Husqvarna 701 SM is brilliant fun but is also more capable than you might think. 

6000 miles on my 2019 from new, original clutch slave, 3 new rear and 2 new front tyres, 8 track days, weekly supermarket runs with my 12yr old son on the back, frequent school runs,,,, and always fun. These make way more sense than most motorcyclist would ever believe.

15000 KM on my 2018 701SM without any problems at all. I even went from the Netherlands to south France for a week riding the hills of France, no problems at all. I have found the perfect bike for me 👌🏻❤️

I own a 2021 Husky 701 SM. When in " mode 1/ Street " the more balanced mode both front and back wheel ABS is activated. Turn to "mode 2/ Sport " and ABS is still enabled on the front but deactivated on the back wheel. This is called "supermoto mode" and is widely used in tracks or as a hooligan style to be able to slide etc :). You are also able to turn the ABS off completely! So it does got a few options here :)

bought this as my first bike at 34 and let me tell you thats the best move ive made in my life. I plan to keep it forever.

Had mine since 2018 and love it,it commutes pretty much all year round and does 2 or 3 track-days a year,only let me down once( fuel pump failure)..the 701 reignited my love for motorcycles again after getting bored of feathering throttle on litre bikes on public roads for 15 years!everyone should try one at some point!

My slave cylinder problems story. 2018 701sm purchased from new. Slave failed at 6000 miles, seal had swollen and ripped. Replaced with Oberon. 8000 miles ish. Clutch fluid had turned black, Magura clutch pump got real stiff and failed. Pulled in and wouldn't realise. Replaced with Adelin 14/18 radial clutch pump as a complete Magura pump is nearly £300, bike just out of warranty. Clutch fluid continued to turn black, turns out that engine oil is getting past the Oberon boot seal, contaminating the fluid and killing the master cylinder seals "seal swell" the actual Oberon fluid seal is some sort of plastic seal that is brake fluid and engine oil resistant, so that has no problems with both fluids. Replaced Oberon boot seal with new from Oberon but fluid continued to turn black with engine oil contamination once again killing master cylinder pump seals. Replaced pump seals with new 64p Adelin seals "so much cheaper than the Magura seal kit at £54". Ditched the Oberon and reverted back to original slave cylinder as couldn't cure the engine oil getting past the rubber boots seal on the Oberon and contaminating the clutch fluid. This time though I purchased a new 2020 model inner seal kit for the slave from Husqvarna, which is different to the 2018 model. It uses an O-ring seal which is different to the 2018 model seal but still fits the 2018 slave body, and the seals are replaceable with a 23id X 2mm/cs EPDM/70 O-ring for about £1 each. So far nearly 3k later, no problems, clutch fluid is staying clean and no seals are failing. If your fluid is turning black, you're probably following the same story as myself. Ditching the Oberon and going back to stock with the 2020+ slave kit £38 cured my fluid contamination problems and all now is well. P/S i also have an Adeline radial brake pump on to match the clutch pump "16/18" , over a year now and it has never missed a beat, no problems what so ever and fluid stays perfectly clear, brake performance is better than standard to. And as a matter of course, at every service i have/will replace the seal kits as they are only 64p per cylinder. Just goes to show how much profit is on original manufacturer equipment at £54 for the seals 🤔 hmmmmm, ripoff or what. Through my experience with this i would now stick with the original slave cylinder and just replace the seals "a quid each" rather than fitting the Oberon. Apart from that and one warped front disc at 1500 miles "warranty claim" the bike has been perfect!

I'm a 2 years experienced rider and after a first year of learning on a Svartpilen 401 last year decided to go for this gem. One year later couldn't be happier, it rewards me with lot's of fun every single time I ride it. It still have some issues, the first is a well known in the Magura hidraulic clutch that failed me in the same day I bought it and it was replaced by the dealer. The other is, as mentioned in the vídeo, the rock hard seat, wich I solved sending the seat to a seat pads and cover factory nearby. Other issue I found is in the gearbox because it was hard finding neutral when I wanted and solved that with a Proshift Kit. Also put a full Leo Vince Lv One full system, a Rottweiler intake and a PC5. This motorcycle is pure joy! Congrats on the video, greetings from Portugal!

