Who is getting one?

OttawaRider said:
Bonjour d'Ottawa ! That's what I heard from my dealership about 10 days ago, that they should get the first ones next week. But until they have their hands on them, I only remain moderately hopeful... So waiting for a phone call early next week maybe.
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The latest from my dealer is they should have news "next month". :( Sounds vague.
 
OttawaRider said:
Bonjour d'Ottawa ! That's what I heard from my dealership about 10 days ago, that they should get the first ones next week. But until they have their hands on them, I only remain moderately hopeful... So waiting for a phone call early next week maybe.
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Check in Hawksbury, I know they had one on order..
 
GeoKrpan said:
I saw a comparison of the 801 and 790. It said the 790 had steeper geometry and was more nimble and the 801 was more stable but still handles well.

If handling were the only consideration I might choose the 790, it's way cheaper, but it's looks can't compare.
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I appreciate your thoughtful comparison. You're right that the choice between these two bikes involves several key considerations. Here's my take:

Customization: Both bikes would likely get a facelift to match my preferences. The KTM would need a panel repaint, while the Husky would get custom tank panels or a custom tank. It's a choice between edgy futuristic or neo-modern styling.

Riding priority: My location greatly influences this. SoCal offers sport riding heaven, favoring the KTM. Florida's grid layout with less inspiring roads might lean towards the 801's comfort.

Off-road capability: While neither is truly off-road oriented, the 801 might handle hardpack and graded gravel slightly better.

Uniqueness: I prefer out-of-the-ordinary bikes. The 801 stands out more, though neither reaches the artistic level of MV Agusta or Ducati.

Handling: This is crucial. The steering head angle (typically 23-25° for sport bikes) significantly impacts behavior. As an experienced amateur rider, I'm focusing on how these differences play out in my most frequent riding scenarios:
  • KTM 790 Duke: Slightly steeper angle for enhanced agility and quicker steering in sport riding.
  • Svartpilen 801: Slightly more relaxed angle, balancing agility and stability for varied conditions.
Real-world implications:
  • KTM: Marginally more responsive in tight corners and quick direction changes.
  • Svartpilen: Potentially better stability on rough surfaces or during light off-road use.
Ultimately, my decision hinges on which riding scenarios I'll encounter most often. It's about matching the bike's strengths to my typical riding conditions and style preferences.

To acknowledge the heart of these machines being Asian, here's the Chinese wisdom I'm internalizing:
  • Precision:细微之差，千里之别。Xìwēi zhī chā, qiānlǐ zhī bié."A subtle difference can lead to a thousand miles of divergence."
  • Rider skill relevance:初学观山，专家辨石。Chūxué guān shān, zhuānjiā biàn shí."A novice sees the mountain, an expert notices the rocks."
  • Context:一叶知秋，未必知春。Yī yè zhī qiū, wèibì zhī chūn."One leaf tells of autumn, but doesn't necessarily speak of spring."
  • Balanced comparison:鱼与熊掌，各有所长。Yú yǔ xióng zhǎng, gè yǒu suǒ cháng."Fish and bear paw each have their strengths."
  • Decision-making:权衡细节，方见全局。Quánhéng xìjié, fāng jiàn quánjú."Weigh the details to see the whole picture."
 
I’m kind of getting sick of all these new parallel twin engines. They are just a cost cutting measure to a real 90 degree V-Twin which has perfect primary balance without need for additional balance shafts. Ducati built a reputation on this fact.
Now it’s just image and marketing of different brands of the same Chinese built/supplied bikes coming from Pierre Mobility Group. Live with your own choice.
 
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In the spirit of self-discovery, and as a fellow passionate rider:

I've realized I dwell on what should be. My biases have been hard to soften - some I accept as anchored, while others I'm working to flex. Yet, in a small way, I'm finding that every evolution of our passion becomes a journey of discovery. The frustrations of others make me think. 'Live with your own choice' indeed offers a profound perspective.

In acknowledging others' freedom to choose, we cultivate wisdom. Like a skilled rider navigating a turn, this attitude points towards harmony. Just as a motorcycle benefits from both acceleration and braking, progress thrives on passionate advocacy and thoughtful consideration. Each perspective contributes valuably to the discourse. It's not easy for me to open my mind, old dog. Trying harder these days to find joy in the journey, appreciating the diversity of our chariots and each other.

If Confucius were my shrink and wanted to challenge me on my hurdles with 790cc, he'd piss me off trying to be wise with a twist:

On parallel twin engines: "He who dismisses the twin cylinders side by side, forgets that even parallel lines can lead to great journeys."

On V-twin superiority: "The rider knows that perfect balance comes not from the engine alone but from the harmony between rider and machine. Even a stone can be smooth if you polish it enough."

