2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Review

[@602jesse]

really dig the review. Way better than some others. Quick to the point, and it seemed very honest.

[@topper8742]

Man this bike is beautiful. I would definitely love to ride one. For the price though ill just have to stick with my FZ-07. Its a shame KTM has priced this bike to a point that it probably wont last long.

[@clutchcargo2419]

Topper 87 i compared this bike to the fzo7 - you got the better deal - the H 701 - nice bike but the fz07 is less expensive on parts and probably the fz is more​ fun. I decided today the fz07 is a much smarter buy - there is alot i can do w/ 4000 savings between the two.

[@sowolfx5795]

Yes the price is on a higher end. Mt07/fz07 is the way to go for 600cc class. However for starters 401 has a good price tag for 373cc class.

[@mkp1214]

Is there finally a vehicle that’s priced cheaper in Canada than the US? Or did they just drastically reduce the price for 2019+? Cause where I’m at these things are priced pretty much the exact same as on MT07

[@stenmartens7179]

​@@mkp1214 prices have dropped somewhere along the line yeah. i can't tell for your region specifically as im from europe, but i've seen some americans reporting something like a 15 or 20% price drop which puts it at competition with a lot of the other go-to bikes in class! the way I see it is that you get a bike that has less of the creature comforts like a tft dash, but gives you the nice options like fully adjustable shocks, a nice powerfull engine which doesnt only live at the top and in all round light chassis which makes it tonnes of fun.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

Love it. But dang, son. $12 grand for a street thumper is going to be a hard sell. We hope we're wrong and Husky sells a million of them because they really did something different and special here.

[@realMysta]

David & Elizabeth they only made like 700 this year so they can't sell a million.:)

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

You can snag one in 2020 a year old.for $9k

[@mkp1214]

@@stanleyblazeraznik6047 my local dealership has a brand new 2019 for 8k Canadian

[@alanaspurling6469]

Fy 2021 I snagged a 2018 Vitpilen 701 brand new for $7.9 k… it’s been canceled for 21/22 which is a shame. But it’s going to be a rare classic.

[@timothy9596]

Take off the auto-bliper and quick-shifter and sell it for $8K and you'd have something. But $12K is way too much in most peoples opinion including mine.

[@exnihilo415]

The auto-blipper is software they just had to refine from the 1290. Costs nothing extra per unit sold. Given the price of aftermarket quick-shifters that's never more than a couple hundred at retail, which must be less than $100 per bike for a manufacturer.

[@tylercasey2633]

Seriously. 12K and only one disk in the front? dumb.

[@exnihilo415]

It really isn't. Here is the 701 Supermoto (same engine) doing Pike's Peak with the stock brake and rotors. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6rToaqHbs98fKM Are you faster than this? If so, I want to party with you Cowboy.

[@tylercasey2633]

exnihilo415 Nope. Definitely could not get up pikes peak like that. But still, you cant say that 2 disks wouldn't be better and for the money the bike should come with it. Also that is a totally different bike on a different frame with different handling characteristics. Stock the 701 supermoto is 26lbs lighter than the vitpilen, and that supermoto was definitely not stock. The brakes may have been, but I guarantee that bike is down at least another 15lbs from stock, with the stock pipe and rear fender, mirrors, lights and turn signals taken off.

[@exnihilo415]

I'm not sold. It's not that much heavier a bike. If they're not overheating on that extreme pike's peak run they're probably fine for civilian use. I beat up on my 701 SM all the time and I'm not the lightest guy around and I don't get brake fade. Honestly, that being the case I'd rather not have the weight of an extra rotor and calipers. Rest assured, if they were fading I'd start with a Beringer Supermoto 6 Piston brake and if that wasn't doing it, I'd graduate to dual M50 monoblocks which can stop a freight train, curling up the tracks like a Roadrunner cartoon. How about you ride it hard and then try to make the brakes fade, and if so, then and only then increase the spinning weight of the front end and get out the credit card for remediation?

[@kolabrou]

i am so happy that people moan about the price thinking it doesnt worth it. that will make it more rare and unique. happy owner here. found a bike that i love and connect with after a while.