By a wide margin the most fun bike I own and my collection includes a 1290R and Tuono. Suspension eats up real world roads with their bumps and tar snakes. Only thing it doesn’t do well is highway, it’s a bit nervous in my opinion. Great review; this channel is always entertaining and informative!

Good review thanx. I tend to agree. And guess what? The 701SM makes a great ADV bike! No kidding. If you want a genuine 50/50 all road bike, these things are brilliant. I thought a 19” front wheel ought to be the best compromise between 17 and 21” ala BMW GS1200. Well it works! I had a 19” built and only needed to purchase another abs rotor a standard disc rotor and standard disc spacer. The SM has the great brakes and less dive in the front end than the Enduro so is, as you know, great on the road but like a proper SM, it can handle low traction surfaces and jumps quite well. Tyre choice is the only compromise but I have found that the bike is so light that the % on/ off road bias of the tyres is less critical than on many other medium to large bikes used in this way. I’ve added a windshield, lower foot pegs, a GPR muffler ( much less heat build up in the exhaust now and it breathes better of course), a Seat Concepts seat for comfort and a Rade Garage 5litre Auxillary fuel tank kit( drops in between the top frame rails includes a much simpler, lighter air box that happens to up the torque a little). I’ve made a few other mods like a carbon fibre bash plate and best mod you can do to any bike, a very clever SMC steering damper( my second one and I wouldn’t be without one now). This damper makes the thing so confidence inspiring and sure footed on Any road or track or creek crossing it’s unbelievable, so the 701 is capable anywhere. The 17” front wheel can be swapped in in a few minutes since no modifications were needed to fit it to the SM whereas swapping wheels like this on the E model is much more involved. A few clicks on the forks and it’s back to full SM madness, simple. I’m finding that the bike is superior to the T700 ( I ride with several of them) in every way other than in highway cruising between anywhere there is a corner on or off road. The SM is not as smooth as the T700. The 701 easily out accelerates and out runs T700s! and of course is much better balanced and about 50kg lighter. Less so with KTM 890s but as the corners get closer together an or rougher, the SM walks over them too. Most other bikes with comparable performance and or price just can’t touch it. So there it is. Even better than we thought and getting around 80 hp is as easy as changing the air box and can. Without a doubt the most versatile bike of the 70 odd that I’ve owned, one of the most fun and one of the few I would buy again.

I have the old 2020 701sm. I love it. Of the four bikes I own, all ~700ccs, it is the only one I ride regularly. Basically every day. It’s like a BMX with rockets.

I actually just bought a 2021 model off the showroom floor in the USA. And of all the sms I've ridden. This one has taken then cake. I love it

If it wasn't so freaking expensive I'd buy it or the KTM.

Sold my MV Agusta 800 Brutale (2014) for a 701 SM (2017). The 701 is insane and entertaining bike. It is pure and simple; a Korner Killer. Changed the seat the first week I got the bike.

It will in time be a collectors bike in my view.I have the 2020 690 R.Can't not love it.Thanks.

I have the 2020 KTM 690 Enduro R, basically the same bike with larger wheels, and also an absolute hoot on the road.

I live in South Africa, Mpumalanga Swaziland Natal area, I've got my 2020 701 Enduro for two months now, had a drz 400sm for twelve years. The Enduro handles tight bends and bumps better than the Suzuki ever did, plus the mad amount of power just pull you through any sticky situation 👌 Great video, like always 😉

Great bike, I've got a 2018 model that I purchased from new. Sometimes I think about changing it, for something like a Ducati Hypermotard or the 1200 T scrambler, but there is just something about the look of the 701 that makes me keep it, even though sometimes I want a bigger bike. The only issue is the clutch which has failed twice now and although covered under warranty, I was pretty peeved when it failed after only about 1500 miles the first time and really peeved when it failed again. That said the bikes going back to the dealer this week, as I received a letter from Huskie recalling for a clutch upgrade, so hopefully they have fixed the problem. Enjoyed the video thanks.

