Husqvarna Street bikes.

[Megadan]

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.

[JerryHawk250]

Nice bike but definitely not in the Chinariders price range. lol

[Weldangrind]

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.

[ben2go]

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.

[Megadan]

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.

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

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.

Well, I watched a 6ft tall Jay Leno ride it and he looked fine (and stated he was very comfortable. It is bigger than it looks. The bike is made in Austria after all. In fact, most KTM/Husqs fit taller riders better than most.

[Megadan]

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.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Well, I watched a 6ft tall Jay Leno ride it and he looked fine (and stated he was very comfortable. It is bigger than it looks. The bike is made in Austria after all. In fact, most KTM/Husqs fit taller riders better than most.

Yes, but you're a giant. Don't get me wrong, I hope it works for you; I just don't get my hopes up because the bikes I gravitate towards often don't suit me physically.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Yes, but you're a giant. Don't get me wrong, I hope it works for you; I just don't get my hopes up because the bikes I gravitate towards often don't suit me physically.

I wouldn't call myself a giant. I am definitely on the tall end of the rider spectrum at 6'4'' tall, but I still find many bikes that fit me. Usually enduros and larger touring and cruisers, but there have been some smaller bikes that fit me decently.

[wheelbender6]

I really like that Vitpilen too, so I avoid the Husky dealers. I'm on more of a DR650 budget.

[Krasi_BG]

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 ) frame, and even them Brembo brakes And it wasn't expensive!

Anyway, enough about the good old past. Carry on!

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

I really like that Vitpilen too, so I avoid the Husky dealers. I'm on more of a DR650 budget.

It is def a nice bike from the quick glance i took...however No Husky dealer here thankfully but then again even if i am on a DR650 budget like you are... (More like used DR650 at this point but i digress). I refuse to enter the suzuki dealer here anyway...actually now that i think about it.. i think said suzuki dealer closed when it merged with the one that took the Kawasaki line up from them. So moot point i suppose. Refuse to deal with the KTM dealer here as well due to a serious lack of customer service..

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Krasi_BG

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 ) frame, and even them Brembo brakes And it wasn't expensive!

Anyway, enough about the good old past. Carry on!

The big difference with the Cagiva Raptor back in the early 2000's was much much more relaxed emissions and safety standards on bikes coupled with sourcing that lovely V-twin from the SV650 - a lower cost mass produced engine.

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,

[wheelbender6]

The fact that Steve McQueen raced a Husky helps them justify that steep price.

[Krasi_BG]

Originally Posted by Megadan

The big difference with the Cagiva Raptor back in the early 2000's was much much more relaxed emissions and safety standards on bikes coupled with sourcing that lovely V-twin from the SV650 - a lower cost mass produced engine.

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,

Speaking of bargain SV650s, I see that you guys still have Hyosung in the US of A, and their GT650 seems a little cheaper and little lighter than the SV650. At least on paper:

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.

[pete]

Originally Posted by Megadan

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.



Well, I watched a 6ft tall Jay Leno ride it and he looked fine (and stated he was very comfortable. It is bigger than it looks. The bike is made in Austria after all. In fact, most KTM/Husqs fit taller riders better than most.

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...