Views on the husqvarna 701?
16 months after starting this thread, I finally got to test ride the 701 (albeit in SM format) this morning, back to back with a Honda CFR250 Rally.
Short version is while it was not perfect, I liked it overall and it is likely to make its way into my garage in 2019. Interestingly (at least to me), i test rode with a pal, swapping bikes, after which we independently made top 3 +/- lists. These lists turned out to be identical.
Husky 701
- Friendly power low down (rather than lairy right off the bottom of the throttle)
- Light weight (would be happy trail riding it)
- lots of top end grunt (really smooth at 70/75mph, with plenty left)
- Quite lumpy at low speed
- very fussy about you being in the right gear
- seat is a plank
- would need better wind protection for longer distance touring at speed
Conclusion: would enjoy trail riding AND touring on that
Honda CRF250 Rally
- very smooth engine through rev range
- Comfortable (seat and ergonomics)
- Good wind protection
- engine is gutless (couldn’t grunt you out of a tight spot on a trail)
- No top end (out of puff and getting vibey by 70mph)
- Cheap plastics
Conclusion: a really good bike that i have zero desire to own!
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