Of all the solid reasons that may lead to buy a motorcycle, two are high on my list.
Number one...
Number one, motorcycle is the best freedom device money can buy.
Number two, there’s nothing on earth as cool as a motorbike.
Your persona will suddenly gain a daredevil halo. What happened to your common sense? You decided to get rid of caution and boundaries. And yep, you’re now wearing a leather jacket.
You tried cool stuff like paragliding or kite-surfing. And then you bumped into the bunch of hassles they bring with them. It happens with all the fun things.
But with motorcycles is different. You can park ‘em right down the block of your house and you’re just required to push a button to start the game (and that leather jacket, how cool is that?).
Now, you don’t need me to explain why I choose the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 for this ride.
Number two, there’s nothing on earth as cool as a motorbike.
Your persona will suddenly gain a daredevil halo. What happened to your common sense? You decided to get rid of caution and boundaries. And yep, you’re now wearing a leather jacket.
You tried cool stuff like paragliding or kite-surfing. And then you bumped into the bunch of hassles they bring with them. It happens with all the fun things.
But with motorcycles is different. You can park ‘em right down the block of your house and you’re just required to push a button to start the game (and that leather jacket, how cool is that?).
Now, you don’t need me to explain why I choose the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 for this ride.
First
things
first
Under the Svartpilen 701 there’s the KTM Duke 690. This happens because Pierer Industrie AG (who owns KTM) acquired the former Swedish brand to meet ambitious growth plans.
We started to take the Austrian manufacturer very seriously in the early 2000, when they decided to add a road-bike line-up to their off-road machines. They shocked the world with a groundbreaking as much as questionable design. And this lead KTM to became Europe’s biggest motorcycle OEM.
When it came to revamp Husqvarna, the guys in Mattighofen asked Kiska Design Studio to take the world by surprise, again. This time, they used an opposite approach and pursued the ultimate beauty. Are the people ready for this? Time will tell.
We started to take the Austrian manufacturer very seriously in the early 2000, when they decided to add a road-bike line-up to their off-road machines. They shocked the world with a groundbreaking as much as questionable design. And this lead KTM to became Europe’s biggest motorcycle OEM.
When it came to revamp Husqvarna, the guys in Mattighofen asked Kiska Design Studio to take the world by surprise, again. This time, they used an opposite approach and pursued the ultimate beauty. Are the people ready for this? Time will tell.
-the style-
Bravo Mr. T
Credit for the style goes to French designer, Maxime Thouvenin.
Mr. Thouvenin blended classic elements and flat-track cues but moved them straight into the future.Thanks to him, Husqvarna delivered a non-retro scrambler-supermoto. What’s wrong with it? Nothing!
Anything that has a function is also aesthetically functional. It’s a masterful piece of design featuring Swedish minimalism and Italian focus for appearance.
Check out the LED round headlamp and its support (that resembles a racing numberplate) or the sporty single-seater saddle (that is a two-seater instead).
The attention paid to the details sets new standards. The bike’s name and the Company logo is almost everywhere, even on the grips, handlebars and on the rims. It’s easy to imagine Mr. Thouvenin trimming its backyard lawn with a pair of tiny scissors. But its obsessive care to the smallest details is one of the most striking elements of his work.
Mr. Thouvenin blended classic elements and flat-track cues but moved them straight into the future.Thanks to him, Husqvarna delivered a non-retro scrambler-supermoto. What’s wrong with it? Nothing!
Anything that has a function is also aesthetically functional. It’s a masterful piece of design featuring Swedish minimalism and Italian focus for appearance.
Check out the LED round headlamp and its support (that resembles a racing numberplate) or the sporty single-seater saddle (that is a two-seater instead).
The attention paid to the details sets new standards. The bike’s name and the Company logo is almost everywhere, even on the grips, handlebars and on the rims. It’s easy to imagine Mr. Thouvenin trimming its backyard lawn with a pair of tiny scissors. But its obsessive care to the smallest details is one of the most striking elements of his work.
-gone riding-
ADVENTURE TIME
In spite of the close relationship with the KTM Duke 690, the Svartpilen 701 has a different attitude.
For the Husqvarna is possible to keep going when the road ends. That’s what a proper scrambler should do: extend the fun zone.
The 150mm of suspension travel, works in combination with the dual-use Pirelli tires. Needless to say, the 75(hp) X 160(kg) ratio, is effective in any condition.
When it comes to the asphalt, the Italian rubbers feels sticky and the saddle's racing(ish) is appreciable. It rewards the rider with tons of feeling.
