Husqvarna 701 Enduro - Long Term Thoughts
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- In this video we share our thoughts on the Husqvarna 701 Enduro as an adventure bike after 2 years and 17k miles of fun, testing, and dropping it. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to us here and on social media to enter for the random giveaway!
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A fair and well balanced video. In my opinion the 690 platform is truly a 50/50 dual sport. Most people want their bikes to be tilted more towards street or dirt, so a true 50/50 bike may not be for them. Being a 50/50 bike is this platform's greatest strength or weakness, depending on one's point of view.
I live in Colorado and can ride fun twisty canyon roads to trails, so for me a true 50/50 bike that can do it all if not do it all as well as more focused bikes is perfect. have a '23 701, did the following mods to it that made it better, and almost more fun than humans should be allowed to have:
1) Puig windscreen, spaced out a tad from the stock headlight mask to give the front brake line a place to go. It doesn't get in the way while off road and it takes the wind pressure off the torso while leaving the helmet in clean air.
2) Rottweiler deletes for charcoal cannister and air injection. This removes a bunch of hoses and junk from the engine.
3) Yoshimura RS4 exhaust can. It sounds great, saves some weight and eliminates the incredibly hot running stock can, which contains a CAT in it. I chose the Yosh as it has a spark arrestor and it is longer than most so it clears the turn signal. It has a beautiful deep smooth thumper tone and it is not obnoxious unless you pin it and rev it, then it sounds a bit like the world is coming to an end 😆
4) Rottweiler O2 sensor dongle. This allows removal of the O2 sensor and richens up the lean part throttle fueling. After experiencing better response with just the dongle and the Yosh can, I went to #5 below.
5) PC6 with Rottweiler map. Holy shit. It ran better with just the O2 dongle and the Yosh, but the Kraken is fully unleashed with the PC and map. The bike makes far more low end and midrange power with a bit more on top. The low end is phenomenally improved over stock, it chugs hard off idle like a friend's good running XR650R, but it has considerably more mid and top power than the XR does.
No need to clutch it while riding slow off road unless traveling very slowly below idle speed at 6 MPH or less. Just roll on the throttle off idle and spin the tire to get it spooled up, it is unboggable. Have also learned the beauty of TC off quickshifter assisted long wheelies. Oh my - must try to stay out of jail, the punchy big single is a bad influence for sure.
6) 80/85C radiator fan switch. The stock switch kicks the fan on at 215F and it is located in the bottom of the radiator which means the coolant at the top of the rad is probably around 235. Now it comes on at 185F. The fan rarely comes on while street riding, but it runs continuously while going slow off road. That is alright though, running the fan won't hurt anything and a cooler running motor is happier motor.
7) Twin Air foam air filter. Replaced the stock paper air filter with this washable unit. Trimmed the interior of the air box top to make the snorkel open to the filter along it's full length. I noticed no increase in intake noise. This might help flow a little, but more importantly it spreads the incoming air over the filter. The stock setup concentrates the air (and dirt) at the top of the filter.
8) .65 kg/mm fork springs. These are two rates stiffer than the stock .59 springs and a better balanced match to the .72 rear spring. The suspension on the 701 is good enough that I ride it more than a little like my 300 XC at times! The more supportive fork springs help when riding it faster off road than I probably should, I sometimes actually charge whoops on it, carrying/tapping the front wheel as it goes.
9) Cyclops LED headlight. Yes, the stock halogen headlight sucks. I wanted to keep the stock headlight shell and the Cyclops is much better and what it should have come with from the factory. There are brighter total replacement options, but for $60 or so the Cyclops works well and they have a good reputation for reliability.
10) Enduro Engineering bar risers. I had extra spacers with the requisite bolts laying around as I put this kit on my dirt bike. I like the stock bar's bend, but they are too low when standing. They are much better with a bit of lift while standing and not so high that they feel weird while sitting and riding on the street.
There is lots of other stuff like bigger footpegs, billet gas cap, etc but this diatribe is already way out of hand. Obviously I love my 701, but like any bike it can be personalized and made better.
One final comment - these bikes don't have a lot of engine braking which is good most of the time, but being in Colorado sometimes I point it down some very long and steep downhills. I found leaving the key on but killing the ignition with the handlebar switch shuts down the fueling / ride by wire, which creates a tremendous amount of engine braking. It also sounds a little like a diesel big rig with the Jake Brake on. This is handy when descending down a long steep 4x4 trail in the mountains. This doesn't hurt anything at all but it saves the brakes from getting toasted on extreme sustained long downhill runs.
Great 👍 👌
I just bought a 701 a few months ago. At 52 years old I am just now learning to ride off road and really like it so far.
Congrats on your new bike!!!
@A SJ I'm 5'-10" with a 31" inseam. It's a tall bike for sure. So far no problems with the bike. When I start hitting the harder trails I may end up having the suspension lowered.
@@Brad-RB Dude ur mad tall. I’m only 5ft8 and my inseam is like 26. I ride with no issues
Congratulations on both the bike and being a new ride! Hope you have amazing adventures ahead.
It’s been a year+ so how are you in joying your 701 enduro? I’m 53 from Oklahoma and I’ve been riding for 47 years and I got one 4 weeks ago and I love mine.
Your right down the street from me, I’m in The Dalles. I’m 72 and have owned my 2017 701 for 3 years (7,500 miles). I have never changed the clutch O ring although I think about it sometimes. I’m working on a luggage system and extra fuel for it right now. So far so good.
I like it. I go Wednesday and pick mine up. Going from a DRZ. This will be my 41st new bike.
Your living the dream my dude life's short haha ride on
Excellent well balanced review. I am on my 3rd 690 latest is a 2021 which is a massive step up from earlier models, with off-road ABS built in etc and the reason I keep buying them is because there is literally no other bike built with the power/weight ration of the 690/701. They are incredibly quick bikes yet frugal on fuel and relatively light in comparison to the likes of Yamaha T7/Africa twin etc which are a minimum of 100 lbs heavier and upwards. They are not perfect, but what bike is? and with top spec suspension as standard they come a lot closer to being perfect than anything else out there. Unless Yamaha builds a WR450R they are the only option for me.
Had to pick up my Africa Twin twice now. I'm now looking at the 701/690. I won't be picking the AT up a third time.
GS ….. same
Great video, thanks! I have a 2016 and love it. There's a couple differing opinions, hope you don't mind if I share mine:
- I preemptively swapped out the stock clutch o-ring with a $.50 replacement and it's been working out great. Cheaper than an Oberon and what I recommend for all 701 owners.
- I also preemptively swapped out the fuel pump for a Quantum. If you buy the assembled kit it saves a ton of mess & frustration. This isn't an easy trail-side repair (and requires draining the tank) so I recommend upgrading while it's still in the garage. The stock unit makes a good spare.
- At 170lbs I find the 4cs forks great stock. I mainly ride off-road and sometimes loaded up with gear, and I found the 4cs once adjusted correctly performs great.
Thanks again and ride safe!
Thanks for sharing your experience too!
Would you know by any chance if enduro can take supermoto wheels and tires, or is better to have SM version bike with spare knobby wheels for more serious off roading ?
Disk brakes are different size and I don't know for sprockets .....
Suspension travel may also be different....
This is the best overview of this bike I have seen. I'll be picking up my husky 701 2019 runout model tommorrow. Saved a heap of money. The electronics on the 2019 690 and 2020 husky are fancy but I am a dirt rider mostly, so a $$ saving was worth more to me than that. I have an swm superdual x that I will be selling, it would make a terrific adventure bike and perhaps better than the husky as it is all set up. It is really versatile but lacks spirit. Plus i am just wanting to hit the dirt more than travel. I rode a 701 and the power made me grin from ear to ear. I cannot wait until tommorrow. These bikes are the new xr650r of the bike world. I lean more towards the dirt and live in flat desert country. So time to drag race some 500s!
Nice!! Enjoy your new bike!
I’m not sure if anyone else has mentioned this yet but I was recently in the position to decide between the ktm 690 and husky 701. While the extra fuel capacity on the 690 is nice what sold me on the 701 is that husqvarna provides a 2 year 24k mile factory warranty on the 701 vs a 1 year 12k mile factory warranty on the 690. Considering they’re virtually the same company it’s a strange difference but double the warranty period more than makes up for the .1 gallon difference and lack of usb jack on the 701 vs the 690.
Glad you found a motorcycle you enjoy!
I setting up my '17 701 for a RTW adventure. I'm coming off a 1200GSA and at this point, I'd never go. I love it.
Hey Tony that's one of the reasons I gravitated to the 701 too!
Thank you for accurately describing the Dualsport and Adventure segments (seems many do not) and where this bike fits. Great video!
I found that very helpful ! I am kinda new to this stuff
Thanks for sharing! Some folks seem to think the opposite in the comments here! It's nice to hear that someone found the video interesting! I guess the word dual sport means something different to everyone!
Probably mentioned already but a strong reason to go with a new 701 over the 690 is based on the warranty which is 2yrs or 24k miles which double of the KTM. If need more fuel range a 1 gal rotopax addresses that concern.
A fair point. Though, the rotopax isn't our favorite container. We prefer the Giant Loop Armadillo bag!
Great review. I have a 2018 with the "new" smoother motor. Big difference. Put a rekluse clutch on it so it just can't stall and tractors up and over anything. Also had suspension lowered (im 5'8") and set fir my weight with luggage. Add Xtrig to adjust suspension preload for touring. Add Flexxbars to really smooth out the ride. Just super for a single. Amazing bike that I can pick up by myself on the trail for the fourth time in a long day and then ride 1000 mi down the highway. Also have a ktm 530 which I love for offroad and a 950 for cruising but the 701 is what I rode the most miles on, whether highway or BDR!
hey Tim what did you use to lower the suspension
Picked up a 701 in 17'. 10k miles now. I use warp 9 wheels for the extended road use i do. I'll swap to dirt rims for those weeks that i want to rip the old dirt roads around me. It's an amazing bike.
Nice!!
How is the reliability holding so far?
So you have to make any mods other than swapping Cush drives and the like when changing to dirt oriented wheels?
Excellent vid. 701 here. Awesome bike
i ride a 2018, your review and comments are spot on.
Hi Guys
Thanks very much for your honesty I like the new model LR 2021.
Again thanks for your time with this video
Cheers stay safe
Thanks for checking it out! 👍
I'd love you to compare this with the Tenere 700! Good video sir. Thank you.
yessssssss
Great video review! You told us just about everything we need to know about the 701. To be honest, I’d never even considered it an option before...until now. Hmmmmm🤔
Nice shirt too 👍🏻😜
Thanks buddy! Glad you noticed the extra critters in this video!
I switched from a Triumph Tiger 1200 down to a '17 701. So far, am McLoving the bike. My main issue is that seems my brakes leave to be desired. Had both front and rear checked and are good to go, but they just seem weak. Other than that, this bike is awesome. I see myself putting a LOT of miles on it this summer
@@Burner-Adventure-Chronicles You might consider a brake pad upgrade. Some of the less expensive brake pads have poor bite and feel at the lever.
That is an excellent review. I owned a KLR 650 and found to be clunky and heavy, my KTM 500 XC-W is great off road, but scary on the freeway. I needed to hear how the 701 performs on the highway and you answered the question very well. Thanks!
Awesome! Glad to hear that!
I knew it. The first few seconds I recognized KTM Gresham! What a great video. Love all of your videos and rides. Very few of these videos I can watch without turning it off due to the talking. I can watch all of yours. You make great content. I don't talk in my videos so I guess they're boring haha. Keep it up!
Thanks for the nice comment!!! It's been a learning process. Talking at a camera isn't easy. Being very introverted and quiet doesn't help the matter. Sometimes when you want something bad enough, pushing through the challenges is the only way to succeed.
@@fortheloveofknobs It's a lot better than hearing someone rant on a motovlog. Anyway, keep it up!
Bought my 690 from KTM Gresham as well. Love it for Oregon BDR! Put rally tower and wind screen, auxiliary tank under seat, plus other goodies. Probably my last bike, but I’m 60.
I've put 33K on my 701, still going strong !
Do you mean miles?
That’s awesome man.
@@billyarsenault1970 35k now and yes miles
@@rogerevans3112 That's great to hear! The reliability stigma around performance KTM's has kept me away. I owned a DR650se since 2012 and recently sold it on. I never modded a thing on the DR not even the basic jetting upgrade. Mostly because I've modded the crap out of bikes/cars in the past and always seen a decrease in service life as a result. That isn't to say I wouldn't like a healthy dose more power than the DR offered but I'd rather have something engineered from the ground up to deliver that power with minimal stress on components. It's sounding more and more like the 690/701 has found a winning formula here.
Did you have any reliabilty issues with that thing? Im thinking to sell my z900 and get one of those big 1 cilinders 😁
Wow is it still going?