On Ducati's reputation: "A great name is like a heavy burden. One must be careful not to trip over it while walking backward."

On cost-cutting measures: "The richer man feels the prestige of worth, while the wiser man considers the value gained. An expensive shoe may cost the race."

On brand homogenization: "When all flowers in the garden look the same, perhaps it is time to clean one's spectacles."

On Chinese manufacturing: "Before declaring all bowls made from the same clay are fired to equal strength, one should visit the potters and kilns."

Thank you for making me think about bikes - and our opinions - with an open mind, ready to learn from each turn in the road and each perspective we encounter. For in the end, it is not just the destination, but the journey and the growth along the way that truly matters.
 
You are very welcome.
Real motorcycle:rider learning comes from experiencing reality (Note: History counts).
Ride a Suzuki SV650 & a 801 to make a wise decision with a gut feeling having a much greater precedence than one’s eyes alone.
By the way, I love my Triumph Speed Twin even though it’s a 270 degree crank instead of 360 degrees… realizing an acceptance of change. ;-)
Cheers & best wishes

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Auus Sven-Li said:
I appreciate your thoughtful comparison. You're right that the choice between these two bikes involves several key considerations. Here's my take:

Customization: Both bikes would likely get a facelift to match my preferences. The KTM would need a panel repaint, while the Husky would get custom tank panels or a custom tank. It's a choice between edgy futuristic or neo-modern styling.

Riding priority: My location greatly influences this. SoCal offers sport riding heaven, favoring the KTM. Florida's grid layout with less inspiring roads might lean towards the 801's comfort.

Off-road capability: While neither is truly off-road oriented, the 801 might handle hardpack and graded gravel slightly better.

Uniqueness: I prefer out-of-the-ordinary bikes. The 801 stands out more, though neither reaches the artistic level of MV Agusta or Ducati.

Handling: This is crucial. The steering head angle (typically 23-25° for sport bikes) significantly impacts behavior. As an experienced amateur rider, I'm focusing on how these differences play out in my most frequent riding scenarios:
  • KTM 790 Duke: Slightly steeper angle for enhanced agility and quicker steering in sport riding.
  • Svartpilen 801: Slightly more relaxed angle, balancing agility and stability for varied conditions.
Real-world implications:
  • KTM: Marginally more responsive in tight corners and quick direction changes.
  • Svartpilen: Potentially better stability on rough surfaces or during light off-road use.
Ultimately, my decision hinges on which riding scenarios I'll encounter most often. It's about matching the bike's strengths to my typical riding conditions and style preferences.

To acknowledge the heart of these machines being Asian, here's the Chinese wisdom I'm internalizing:
  • Precision:细微之差，千里之别。Xìwēi zhī chā, qiānlǐ zhī bié."A subtle difference can lead to a thousand miles of divergence."
  • Rider skill relevance:初学观山，专家辨石。Chūxué guān shān, zhuānjiā biàn shí."A novice sees the mountain, an expert notices the rocks."
  • Context:一叶知秋，未必知春。Yī yè zhī qiū, wèibì zhī chūn."One leaf tells of autumn, but doesn't necessarily speak of spring."
  • Balanced comparison:鱼与熊掌，各有所长。Yú yǔ xióng zhǎng, gè yǒu suǒ cháng."Fish and bear paw each have their strengths."
  • Decision-making:权衡细节，方见全局。Quánhéng xìjié, fāng jiàn quánjú."Weigh the details to see the whole picture."
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Bravo! I'm in SoCal too, 10 minutes from the Rock Store in Malibu. That's why I favor small, light bikes.
 
Hi Everyone. My dealer finally got in the 801 and I am first on the list to receive it. I am coming from the super sport world and was looking at an 801 to complement that experience. Curious what have been people's impressions of the bike - highs, lows? Unfortunately the dealer won't let me test drive it which complicated the purchase for me.
 
Portable_Guru said:
Aprilia rs660 and ducati v2
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I only have recent experience with test-riding the Aprilia RS660 when also test-riding the KTM 790 Duke. I have neither ridden a Ducati Streetfighter nor a Ducati V2 Panigale. A test ride is a must, as you know. Trust Your Gut: If you love the looks and the idea of a versatile, characterful bike, the 801 is likely to put a big smile on your face. As we learn over time, every bike is a compromise.

The 801 may offer a unique blend of style, performance, and versatility that's hard to find elsewhere. That's why I check this forum while it's yet to be released to U.S. dealers for me to go and play with one. Also, there seem to be few active forum communities for the new 801 that have volume postings. I am interested if anyone can recommend any to augment this forum.