[@lorenzoserafin5215]

So straightforward! Thanks for being so candid

[@DIBYO3]

Reviewing a husqvarvna bike and keeping a husky in the video? Niceeeeee

[@doubdoesntknow]

My fav thing about this bike is hearing every non-swedish person trying to pronounce the name. Priceless! :D

[@lokerosenkrantz7423]

hUaskervwaarna?

[@Heavywall70]

Huss key That’s easy

[@digoverduras7192]

After this, you teach them, right?

[@mathias6423]

Great video Ryan! Good and honest.

[@threethrushes]

Tried it at a bike fair. Unrideable position - far too aggressive. Not for me. I keep with my XSR900. Good review, beautiful hound!

[@sqd8r]

Everyone needs to get off the "it would be nice if it had a tft screen at this price point" bandwagon. Never seen some much ado about something that does little more than give you information well beyond what you need.

[@Tom_Hadler]

sqd8r Totally agree! Keep it simple, if TFT makes it cost more they can keep it.

[@joevidya]

Yeah, if they put a TFT on it they would want it to be $15k.

[@tabaccoal1970]

How does it feel around windy days with cross winds?

[@rdrg7362]

People expect a Mercedes for the price of a Ford.

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

People expect a skinny chick for fat girl money.

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

Sounds like a lawnmower.

[@gur262]

@@stanleyblazeraznik6047 just what happens when you go for making the strongest legal reliable(well its still ktm) single cylinder. High revs.

[@GHE98]

They should've just made an updated version of the Nuda 900.

[@casparwilliams1507]

I really enjoyed the relaxed feel to this review. Nice job

[@toth1981]

For that money,yamaha xsr 900 any time...

[@ILoveCostcoPizza]

Yup, looking at that as my second bike.

[@exnihilo415]

A two year old 1290 is about the same money as a new 701. Depends on what you want.

[@bwxmoto]

Got my brand new XSR900 for $9450.. So it's a lot less than this Husky.

[@nasomaz]

they are targeting the bMWs and the Ducatis with this one

[@NickoochPulver]

You are comparing this Husky with a yamaha? Ok, they are both motorcycles, but that's kinda' it.

[@80sruler]

I opted for the Svartpilen 401 and got it for a little under $6K which I was happy with. It’s my favorite bike and will be interested to see if a larger version shows up either with the 701 or 790 twin. I’m fortunate I have a dealer nearby

[@richardcollins586]

Great T-shirt, that’s the lining pattern of my Dainese Settantadue leather jacket! 👍

[@fretstain]

what jacket were you wearing on the riding portion?

[@302hobronco]

Was this filmed in San Pedro? And what back pack is that??

[@aaroncorreya6021]

Does it get pillion seat as standard

[@weljo2001]

Sweet Looking Bike but i would never pay the price they want for it...

[@edmaluf]

weljo2001 Especially being a single cylinder. Totally agree with you.

[@weljo2001]

Yep, much better bikes out there for that price...

[@PicturePilot]

Perhaps better..but nothing quite like it.

[@weljo2001]

Yamaha XSR 900 is similar but better in every way including price...

[@exnihilo415]

I paid that much for the Husky 701 Supermoto and haven't regretted it for a minute.

[@Knapweed]

Fuuuck... what a beautiful piece of machinery. I've been indecently attracted to big performance singles since the BSA Gold Star, Velocette Thruxton and Duke 450 Desmo. Great looking dog too.

[@217Legendary]

What's the name of the music at the start of the video??

[@jjlee196]

Can you disable the auto-blip function?

[@Land-Shark]

Nice review, Ryan! I do love thumpers... simple, easy to work on, good grunt, lower cost to maintain, and lots of character. 12k is a lot for that size bike (it's $1000 more than what i payed for a new ZX-14R left over from the previous model year), but worth it if that's the bike a person wants. Definitely a distinctive, and good looking machine.

[@013nil]

Vitpilen 401 based on Duke 390 is coming up later this year, I hope it will be priced well.