I've got 33k on mine and still love riding it

Just watching this again. Might get one for the Algarve, where I live for three or four months a year. It would be perfect.

I have a 1290 super duke V3 which I totaly love but to compliment it I've ordered one of these. I had a Yamaha T7 as a second bike because I like to do a little off roading but my Ktm dealer lent me a 690 while my 1290 went in for a recall & I was immediately smitten. I live in a mountainous region in S/W france perfect for the 690 & faster than the 1290 on these roads & fun with a capital F. I often go into Spain to the Aragon region a bikers paradise & there are so many off road paths so I intend to fit some dual purpose tyres on the 701 & try a little off roading with it. Should get it in a couple of weeks.

Yes, in the box with the bike. I 😮see mine with my son on the back plenty of times and it was fine.

I’ve got a 2017 husky, that alone is mad fun. Couldn’t imagine riding anything else for a long time.

You're a brave man to ride like this on the French roads known for lots af gravel in all the wrong places.

"Racing to the bathroom in the middle of the night" is hardly a horrible analogy to those of us of an advanced age...tonight as I skip to the loo at 2 AM I will think to myself "you know I wish the traction control on my prostate was more intrusive than the traction control on that Husqvarna 701 SM!"

The foot pegs take 2 mins to fit. Simple bolt on. The come with the bike

An honest appraisal of this model. I’ve a 2019 701LR which I had Nomad ADV add a nav tower, windscreen, grip heaters and some extra bits to make it a touring bike. Like you, I live surrounded by wonderful twisting (Alpine) roads. The engine’s a dream for both on and off road and the standard seat is just ok for touring. Strangely enough, gel covers and padded cyclist pants make it more uncomfortable! It has some major points in its favour. 1. The engine’s a peach. And, 2. It makes me smile every time I ride it. The fact that it now looks even better after the additions is purely subjective. It carries a full set of soft (Mosko Moto) luggage after the addition of Nomad’s luggage racks. See you at the moto show at Barcelonette in September.

I toured southern Europe from England four times on an XT500, so I reckon you could on this. The one type of riding you only mentioned in passing. It needs the simple dash from the KLX300SM. It has a rev counter. Looks great fun.

I really fancy one of these. Much as I like supernakeds and sportbikes these sms are more fun and faster point to point on twisty back road.

I have the Duke 690 and I love it! That engine! The handling! The sound!

For a third world country people like me, this bike is a luxury, and I hope to own one in the future..

It also has a quick shifter 👌

Pop a wheelie for me brother 🤪

Most fun bike ive ever owned. Sold it over my zx10r to pay for an adventure bike for a europe trip. I regret not selling the sportsbike instead

You can order it with a more comfortable seat and bigger tank. And if you want, a windshield.

Isnt “the mode 2” the sharper one?

This is my dreambike

What a review. Trusted you on the R1250RS, and bought one. Exactly the same with this review. You are so passionate about bikes and riding, you are a real ambassador for every brand. And you shine a light on the not so positive aspects of the bike, instead of having a love/hate relationship with it. You sir, are a SIR. Kind regards from Belgium.

That French ban has stopped and its ok to filter again

Thanks for the video, not much out here on this bike, I will be racing mine

and They're only getting more and more reliable every year.

As Long as the fueling and gear box are good it sounds fantastic!

This review hit the nail on the head 👍! I purchased a 2021 KTM 690 SMC-R as a “second bike” to take the place of a back road sport bike, because my aging body will no longer withstand the “ass first into a trash can” riding position of most sport bikes 😜.

Phenomenal video

Background seen is Really attractive I love it and husqi 701❤️💙💛💚🧡♥️🍀🤞

you need an aftermarket clutch slave and front Break Disc to get around with no problems. Love my 2020 one 👍🏻🦾❤️

Top review of a top bike. Indeed you don't need a superbike to make you smile. The 701 and 690 smcr which I do own are ABSOLUTE hooooligan bikes. Sorry but they do turn you into a HOOOLIGAN. And as for a commuter. You ain't gonna get a better bike. I define any bike rider not to grin when riding one. I'd never be without an SM . And these unlike the converted enduro don't need an oil change after a trip to the shops

What ? A vid with husqy riding in HauteLoire ? Thank you very much !