Thanks for the information! I am considering the purchase of a 701 LR as a general on/off road travel bike for the western US. The 701, especially the LR, definitely ticks most of the boxes, especially with maintenance intervals as compared to some of the plated enduro bikes that KTM and Honda offer. The weight is the absolute outer limits of where I want to be, which according to my calculations, should be about 382lbs wet for the LR.
It's definitely a great motorcycle for dual sport riding! There are other aftermarket tanks available too. I had the Rade Garage tank and prefer that to the LR for looks and a slim profile. IMS also makes a nice aux tank setup for the standard 701.
@@fortheloveofknobs
Thanks for the suggestions on alternative fuel tanks. I'm not totally happy with the factory tank on the LR. I feel that they could have done a better job. Maybe the same design team designed the hideous fuel tank that is in the KTM 790 / 890. 🤮
Thankyou for the great review I currently own a DR 650 and even after all the mods I still feel it’s lacking in power , and I’m more suited to running the dirt than highway , and I always push the DR to its limits , I’ll have to keep my eye open for a 701 👍
I've owned mine for a little over a month now. While there is a difference between the "older" ones and the later ones, it's basically the same bike. Absolutely love mine, would have liked the longer suspension travel of the older ones, but I like the second counterbalancer and electronic package of the newer ones. Great video, probably watched it five times in total 😁
Glad you're enjoying your bike!! There are three sort of generations. The one I owned was the middle generation with the longer suspension, dual counterbalanced, and no electronics (besides abs). Kris has the current model 690 which is very much the same bike as yours and she loves it! I enjoyed the 701 but it was replaced by a 790 adv R.
@@fortheloveofknobs Oh, so the one you had the best of both worlds in many ways.
Interesting that you upgraded - could you please share why? 🙂
There's probably a video to be made about this topic but the short version is that I bought a KTM 500 EXC for the trail and the 790 is for BDRs.
@@fortheloveofknobs That’s not exactly a downgrade! I bet those two make an excellent couple.
Comfortable seat "if your into that" That's funny. Really good info for me near the end of the video, because this is a bike I am seriously considering.
It's a great motorcycle!
I have 2018 husky 701 with rally kit mst , i ride to sudamerica 2 year, it is the power of horse ✊🏍
I ride my 701sm like it’s an adventure bike. I did a few upgrades, like TKC80s. Wanted the enduro, but I’m short (5’8) and I love it. My dad and brother have Africa Twins. I’ve ridden those a lot. I strongly prefer the 701 in all conditions. I use my camping pillow on the seat for long rides. That solved the only complaint I had (stock seat sucks after 4hrs).
People complaining about wind confuse me. It’s called wind therapy, makes me happier.
Dude! Great review! and Fantastic video!
Thanks buddy! Thanks for being my big bike comparison too! =D
Great 👍 👌 thanks ❤
Awesome thanks for watching!
Great work. Loving your channel
Thank you so much!!!
YAY! :D Well done Nathan!
Thanks Amanda! I always underestimate how much b-roll it takes!
Great video.
Thanks for the comparison information supplied.
Job well done.
Thanks for your nice comment! It means a lot to us!
Had an accident on a Ducati and wanted something less powerful that could do off-road. Was thinking exc-f 350 but rode a 2018 701 and felt like a baby bird in the nest. Love at first bite!
Yay!
GREAT video!! Every point I was wondering about was mentioned. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment! 👍😁
Thanks mate from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Love the Critter Moto shirt!
huh , i had to change and then upgrade both the clutch slave and the fuel pump on my 1090r also , considering a lighter bike this was good info thanks
the clutch slave cylinder is a common weakness of ktm/husky bikes. the one on my then-new 2019 fe-450 leaked; i replaced it with a rekluse slave cylinder. my husky can easily go over 90mph, but it's not very comfortable for highway riding, even with a seat concepts comfort seat. it's mostly a dirtbike with lights & a tall 6th gear. i don't think i would adventure tour on it, but i sure love it for offroad riding!
The comfort/off road worthiness is always a trade off. So many great bikes!
I’ve never ridden a big cushy adventure bike, but the seat concepts is the most comfortable seat I’ve ever sat on. I did a trip from Pennsylvania to Tennessee an my ass held up great lol
Whats funny is KTM put hydraulic clutches on bikes back in 1998 and they never failed,they were brembo. Then KTM put the different brand of hydraulic clutch actuation on Husky's and some big KTM's and they have issues........why?
