I started in 1989 there was basically very little choice👍cheers from dave
100% agree Dave!
Looks are subjective, but not my cup of tea. Lots of competition in the £9k bracket new, let alone the used market so I suspect it wont be a great seller
I think it’s a beautiful minimalistic bike. Great commuter other than the price. Don’t think it needs an lcd display though like you said...Seems like a futuristic bike for purists. 👍
This or CB 1000R ?
Nice bike but not for me, fairly expensive....
Single cylinder... what were they thinking. Don’t know if they’ve got away with this. Single front disc, flinging garbage all over your back, that dash leaves a bit to be desired. Not my taste TMF. still keen to get your thoughts on it in a few weeks time.
What a lovely second bike this could be,or it's brother the black one. Looking at the state of it after your short ride shows a lack of care in my opinion by the manufacturer for the realities of riding a bike in a temperate climate,and this from a northern European company! Form over function has ruined it for me,at that price one should not have to shell out for a full length front mudguard and a hugger . I have seen a few reviews of these exciting bikes and didn't realise until yours that this was a problem so well done.
A lot of money for a rehashed 690, seeing as most of the development costs would've been paid by 690 sales
They should do an adventure touring bike using that engine.
Looking at the seat, I imagine your jacket must have looked pretty awful after that ride. I don't think it's a poor weather bike.
It sure did!