I Bought A Rally Bike! - Husqvarna 701 Enduro

What happens when you want a rally bike, but are not willing to spend over 30k for a factory replica? What happens when you want to go on hardcore adventures, but don't want an adventure bike? Well, you end up with this, a Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Or a GasGas EC700. Or a KTM 690 Enduro. Which are all basically the same. Yet still really cool...!
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[@Kelly-oq9nh]

64 year old 701 owner who’s tried and owned too many bikes. The 701 has been the best for me so far. I am living with the TKC 80s as they seem to be the best compromise for fast street and off road. Dunlap 606 is if there’s going to be more trail riding. I carry a couple of countershaft sprockets to adjust the gearing which doesn’t take much time. The motor on this bike is absolutely brilliant and is never boring. The bike absolutely needs bar risers and a better seat. A fueling dongle is a good idea, along with the aftermarket tank that replaces the airbox. Having said all of this… I just wanted to comment on your video. It’s really really good and I hope that you continue to make them. You are very talented. Subscribed kid. Keep up the excellent work!

[@KRANKiT]

Thank you very much!

[@OSR_1]

Michelin Trackers are amazing HUGE upgrade for this bike. You owe it to yourself to scrap those awful TKC80s and try these.

[@csgodenver]

I had real hope for the TKCs being the "All arounder tires" but they are ( in my opinion) good for the road only. I too moved to the Motoz Desert HTs@@OSR_1

[@callummalseed7908]

I totally agree with you and all your points about the 701 and adventure bikes having misleading marketing and there being no choice, it's a heavy bike or another heavy bike with different colours. want a lightweight bike that is durable offroad and that I can pick up. As a hard enduro rider myself, coming into the world of adventure bikes my friend and I was not sure what adv to go, I ended up with a T7 for a really great price, and my mate on a brand new KTM 690. Our goal was to turn the bikes into rally bikes. The 690 with a rally faring and rear rack with an extra fuel tank is an amazing bike that goes offroad really well, and the T7 is also great offroad but just way too heavy, it's nearly 50kg heavier when all done up. What the T7 does really well is on-road riding and its fantastic for that, but for me I think I prefer the offroad performance of the KTM 690, it really is a rally, there is no other way to put it. one day I might sell the T7 and get one, but with my budget, the T7 is a fantastic bike just a little heavy when your drop it.

[@KRANKiT]

Great points, both good bikes, but both do things quite differently!

[@peternaur]

I bought the same bike in January. Fitted a rade tower (makes a huge difference!) and my god is it the best bike I have ever ridden or owned! It does everything so well and inspires you to travel light and rough and it's so much more fun. And I came from a 790 Adventure R, which I suppose is the best 200 kilo adv bike. I just don't miss it. At all!

[@KRANKiT]

You said it well... The best 200 kilo ADV. This is 50 kilos less, huge difference in the real world!

[@Zt3v3]

I love my 690. If I can only have one bike, it's always an LC4. It used to be a 640, but now a 690. Twins and 500's can come and go, but the LC4 stays in the fleet.

[@MrHellga]

I also own a KTM 690 MY 2022 with a Rade Garage Rallye Tower and some other useful parts on it. It is already my 3rd one after a Husky 701 MY 2017 and a KTM 690 MY 2019. I am 60 years old and ride Moto Cross, Enduro (also Hard Enduro) and on the Street (KTM 1290 Super Duke MY2022). I owned about 40 bikes of different brands in my whole life until now. What I have to say is that the 690 is for sure one of my favorite bikes! Why? Because she can do everything good to very good! 2 weeks ago I was in Bosnia for a 5 days Hard Enduro trip on a Beta 390. After that i tried the same tracks with my 690 and I was surprised by myself how much was possible.I am 100% your opinion that for everyone there is his own best bike. For me and my goals for sure the 690-701-700 is the bike which suits me best! Don´t forget it´s a tool and all depends is what you want to do with it!

[@KRANKiT]

I see you're putting yours to good use! Yeah, they can do a lot.

[@visco4916]

Ktm500 excf-six days

[@Duken4evr29]

Beautiful bike! That tower is super cool. I live in Colorado and own a '23 701 with a Yosh can and Rottweiler goodies, which really transform how it runs. The Yosh can sounds burly too. Like you I also ride a 300 XC and own 4 bikes total (Super Tenere, Husaberg FE450, the 701 of course). We are brothers from different mothers it seems! The 690/701 is a bit unusual in that it really is a true "50/50" dual sport, meaning it sucks equally off road or on pavement, or to look at it in a positive way, it is better off road than a far more street oriented adventure bike, and better on pavement than a smaller dual sport like a Honda 300. Most people want their bikes to be biased toward off road or on road. I like the do it all good enough 50/50 nature of the 690 and it's siblings platform. The 50/50 nature of these bikes are their greatest strength or weakness, depending on your point of view. All I know is they have good suspension and lots of power, especially after doing fueling and exhaust mods, and tailor it as desired via tire choice - that works for me. I recently rode my 701 on some relatively gnarly single track that I ride my 300 on and I didn't die and actually had fun, so that is a good sign 😆 Tire choice makes all the difference of course. For me, a less aggressive rear like a Motoz RallZ and a knobbier front like their Desert HT is the ticket. I need the front end to work while riding off road, because chasing a sliding front end all the time on a 350 pound dirt bike in the dirt is not my idea of fun. The rear tire tends to wear out faster than the front as it takes a beating from all that horsepower, so it needs to be more durable. Big thumpers find traction, and I can deal with a spinning rear a lot better than a sliding front. TC on my bike is pretty much permanently switched off so I can spin to win and rip a wheelie at my whim. I added a rim lock to the front wheel, balanced for it using spoke weights, and run 20 PSI, which helps greatly while off road vs. 24 PSI or more. Will eventually do the same on the rear when I get around to it. Did the front first as the front tire is easier to mount/dismount. Enjoy that sweet looking machine!

[@KRANKiT]

Thanks, you enjoy yours too! As the old saying goes "great minds think alike" :))

[@Riezig]

I love my T7, I have taken it to 95% of the places I took my wr 250r to. One thing my t7 does better than the wr is putting on the miles to find great places to ride and back again in comfort. I could also listen to the sound of that cp2 engine all day long. I may one day get a 701, though.

[@KRANKiT]

The T7 would handle miles better than a 701 ... but then also a 701 would do it better than a wr250 ... it’s all about which compromises we are willing to accept :)

[@MrHappy-oq7ot]

​@@KRANKiTthe 701 is a good bike, can't deny that, but if the Japanese still offered their amazing dual sports of the past with modern engines then none would buy it

[@KRANKiT]

@@MrHappy-oq7ot I don’t think the current 701 buyer has much overlap with something like a drz or KLR buyer ... but then again, I may be wrong ... and we might never know :)

[@Marlonlabrie]

Awesome!! It looks stunning! Got mine last year (without rally tower) but it is amazing! The perfect can do it all! Enjoy it!!

[@KRANKiT]

I’m really enjoying mine so far! Glad you’re enjoying yours too!

[@ride701]

Great video, good thoughts, appropriate considerations. For me too, the 701 is the perfect solution.

[@sbsb4995]

The best bike ever built ❤❤

[@PetterIvarsson]

Very professional made with a good sense. I have viewed 1000 vids and kilometers of forums and have now nailed it down to this one or the AJP PR7. For me this bike i a gravel bike and you can take a trail or highway just to connect to the next gravel.

[@KRANKiT]

Thank you! I’d love to try the AJP, especially on a longer time basis ... for now though, no matter the reliability, parts availability will be more difficult with the AJP

[@richardvargas6219]

Nobody needs 4 bikes ..... my ex wife said so.

[@KRANKiT]

The good old formula of n+1 still applies :))

[@andi-a]

It's either 1 wife and n+1 bikes, or vice versa.

[@PetterIvarsson]

😂😂

[@dracovolans319]

Excellent video! Sound, editing and photography all good!

[@KRANKiT]

Thanks a lot!

[@One-with-Odin]

I just picked up a 2016 701 for a good price here in Australia, and god, I love this bike

[@PeterLucassen]

What a landscape! Sadly it is nearly impossible to ride offrode here in Germany. Btw. I´m very happy with my 22 701 Enduro. After 20 Years on 4 Zyl. bikes i hated the single Zylinder. Now i love it, its the best bike i ever had!

[@KRANKiT]

I know the riding situation in Germany ain't the best... I'll enjoy riding in Romania as long as I still can!

[@skyecooleyartwork]

Great video! The 701 is the modern XR650L that Honda never built.

[@Moto_Yelt]

Everyone has different history, strenght, wishes, experiences. So comparing a 701 to let's say a t7 is never an option as everyone will tell you different. In the end if the bike serves your purpose and a smile on your face, that's the bike you need! And if not you sell it and buy another one as it's just a tool :) But for you living in Romania I think the 701 is near perfect. I went for the 890 as I have to doe 2h to just unpaved roads and then 2h back. Can do everything I want with it it's just a pain when it's on it's side haha

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, if I had that much road to get to any trails the conversation might change ...

[@stangindude99]

This is awesome! I love my new tenere but I agree, it is heavier than I had thought but is super fun. I might go for this eventually. Plus ktm plastics hold up better to crashing and abuse without needing re painted.

[@KRANKiT]

For sure... being heavy doesn't automatically make a bike less fun, just less capable off road.

[@SuperOle2011]

Hi buddy. Can you PLEASE share the link to this exact rally screen/tower/fairing?🙏🏻

[@KRANKiT]

It’s an MST rally tower, check their website. I’m not sure if they still make it

[@HartyBiker]

I think in part the reason why some more Japanese bikes aren't in this category is because if you squint hard enough they already are. Suzuki has the DR650, Honda the XR650, Kawasaki the KLR650. But they're all old bikes that are pretty unlikely to be updated because they can be grandfathered in and still sell. If the Japanese manufacturers didn't already have bikes in the ~650cc dual sport market they would have a more up to date direct competitor to the 690/701. It's a risk/reward thing with the Japanese these days, and they tend to stick with what works which they already make in favour of taking a risk and developing a new bike

[@twoblipsendurotrips]

Really helped make my decision for me. Great work!

[@KRANKiT]

Thanks!

[@csgodenver]

I have the 701LR 2020 to replace my GSA1200 ( 2015 ) and I LOVE the 701! Best decision I've ever made. Congrates on the new Husky now go ride it like you stole it!

[@KRANKiT]

Yes sir!

[@Rideitoutyoutube]

there is a chinese bike rally that entered dakar this year....... actually did pretty well lol. you deserve more subs dude. its good content!

[@KRANKiT]

Thanks! Yeah, I heard of it, I think it was Hero maybe?

[@shimoniofer]

KOVE FSE 450R RALLY?

[@KRANKiT]

I think you might be right actually ... either way, I’m curious what they managed to build with it

[@Bigi_in_the_gray]

i have a KTM 690 enduro with both a set of off road wheels and a super moto set. and its legal with both! its not competitive for any of them but its so much fun. and on top of it all in the 2012 model you can change injection and ignition maps with a lap top.

[@KRANKiT]

Agree, they’re really good bikes!

[@franckbrunie4759]

As known alternatives: AJP PR7 and used SWM RS650R (discontinued 2018). Both have a version of the iltalian made earlier HVA 630

[@KRANKiT]

What none of those companies have unfortunately is a dealer network. Around my area, finding KTM and Husky parts it's super easy. Not so sure about AJP parts...

[@franckbrunie4759]

@@KRANKiT this is for sure a very pertinent comment, depending on one's location. This is also a reason why I have always bought mainstream offroad bikes. And yes 701/690 is the only one mainstream falling into this category. I changed the inner fork elements to make it an even more capable offroad bike. It reminds me my DRZ of the old days, just far more capable on the road, and much more power.

[@StromerYoutube]

Nicely done brakedown, of why you need a 690/701 Enduro! I started with my 1190 Adventure, realised instantly it was far to heavy and tought, well... a few kilos less will do it. Got a 990 Adventure and faced the hard reality on the TET Greece where I luckily had a riding buddy with me to pull out that 990 from a dead end, where you should have went with a mountainbike at best.😂 Like you, I think the 300 Rally from Honda ist just insanly underpowered(yea I've tested one already), so my next bike will probably be a 690/701 Enduro.

[@KRANKiT]

For TET it's a pretty good choice

[@behind.bushes]

I'm also disappointed that Yamaha/honda doesn't produce modern 600cc bikes. The thing is, it turns out that there are (relatively) a few people in the world who need single cylinder adventure (aka dual sport) like 701. It seems that most of the brand new bike buyers are leaning towards 2 cylinder bikes due to better on road performance of these bikes.

[@KRANKiT]

It it though? Like, if that was the case, there was no reason for KTM to also release the Husqvarna and GasGas versions of their initial 690 bikes... Like, I get it that twins are more popular, and this may be anecdotal, but so many people around me seem to turn their back on heavier ADVs in favor of something like the 701s... Who knows :)

[@jimbob12382]

When I bought mine my friends said what made you decide to buy the 701? I save my breath and send them this video….. they understood why 😁

[@nicholasvanwaasdijk]

Have you ever tried the AJP PR7 or Kove 450?

[@BlackdogADV]

I’m trying to decide what rally tower or fairing. Rade Garage, Aurora or Britannia Lynx? I use it as a lightweight adventure bike. Thanks for the video.