Well thought out and detailed review and info, cheers mate
I like that bike , seems very capable offroad . Just got my Tenere 700 , love it . Total different animal than my DR650 and I need to learn what it likes and doesn't like .
I dunno. Ive ridden my DR all over hell and back,and it's the only 50/50 bike Ive found. 80mph on street for hours is easy,any dirt road is easy,even average trails can be done. I have it so dialed in,for me,for comfort,for dirt roads,and it's stone reliable for 50,000 miles so far. 701 tends to need more care and feeding. The heidth getting off and on when loaded can be an issue.
@@bradsanders6954
Being a relatively newer rider with what 1900 miles on my DR650 and just am at the 600 mile mark with the Tenere I have a lot to learn going forward . Don't have any "legal" offroad places to ride close to me . Have to go 200 miles plus to the Sierras 150 to Hollister and the same thing to the Clearlake area . There's probably some dirt roads that could give the illusion of offroadyness but so far 99.5 percent of my miles are on pavement . Next year that will change as both motorcycles will be better suited for long distance adventures , especially the Tenere .
Right now I am just about at my limit of skills in upgrading or adding modifications to the Tenere . The dealership won't do any non OEM work so I have to do some research on who is qualified to do safe installations on motorcycles . So far it's 380 miles south to the Los Angeles area or 800 ish miles to Washington at Touratech . Hopefully I can find someone a little closer and as a last resort my truck mechanic said he can help me and he knows about bikes .
@@hardworkingamerican8847 Its pricey,but a smaller bike is a lot easier to figure out the basics of off roading. Im in Chico in nor cal and am lucky to have both dirt roads and trails nearby. Although fire keeps burning trails up. I found an older 200 KTM recently and it's a great bike for trails.
@@bradsanders6954
Yeah Chico is nice , we would go up for a few days for my girlfriend's birthday and stay at Oxford Inn & Suites I think it's called . Man that was before we got our dog ten years ago now . We would bring our mountain bikes and hit the trails at Bidwell Park . Fun times .
A smaller dual sport bike like a 450 would be a good second bike for the times where I would load the truck and eat some miles and then ride . The only real choice is I guess a Honda but I don't like the colors and the seats are thin and the bikes are tall , I know wha wha wha haha . Have to see what the new CRF450L Rally will look like . Was looking at a XT250 but I am not sure it would like 275 pounds of guy and gear on it .
@@hardworkingamerican8847 Could always get a real dirtbike. 220 lb is a good weight. 2 strokes arent hard to ride,just gotta put in a few hours and get used to em. The light weight is addicting.
Whoaa!! I'm the 1000th subscriber! Excellent review on the 701 btw.
😁 Thanks for supporting the channel!!! We really appreciate it!
I hope you won a T-shirt or something
Just say it .... the 701 is the best off/on road bike. I've had all those big clunkers. My 701 is gold. People don't play around with the rest. You are either on the road or in the dirt, get the 701. Trust me you will regret it. When I go biking people are always wishing they had my 701. Just do it.
Glad you like your 701!
Several friends have these 701's. Both burn oil and keep burning more. I see online it isnt uncommon to burn oil..........But I really liked the 701 I rode. Im glad I watched this vid. 6200 mile valve check..............I wonder how often they actually need adjusting as opposed to just checking? As a rider with 50,000 issue free miles on a dialed in DR650.....I hate to go back into futzing with a bike.
Highway miles will do that to this bike. Every 690/701 owner I know, including Kris' 690 consumes oil to some degree. Big piston moving fast on the highway makes a fair bit of crank case pressure. It's more noticeable on the 690/701 I suspect because they're so good at cruising at 75+ where there's lots of rpm. It's usually about 100ml every 1k miles. We're talking a half of a cup here lol
Forgot to answer your valve question. They have required adjustment once in 25k miles on Kris' 690 and I adjusted the 701 twice in 22k miles. Initial plus right before I sold it one of the valves was a little loose. It's a fairly easy task so, for me, no biggie.
@@fortheloveofknobs The shim changing is indeed easy for some. 90.00 per hour at a shop for others,but that's how modern bikes are now.
@@fortheloveofknobs That kinda puts me off. I had an 1150 BMW that was an oil burner,ride it real hard and a quart was gone quick. My buddies 701 blows black smoke on hard throttle,which means rich on fuel,and has the constant oil burning smell. It must be a fluke. I might get a new 690 or 701 next year. Ive had KTM's since 1978. Mostly 2 strokes and still have one. Im an addict.
