As the name implies the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto is a supermoto motorcycle powered by a big-bore 693cc single-cylinder engine pulled from the KTM 690 Duke. The Husky is a lightweight package (claimed 319 pounds) that delivers plenty of hooligan character, encouraging the Continental ContiAttack Supermoto front wheel to rise on the track or road. Buckets of electronic rider aids are available including cornering ABS, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, ride modes, and easy shift (up and down quickshifter) as standard. Apexes beware.
We found that the 2017 701 Supermoto was “a fantastic platform for just about everything” from canyon roads, track tarmac, or daily riding.
The Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 serves as one of the Supermoto’s competition, but we also ran it in an earlier comparison test against the Ducati Hypermotard 939 and KTM 690 Duke. We found the Husky “is not overwhelmingly uncomfortable or impractical, however, and in a lot of ways the bike is more than its design initially leads you to believe it would be, Husqvarna engineers having very clearly tuned the engine to offer more than just around-town antics…of all three bikes, this is the one you’d actually consider taking to a trackday at your local kart track.”
The electronics suite is all-new for 2020 as are some fresh new graphics and bodywork.