[@danilocapellan1316]

Looks like it just came out of a James Bond movie.

[@cornejansen2881]

Cant really see...is it a single seater or double?

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Nice but for me the comfier option of the hopefully soon Svartpilen 701 is more attractive.

[@RickyLepre]

These are now $10,490 ride away in the land of OZ for the 701. Makes it now very affordable

[@lukesantiago2661]

How many CCs does the engine have?

[@PicturePilot]

Great review...thanks for pointing out the subtle details, pros and cons. Question: I am exactly your height/inseam...How does the bike feel under you when you are stationary?...Are you able to "Flat-Foot"?

[@pyropunk137]

It feels tall when jumping on the bike, but when putting your feet down at stoplights, it's not bad. Flat foot? Maybe not quite, but I was pretty comfortable with the height. Just for reference though, the seat height is 32.7-inches.

[@aditya9600]

Beautiful dog!

[@caseyfisher1157]

I would like to see a Vitpilen 890 with the parallel twin.

[@82phalanX]

Two things cast a massive shadow over this bike, 1. The Dog :-) 2. The upcoming Honda CB1000R Neo Sports, I expect they'll be within the same price range..

[@mathias6423]

The Honda will be much more expensive :/ Around Speed triple price. Sorry to be the one telling you.

[@82phalanX]

Torque house Not by much, I expect the Honda will come in at around 14 compared to the 12 indicated for the Vit. That approx 2k difference considering the massive gap between the two bikes (power, running cost, reliability and IMO, looks) the Honda will make a case for itself if this is a bike someone may be looking at..I'll understand if you disagree

[@mathias6423]

Honda is the best looking street bike imo, but you you are wrong about the price, since honda already have it on their website even. In sweden the price difference from the vitpilen is 5000€ for the non + version of the Honda that is like 6000$ extra. In the UK its 11229£ that is like 15600$. Either you get the CB1000R out the door much cheaper than the rest of the world, or you are wrong. The Vitpilen 701 cost 11500$ out the door in Sweden so not far from your price.

[@mathias6423]

Is the Vitpilen 701 overpriced? Yes. Is the Honda CB1000R 2018 overpriced? Yes.

[@moreseun]

Are they both amazing looking Yes. Honda for the win though.

[@Fox1486]

Random question, but what jacket and gloves is the rider wearing? Looks like a Rev’it jacket of some kind.

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

Fox1486, you can find that information at the bottom of the article, here: www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/husqvarna/2018-husqvarna-vitpilen-701-first-ride-review.html

[@yudhistirs]

When is the Svartpilen coming ?

[@pyropunk137]

Svartpilen 701, which I would be totally stoked to see in production, I'm told by U.S. reps, is nothing more than a concept at this point. That being said, if you wanted to spend even more money, you could turn this into one!

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Not often they keep to the concept! Glad they did... but the price is all that’s holding me back

[@cuzimaluzer777]

Hi MO people!!!

[@paulh6101]

Did he just Insinuate that it may be a little chilly out side, around 57 degrees, so he brought his Husky inside?

[@MrConShaunery]

Paul Highbaugh I believe he said 59 degrees

[@paulh6101]

Alex Matschke lol... My mistake.

[@pyropunk137]

Haha. Totally a joke! Thanks for checking out the video.

[@1990-t1j]

I like the handlebars.

[@fivestarsi]

Good review mate thank you

[@Captndarty]

A 1290 Vitpilen would be sick...

[@Youtube_Globetrotter]

But with what engine?

[@simonhill6267]

@@KZbin_Globetrotter LC8

[@clintrocco1482]

would be fun to see how it would stack up against the Ducati scrambler cafe

[@DarkSpartan317]

People are talking both ways about the price, its too expensive, or its a high end bike of course you'll pay premium. Asking price aside, I remember Huqvarna being good when they were owned by BMW, and reliability wasn't an issue, but KTM is another story. 390's are plagued with reliability issues. Yeah, the 390 is an awesome bike, but its priced accordingly, especially with the used market due to top end issues and difficulty of maintenance. The 701's aren't exempt from this, and I feel they will ever sell for the price Husqvarna wants for them, but to people who can turn wrenches and monitor the market, they will love them.