If I’m mostly on back roads doing 45mph- will oil burning be less noticeable.
I was hoping those days were gone forever.
I've been thinking about this guy since I bought my 1200GS in 2017...
It's a great bike!
I love my 701, have taken it long distance, offroad and track days! Best overall bike. I can't do the same things offroad with my GS, well not yet anyway LOL
What kind of RPMs/vibration do you get on road at 65-70? Thanks!
Nice review and comparison. Like how you stated you owned the KLR and DR650 also, which helps relate the 701/690.
Extremely excellent and informative video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Had a 2014 690 for a couple of years. Great bike but not comfortable enough for long trips. The small fuel tank with no gauge is a total deal breaker for me. Thinking of a 701 LR , but will have to check the seat comfort.
Aftermarket seats are the way to go! Good luck!
Great bike. Thinking about selling my vstrom for this one.
You'll give up a bit of street for more dirt in the switch. I'm pretty sure you'll still be happy with it. :)
Great review. I have a drz400 and want to upgrade. The only thing that concerns me is the valve adjusting. I'll be doing it once a year.
That's a great upgrade! Valve adjustments are a piece of cake on this bike. :)
Thanks for the Video, Im thinking of getting a 701LR (or non LR) since a couple of months. Coming from ktm supermoto and 1290 superduke I am currently riding an africa twin Adventure Sports as I felt in love with travelling on the bike 3 years ago . The downside of the africa twin is that it is pretty heavy offroad and the Wind screen and Front Cover is a nightmare for tall people like me. it gets very noisy while seated, never had this issue with other bikes. So currently i am riding with a very short Wind screen just as a Cover for the Navigation and still the Wind is annoying as it is Not a direct windstream but just a noise turbulence. I am also missing the Light feeling of my ktm 690sm and it was eben a bit heavier than the 701 :) Im only hesitating as I still like the Honda but the Husquarna could actually be THE almost perfect bike for me.
I left a subscribe 👍
Amazing video, thanks
I'm about to buy 690 or 701 I have the 500 exc and 300xcw.
Get ready for the Rapture!!!! It's Very Very close!!!!
Your comment on compromise was good. There is no unicorn unfortunately. I want to mile munching so 701 probably no good for me. Thanks for sharing.
I think for the money DRZ400 is the best option on the market, bullit proof engine and very little maintenance required.
Totally! No doubt the DRZ400 is a great value on a reliable dual sport! Comparing a DRZ to a 701 I'd say a person has to want to pay for the performance of the 701, which is quite a bit higher than a DRZ.
Awesome and informative! I love the detail and examples, seriously!
I tend to be a “use the force Luke “ dork so my review is it feels great does this great I like this lol.
This is simply just an awesome look at the 701 with great information I love it GREAT JOB!
Thanks much!
What an absolutely superb video :) I had a 1200gsa te which was a total nightmare off road, It's interesting looking at the 701, the main bike I was looking at was the Himmy an the CB500X next
These just popped onto my radar, thanks for the video.
Nice comparison 👍 I have 3 different KTM bikes...if I only had 1 bike, it would be the 690 for sure!
Thanks for commenting!
Great review thanks!
Great review
I've got a feeling the 690 or 701 will be my next bike
You're gonna love it!
I'm only 6'1 and the height feels just fine. A bit challenging on tighter trails though.
Thanks for watching!
Here is a contrasting opinion from a former FE 501 owner. I like the brand aesthetics and the performance, but feel like I am getting fleeced in the long run. To spend a premium price for the bike and then have to fix major design flaws that should be resolved by the manufacturer seems like poor fiscal judgement. My 501 had the CS forks which I never got sorted, cheap switch gear, turn signals that leaked water, a difficult to service rear suspension, and TPS adjustments needed (did not need the map switch). I understand that the 701 is a different animal, but it has its own issues, like the fuel pump, which reminds me of my KTM Adv 990. I still think that the brand has some work to do. If you get tired of tinkering, For $5500 cheaper, you can buy as reliable as a brick new XR650L. In the stone ages technology comparison wise, but the fun per $ ratio is off the chart. And you don’t have to hide the invoice from your wife and kids. When it sits in the garage because your honey-do list is too long this weekend, it will hurt a lot less as well.
The clutch slave was the only issue I had with the 701 in the 24k miles I owned it for. Its a great motorcycle besides that issue.