[@marcochavane3124]

I put 10,000 miles on my CRF300L Rally and recently sold it and decided I needed two bikes. A few weeks ago I got the Norden 901 for longer rides. I test rode the Africa Twin, T700, KTM 890 Adventure, and.. well the first two are far too heavy. The KTM was fantastic but the headlight was ugly and the seat was uncomfortable so I ended up on the Norden. Ill be picking up a 701 Enduro next year for more hardcore rides and closer trips. I live an hour minimum from local trails. Some are 8-10 hours away. Some even further than that.... So the Honda just wouldn't be the right bike for me long term. It did everything, it just didn't do them well.

[@KRANKiT]

different people have obviously different needs... I'd argue the 701 and CRF cover similar needs, while the ADV bikes deffinitely tailor better to road use.

[@STFNmoto]

am auzit de tine prea tarziu :D succes in continuare !

[@KRANKiT]

Mersi mult!

[@jimmelino3361]

Great video - thanks. I own a 2023 Honda CRF450RL, which I’ve just turned 9,000 miles on - riding on and off road through the western US. The 450 is a great bike but the service interval is 600-1,000 for oil changes and 1,800 for valves. The 701 is 50lbs more than the 450. In your video, you didn’t mention the 450RL (just the CRF300) - wondering why?

[@KRANKiT]

Mainly service intervals... To me, with those intervals it starts to compete with stuff like the KTM 500 and that's... well that's a different story

[@TheFixer-rq9tj]

Sad to see what is happening to KTM as of 2025. I hope these bikes get the update that was supposed to happen in 2025. I hope they get through these hard times and keep offering this kind of model. Until Honda builds a street legal XR650R, that's the only option in that category.

[@TWDStroke]

This is really a well written and produced video..

[@KRANKiT]

Thank you!

[@epiha4578]

Cool bike man

[@Azazel518]

The Honda crf rally is the same weight as the 701 but 1/2 the power..its a no brainer

[@squidsleap]

This is the spiritual successor to my much loved TE610. The only bike I kept for 10yrs. My 610 did it all, none of it perfect, but it did it. The 701 is a little heavier and has a little less travel but with a big bump in power. The best part for me is that it has links in the rear so i can lower it a little bit. I have a 29in inseam so these bikes are a chore in the tight slow stuff. I need to just be better, stand up and ride it through stuff taller people dog walk through. My 610 had suspension work and i was able to hit up the local vet track with it (all jumps are tables no doubles) is the 701 able to do the same? 35 to 45ft table tops if you land right and dont go to flat? Its been 7 yrs since i sold my 610 and i miss having a do it all bike.

[@KRANKiT]

I have no idea, I never took it to an MX track. That being said, with some suspension adjustments and tuning I'm sure it can do a reasonable job.

[@squidsleap]

@KRANKiT thanks for the reply. I'm probably too old to do thinks just to make people laugh anyway. I still have a KX250 2 stroke for playing at the track. The 610 was just to be dumb and funny. My friend and I left our soft bags and mirrors on too for extra humor!

[@lukinoway]

Got the same bike and really loving it. How have you setup the original suspension to work great off-road?

[@KRANKiT]

Honestly I didn't do much, the previous owner was about my size and weight and it was pretty decent for me too with whatever settings they had on it.

[@phifluphi]

I’m in the exact same boat so my next bike will be either this, 690, PR7 or wait for the Kove 450. Did you look into the Fantic XEF Rally? What are your thoughts?

[@KRANKiT]

I don’t have any thoughts since I never rode those 2 ... but there will be an update video on the 701, stay tuned for that :)

[@mxrabit]

Chek the Portuguese made AJP PR7, the engine is the SWM.

[@KRANKiT]

I’d love to, but I feel like they still have a lot of consumer trust to gain before being put in the same conversation as the well established brands. Not saying they can’t, just that there is still some time to pass

[@mcguyver3215]

They have no competition because no other manufacturer has a modern one cylinder motor that can compare to the KTM LC4-motor. I also think you lack the latest updates to the motor with your 2017 model.

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, the latest model is slightly different, but mostly in emission regulations ... the base bike did not change fundamentally since 2017

[@mcguyver3215]

@@KRANKiT does your 2017 model have the secondary balance shaft? That is a major update to the motor.

[@KRANKiT]

I think 2017 was the first year when they added that second balancer shaft.

[@mcguyver3215]

@@KRANKiT then you are not missing out on anything. Maybe check that the clutch slave is changed and happy riding! 😃

[@jimistalione16]

ajp pr7 is the only actual competition (has husky motor though also)

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, but the brand is way smaller so parts might be harder to find ... interesting option either way

[@vladgingu]

Commenting for the algorithm, keep it up!

[@KRANKiT]

Thanks!

[@Risinghaze]

How about the Fantic XEF 450 Rally? Wouldn't that be a "real" Rallybike?

[@KRANKiT]

Maybe... But I never rode one ... And to be fair, they're not that popular :)

[@MarcinWojtczuk]

Last weekend I tool borrowed T7 to some gravel roads and it was a blast till sone sand was on the path. Then it needed to be co stantly guarded from walling to sude. The marketing of T7 as adventure bike is absurd. It's capable offroad of youare very tall and strong. For normal people, T7 it sltoo heavy.

[@Vito9124]

I'm curious about the level of vibration from this bike at higher speeds on the highway. I heard the 690 had to much of it in the earlier model years. Could it be suitable as an around the world bike?

[@KRANKiT]

It's ok for a big single I'd say

[@Vito9124]

@@KRANKiT Much different than a CRF rally?

[@florinpornbacher933]

hey man, nice video and i totally agree with you, just bought a KTM 690 enduro and can't wait to test it in the dirt. Are you in romania situated? im also from romania but in germany and here is offroad not legal, pretty poor. We plan a tour to romania, which area is that where you ride in video? greetz

[@KRANKiT]

Hey! Yes, that’s where I’m from. I’m mostly around the Apuseni mountains area, really beautiful!

[@florinpornbacher933]

@@KRANKiT indeed its really great to ride that area. I hope i can made it to romania for a trip, thanks mate

[@ogoshikimura5621]

Get a Kove450 - it will make you happy.

[@KRANKiT]

I’d love to try one ... that being said, I’m not sure how much I could trust it yet ... but with time, why not

[@johnclowes3502]

SWM RS500… put a Cush drive on rear and off ya go.. I would put my SWM against HUSQVARNA 701 any day. Just have a look at the Rally conversions in Italy…

[@blacy001]

Lol 4. I got 10 at this point a cocaine addiction would be cheaper.

[@justinmilburn7267]

what tires are you using?

[@KRANKiT]

Right now it has some Maxxis on it, but it depends ... I’m doing a rally soon for which I’ll have Michelin Enduro Mediums up front and Michelin Trekker rears, but it constantly changes

[@ValentinStupariu-k8m]

Nobody needs 4 bikes, maybe.... 5 bikes ?

[@KRANKiT]

Never too many :))

[@AA-wd2or]

Do you mye know where to buy postmarket fuel level gauge for 701

[@KRANKiT]

I don’t

[@AA-wd2or]

@@KRANKiT tank you ...for long distance travel in Africa is must for me

[@ROIBR]

So the KTM 690 R is no competition for a 701?!

[@KRANKiT]

It is ... so it the new GasGas 700. You know what else they have in common? Basically almost everything :) my point is, they have no competition outside of the KTM group.

[@twinklenugs5597]

Romania ❤

[@musthafaiqbalaziz7407]

Can i scren shot?

[@ollimurs3633]

Great bike, which rally tower is it. Do you know?

[@KRANKiT]

It’s a tower from MST.

[@ollimurs3633]

@@KRANKiT thanks. Than you made a real bargain for that price showed in video! 👍🏻

[@KRANKiT]

That was a fake price, it’s not exactly how much I paid ... but it’s not that far either. Still, it was a really good deal

[@762851]

wr450f actually

[@ogasi1798]

Kove 450 enters the chat

[@georgeionut300]

So, why did you say you regretted buying this one?

[@KRANKiT]

I don't think I ever did?

[@robsonenduro3316]

actually there is an option - AJP PR7

[@KRANKiT]

True ... but brands like AJP are still pretty niche, and they need to do good things for quite a bit more time before they earn people’s trust.

[@excursion1141]

You lost me at "nobody needs 4 bikes".

[@houjous5131]

A lie in the first 30 seconds... shame on you.... everyone DOES need atleast 4! The correct amount of bikes is n+1, where n is your current number of bikes.

[@KRANKiT]

True! Not wise, but true :))

[@markward6076]

A husky a husky and not a KTM period.

[@KRANKiT]

I mean ... husky, ktm ... they’re so similar :)

[@MrHappy-oq7ot]

Drz400 xr450/xr650 yfz250r

[@houjous5131]

But seriously based on your footage. You would love the 890 adv 's' you're way to dismissive of it because of its loudest community.

[@KRANKiT]

The thing is, you can’t really base my riding off the videos. When I go filming, especially off road stuff, I go by myself. And when riding off road by myself, I’m always way on the conservative side of riding. I plan on taking this bike to actual rally raid contests, in fact I already signed up for one ... and for stuff like that, the 890 is no competition. That being said, the 890 is a really cool bike.

[@houjous5131]

@@KRANKiT fair enough.