Husqvarna 701 Enduro 7500 mile update

 

I just passed 7,500 miles on the Husqvarna 701 Enduro. My warranty will expire in September. I have been through 4 rear tires (just ordered the 5th rear). The original TKC80's were great tires but were not available when I needed to replace them so I switch both to Anakee Wild. The Anakee Wild front is still going strong at about 4,600 miles on the front Anakee Wild with 5.2mm tread in the center (about 60% remaining tread). I got 2,900 miles out of the original TKC 80's but I was just starting to ride again after over 30 years without a motorcycle. The longer I ride, the less miles I am getting from the rear tires. I wore out the first Anakee after 1,700 miles, the second after 1,500 miles, and the 3rd after 1,400 miles. I replace then when the center is down to around 4mm tread depth remaining.  

Since my 5,000 mile update, the only modification I have made is the Veridian cruise control with ABS add-on. I have this bike well equipped now to my liking. To date I have spent about $2,700 on additions to this bike, which includes things like the Garmin Zumo XT2 navigation. I take the windshield off in the summer as the airflow is welcome. I replaced the 4 mounting crews with thumbscrews. It is great that 4 thumbscrews is all it takes to remove or reposition it. One of the most important upgrades for this bike is the Seat Concepts Comfort XL seat. If you spend more than an hour on the seat, this makes a huge difference. This bike makes great power so no performance upgrades are needed. Even above the maximum highway speed limit, and going uphill, you can pass with ease. The suspension is also perfect for me (5' 10" and 185lbs) with basic gear. In fact, it is to the firm side if anything. I have never bottomed out this bike. Not even close. I have the compression front and rear set on the soft side and it is still a bit firm. The video below shows a pretty hard hit that dislodged my camera mic adapter (start at 9:30 minutes in).

Dork in the Road recently did a review on the KTM 690 (same bike with slightly different plastic).

I commented on this. His list of pro's and con's is fairly accurate, but we all prioritize them differently. I don't agree at all with his complaints about the traction control. It works great. Simply set to mode 2 for off-road and enjoy. Super easy. He kept trying to disable it which I have only done a few times. It is just not necessary. Many others who own these bikes has similar comments that the traction control is great, just put it in mode 2 when off-road. It even holds that mode between key cycles. Perfect. I don't agree with his overall assessment as I prioritize these things different and some of his complaints are not issues for me. His big issue of comfort is pretty much solved with the Seat Concepts Comfort XL seat. He mentions reliability with no facts at all to back up any reliability issues with this bike.

His complains about the ABS is true. I found riding with ABS off-road can be scary. On soft surfaces (pretty much everywhere off-road) it intervenes way too much increasing stopping distances substantially. As he shows in the video you have to start the bike, roll forward enough that the system validates the wheel speed sensors, come to a stop, and hold the ABS button for 8s. Every key cycle it reverts to ON so you have to repeat that process. I opted for the optional ABS add-on with the Veridian cruise control system I installed. This allows you to set it in an off-road mode and it will maintain this mode through key cycles. However, this off-road mode does not disable front wheel ABS. I just installed the system and I need more time riding with it off-road to see if that off-road mode will meet my needs.

As he says in the video, this bike is fantastic at higher speeds, even off-road. When I first got the bike, I crashed many times, all at low speeds (under 10mph). I felt the gearing was also not great off-road (as he points out) at low speeds. First gear was just not low enough. However, after learning how to ride better off-road, I no longer have these issues. The solution: just ride faster. Keep it over 10mph and keep your feet on the pegs and life is great. This bike can quickly recover from what feels like a certain crash at speeds over 10mph. Things like a big rock causing a large deflection in the front or rear wheels at first feel like a certain crash. However, just as fast as the deflection happens, it snaps right back and all is good. It feels like magic but the reality is a combination of momentum and the gyro effect from all the rotating mass. On the highway it is very stable for a bike with knobby tires. I can cruise along at..., well a "spirited rate" with no issues. Occasionally I do get just a light weave at certain speeds but it never feels unsettling to me. Even riding highways speeds over grooves feels pretty stable to me. 

When I first got the bike I would occasionally get a check engine light with a fault code for the kickstand sensor. The dealer even swapped the sensor to address this. It happened a few more times even with the new sensor. I have not had that issue in a long time now. Back then I would be raising the kickstand at the same time I hit the start switch or turned the key ON. Now I carefully make sure the stand if fully up before turning the key ON. 

I still track the fuel economy and I average around 50mpg. It can get 65mpg when in high gear and below 55mph. It can go as low as 35mpg with the windshield on at high speeds on the highway into a headwind. I have found the 3.4 gallon tank to be adequate for over 90% of my rides. I have a 1.3 gallon can I can mount on the back but I rarely every use it. I have never ran the main tank dry. When the low fuel light turns ON, there is about 0.8 gallons left in the tank, good for about 40 miles. 

Would I buy this bike again: hell yes! It is truly awesome. Some say magic unicorn and many dispute this but in my opinion this is a close as you can get. Bikes are all trade-offs, especially in this segment between a dual sport and an adventure bike. It may be expensive but it also does not need any performance or suspension modifications.