@@fortheloveofknobs You decided the 790 was plenty good for bashing around off road? The 701 went by the wayside. Doesnt a 790 weigh 500lbs full of gas or so?
@@bradsanders6954 Yeah I was ready for a bigger bike for road miles. The 790 carries camping gear better too. For what I'm doing, BDR type stuff, the 790 is a better fit for my needs. 460 ish lbs. Normal for an adv bike.
I watched this after the KTM500 video where you repeatedly mentioned how heavy the DRZ is. Well! Ironic as I think the DRZ is noticeably lighter off-road than this 701 you have and, on road gearing, can still cruise at 65-70 quite easily. In fact it is also more comfortable ;) Oh, I have both bikes so unbiased, and the 701 has some serious power in comparison :) Thanks for the interesting videos.
Thanks for watching!
Great video, I found it very informative :)
Glad to hear it!
Very informative video, Nathan. Nicely produced! I love the interspersed scenes of riding, working on your bike, etc. I really dislike the videos that are just somebody randomly riding and blathering into the mic. 😁
Hey, what is the mountain range shown at about 3:40 in the video? Stunning! I want to see them from my own eyes, on my own bike!
Hey thanks man! I try not to make things I wouldn't enjoy watching. Unfortunately, that means it's a lot of work! 🤣
The mountain range is the High Sierra Mt. That's along the CABDR-S.
@@fortheloveofknobs, I thought they might be! Stunning!
If you short rider and worried about seat hight - just get DR650SE/XR650L and upgrade suspension for them - and keep getting fun... :D
Those are pretty tall bikes for someone who's really short! Kris has lowered her 690 2" and a low seat. Works pretty well for her!
The 701 is a dual sport... The bikes you refer to as a dual sport is actually enduro bikes which is basically a dirtbike with lights and license plates. (KTM exc, husqvarna fe, Yamaha wr 450 etc)
We all have an opinion on what to call things. Most folks I know call plated dirt bikes a dual sport.
Wind protection... no problemo, just put Rade Garage rally front windshield....
Expensive but agreed! My 790 ADV R has the Nomad Tower and it's also awesome!
Andrew Scheer's brother? Good vid.
With the additional of Electronic Throttle, they missed the opportunity to simply add cruise control for long distance riding. This would certainly steal sales from other adv bikes like the Yamaha T7 or more expensive tiger 900.
Thanks for adding your thoughts!
congrats on 1k subs
Hey thanks!
Exactly the video I've been looking for, now we just need a 701 Enduro LR vs 790 Adventure R comparison.
The 790 feels much more comfortable, smooth, and very powerful. But, it's a big heavy adventure bike. 701 has a lightweight dirtbike feeling and the 790 feels like a proper adventure bike. They're very different and both very awesome!
@@fortheloveofknobs 790's also have a buzzy vibration issue,but look like great bikes.
@@bradsanders6954 Really? My 790 is smooth as butter! 😁
Imho changing out the tyres for trials treads would really help on the road without over compromising the off road
Thanks for sharing! We think trials would wear out too quickly and not be legal for highway use in the United States.
What you refer to as a "dual sport" is what they have morphed into. The 701 is the exact example of what dual sports have traditionally been for years. In the first minute you describe a the 701 as as a dual sport to a T without saying it. The true dual sport bridges the gap between a dirt bike and a adventure..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! It's the versatility of the 701 that makes it such a great bike!
@@fortheloveofknobs it is a nice machine. It is nice having g the power they make in the relatively small package. Think XR650L with over twice the power and better components across the board..the smiles you can achieve with this machine are numerous :)
Cool video.
Adam Riemann's movie Motonomad, he does 7000km over 7 countries on ktm 500 exc-f. The 500's are more than capable for multi day adventures plus they are going to be lighter than the 701 or the 690. It's worth checking out.
Hey Chris, that's a great film! The 500 is a great bike but I'm pretty darned happy with my 701!
500 EXC runs a good while,maybe 20,000 miles to rebuild. No real way around being way tall,and having a skinny seat,and really being a dirtbike with a plate. But its a great dirtbike with a plate. On hiway all day? People do it.
Nice video. You forgot to mention the shifting mishaps. Fals neutral between 5th and 6th. I love my 690.
Hey Mark! Thanks for your comment. That does happen to some people so thanks for mentioning it.
Sweet Jesus- I get TWO neutrals now!!!
This friggin thing just keeps getting better.
