New Member Vitpilen Question

jurgenk

jurgenk

contributing rider
Joined
Aug 27, 2023
Messages
18
Location
New Hazelton, BC
New member looking to pick up a '18 Vitpilen 401 and am coming from a VStrom 650 (and KLR 650 prior) and hope to use it similarly as I rode previously (I.e. 70/30 gravel forest service roads/highway) so planning on replacing the more street-oriented tires currently on the bike and it has been a while since I dealt with tubes. Can someone confirm that this Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR would be what I am looking for (are there different versions for tubed or tubeless tires)?

fortnine.ca

Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR Rear Tire

Features: High Silica compound for grip in all conditions including a wide range of operative temperatures. Increased contact patch area at all lean angles for excellent on-road behavior. Innovative knob geometry provide off road traction and
fortnine.ca fortnine.ca

Down the road, would look to add some light protection (e.g., skid plate, frame and, possibly, axle sliders) and change the riding position with replacement pegs and handlebars. Thanks for any help.

Brad
 
The riding position of the two bikes couldn't be more different. I've been riding for 35 years and there is no way I would want to take a Vit offroad, regardless of what tires are on it. All your weight is right over the front axle.
 
I had a Vitpilen in Costa Rica and doing off road was a no-no so I ended up drilling the triple tree clamp and put Pro taper enduro bars on it.
Then bought a Svart when I went back..

IMG_3801.jpeg
 
You are all making good points, but in defense of the purchase, I live in a fairly remote part of BC, the bike is 450 km away and is priced $1500 less than any Svart I can find (that one is in Winnipeg, which would be a 2 day trip to pick up). I figure that I can change the ergos for around the upgrade to a Svart and this one is so convenient to me.

If I find the bike is not fit for purpose, I will still have the VStrom and can flip the Vit. I have never ridden a bike with the Vit's riding position and when I do take it on gravel FSR's I will air down the tires and tap it cool.

I used Husqvarna chainsaws for years working as a logger, owning a Husky bike has been a dream since the 80's, and this one really checks a lot of boxes all the while being wildly impractical.
 
jurgenk said:
You are all making good points, but in defense of the purchase, I live in a fairly remote part of BC, the bike is 450 km away and is priced $1500 less than any Svart I can find (that one is in Winnipeg, which would be a 2 day trip to pick up). I figure that I can change the ergos for around the upgrade to a Svart and this one is so convenient to me.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, go for it!
The official upgrade kit is reasonably priced I think, or you could do what Lozion did for even less.
 
2019 Vit / Svart have alot of differences.
-Upper Tripple-clamp, Clip-on style vs Handlebars.
-Front Forks and Rear Shock are different, the Svartpilen has more travel.
-Seat, the Svartpilen is 2 piece, Vitpilen is 1 Piece.
-No Skid-Plate on the Vitpilen.
-Tires.

Really though, even on a CB RRRRR you can hit like any gravel road at up to 45mph; if you lookin to fly down em at 80 you gonna prolly wanna get the CRF instead.
 
Lozion said:
The Vit is a cool city bike but the clip-ons are super low and depending on your height you'll have the weight on your wrists..

You can get a Svart conversion kit though or do it the cheap way like I did..
Click to expand...

The clip-ons are not super low. The seat is below the bars. The bars on my mountain bike are below the seat.
 
Last edited:
You can get a kit that will allow the higher Svart bars on the Vit. I think I've linked to it on this forum. If I've not done the link then somebody else has and I've read about it.
 
BISavage said:
The original one from husqvarna seems to be the most cost effective at the moment:

aomc.mx

Item Not Found

Item Not Found: AOMC.mx
aomc.mx aomc.mx
Click to expand...
Thank you to all on the suggestions on bar conversion kits, watched "Luis" on YouTube do the conversion with just a Svart upper triple tree and a Renthal bar but as the cables end up too short due to the extra height to the handlebar, requires cutting into the loom in an attempt to create more length out of the existing cabling. Looks like it is possible w/o the extended cables, but it would make a cleaner job with them. Supposed to be picking up the bike on Sunday and then riding it 450 km home, so should get a good idea on the ergos in that time.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
Cables dont need extension, you pull the loom a bit from inside the headlight and re arrange it but yes its not as clean as with the kit..
 
Last edited:
Lozion said:
Cables dont need extension, you pull the loom a bit from inside the headlight and re arrange it but yes its not as clean as with the kit..
Click to expand...
Thanks for the confirmation and if I do look to change, will likely go the cheaper route as the kits do not appear to be available in Canada (that I have found yet) and would look to run me in the range of minimum $600 CAD shipped from the US.
 
Road the bike 450 km home last night (did not mind the ergos, seat is hard as is expected, thought I would get better gas mileage--60.8 imperial mpg) and when putting it away in my backyard, dropped it on one of the OEM bar-end mirrors. Pulled it out and straightened the bolt but the inner sleeve is stripped. Is there a way to the get a sleeve separately and thanks for any help. Absolutely loved riding it, but it is, obviously, not something a person would want to do a lot of highway touring on (without some upgrades).
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0097.JPG
    IMG_0097.JPG
    980.2 KB · Views: 8
Last edited:
Lozion said:
Damn Shame..
Do you have the original bar weights? You can use the original screw I think..
Click to expand...
No, did not come with the original weights and I can order a new screw but it is the inner, threaded aluminum sleeve that needs to be replaced as the threads are gone. Tried to retap it to 7mm (it is 6/1.0) but no success there.

As punishment for being an idiot when tired, ordered a new OEM mirror so will now have a spare, problem solved when it arrives.
 
Last edited:
I personally have not had any luck with that type of expansion sleeve, I always make them loose just going next to my bike...

That is why I use the other type, similar to this:

Screenshot_20230905-065445_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom