Currently in RSA revisiting this thread. Decision time (keep or sell) on my XT660z having finished my short trip here (for now).

I took a one day, one to one training day on the XT660z before setting off. It transformed my experience of riding it (fixing a few minor things in my technique gave me so much more confidence on it) . As a result I am leaning towards keeping it, doing another trip or two here and then shipping it to the US to do the TAT in a couple of years.

When back in the UK i will try and test ride the 701 while the XT is fresh in my head just to test that decision.

Decidedly off topic but a few clips of some cracking riding in RSA here if of interest. http://youtu.be/JqWxZeLh3Fw



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If you are still fence sitting may i suggest

Husqvarna 701 Super Moto and Enduro! | Adventure Rider

for feedback on specifics on the 701.

I've been riding my 701 for a couple years and for my style of riding, 50/50, i love it.

It handles hours of slab without problems and keeps up to my 450 offroad with equal ease.

As any bike it required ergo modifications, im 6'2", and travel mods such as pannier racks etc are all easily available.

The power to weight ratio is excellent as is the fuel economy.
And, you can easily pick it up yourself when the inevitable get off occurs

IMO this is a true dual purpose bike.

Good luck

I hope you don't expect us to read all 900 pages of that ADV Thread! :smarts:

Maybe you could give us a short review of your own ... perhaps a couple paragraphs of specifics?

I'm guessing you have the "Enduro" version as you mention it's the perfect Dual Sport bike.

Couple questions:
What is current MSRP? Full OUT THE DOOR cost (on the road).

Have you ridden a 2016 or 2017 KTM Duke 690? I recently bought a near new
'17 Duke for a song. It's pretty smooth at highway speed (65 to 75 mph).
Nicer than earlier Dukes, IMO but no Triumph 1050 (glass smooth triple)

Wonder how if the Husky motor is the same as the new generation 690 used in my KTM Duke 690?

KTM claim the Duke makes like 72 HP. (I feel a real dyno run would indicate true HP of about 62 at best. Plenty for me.

Good handling bike (but can't match my Ducati Hyperstrada), fair brakes, very fun to ride. Can't match my DR650 or Ducati for long distance. Thoughts?

How does the Husky 701 compare to KTM 690 off road in more technical C and B Enduro trails?

How about reliability? Surely in 900 pages someone has put more than 3000 miles on one? Thoughts of long term reliability? IE: would your ride one to S. America or cross Mongolia?

How much fuel does it hold in stock form? Aftermarket tanks? How much?

Cost of maintenance? Can you do ALL regular maintenance yourself or do you
need a dealer? Hard or easy?

Has anyone done any significant cross continent traveling on the 701?

Thanks, love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Mollydog, unsure if I can do your interest level into the 701, or your time investment in your post, justice and answer all your questions but I can share the following:

I show 12,000 km on the clock and issues so far are an intermittent horn which was replaced under warranty.

For MSRP I recommend contacting your local dealer. I live in Canada and these bikes can be difficult to find, likely less so in the US I understand.

IMO vibrations are relative to the rider and I find them non-existant on my 701, but then I have ridden mainly dirt on dirt bikes - to me the 701 is carpet smooth.

Yes, I do my own maintenance. 10,000km oil change intervals.

Would I ride it rtw - yes.
Are parts as plentiful as the DR's etc - highly unlikely.
Would that stop me - no...in fact that is why I purchased the bike.

Check out Tom and Caroline as they ride their 701's rtw for a list of improvements and challenges encountered:

About us • MotoMorgana

Or Check out Dave's RR taking his 701 from Tucson to AK for breakfast.

Riding to Alaska for breakfast on a dirt bike | Page 4 | Adventure Rider

But what it really comes down to, for my riding style and interests, is the smile this bike puts on my face every time I ride it or even 'think' about riding it.

And as Mr. Chris Scott points out in the AMH: '...don't forget the value of a machine that, even after weeks on the road, still gives you a thrill to look at as you crawl out of your tent each morning.'

Hi Riel,
Which model year is your 701 ? I'm guessing it's a 15/16 ?
Thanks.

Yes, that is correct Mumbo68, my 701 is a 2016 model - the first year of production.
In 2017 the 701 was outfitted with the new 690 Duke motor, which, courtesy of a second counter-balance shaft, has reduced vibes further, increased hp and it is also Euro 4 emissions compliant.

HTH,

Riel

Hi Riel, thanks for the info there. Yes I'm aware of those 2017 updates it's those that have really sparked my interest in the 701, especially the 2nd balance shaft. I think service intervals have increased over the previous model too, now 6000 miles (UK) although I'm not sure what they were on the older bike.
It's kind of hard to get user info on them, I don't know anyone who has one and I haven't seen one on the road even "round here". I've read some good stuff about them and had a look over one on a shop floor but it's nice to hear from owners.
Have you changed much on yours to dial it in for you ?
I've seen the plethora of stuff that's becoming available for them too but like the bike it's nice to hear from people who have tried stuff.
Regards
Mumbo

I only asked what you paid in Canadian dollars ... not MSRP. I can figure conversion from CA dollars to US. Here we have lots add on fees and tax ... so price goes WAY up above MSRP. maybe same in Canada?

Good to hear. Yes, most bikes are pretty smooth riding dirt. So you never rode your Husky cross country on highway for long day rides? Maybe test that out before going RTW on it?

Wow! 10K km between oil changes is great! Is that what Husky/KTM recommend in the factory service book?

I don't even go that far on my 10 year old Suzuki DR650! I usually try to change at around 4K miles or so (6K km). So far, made it to 62,000 miles with NO engine work. Just lucky I guess?

I'm sure you'll do just fine. Even with the DR you have to order parts from abroad. Most Suzuki dealer outside USA/Canada would not stock Suzuki DR parts. So same as Husky ... order and wait a month.

Question is ... which engine will break first?

Great travel stories! Thanks for the links!


Spot on! But I'd rather actually RIDE than simply "think" about riding

... and I don't see the bike when I'm riding it. The main thing is that it starts up and keeps going ... everyday ... for 10 years ... without even ONE repair.

I raced AMA Enduro, dist. 36, B rider, for eight years. So I know how to go fast in the dirt and I know what a fast dirt bike is.

For travel (for me) I'd don't need the fastest or best handling ... or even the best looking bike for long distance travel.

Most times I'm on highways anyway, so a "True Dual Sport" is of paramount importance. Being able to ride 10 hours a day, day after day at 75 MPH is a good test of the engine.

All the best!

The thread is about views on the 701...not the DR650 I think Mollydog.

Seems to me this thread has drifted through discussion of several bikes .. from
Yamahas, to Hondas to KTM and of course Husky's.

Really, only the last paragraph of my post is DR650 specific. And if you go back and actually read the thread you'll see the OP has apparently now decided to hang onto his XT660 Yamaha.

So Mumbo ... what's this thread about NOW?