Amen.
@@fortheloveofknobs I sold the mighty 690 and got a 501. Not as fast but still fast enough for me. It way better for the single track for me. Great all around bike. I thought the 690 was my unicorn, but I think the 501 is closer to the unicorn I'm trying to find.
Nice review
the shirt .....is killing me
We're big fans of Critter Moto over here!
I feel like it weighs about as much as most dual sports that people are able to get their hands on. KLX300 is 302, CRF300L (300-330ish, depends on the model and whether you get ABS or not), Z400S is 317, and the big 650s from Suzuki and Honda are both 340+. A 701 is claimed at 342 but will outperform every bike in the weight range and still shouldn't be considered "heavier" by any means
It's heavier than my KTM 500!
Are you aware of how to DISABLE the shift assist /quickshift on the 2020 701 ?? Is it a dealer only thing via the 'software' ?
Sounds perfect for the TAT .
TAT-tacular! 😉
The only thing I don’t like about my DR is the suspension. But, the Suzuki is half the price of the Husqvarna so I have extra money laying around for upgrades.
A fully upgraded DR won't ever be as good as a 701. I've gone down that road already on my fully upgraded DR650 before buying this 701. Better, but not as good at dirt, street, basically everything. However, it's not the model, it's the throttle! (riding skill)
I think of all motorcycles as a compromise. It's all about picking the bike based on your needs.
Get a Rottweiler Intake/ powercommander and you will smile. Big difference right where you grab a handful/mid range--IOW--where you ride it.
I installed the 790 upgrade. It's awesome!
Really with that top case ... and high luggage is very hard to ride and pick up . i tried this route my 1250 BMW GS is easer to pick up as it flips up .
We also like low mounted luggage! The top case was empty but we always recommend putting heavier items in the bottom of bags! Thanks for your comment!
I love my 2017 701...the one other thing that should be mentioned is while the bike is awesome overall, the stock headline is absolute garbage, almost unsafe to ride at night. I replaced mine with one from Motominded and haven’t regretted it at all. No clutch issues on mine after 8k miles and two years. Bought my Husky in Hillsboro, some of those roads look familiar!
Glad you like your bike!
Great review. I really enjoyed my 701 when I had it. Went through the same shop too.
The only thing missing from the review, is how it compares in the Starbucks parking lot, lol.
Thanks! I also really enjoyed my 701 when I had it! 👊
One word - BMW
@@fortheloveofknobs Yikes. I went the BMW route once. I didnt get a good one.
@@bradsanders6954 same lol - I make a point to not bash on anything motorcycle related but I'll never own one again lol
Great video!
Thanks!
I would like to know where you found the t-shirt at. I love the logo.
That is a @Critter_moto channel t-shirt! Go subscribe to his channel!
Get the 701! Just say NO to orange!
That's like saying, "Buy a Buick, Chevy sucks!" haha
Great review. I’m not sure what dual sport bikes are that you refer to? A lighter and more capable bike offroad then 701 should be an enduro 250/300/450? The 701 is basically an enduro on steroids with proper suspension?
Dual sport = Plated dirt bikes
Tks for the review. Do you recommend any specific brand or timing chain to fix the weird noise as turn the bike on?
Dirt Tricks makes a ratcheting replacement tensioner that holds tension when the engine is off. That's what I ended up using. Cheers!
HI,
beautiful video, I have a question, could you tell me the brand of the windshield that I saw mounted at the beginning of the video? A tanks Fabrizio.
Screens For Bikes makes it
The 701 was fantastic in its stock form ( as is only 165 kg wet ) you may as well get a Yamaha T7 not much difference in weight and a twin . The standard 701 is the perfect 50/50 bike , otherwise buy a mid weight, 790, 890 , T7
Thanks for sharing!
40 kgs is not much of a difference? esp T7 carries the weight up high. I beg to differ.
@@motooilermotooiler9597 Right on.
Thanks, but I will stick with my Honda 250l 🥰
Glad you're enjoying your Honda
Does the 701 rear linkage suspension different much from the 690 non link suspension?
690 has linkage too
It's hard to beat the balance between the weight compromise and luggage capacity of the 690/701 platform. It's made to cross continents but also if you're willing and able, to do single track jaunts.
Does it require premium grade fuel?
It's a rad machine that's for sure! Yep, premium required but you can get away with regular with light throttle and not lugging the motor. I wouldn't race it or anything extreme on regular.