She seems to have some knowledge of the design behind the aesthetics. The filthy casuals among us would appreciate some enlightenment on motorcycle design if that's a field of expertise of hers.
I love how genuinely excited and passionate you are about your Svart. I'm a Vitpilen 701 owner and an Austrian (living in Canada) myself and I couldn't agree more. WHAT an amazing bike (and I had LOTS of bikes before)
@@spencerholtzman1151 I'm actually not crazy about KTM! I honestly think a lot of them are pretty ugly bikes and some of the tech in them like the gauges make them seem really cheap.
@@arpadrideg9864 Spoked rims are generally less rigid then there cast counterpart leading to slightly worse handling on-road. Also most spoked rims are not airtight and so need tire tubes to keep pressure making replacing tires and flats a pain in the ass. The reason you still see them today is mainly because they can take a lot more hard impacts than cast rims, hence being very useful for offroad applications. In the case of this street bike though it's more about retro aesthetics than function.
When I was picking out my first bike I sat on one of these and before I did the salesman said, "The seat is a bit of an acquired taste" and after sitting on it I said, "Oh, you mean it's uncomfortable." He nodded.
I love the Svartpilen and our local dealer had the 701 on sale for $8000, so I figure I'd go take a look. I'm not in the market for a new bike yet. After sitting on it I though I would still like one as a second bike, but couldn't replace my daily 😆. I guess I 'm to old and spoiled. I was originally looking for a 401 anyway.
@@davidklementis5913 I ended up getting an SV650 but the 401 was the other bike I was considering at the time. I sat on the 701 because it's the same ergos but heavier, essentially. I just hated the seat. But otherwise it's a great bike and I can see why people would want it. The looks are outstanding, I absolutely adore it.
husky/ktm are killing it right now in the "bikes I want that are way too expensive for me to consider buying" segment. wish they'd do a 390 smc r/401 supermoto for around the price of the 390 duke/401 pilens. shit would have me rushing to the KTM/Husky dealer ASAP.
Hell yeah dude I love my svarty. The mirrors were just awful and the stock can was a little quiet but fix those and it’s the perfect bike. Absolutely no regrets
I've enjoyed the first 1500 miles on my 2000 Svartpilen 701. Only mods, fuel dongle and slip on as it's already a torque monster. Did add the Puig windscreen and it makes sitting up at 55 mph more manageable for my larger frame. Pros: Featherweight in the corners (SO FUN) with all the power you want. (12.1 sec 1/4mile) Buy the same motor/frame as KTM or 70 1 Husky SM and you'll pay $12500 ($3.5K more!) Distinct big bore thumper sound. Cons: Low weight leaves you dancing to wind gusts on faster highways if you don't tuck.
It's definitely a different type of video. Loved every second. I do really enjoy this type of vibe. it's a bit more laid back but in a very nice kind of way.
@@jafo4u508 haven't had a go on the trident. Different engines though, one's a smooth triple and the other is a wild single. Do what works best for you. Though the 701 Vitpilen has been cancelled now so you would need to find used. Which isn't a bad thing long term for me... they're getting more rare.
Been looking for 401. No one has it in stock, waiting arrival. Found one 400 miles away (ironic) 6hour drive. Picking up next weekend.. Super excited. Great vid
I was so sure this was a Swedish motorcycle, for sure because Svartpilen means, The black arrow in Swedish, and Vitpilen means the white arrow. Today i learned Husvarna is based in Austria :)
It is swedish although Husqvarna has been bought by KTM which is Austrian... By the way Husqvarna is also the name of a town in south of Sweden from where the brand was founded Husqvarna is also one of the biggest manufacturers of chainsaws... Anyway, i ought to know as live about 90 miles from Husqvarna...
@@kusanagi6937 they USED to be Swedish a LONG time ago. They are literally MADE in Austria on the same production lines as KTMs. They don't "get a lot of parts from KTM", they ARE KTMs
Whitney, this bike's been on my short list for almost 2 years now and I'm just not sure if it's worth the extra 4K versus the 401. I'm a very experienced rider so the power isn't a thing it's just that it costs so much more. You're absolutely becoming my favorite motorcycle RU-vidr right now. Sorry yam and spite, there's a new sheriff in town! 😁
Informative review thanks. Though I would say even as a European who filters through busy roads all the time, take it easy when going past queues of cars. Just takes one person to change lanes and not look....
