Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 - Full Review & Road Test

[@Enruler]

Getting a 2019 Svartpilen 701 in the next two weeks here. Your review really helped solidify that choice for me. A bike that I can ride for extended hours is ideal, but I don't want an adventure bike. It will be my first bike, and it seems like it's a very solid choice.

[@mancavemoto]

Good choice! glad I was able to offer some views that helped you out. Enjoy!

[@1990-t1j]

I hope you enjoy it, Enruler.

[@BN1960]

Great clear, easy to digest video review Tony where everything isn't always "absolutely fine" and you're not afraid to call out manufacturers that employ shitty designs. Like it.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Nigel, I try to be honest and objective in my reviews

[@highdefp-rm7zg]

love the way you use your hand to express yourself when speaking on a motorbike... nice vid man

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, its a habit I can't stop

[@turvyjj9232]

Nice video, thanks. Some point is not emphasized enough in reviews is that the Svartpilen is incredibly light mainly due to be 1 cylinder (both 401 and 701). Monocylinder engines have been relegated to small bikes, but over 250 cc they allow incredibly light and nimble machines. And with that mono feeling, which I personally love. I like this motorcycle, and I'm waiting to see reliability records, personally my experience has been great with japanese bikes, not so much with others. A shame there are no single cylinder, medium/large displacement bikes from Japan anymore.

[@mancavemoto]

Indeed, thats one of the positive things about the bike. The more I think of it the more I’d like one in my garage next to the Tiger 800

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

Nice and unique styling with plenty of umphhh

[@ibrarhussain705]

Thanks, got mine coming Friday

[@mancavemoto]

Enjoy it

[@scottc3]

Lovely bike. Totally agree on the mirrors. The clocks need a rear cover with the same shape on it as the tank sides and a Husky logo. Would finish them off beautifully. Also needs a tail tidy and a smaller can. That indicator switch looks really flimsy?

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, the controls are not the best

[@1990-t1j]

I prefer this to the Vitpilen. It's really growing on me. The flat track looks do it for me. I bet it would handle light offroad. Expensive but top quality suspension. The Magura clutches slave cylinders tend to fail at 10,000 miles unless KTM have solved that problem. Doesn't the speedo deflect the wind around you? And at least you can read it when it's at that angle. I think it would look better with the flat tracker board on both sides.

[@htothejay]

I Want this bike so bad🔥

[@mancavemoto]

It’s a great machine to ride. Lots of fun!

[@robertpearce2244]

Can I ask where you were riding? Looked familiar, somewhere in Somerset??🤔

[@mancavemoto]

Sunny Essex

[@JsnHgl]

How would it handle a heavier rider? Asking for a friend.

[@mancavemoto]

Tell your friend, I weigh over 200lbs and it handled me ok ;)

[@JsnHgl]

Views from the Man Cave thanks brother! My “friend” appreciates it. Haha. Great video by the way.

[@rsq72]

Vitpilen with those bars would be perfect, prefer the cleaner look and 17" front wheel. Not keen on the clocks but not a deal-breaker

[@mancavemoto]

Exactly, you don't spend too much time looking at it.

[@hollydillion1315]

Would you prefer this 701 or the Duke 890 you rode? Kinda keen waiting for the rumored Svartpilen 901.

[@mancavemoto]

it would be the Duke 890 for me, I prefer the twin motor over the single

[@hollydillion1315]

@@mancavemoto Thanks for responding. Can't wait to see a Sv 901 this year.

[@StevIebenz]

Which do you prefer the svartpilen or vitpilen? I can't decide. Appreciate your thoughts given you've ridden both

[@mancavemoto]

For me it would be the Svartpilen for sure

[@franckmarteen9999]

For me the svartpilen.

[@1990-t1j]

Watching this for a second time. About as good a review as MC Commute, and that's a compliment. The clock: how would you design it, Tony? I'm beginning to think I prefer this to the 701SM.

[@mancavemoto]

1990 Thank you. I think either the small tft from the KTM models, or at least ad some adjustability into its position maybe?

[@1990-t1j]

@@mancavemoto Adjustability, yes. It looks a touch vulnerable to me. Regards, Nick

[@davidravo6247]

I agree with you

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks

[@TheRossillini]

Can you turn off the traction control and the abs?

[@Rainan8]

The tc u can yes

[@wereyouaking]

What gloves are those? They look proper worn in and comfy

[@mancavemoto]

They are Lee Parks Design deerskin gloves. Absolutely brilliant summer weight gloves

[@wereyouaking]

@@mancavemoto Ah I know them, no wonder they looked nice.

[@lillithbena1211]

would love to know the seat height (5'7" and shrinking with 31" inseam) . also would love to know whether there is a wind screen aftermarket option. my days of getting blasted are behind me. that would cover the speedo and give a finished look to the front end. maybe the 2020 will address these shortcomings.

[@lillithbena1211]

forgot to mention - loved when you said yes you'd own one, but not as your ONLY bike. very important to note as I currently have a Daytona 675 and NX250 and am looking for a bike than blends the two, ergo, the Svartpilen or Vitpilen are being considered primarily for how light and maneuverable they are, like both my current bikes.

[@mancavemoto]

Good point, one thing i forgot to mention. its 835mm, which is about 33 inches? I have a 32 inseam and can flat foot on it easily. Husky do make a couple of different fly screens for it too.

[@modepush]

Im 5’7 do you think this bike could fit me?

[@mancavemoto]

I think it would be fine, what your inside leg measurment?

[@jquiznos2283]

Road closed? where we're going, we go AROUND road signs.

[@mancavemoto]

Yep 😂

[@mattcc6603]

Same performance as 690 Duke? Sub'd 👍😁

[@mancavemoto]

Yep and cheers 👍

[@Rainan8]

No, better it’s like the 690 R !!

[@Paris.Kalachnikov]

Is that a footpath you're riding on

[@mancavemoto]

No, its a largely country lanes

[@seismicxcharge]

nice review thx ⁽ ´ᵕ`⁾

[@mancavemoto]

no problem

[@DEeMONsworld]

I'll be the curmudgeon on this one, If I wanted a KTM 690 , I'd buy one of those instead of this homogenized metro sexual rendition. A city poser bike. so as you say it is indeed a polarizing ride. :) However, I do like their choice of tires!

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, as i said its not to everyone’s taste, and to be pedantic if its a KTM 690 you want you’d be right to buy one....this is different. Maybe a bit harsh to call it a poser bike as its a very capable machine. The tyres proved to be very good :)

[@DEeMONsworld]

@@mancavemoto yes, I suppose a little harsh, I have those tires on a Street Twin, and they have proved to be faultess in street and trail conditions . Well what i, as an old purist, (and then even a street twin might be construed as a poser bike), object too is the homoginization of brands and rebadging of one brand for another in the name of marketing niche. It's a trend in multiple brand conglomerates, today and not limited to KTM/Husqvarna.

[@MegaWebsters]

@@DEeMONsworld The car market is rife with that, MX5 is also a Fiat 124, BMW Z4 is a Toyota Supra. Most VW Group chassis Seat, Audi, Skoda etc - all the same under the skin.

[@stevenhill6214]

This one is definitely not for me, i'm in the FUGLY camp.