The invitation mentioned something along the lines of: “please join Husqvarna for the U.S. press launch of the 2016 701 Supermoto.” Blitzing twisties motard style across miles and miles of backroads? You don’t have to ask me twice. Or possibly you do. Let me clarify.
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This previous November, I attended the globe-press launch for this identical machine held in the foothills of Portimao, Portugal, close to the racetrack of the same name. Sadly, slick road situations due to heavy rains prevented us riding in a spirited manner. With bikes now stateside, the U.S. press launch would cast off from Husqvarna headquarters in Murrieta, California. That’s much less than 50 miles northeast from one more famous racetrack, and where supermoto got its early 1980’s roots at Carlsbad Raceway, property of the Superbikers on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Sadly, Calrsbad was dozed in the name of progress some years ago. I guess we’ll have to exercise our inner Kent Howerton elsewhere this day. Rather, we headed east from the Husky offices following the several excellent mountain roads and staying overnight in Borrego Springs.
Built on the KTM 690SM platform and styled soon after Husqvarna’s sexy 701 concept motorcycle unveiled at EICMA 2014, the 701 Supermoto ($ 11,299 MSRP) is the newest supplying from the Swedish marque and at 690cc, is the biggest displacement model in their developing lineup.
Cradled inside the lightweight chrome-moly steel trellis frame, is a light (95.7 lbs), SOHC, 4-valve thumper with a claimed 67 horsepower and 49 pound-feet of peak torque. A 46mm Keihin throttle physique with Husky’s 1st ever ride-by-wire method handles engine management, and involves three switchable engine-map settings: Normal, Soft, and Advanced. Two “rider aids” inform us Husky have their eye on functionality. Initial, is a Magura hydraulically actuated Adler slipper clutch, crucial in eliminating rear-wheel chatter beneath heavy braking even though downshifting. Second, is an optional plug-in dongle ($ 109.99) providing the rider a third ABS setting which functions on the front wheel only (allowing the rear to be locked) key for performing supermoto-style antics. A molded polyamide rear subframe works each as a structural component and as a 3.4 gallon fuel tank.
Suspension contains totally adjustable WP units front and rear. Up front is a split-fork technique with the appropriate leg devoted to rebound damping and the left leg compression damping. A hyperlink-actuated WP shock resides out back. Brembo brakes are utilised front and rear, a 4-piston front caliper pinches a 320mm disc, although a single-piston caliper and 240mm disc reside out back. Tubeless 17-inch, wire-spoke wheels come mounted with Continental ContiAttack SM tires.
When it comes to Supermoto machines, the very first factor to come to thoughts is a 450cc-dirtbike-primarily based, barely street-legal racer, rolling on 17-inch wheels and street tires. A lightweight machine with ample energy, very good brakes and a character that makes it impossible to resist hooliganism. A bike that is continually hunting for opportunities to jump curbs and do roaring wheelies a block lengthy. But usually these are still just a dirtbikes. The 701 is a supermoto, but it is also more than that. I favor to think of it as a “naked single.” Has a good ring to it do not you believe? A word pairing second only to probably “naked twins!” Wait, where was I… Oh yes, back to motorcycles.
Quickly following departing the Husky HQ, the roads transformed from disciplined suburbia to the single-lane twisties of the East Temecula wine nation. The pace quickens and the the 701 shines on the slightly bumpy and textured asphalt. The WP suspension is supple, offering firm but not too stiff damping. It’s a pleasing mixture of comfort meets sport. Adding to the overall comfort level is the flat and roomy seat. The shape, or lack thereof, makes it possible for the rider to sit just about anyplace without being forced into a low spot. This allows the rider to stretch out on the straight sections and speedily slide up more than the tank for cornering.
With a claimed dry weight of 320 lbs., the 701 carries itself well. Ridden either supermoto style (sitting up pushing the bike down), or hanging off the side sportbike style, the 701 cares not. Screw on the gas and the Keihin throttle-by-wire method fuels seamlessly. No surging or flat spots that had been as soon as the ire of early EFI systems. Overlook lean-angle sensors, overlook traction manage, heated grips, and all of that. The pure joy of this naked single is the exclusion of the bells and whistles that so several new motorcycles are collecting these days. Blasting by way of the drought-parched SoCal hills is exactly where this naked single feels proper at residence. Riding these second- and third-gear sections of road with back-to-back, cambered turn following cambered turn, goes some thing like this: gas, brake, turn, gas, wheelie more than humps amongst turns, brake, repeat a graceful dance of sorts.
Is there any greater joy than to be single, naked, and sexy? In the case of the 701 Supermoto, it’s a short list.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| 2016 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto | |
| ENGINE | SOHC, single |
| DISPLACEMENT | 690cc |
| TRANSMISSION | Six speed |
| FUEL System | Keihin EFI, 46mm throttle physique |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | 48mm WP inverted fork |
| REAR SUSPENSION | Linked WP monoshock |
| FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL | eight.5 in. |
| REAR WHEEL TRAVEL | 9.8 in. |
| FRONT BRAKE | 4-piston caliper w/320mm disc |
| REAR BRAKE | Single-piston caliper w/240mm disc |
| FRONT TIRE | 120/70ZR17 |
| REAR TIRE | 160/60ZR17 |
| WHEELBASE | 58.3 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 35. in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY | 3.4 gal. |
| CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT | 320 lb. |
2016 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto – 1st RIDE REDEUX We get more seat time on this attractive and naked single.
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