"I thought it was gonna feel like a sewing machine on steroids" As someone with more experience on a sewing machine than a motorcycle, and as someone with a motorcycle that looks like a vintage sewing machine, I think this might just be the new bike I'm looking for.
Converted my Vit701 by using triple clamp/bar from the Svartpilen after 1000 km and did a tail tidy - perfect. Best bike I ever had. One piece of advice - before you spend your money on a slip-on - just take off the air box lid. Due to design there was a major change compared to the duke 690’s original air box design that literally strangles that glorious engine. Buttmeter says +5 bhp between 4000-8000 rpm @ zero cost. But first break it in properly, aye?!
@@maxbrap 600 Euro, no big difference. I guess it comes down to what look you rather like. I like the Vit slightly better - it’s a close call though, I’ll give you that, bro
I have been trying to decide between the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Triumph Trident, but the nearest dealer of either is 2 hours away so I haven't had a chance to swing a leg over either. My biggest concern for the Svartpilen was that it would have a lot of vibration at highway speeds, so I am glad to hear that it felt fine to you.
R.J. Beore, I just got the bike and rode 70 miles home on the freeway on a very windy day. And no vibrations. It is counterbalanced. This is my first single and it is amazing!
I would recommend replacing the clutch slave cylinder before it fails on you (if it hasn't already). They have a faulty design where the seal leaks brake fluid. 400 miles into mine it failed. I would also recommend getting rottweilers fuel dongle that makes your bike operate under a specific fuel map that allows it to run a lot smoother in lower RPMs. Other than that it's a good bike
As a owner of a Svartpilen I can give you two cons: One, The seat is very uncomfortable on ling rides, I am looking for an after market. Of course, a light weight person will fell less. Two, it has less space for luggage so if you are into touring adjusting luggage becomes a task.
I got a vitpilen 701 and my friends said it sounded like a sewing machine on steroids too 🤣 but it all changed when I got the midpipe. Now it sounds like a overly angry dirt bike. But I enjoy it more than any other bike I've owned. Great video.
HI Whitney! I took your advice and looked at the 701 Svart, and purchased the bike last week. It is everything that you said it was! This bike brings all of the feelings that got me into motorcycling in the first place. I was looking for something that was lighter than my Road King and an all around motorcycle that looked good as well. I actually like to go in my garage and look at my bike. Anyway, can you do an update on your bike? How is it going now? How many miles and your service experiences and cost etc. But, some kind of update. Is the bike still what you had hoped it to be? Is it still your forever bike etc. I would like to hear more about you and this bike if possible. Also it appears that the 701 has been discontinued and it is hard to believe giving the quality of the bike. Many people feel like the looks of the bike is polarizing to them. What are your thoughts about any of this and thanks so much for your review!
Good job Whitney, enjoyed the presentation! You bring a nice, new perspective. Love the bike! I was riding my desert sled at Moab, and met a lady who was considering a Sled, but bought one of these instead. Glad to see people buying these!
I went to the only Husky dealer within hundreds of miles of me yesterday to find them 100% depleted of not only the 701s but the 401s too. AND just to make it an even more awesome day, the salesman told me Husky is about to do away with the 701 altogether to make way for something more in the 900 range... Welp, guess I'll watch this vid now and fantasize about what might have been... :(
Other than those ugly Rabbit Ear Rear View Mirrors, you just sold a bike for them, I was on the fence with a Triumph Trident 660, but now I want this bike as my first beautiful bike, your voice is so calming, and if we as a community don't get Whitney Wednesdays I'm going to just buy another car! What a great review and a great voice, not annoying or high pitchy! Very soothing and relaxing to watch this video! Papa Yam you have a keeper brother.
Awesome looking bike, I’ve been edging closer to getting one too. Had a 2009 690Duke which until the Svartpilen was the coolest crazy looking, best handling wheelstand machine out there. Good choice!
My constructive criticism is to add more specific details and when you say the xsr is replaced as your go to, why is that? I suspect the answer is, but please correct me if I'm wrong, this is simply a premium bike with brembo brakes, a much better suspension which is also adjustable, approx 40 lbs lighter at 369 lbs which is very light due to it's largest single cylinder on the market helping to provide excellent handling. I think Royal Jordanian said it had an excellent gel seat iirc as well. The down side in comparison to the xsr700 is the sound imo. I think the xsr has the best sound in this class even after hearing someone put an exhaust on the trident although it's still early days with the trident. I think I'm gonna go with a used xsr700, two brothers exhaust and maybe upgrade suspension to the Ohlins nix. I figure it's easier to upgrade the suspension than put my fav motor, the CP2 into one of the other bikes 🤔. Thanks for the video Whitney.
Just bought one of these, my first bike. love it! Had to get bar end mirrors though, can’t see behind your shoulders without leaning with the stock mirrors. Can’t wait to get past the 1km break in period! One thing to look out for, there is an o-ring in the slave cylinder in the clutch that failed that needed to be replaced preventing the clutch from disengaging. Very dangerous for beginner riders like myself. Fortunately for me it happened at the dealership when the salesman was bringing it around to my truck. Be mindful of that
I don't think this is talked about enough. I got a 2019, barely put on a little over 400 miles and had that happen. Now the bike is waiting in the shop for 3 months waiting for parts from Husqvarna/KTM. Having to wait 3+ months is BS.
@@michaelball6169 Damn that’s shitty. My dealer told me they replaced it with a Brembo o-ring instead of the stock brand because its a little thicker and seats in the position better. Mention that, maybe it’ll help you out. Good luck. Haven’t had any issues since and I have about 2500 miles
I've had my eye on this bike lately as well. What a surprise to see this great review. 369lbs More Svartpilen please... This is definitely a 4ever bike!!
I haven't had a chance to ride the Svartpilen(cool way to say Black Arrow, by the way), but I know the engine from the 701 Supermoto I rented to do some trails last year. That's the only dualsport I'll ever love, and it's all up to that motor!
I love these bikes, but after buying a new 401, not being able to get parts for it is super annoying. I wanted to get the 701, but not being able to order parts from the dealer because they can’t get them really sucks. I still can’t even get an oil filter for this thing.. Been waiting for about a month. Before buying I would’ve never thought this would be an issue.
Hi Whitney, I picked up an unsold 2018 Vitpilen 701 because I am a child of the end of the café racer era. I love the big thumping single, the light weight, handling is fantastic. I was also considering the 890 Duke R, but it felt like a dirt bike. The Vitpilen felt like a naked sport bike, did I mention my first motorcycle was a café racer style Suzuki? My one thing I didn’t like was the round rear view mirrors, so I replaced them with bar end mirrors.
You go girl! So happy you got yourself this bike that you obviously love. Nice job in your video. Hell; my wife can't handle our Vespa 300! Have a great day!!! Illinois,U.S.A.
@@jaskirat1999 in an urban area it is awesome. Super nimble. The seating position is straight up and down so your back should be pretty comfortable; however, going over 60mph the wind beats the shit out of you. Had to get a wind screen for long hauls!
@@trobob2690 ahh alright, I’m probably gonna just ride around the city 90% of the time. There’s a new 2019 model at my local dealer... might have to go snag it. Thanks for the info! :)
@@jaskirat1999 Just remember to get svartpilen If you want the relaxed ergos. There is also the vitpilen model which has Clip ons and is pretty much a cafe racer.
Please do a comparison / joint ride video alongside Yam on the Trident. You got both bikes in the stable, they are likely both being looked at by experienced learners and have lots of similarities?!
I loved that! Fun video that really captures the joy of riding, especially when your bike it lush. I’m a Svart 401 owner and devotee so Whitney’s video was weirdly like being projected into another person’s reality. Thanks for going easy on me Whitney ;-)
Love the Review and I Love that we have the same Taste in Bikes. I definitely think she provided an honest and genuine heart felt review which makes it more meaningful then just data. After this video and a KTM Duke 890R video. I’m definitely sold on both over the XSR 900 I was originally considering.
Definitely want the vitpilen for my second bike but that’s a long ways away XD glad to see more content from Whitney she has a pretty different perspective from yam and spite so it’s always interesting.
