Husqvarna Street bikes.
I have to say that this is the first time any motorcycle manufacturer has made a bike that literally fills all of the criteria for the ideal bike in my mind. http://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/vitpilen/
The Vitpilen 701, which to be fair is just a "cafe" style KTM Duke 690 with a few differences, has me entirely enamored. 75hp 693cc single cylinder in a 340lb bike with, in my eyes, gorgeous styling. The only thing that stops me from trying to get in line to order one is the price... $11,990 The 401 versions are a decent price at right around $7000, but I think they are somewhat pricing themselves a bit out of the market. Yes, it comes with Brembo brakes, damn good suspension, and lots of other goodies, so I can forgive it a steep price tag. Just not THAT steep. There are many JDM bikes in the same power/engine size class that cost almost $5000 less. Anyway, just a rant. Discuss at your leisure. |
Nice bike but definitely not in the Chinariders price range. lol
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I'm betting that the rider in the pics is 5'8"-5'10"; that frame is not designed for riders north of 6'. It already looks as if his leg is at an acute angle, which is not conducive to comfortable riding.
The 701 is a sharp looking bike, IMHO. I just don't think it would accommodate me. |
The price wall is what stops me and the ability to get parts. Here, I'd have to order everything. I couldn't just find a dealership across town to get parts in a pinch. I guess the same could be said for China bikes.
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Yes, the price is a bit ridiculous. I actually am looking at getting a new "expensive" bike with a price range up to 10k. As far as parts go, it really depends, but they aren't worse than any other Euro bike. The motor is the same 693cc KTM developed enine that has been around for a while now, just improved over time. It's also the same engine in the 701 Enduro and Supermoto.
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I think what annoys me most is just how much I like this bike.
Almost all bikes I look at I "like," but then I find myself thinking about what parts I would change to make me really like it. This is the first bike I have ever looked at where I love everything about it just the way it is. If I were to do anything, it would be an exhaust, and that is simply because I like noise. |
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I really like that Vitpilen too, so I avoid the Husky dealers. I'm on more of a DR650 budget.
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Well, my thoughts are that yet again anything new is a well forgotten old. In this case, I'm thinking of Cagiva Raptor from some 15-ish years ago - Suzuki engine, Italian (Ducatti :D) frame, and even them Brembo brakes :D And it wasn't expensive!
Anyway, enough about the good old past. Carry on! |
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The funny thing is, since you bring up the Raptor, is that if I wanted the raptor now, I would simply get a 2017-2018 SV650. Which is close in specs to the Raptor of old, and more powerful thanks to several changes to the engine for 2017. In fact, the first bike that came to mind when thinking about the silly price of the Vitpilen 701 was indeed the SV650. The Vitpilen is about 100lbs lighter than the SV, but you can buy a brand new SV for more than $4000 less. That is more than enough money to do a GSXR fork swap, rear shock, brake upgrades, and exhaust. It may not be as nimble because of the weight difference, but at speed the SV would easily keep up with the 701. I have considered a 2017 SV650 as well. More than a few floor models and barely ridden trade ins out there for $5000-5500, which is a $2k savings over new, |
The fact that Steve McQueen raced a Husky helps them justify that steep price.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xfUAA...-c/s-l1600.jpg |
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http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/new_...17&model=GT650 http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/new_...T650&year=2017 And moreover back in the day I almost got me one of those, and to be honest, the quality seemed OK visually. No idea how's it actually running the thing on the road. |
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The LC2 is a dam good motor..but not cheap to fix if you pop it as one of the guys I ride with found out....$2000 for parts... lucky he could rebuild it him self.. the 950 super enduro is the bike to have... if you can ever find one & when you do they are worth there weight in gold... LC4 motor.. 950cc vee twin & 100hp in a full enduro frame. KTM only made them for 3 years then turned them in to the adventure bikes they now sell.. google them if yer want to see what insanity on wheels looks like... |
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