[@jyexe525]

Hey, how tall are you ?

[@zorrozorro42]

That's a beautiful animal sitting right there. Nice bike too.

[@topgun8683]

Good looking bike, but to expensive for a middleweight bike, better choices out there for that kind of money !

[@ILoveCostcoPizza]

Beautiful bike but at that price point I can get an XSR 900 for cheaper. That extra money left over can be used for modding the bike, which is also pretty easy to Mod, to make it my own.

[@christiancartmale1150]

looks and sounds good but damn, you can get alot more performance for that price.

[@theincrediblesulk5543]

Great honest review thanks 👍

[@Sirpry]

I really don't like how the front light and speedometer look, other than that it looks great. The headlight is too flat and short while the speedometer is weird pairing with the short headlight.

[@mpower3279]

What do you think guys now the price is 8635€ in Belgium??

[@michaeljkasnter]

your paying for the Motor, i have a 701 SuperMoto, the motor is an insane power house with tons of character. The Super Moto is crazy good!! but no Tachometer

[@asadkamran850]

where is the grand master kevin duke bro?

[@lacix22]

Tft display? Who cares? We watch the road ahead not the screen

[@JimmySlacksack]

i prefer the more old school mininalist digital display which is more inkeeping with the design of the bike a kind of neo-retro cafe racer style, a TFT woud look out of place imp

[@snipes503]

I'll just wait for the used market to catch up on this thing. it looks sooo good but 12k is pretty steep for what it is.

[@numbers0-10]

Everything about this bike is perfect just need a little bit more ground clearance and a little big steel body .

[@TheSoccerseeker]

Thats a beauty ..would love to own one

[@joevidya]

The bike looks really cool and futuristic, horsepower and torque is good with the low weight making it super sporty. But it's not priced competitively, there are better performing bikes in the category that are $1k-2 or even $3k cheaper. I appreciate you guys mentioning this, I saw Motorcyclist Magazine's review and they just glossed over the fact that this thing is so expensive. This is their 2nd shot after the Nuda didn't work out and I was rooting for them until I saw the MSRP, the sad part is KTM is releasing the Duke 790 for the same price so it's like they are shooting themselves in the foot.

[@arvinjandaghi3378]

Good for a beginner bike?

[@ehiggins7476]

Yes, I bought one last year, first bike. Easy to ride and has room to grow. Powerful but wont get you in trouble if you ride it with in your ability.

[@alistairharris7891]

Prices have come way down.

[@simianrogue]

Sells at £6,999 in the UK as of now (02/06/19).

[@gm2256]

Cool-factor is huge with this bike, but that asking price will be quite prohibitive.

[@thinkdunson]

he said they were going to weigh and dyno it, but never gave the weight; or did i miss it?

[@Motorcyclecom]

That information is here: kzbin.info?redir_token=CAucMUysw7CzEuffzEMyWBpV8yx8MTUyNTIxNzM4N0AxNTI1MTMwOTg3&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorcycle.com%2Fmanufacturer%2Fhusqvarna%2F2018-husqvarna-vitpilen-701-first-ride-review.html&v=5AR5PwffLzI&event=video_description

[@bigleemac]

Great review, great bike, even better dog!

[@80sruler]

I like it a lot better at the new 9500 price

[@FasterThanSoup]

Back pack? Jacket?

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

FasterThanSoup You can find that when you read the review on MO: www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/husqvarna/2018-husqvarna-vitpilen-701-first-ride-review.html

[@coolhandchunk]

It seems like it would be comparable to a Bonneville thruxton. (Smaller one, Non r version). Also looks similar to the forthcoming cb1000r, but down on power.

[@nomercy4521]

Do the 401.

[@edmaluf]

This is the bike you pick in a KZbin or magazine comparison. But when it's real life and you actually have to spend your real money you just buy a Honda CB 1000 R. Four cylinders, dual front disk brakes, almost twice the power, same price.

