Husky 701, KTM 690

[blackrabbit]

Anyone a preference for either? Seems like KTM easier to get a discount on. I am looking to use one about 75% on-road mainly on European trips. Husky have the new LR tank option too.

Would also be interested if owners every take pillion for short distances? Apparently in some markets they come with rear pegs and grab rails but not in others. I am just looking to take pillon 10 miles or less now and again out to dinner/beach etc.

[scorcher]

Basically the same bike in different clothes although the 2020/21 ktm might have much better options. ( not looked to see what is available on husky though) Don’t think I’d want to take or go pillion on one.

[Biker 1]

I had a 2016 Enduro R. I think they've since tweaked the frame, added another balancer shaft for smoother running, upped the power, added modes & installed an even crappier dash. Suspension upgrades too. I loved that bike: weirdly fun to do 70 on a motorway on a dirt bike! It came with pillion pegs that I had to bolt up, but would not recommend 2-up. Helmet clash was a major issue due to the suspension movement & general hooligan nature of the beast. I would suggest a big BMW or Triumph if you want to take out the missus on a regular basis.....

[Prof Prolapse]

Just curious, what sort of tank range do you hope to get?

[powerstroke]

I had one for a while KTM version , neither one thing or the other , gearing ratios not wide enough if you try to change sprockets for off roading its reving its tits off on the road , not very comfortable seat even with the so called soft seat ,stock exhaust isn't well shielded and gets very hot easy to burn your gear or yourself on .. not a bike to go far on , would be great for gravel roads abroad otherwise better with a full fat enduro if its green laning you want it for or an adventure bike like an africa twin 790r ktm or yam if your touring ... IMHO ..

[Jakey123]

As mentioned already- really not the right bike for road touring Europe tbh.

[Prof Prolapse]

powerstroke said:

I had one for a while KTM version , neither one thing or the other , gearing ratios not wide enough if you try to change sprockets for off roading its reving its tits off on the road , not very comfortable seat even with the so called soft seat ,stock exhaust isn't well shielded and gets very hot easy to burn your gear or yourself on .. not a bike to go far on , would be great for gravel roads abroad otherwise better with a full fat enduro if its green laning you want it for or an adventure bike like an africa twin 790r ktm or yam if your touring ... IMHO ..

The used Africa Twin market is about to take a significant hit in the coming months I would think. If you see the thread on here, Honda flooded the market with cheap as chips PCP bikes in Autumn 2017 and the term is coming to an end, reportedly there's well over a hundred bikes coming to end of term.

Worth keeping an eye on at least, as they're great bikes for touring and light off road.

[NNK]

Whichever you choose make sure you get Rottweiler Performance induction kit, PC5 (with Rottweiler map), Tekmo header/system - transforms them .
Your pillion will only want to go on it once.

[V8RX7]

Jakey123 said:

As mentioned already- really not the right bike for road touring Europe tbh.

^^^ This

Have you ridden one ? Great for a couple of hours on the lanes but that's it IMO

Unless you are doing the TET - but I'd aim to travel light and use an old 525 weighing 50kg less

[horsemeatscandal]

Related question:

How would a Husqvarna cope with a northern England winter? Not daily use as I'm working from home for the foreseeable I think, but weekly at least. It would be ACF'd, rinsed, etc. but I'm not anal about cleaning.

Thinking of swapping my CB650R for a Svart/Vit 701 but don't want it to disintegrate. I've seen a few Dukes that get winter use and they are minging.

[V8RX7]

horsemeatscandal said:

Related question:
I've seen a few Dukes that get winter use and they are minging.

But did they ACF / ever clean them ?

I've had a Duke, the PO toured on it, obviously in winter as it had muffs fitted !

It was absolutely mint

[7w7]

horsemeatscandal said:

Related question:

How would a Husqvarna cope with a northern England winter? Not daily use as I'm working from home for the foreseeable I think, but weekly at least. It would be ACF'd, rinsed, etc. but I'm not anal about cleaning.

Thinking of swapping my CB650R for a Svart/Vit 701 but don't want it to disintegrate. I've seen a few Dukes that get winter use and they are minging.

I had the 690, rode every week through 4 winters. Never used ACF50 in my life. No problems at all the powder coat or paint.

Also I would have happily taken it touring in Europe, I found it very comfy. The only thing that stopped me was the piss poor reliability that meant I took a different bike on 2 occasions.

[horsemeatscandal]

Cool, thanks. Maybe I've seen bad examples. The last one I saw was a '68 plate but I think one of the smaller engine variants so maybe build materials not of the same quality.

Anyway, I've just had my arse handed to me by a nasty looking diesel 3 series so maybe I need a more powerful bike, not a less powerful one. Or maybe I'm just slow.

[V8RX7]

horsemeatscandal said:

Anyway, I've just had my arse handed to me by a nasty looking diesel 3 series so maybe I need a more powerful bike, not a less powerful one. Or maybe I'm just slow.

690 is surprisingly quick (below 100ish) 0-60 in 3.3 seconds so it would be a rare diesel that's faster.

[Tango13]

V8RX7 said:

Jakey123 said:

As mentioned already- really not the right bike for road touring Europe tbh.

^^^ This

Have you ridden one ? Great for a couple of hours on the lanes but that's it IMO

Unless you are doing the TET - but I'd aim to travel light and use an old 525 weighing 50kg less

Very much this /\

I tried a 701 Supermoto a while back and was very impressed with the bike for what it was, a Sunday morning hooning machine but there's no way I'd use one for touring ever.

[Prof Prolapse]

V8RX7 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Anyway, I've just had my arse handed to me by a nasty looking diesel 3 series so maybe I need a more powerful bike, not a less powerful one. Or maybe I'm just slow.

690 is surprisingly quick (below 100ish) 0-60 in 3.3 seconds so it would be a rare diesel that's faster.

Even a diesel rep mobile is about 190bhp minimum these days, and they turn and stop relatively well. They'll surprise you if the roads get tight and the grip gets low.

Bikes are faster than cars, just not all of the time.

[V8RX7]

Prof Prolapse said:

Even a diesel rep mobile is about 190bhp minimum these days, and they turn and stop relatively well. They'll surprise you if the roads get tight and the grip gets low.

Bikes are faster than cars, just not all of the time.

I drive much faster than I ride mostly because I'm willing to take a chance on corners in my car whereas I've had to take evasive action countless times on my bike

But the 690 excels on tight twisty roads so it wouldn't be a downgrade there.

[obscene]

Have a 2014 which I got new (seems like yesterday!) and definitely wouldn't want to take a pillion. As mentioned, new engine and tech seems good but the dash looks naff. Styling isn't quite as good on the newer model. Seat is hard as nails, only a little less so on the comfort seat option. You NEED an Akrapovic or Wings exhaust to really make it breathe. Absolute hooning weapon.

[horsemeatscandal]

V8RX7 said:

I drive much faster than I ride mostly because I'm willing to take a chance on corners in my car whereas I've had to take evasive action countless times on my bike

But the 690 excels on tight twisty roads so it wouldn't be a downgrade there.

I drive faster than I ride and my car is slow!

This fker was in an E90, pulled out quite dangerously in front of me on a roundabout so I thought 'i'll show you', then he took off in a cloud of black smoke. Bugger.