Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1105267
2019 HUSQVARNA SVARTPILEN 701 FIRST REVIEW P100 2018 HUSQVARNA SVARTPILEN 701 ($11,999) Engine:...............Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single Displacement: .........................................692.7cc Bore x stroke: .................................105 x 80mm Compression ratio: .................................... 12.8:1 Power:...................................75 hp @ 8500 rpm Torque:.............................. 53 lb-ft. @ 6750 rpm Clutch: .... APTC slipper clutch, wet multi-plate Transmission: ......................................... 6-speed Chassis: ...................Chrome-moly trellis frame, powder-coated Front suspension: ......43mm WP inverted fork Rear suspension: ........WP Monoshock w/ link Front wheel travel: .................................... 5.9 in. Rear wheel travel: ..................................... 5.9 in. Front brake: .....Radial-mount Brembo 4-piston caliper, 320mm disc, ABS Rear brake: ........ Brembo single-piston caliper, 240mm disc, ABS Front tire: ...............Pirelli MT60RS, 110/80 R18 Rear tire: ............... Pirelli MT60RS, 160/60 R17 Steering head angle: .....................................65° Wheelbase: ..............................................56.5 in. Seat height: ...........................................32.87 in. Fuel capacity: .........................................3.17 gal. Weight (dry, claimed): ...........................349 lbs. (Above) Lots of information packed into a little screen. Why does the tachometer go up to 13,000 even though redline is before 9000? Husqvarna offers optional aluminum mirrors. They look great, but they vibrate so much that it's hard to see what's behind you. You'll get Brembo brakes with Bosch 9M ABS, adjustable WP suspension, up and down quickshifter, and a slipper clutch. The heart of the machine is a KTM 690 Duke-derived engine with dual counterbalancers that produces 75 horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. Spec sheet hunters could discuss plenty of other numbers, but the most important one here is 349, the claimed dry weight in pounds. That's a dainty figure for a 650cc-plus motorcycle, and it's the main reason why the Svartpilen is so much fun. When a street bike weighs this little, it makes the dynamic aspects of handling, acceleration and braking much better. In town, the Svartpilen is a lovely machine. The new handlebars are tall and wide, providing excellent leverage to dodge potholes or find the best line through a corner. The power-to-weight ratio is good enough to beat out your competitors in traffic, and S P E C I F I C A T I O N S