There's only two problems: (1) the Hypermotard 950 is just a tiny bit more, and (2) there isn't a KTM 1290 SMR.

How reliable is it? For real? It is a handsome machine.

your review is fantastic, the only thing that needs improving is the mic situation while riding, get a zoom mic and record the exhaust and a better clip on mic for your helmet and mix them both

does it vibrate a a lot?

J'adore 701!!!

brilliant!! bravo Matt et "merci beaucoup" for this well done video, informative, enthusiastic and almost "French like".... what or where is the beautiful old chateau ruin?... I am sure the the Husky 701 is a great weapon for your roads an twisties in the Massif Central from what you project to us in the vid, but I am wondering if I should perhaps trade my 2021 S1000 XR for the 701 SM, here in Stilbaai, not far from similar twisties like yours in Brioude??....have fun, et a bientot! keep them coming!...will you ever come back to SA?...

A leaning trike front end would make it perfect

Thank you for uploading. I have watched your very good review of the KTM 890 Duke R. May I ask does the 701 handle as well as the Scalpel. I am considering the 890 against the 690. I ride a KTM 390 Duke at the moment. Here in SW France test rides are not easy to find.

Top reviews as usual. This is a great commuter but basically for someone who wants the look of an enduro it’s great. I would save all my cash and take a ktm adventure 390 and still be able to do some off-roading 🤓👌.

As for range, i can attest to it getting 253km on one tank (basically only riding 5th, 6th gear on sweeping roads with no sporty riding involved)

Makes me wish i was 20 years younger.

2019 701 husky sm w 16k miles of pure fun. I own other bikes but when I want to do it all, the husky comes out.😅

What was the fuel consumption after lets say spirited ride?

thats quite odd that your 701 is snappy in mode 1, when 2 is sport mode and 1 is street :O

What's the legality of signal lights? Is it required?

Good video :) I got a euro 5 (2021 EU model) and the engine is meh.. Waiting to get the ecu flashed or something.. Gearbox is meeeh.. And it is really expensive here in Denmark! 20k euro here, and you need to reflash ecu and get various upgrades.. Handling is fun though.. Btw the ABS has a supermoto mode (no abs on the backbrake).

Great review 😬, Shame most of you said about the electronics was completely wrong 🙄

great

Im too shortarse to fit but I would love a Supermoto😓

Mat I know you were initially stuck in Europe because of COVID19, you still haven’t made it home to RSA or have you decided to stay in Europe?

Rider mode 2 is no rear abs and anti lift off.

Had one for a short time. Great fun whilst riding but attracted the wrong sort of attention. And after two attempts to steal it, it had to go.

9000 rpm mindblowing? my single starts redline at 11000

Laughed at the seat discription

No wheelie no test

How can you say this bike has a lazy stereotype?! It's a supermoto, literally the opposite of lazy.

the in helmet audio is unacceptable. either sort it out, or over dub it in post. I want to like this video as the presenter seems authentic, but the poor audio literally woke my cat from a nap, at which point he shot a look of disgust at the screen and then left the room. I never finished the video.

Do I trade my 390 duke for the husky

Seriously you didn't take it off road, You drive a AWD to the mall and school and a Supermoto on the street.

very like, very need, but just my dream because very high price😁🥺⛏⛏⛏

Dude install a normal mic on the motorcycle… can t hear you clear now

Fabulous motorcycle totally overpriced for what it is.

No wheelies, what's wrong with you man? My one spends a lot of time on its rear wheel.

Great looking machine. I would never buy one though. 😎

No filtering in france ...ffs..🤡

Really good review but I think he wears adult diapers

1st

have the 21 here, the footpegs for passager are bolted in the same place, no need for drilling or stuff like that, besides that you just witnessed a bit of the bike, the more you ride it the more impressed you get, this has been the most fun bike i even owned and one of the most capable (had more than 10+ bikes before)