Even if the KTM Duke has a longer wheelbase than the Husqvarna, thanks to the 18’’ front rim, the Svartpilen 701 is nimble yet stable. It’s kind of a comforting supermoto that cuts a line down through the tarmac with the front tire.
At the end of the day, the rider feels free to do whatever he needs or wants to do. Bike’s behavior is composed and predictable, even during spirited driving on winding roads or on fast sixth-gear bends.
Downsides? The WP shock absorber is too stiff (but at least is adjustable).
Special "bad job" mention goes to the ABS. The system works well, but lacks the supermoto mode. This means that you cannot disengage it by the rear wheel. And this means that the off-road will be light and that (if you had an oval course, anywhere near) you have no chances to go flat-track riding.
For the Husqvarna is possible to keep going when the road ends. That’s what a proper scrambler should do: extend the fun zone.
The 150mm of suspension travel, works in combination with the dual-use Pirelli tires. Needless to say, the 75(hp) X 160(kg) ratio, is effective in any condition.
When it comes to the asphalt, the Italian rubbers feels sticky and the saddle's racing(ish) is appreciable. It rewards the rider with tons of feeling.
Even if the KTM Duke has a longer wheelbase than the Husqvarna, thanks to the 18’’ front rim, the Svartpilen 701 is nimble yet stable. It’s kind of a comforting supermoto that cuts a line down through the tarmac with the front tire.
At the end of the day, the rider feels free to do whatever he needs or wants to do. Bike’s behavior is composed and predictable, even during spirited driving on winding roads or on fast sixth-gear bends.
Downsides? The WP shock absorber is too stiff (but at least is adjustable).
Special "bad job" mention goes to the ABS. The system works well, but lacks the supermoto mode. This means that you cannot disengage it by the rear wheel. And this means that the off-road will be light and that (if you had an oval course, anywhere near) you have no chances to go flat-track riding.
-THE ENGINE-
Black Magic
Speaking of cylinders, you’ll agree, that two is the magic number (don’t you?). But the famed LC4 tries all the time to prove us wrong.
Backed-up by easy-shift and ride-by-wire, this revvy engine combines the ups of a twin with the lightness of a single-cylinder.
It’s vibrant and keeps pushing endlessly. Thanks to the electronics, the engine brake is minimal like the one a four-cylinder mill.
Only the vibes and the pulse of the piston are typical of the "actual" engine layout.
Backed-up by easy-shift and ride-by-wire, this revvy engine combines the ups of a twin with the lightness of a single-cylinder.
It’s vibrant and keeps pushing endlessly. Thanks to the electronics, the engine brake is minimal like the one a four-cylinder mill.
Only the vibes and the pulse of the piston are typical of the "actual" engine layout.
Cookies & Riding Modes
Despite the rich standard equipment, the Svartpilen doesn’t allow to choose among riding modes. That’s a choice against the trend, and I like it.
You'd rather find the mere ingredients or the finished product inside the cookie box?
I don’t know about you, but I prefer to buy cookies made under the manufacturer’s original recipe. And the Svartpilen has the best riding mode, according to Husqvarna’s engineers.
You'd rather find the mere ingredients or the finished product inside the cookie box?
I don’t know about you, but I prefer to buy cookies made under the manufacturer’s original recipe. And the Svartpilen has the best riding mode, according to Husqvarna’s engineers.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 701
-Concluding remarks-
From zero to lose your driving license in three seconds. In style
There’s a steep price to pay if you want this motorcycle. No other way to say it.
I’d buy the Svartpilen 701 for a reason: the Svartpilen is not a hooligan with pre-game anxiety. Is like one of the S.W.A.T. team: is disruptive, effective, and wears dark suits.
There are more practical motorcycles? Sure.
There are motorbikes that offer a stronger value for money? Guilty as charged.
But are there motorcycles fun to ride and at the same time cool like this one?
I don’t think so!
I’d buy the Svartpilen 701 for a reason: the Svartpilen is not a hooligan with pre-game anxiety. Is like one of the S.W.A.T. team: is disruptive, effective, and wears dark suits.
There are more practical motorcycles? Sure.
There are motorbikes that offer a stronger value for money? Guilty as charged.
But are there motorcycles fun to ride and at the same time cool like this one?
I don’t think so!
author_A. Freni
Images_g. Di Maurizio
HUSQVARNA SVARTPILEN 701
price_€ 10.350,00
power_75 HP @8.500 rpm
torque_NM 72 @ 6.750 rpm
weight_KG 158,5
price_€ 10.350,00
power_75 HP @8.500 rpm
torque_NM 72 @ 6.750 rpm
weight_KG 158,5
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