I regret that I can't share impressions of the Husqvarna 801. The Aprilia I rode has a more committed riding position - a major difference from the Husqvarna, which has the most relaxed position of the bikes you're talking about. Intended use is the key thing. The Aprilia is track-focused, the Ducati is designed for aggressive street riding, and the Husqvarna is the most versatile for varied street riding. The 799cc parallel twin is a gem. Plenty of power for spirited riding, but also smooth and tractable at lower revs. It's a big change from the high-revving scream of a supersport, but the mid-range torque is addictive in its way.

The thing that has me on the fence about a Svartpilen is a key aspect of its road-going versatility. It seems only engineered to handle paved streets and roads but looks superficially designed to mimic light off-road usability. I am not sure I want to compromise my ability to zoom on gravel and hardpack dirt roads to only bottom-out suspension travel on the unforeseen rut, bump, root, rock, and washboard-rippling that can't be planned for at speed. The flexibility it provides over a supersport is mostly comfort-based.

Transitioning from the supersport world to this bike will offer a different experience, which could nicely complement a riding style looking to be more upright and relaxed, for longer rides, daily commuting, and running errands. This is the reason it is on my shortlist. I'll test-ride it for the 799cc parallel-twin performance and chassis more for its service performing its secondary duty and manners on spirited canyon carving than its primary function for me and street use.
 
Auus Sven-Li said:
I only have recent experience with test-riding the Aprilia RS660 when also test-riding the KTM 790 Duke. I have neither ridden a Ducati Streetfighter nor a Ducati V2 Panigale. A test ride is a must, as you know. Trust Your Gut: If you love the looks and the idea of a versatile, characterful bike, the 801 is likely to put a big smile on your face. As we learn over time, every bike is a compromise.

The 801 may offer a unique blend of style, performance, and versatility that's hard to find elsewhere. That's why I check this forum while it's yet to be released to U.S. dealers for me to go and play with one. Also, there seem to be few active forum communities for the new 801 that have volume postings. I am interested if anyone can recommend any to augment this forum.

I regret that I can't share impressions of the Husqvarna 801. The Aprilia I rode has a more committed riding position - a major difference from the Husqvarna, which has the most relaxed position of the bikes you're talking about. Intended use is the key thing. The Aprilia is track-focused, the Ducati is designed for aggressive street riding, and the Husqvarna is the most versatile for varied street riding. The 799cc parallel twin is a gem. Plenty of power for spirited riding, but also smooth and tractable at lower revs. It's a big change from the high-revving scream of a supersport, but the mid-range torque is addictive in its way.

The thing that has me on the fence about a Svartpilen is a key aspect of its road-going versatility. It seems only engineered to handle paved streets and roads but looks superficially designed to mimic light off-road usability. I am not sure I want to compromise my ability to zoom on gravel and hardpack dirt roads to only bottom-out suspension travel on the unforeseen rut, bump, root, rock, and washboard-rippling that can't be planned for at speed. The flexibility it provides over a supersport is mostly comfort-based.

Transitioning from the supersport world to this bike will offer a different experience, which could nicely complement a riding style looking to be more upright and relaxed, for longer rides, daily commuting, and running errands. This is the reason it is on my shortlist. I'll test-ride it for the 799cc parallel-twin performance and chassis more for its service performing its secondary duty and manners on spirited canyon carving than its primary function for me and street use.
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Really appreciate that thoughtful input. Saw the bike yesterday in person. Beautiful. I decided to put off the purchase. Just recently got the Ducati and would like more time with it.

Anyone know if the camshaft issues on the KTM were resolved or is it still a possible issue on the 801?
 
Portable_Guru said:
...Just recently got the Ducati and would like more time with it.

Anyone know if the camshaft issues on the KTM were resolved or is it still a possible issue on the 801?
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Which V2? Streetfighter or Panigale?

I didn't mention that I admittedly suffer from regional manufacturing bias. So, the CF Moto 790cc twin's premature wear on the camshaft lobes is an emotional hurdle for me. When the time comes that I choose my next bike, I hope that what this matter is all about is clear. The exact cause of these issues is still debated in KTM forums.

I am tracking two camps. One claims KTM may have inherent design weaknesses in the engine or its components. The other claims factory manufacturing defects with the quality control of certain parts, like the camshafts themselves or the tensioners.

Regardless, even a small percentage of reports related to reduced engine performance, unusual noises, and a few engine failures are worth some of us passing on this first year of the motor. For those in the majority and having fun with their bikes being problem-free, there is hope that it boils down to improper maintenance, such as using the wrong oil or not changing it frequently enough.

KTM has acknowledged the issue and offered repairs in some cases, there's no official recall. It's good to research this issue thoroughly and factor it into a decision. It's also worth noting that CF Moto has reportedly made some tweaks to the engine in their version of the 790. However, it's still too early to say definitively whether these changes to CF Moto branded models have completely resolved the camshaft issues.
 
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