Potential new bike - 3 owners in 2.5 years... (Vitpilen 701)

Potential new bike - 3 owners in 2.5 years... (Vitpilen 701)

Author
Discussion

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Saturday 24th June 2023
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Hi all.

Been to see a bike I really like the look of today (thinking of consolidating my two older bikes into one newer bike). 70-plate, ~1,500 miles and great condition. However - as per title - I would be the 4th owner.

Would this be a red flag for you?

It is a Vitpilen 701 so quite a niche bike so may have been a 3rd/4th/5th bike for someone to have something different or may have been bought and not liked by an owner... Still, it seems high for such a short period of time and so few miles...

Also, any Vitpilen or Husqvarna owners on here who can confirm that these don't have a physical service book? All online?

Cheers.

Althebugman

14 posts

62 months

Saturday 24th June 2023
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Nice bikes, not necessarily a red flag as you say they’re likely not someone’s only bike and they’re abit niche.
If the condition is right go for it

GreaseNipple

400 posts

243 months

Saturday 24th June 2023
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My '19 svartpilen 701 has a service book but they said they've stopped doing them now I think. Not sure if a '20 wouldn't have one. They're great bikes though, would definitely recommend one

scorcher

3,989 posts

236 months

Sunday 25th June 2023
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My 2022 690 smcr didn’t have a service book or manual. Easy enough to get to 3 owners in a couple years. I bought mine off someone who couldn’t afford the payments after losing his job a few months in. Just sold it again at 13 months old. Wouldn’t worry too much, the big singles don’t suit everyone, especially for pottering around on.

Tango13

8,518 posts

178 months

Sunday 25th June 2023
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The three previous owners were probably beaded hipster types with check patterned lumberjack shirts that sold up the moment it lost 0.01% of its coolness.

PH, stereotypes matter hehe

Iamnotkloot

1,448 posts

149 months

Sunday 25th June 2023
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WhisperingWasp said:
Also, any Vitpilen or Husqvarna owners on here who can confirm that these don't have a physical service book? All online?

Cheers.
My 'svart 701 doesn't have a physical service book, it's all online.

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Sunday 25th June 2023
quotequote all
Cheers all.

Positive sentiment across the board then biggrin

To those that have confirmed the absence of a physical service book, does the tie you to a main dealer then? What if I want to get mine serviced by my local trusted guy?

scorcher

3,989 posts

236 months

Sunday 25th June 2023
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Just keep the receipts. Normally have a time and mileage on them. Got a physical receipt for my 620 mile service and chucked it the wallet.

mattlacey

85 posts

203 months

Monday 26th June 2023
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I had a Svart 701 and it could just be that people don't get on with it. Rode a friend's Vit 701 and the combination of that seating position plus the huge thumper does make for a pretty unique ride.

Thing is, yes it could get vibey, but it's a cracker of an engine and I badly miss it!

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Monday 26th June 2023
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Honestly I do my nut at times over-thinking things. I'm getting seller's remorse over my Monster and it hasn't gone yet!

I know the right thing to do is get one newer bike but I feel so attached to what I've got rolleyes

I've asked a couple more questions on the Vit and am leaning towards going for it. But then the brain kicks in and throw in STRs, Monster 821s, Hypermotards, Brutales, etc irked

mattlacey

85 posts

203 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
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Bikes are funny like that. You can want change and not want change at the same time.

I thought when I sold the Husky (it was prompted by an international move) that I'd be ok with moving it on, but I sure do miss it. Essentially replaced it with a very different bike (Triumph Sprint GT), which is way better for some things of course, but I do miss the lightness and fun of the Husky

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
quotequote all
mattlacey said:
Bikes are funny like that. You can want change and not want change at the same time.

I thought when I sold the Husky (it was prompted by an international move) that I'd be ok with moving it on, but I sure do miss it. Essentially replaced it with a very different bike (Triumph Sprint GT), which is way better for some things of course, but I do miss the lightness and fun of the Husky
Well I went to see it again today and it definitely feels "me" if you know what I mean. I've just emailed the guy an offer so will see how it goes biggrin

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
quotequote all
Tango13 said:
The three previous owners were probably beaded hipster types with check patterned lumberjack shirts that sold up the moment it lost 0.01% of its coolness.

PH, stereotypes matter hehe
The only thing that worries me about this post is that the bike might have lost some coolness... it hasn't has it? hehe

Annoyingly I can't grow a proper beard though grumpy

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
quotequote all
Althebugman said:
Nice bikes, not necessarily a red flag as you say they’re likely not someone’s only bike and they’re abit niche.
If the condition is right go for it
Condition is great. Tyres look barely worn, no corrosion at all. Being picky there is a blemish on the exhaust (looks like a shoe sole has melted against it maybe) and what looks like a tiny defect on a bit of the frame (like a little welt under the paint). That's me being really picky though.

Vern666

19 posts

30 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
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Hi, I've just bought another svart 701, no service book or record at the dealers, it only had 700 miles on it. Changed the oil and filters easy peasy, gonna find an independent to service it in after a year.
Great engine and handling bike.
I sold a zzr 1400 3 months after buying it making me the fifth owner.
Too fast for my license, probably the last 4 as well.


WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Wednesday 28th June 2023
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Hi Vern.

"Another"; that's a good sign smile

I know what you mean about speed. On a much lesser scale I feel my VFR is too fast for my needs. I hope/expect the Vit to be a bike that you can enjoy at 20-70, rather than bikes that suit 80-140! Much like my Monster is. In fact, my hope is that the Vit is a nice enhancement from my Monster (620).

So the one I am looking at is from Dec 2020. It had it's first service at 630 miles (which is pretty much bang on) in Nov 2021 and not had another service since. The seller will service it upon sale which will be ~6 months too late time-wise but nowhere near the mileage milestone (it's on about 1,600 miles). Does this sound ok to you?

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Wednesday 28th June 2023
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Sod it. Trigger pulled! (to coin a watch thread cliche!)

Vern666

19 posts

30 months

Wednesday 28th June 2023
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Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
I wouldn't worry it's hardly done any miles
Cheeky torque monster.

Tango13

8,518 posts

178 months

Wednesday 28th June 2023
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WhisperingWasp said:
Tango13 said:
The three previous owners were probably beaded hipster types with check patterned lumberjack shirts that sold up the moment it lost 0.01% of its coolness.

PH, stereotypes matter hehe
The only thing that worries me about this post is that the bike might have lost some coolness... it hasn't has it? hehe

Annoyingly I can't grow a proper beard though grumpy
You can compensate for an inability to grow a beard by drinking your beer from a Kilner jar thumbup

Did you have a test ride? I tried a 701 supermoto which has the same engine and it was like no big single I'd ever tried before but in a very good way.

WhisperingWasp

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

139 months

Wednesday 28th June 2023
quotequote all
Vern666 said:
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
I wouldn't worry it's hardly done any miles
Cheeky torque monster.
Excited already. Delivery 12th July.

Ordered some parts already. Evotech radiator guard and paddock stand bobbins. Will get the bar-end mirrors ordered (200 quid rolleyes).

Taster pic: