Joe's 701 Enduro thread

[joeprez]

Hi everyone! As mentioned in my other thread I recently got a 2021 Husqvarna 701 Enduro. My original plan was to get a Honda CRF300L rally and keep the Svart, but after weeks reviewing specs and watching/reading reviews of several dual sport and supermoto bikes, I decided to go with a KTM 690 or Husky 701 mostly because these bikes weight the same as the Japanese dual sport / supermoto bikes but have almost double the power. I also had already mentioned that I wanted to upgrade from my Svart 401 to a 701 (is it official that those are discontinued?), but in analyzing where I ride and the conditions of the roads, I decided to go with the 690/701 engine but in another chassis.

The friend that I ride with has a 2019 KTM SMC R (great great bike), so I started looking for those, but learned that they are way more popular than the Enduro's here, thus way more expensive. KTM is also more popular than Husky, I guess based solely due to the colors . As such I was able to snatch a 2021 Husky 701 Enduro several thousand dollars cheaper than the KTM sister bike (even cheaper than used 701 in my area). I like the colors, and like even more what I paid for it.

I won't call this a "build thread" because nothing will be build per se, but I will add bolt-on stuff to suit my needs, and I do enjoy these type of threads a lot. What I want for the bike is a machine for mostly road riding / overlanding (to use a 4x4 term), so I see myself replacing the tires with a more road worthy flavor, something like the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR or Trail (no idea yet if I wheel need new wheels for this).

At some point I also though on getting a Tenere 700, but seeing a lot of 690/701 "adventure builds" convinced me that I would value more a light weight bike than more comfort and fuel range (and more weight!) than the Tenere or similar machine. I live in a small Island, so my travels will not require extra gas tanks or super plush seat (not that I can't add that to the 701).

A sticker and a RAM mount were the first two mods:

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Posing with the Svart:

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[joeprez]

I started buying stuff for the bike even before taking delivery of it (as one does), and the first two things that arrived were the USB dongle and Wings slip-on exhaust.

If you buy a KTM 690, the bike comes with a USB plug that you can access from the side of the headlight mount. The Husky doesn't comes with the plug but just behind the headlight there are two accessory leads (one always on, one on with the key) plus I was able to find an unused plug for the USB dongle. Similar install than in my 401, just plug it. However in the Svart the plug is below the seat so it took some time routing the iPhone charging cable to where I wanted it, near the handlebars. For the 701 it was way easier to route the cable from behind the headlight to the handlebar. Not my picture, but here is the unused plug with the USB dongle already plugged in:

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Will add a picture of the charging cable and RAM mount later.

 

[joeprez]

The OEM exhaust on these bikes has the catalytic converter inside. Every owner I've talked to has reported that the exhaust gets extremely hot due to this and its always recommended to go aftermarket if you can (you can also read about this in forums and youtube). Even Husky acknowledges this as the side marker on the exhaust side come with a heat shield (not my picture):

I didn't want to get an Akrapovic exhaust due to their cost, so after some research ended up with a Wings Exhaust:

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A titanium exhaust with real carbon fiber tip plus it includes two "dB-killers" so you can adjust the sound to your liking. A "silent" dB-killer is also offered, but I didn't get it. Less than $500 shipped, and hey, I got a free t-shirt!

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The Wings logo in matching colors is a nice touch. Sounds great at idle, hopefully will be able to try it out this weekend.

 

[joeprez]

Its the little things:

 

[Arrow-373]

this exhaust has a great shape and look great....hope you will have fun and many great trips with it.
- yes svartpilen 701 were just build in short period so not much around , i gues somewhat of under 2000pcs / i will look if i can track manufacture numbers up ...

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Wow... this looks great!

 

[joeprez]

Last Saturday I was finally able to get a lift so decided to install the Kouba link, with the help my 12 year old son (And he did help! Always good to have it away from the Xbox for a couple of hours). Installation is pretty straightforward, but the large nut (to the rear of the link) was a handful. I measured the height of the bike before an after, without a rider, and it did lowered the bike by an inch. I then proceeded to install bar raisers and lowered the front by the same amount. No sag adjustment was done, but the bike handled great on the road (both in the highway, up to 75mph, and the twisty mountain roads). For reference, I weight 180lbs, height is 5'9", 30" inseam based on jeans. I was able to touch the ground with the tips of my toes on both sides without lowering the bike. I definitely can't flat foot it now but that inch makes it more comfortable for me. If I was higher, with a 32" inseam, I don't think I would have lowered the bike. Of course now the kickstand is too long, I have to get off the bike to set it. I ordered the Warp9 kickstand, which apparently is 1.5" shorter... hope its not too short.

Remove foot peg assembly on both sides:



Remove black nut to the rear of the link first (in yellow), then the front one (in red):



Then install in reverse order (with my trusty helper in the background):





Bar risers, from Enduro Engineering, and lowering the bike up front:



Also crash protectors for the rear. As mentioned in various places, this "OEM" assembly does not fit perfectly on the 701 Enduro, but nothing that cutting one of the screws with a Dremel wouldn't solve:



Had a blast on Sunday:

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I did this on my old Husky TE250 dirt bike for a while. It worked, but I ended up cutting the seat and having the suspension professionally lowered instead. The kouba works... but does significantly alter the rear suspension geometry, just be aware of that especially off road. Some love how it ends up feeling and others don't.

 

[BISavage]

Its the little things:

Totally agree:

 

[joeprez]

What is that!?!?

 

[BISavage]

Lightweight High Performance Valve Stem Cap

Made of metal.

 

[joeprez]

The photo looks out of focus in my phone, wasn't sure what I was looking at

 

[BISavage]

You're right.

Here is a better one:

 

[BISavage]

How is the sound from your Wings pipe after it is warmed up on a longer ride?

 

[joeprez]

Its fine, no burbles, very civilized. I wouldn't mind if it was louder, I'm very pleased with it. The Leo Vince on my Svart is louder.

Not digging the Akra?

 

[BISavage]

I can definitely dig the Akro pipe, it has alot of character.
And I dont need to open my helmet visor to hear the bike rev... which was a big "reason for improvement" with the 401.

 

[joeprez]

My friend runs his KTM 690 SMC R (supermoto) with the same Wings exhaust, but no dB killer. A bit louder than mine and you get burbles, cracks, etc. Sounds great IMO. I will need to try that

 

[joeprez]

Warp9 kickstand installed and it work great:

Putting back the spring was a pain in the ass... I need more tools. But now I can put the kickstand while seated no the bike. I don't think the bike is leaning too much, but will compare with my friend's KTM SMC R this Sunday.

Other aesthetic mods:

 

[BISavage]

That kickstand looks well made.

 

[joeprez]

Installed a Perun rear rack this weekend. Now I can carry some tools and a rag, etc.

Very well made rack and easy installation.