[@joevidya]

For the price of this vitpilen 701 I'd rather just get a Triumph Street Triple R, lol.

[@sinki19841984]

Nah, you buy that used for less then half the price. Because they dont hold their value very well.

[@htothejay]

Yeah if your boring

[@snoopdoug2137]

Agree that the price is too high. Lots of options to spend my $12k on.

[@ashishbhattarai9440]

can you send me the bag details?

[@gaithaikamei9693]

Which is better Royal Enfield or husqvarna

[@stevel2407]

Honda needed to do this with the xr650r

[@raywalteroutdoors]

$12k? I'll give you $8,000.

[@keithtait3214]

Hello I really admire Husqvarna for there 701 and Aprilia for the 660 They are high quality vehicles with high tech electronics and light weight and high hp (for their class)and are priced at premium prices .I am still waiting for a Ducati Supermono .... Im really sad that this low weight ,high hp (for a single ) was a sales flop. I have been to a race track with my brand new GSXR750 (in 1986) and was blown away by a guy riding a Yamaha SR500 (unfortunately he could ride a bike !) I currently ride a MC19 1988 Honda CBR250rr (4 cylinders) and it is more than I can handle... This fixation on 200BHP and is ridiculous ,even the Yamaha MT9 doesnt really handle. The Husky has 75HP and 55 NM Torque is and 160 kilos is a spec that is exactly what everyone should want ,demand and buy But lets get back to over hyped reality (Personally my bike riding ability can only handle 45 BHP. :) ....)

[@UPSCpointbyBarnelBey]

Sv 650 gives the same stats and experience at half the price. Literally!

[@htothejay]

But weighs 50kg more and dont have premium parts on it( suspension/brakes).

[@llr3zall151]

Husqvarna made a KTM RC690, and told KTM, oh this is a cafe racer for the fashion conscious buyer. LMFAO

[@apuuvah]

Very cool indeed... good for ya Husky. Vitpilen and Svartpilen kick ass. Naked cafe racer looking bimes that still can do some off-road shit (with suspension upgrades).... now, how cool is that!?

[@way2yugo813]

I own 2012 duke 690. Same motorcycle and cost almost half the price. 12K is absurd for the same riding experience. Keep in mind that valve check and clearance is a bummer for these single cylinder engines. Can welcome rocker arm failure anytime :(

[@skoshunt]

Well it's good but this and that aren't right. 701 stickers are awesome!

[@RobertKwolek]

It's a cool bike, but if people only knew how much less expensive a single cylinder engine is to manufacture than even a twin, the price would seem even more crazy.

[@PeterDad60]

This machine is for riders who know how to race and win.

[@artbunger3517]

I’ll take a Kawasaki Z900RS ABS.

[@nickv4847]

That's a pretty sweet riding mower!

[@angellosmalefakis1321]

In all HONESTY it looks good but it is NOT functional. But the biggest issue by far is going to be no place for saddle bags, but more importantly the price. It is way over priced. It is NOT worth its weight in gold.

[@ehiggins7476]

It does have a saddlebags available form their parts catalog

[@spartan8390]

My FZ10 was $999 more. I feel I made the right choice.

[@b8tzim767]

Would be a tough sell even @ $10k...

[@frankstocker5475]

Sounds like you were holding back on the real opinion. The MT 09 SP any day.

[@balkenkreuz2063]

I think the XSR700 would be a better choice between the two. Only because it's 4 grand less.

[@Guizareis]

Love my bike 🎉

[@MrFameone206]

It is a might pricey but great looking bike

[@themightydash1714]

People saying it costs too much have totally missed the market this bike is aimed at... it's a poser bike, it's for rich kids to spam on their instagrams, it's a status symbol.

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Husqvarna should have made a 900cc model. In many key areas this misses the mark. Sure it looks great but it could be & should be much more.

[@jntroisi]

I kind of feel like this is what a Vespa would look like if Vespa mad a motorcycle

[@aaronsanchezz]

I'd get the sm

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Handsome bike.