NEW HUSKY HAS SO MUSH TO LIKE
I had been looking forward to getting astride the new Husqvarnas since they were launched.
A Swedish firm, founded way back in 1689 as an arms manufacturer, Husqvarna first produced motorcycles in 1903. In the 1960s and 1970s, lightweight two-stroke “Huskys” dominated off-road racing, winning 14 Motocross World Championships and 24 Enduro World Championships.
The firm’s motorbike division was sold to Italian manufacturer Cagiva, part of MV Agusta, in 1987 – and then, in 2007, to BMW.
And in 2013 the brand was again sold and became part of Austria-based KTM.
To add to its range of motocross and enduro machines there are now three street bikes.
The one I’m testing, the Vitpilen 701, is certainly distinctive. I love the clean, minimalist lines, the chopped rear end and the diagonal yellow stripe.
The full aluminium exhaust has an attractive looking end can, which is coated in heat-resistant paint and bears the Husqvarna logo.
On board, the ride position is comfortable – slightly forward inclined, but relaxed despite the clip-on bars, with a wide and wellpadded seat.
The minimalism continues into the cockpit where there’s a single round clock with digital displays.
The logo on the aluminium filler cap on the tank is a nice touch.
There’s a big round LED headlight, plus LED tail-light and indicators. There are no ride modes on this bike – it’s marketed as being “simple and progressive” – but it does come with Bosch ABS and traction control.
There’s also a quick-shifter – so no need to use the clutch when on the move.
The Vitpilen uses the excellent liquid-cooled, fourvalve, single cylinder OHC motor from the 690 Duke – the most powerful single on the market.
It’s sporty and responsive and, above around 3,000rpm, surprisingly smooth.
Below that, as you would expect from a big single, it can be a little sketchy, but the fuelling is generally excellent.
The cro-moly steel trellis frame is supported by WP upside-down forks which are fully adjustable, and a WP mono shock on the rear which is adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
With a wet weight of just 166kg, this is a light bike and out on the road it feels agile and nimble. The 701 is clearly being sold as an urban bike but it’s so easy and fun to ride, handles so well, looks so cool and that engine is so sweet I think it will have appeal across the board.