Nice to see a new publication with Simon Pavey's son at the helm!
I've seen the Husky 701 in person. Would have had a sit, but too tall.

With a 36" seat height, it's too tall for me. In my Enduro race days I could have handled it but now, if it were loaded up, might be a bit tough and embarrassing.

The 701 Husky engine got exact same upgrades as my 2017 690 Duke got back in 2016. HP and torque figures vary slightly from publication to publication, my '17 690 duke is listed at 73 HP/ 55 ft. lbs. So, pretty close all round between Husky 701 and KTM 690 Duke.

Basically, KTM did a whole new engine in '16 and that is what is in the Husky 701 with minor differences.
Biggest change is balancer shaft arrangement for smoother running. My Duke is certainly better than earlier versions or my old 2001 Duke ll, but it's clearly still a THUMPER!

It's got a ton of power for a single and on a twisty road can keep pace with just about any bike or rider ... even guys on 1290's. At some point ... it's all about the rider. A fast guy could really rip it up on my 690. Mine has a Nitron shock, still need to do Andreani fork kit ... forks not great in standard form.

The 690 Duke also comes with the fancy TFT dash that the Husky doesn't have. ... which in bright Sun sometimes does not read well. In low light, it's amazingly BRIGHT! (too bright?)

As the review in Brake mentioned, that Husky will not be great as a travel bike as delivered. They didn't go into details, but I could see making it RTW ready might get expensive.

3.4 gallon tank, not enough. I spent $150 for my IMS 5.2 gallon tank on my DR650. Range up to about 220 miles plus reserve. A minimum for a travel bike, IMHO.

Other issue is rear sub frame and luggage. I'm sure the bike is an absolute DELIGHT to ride and if it could be cost effective to trick it out for travel ... then I might be on board. But for me, I'm thinking lower, lighter and CHEAPER!

But for your use around England, seems like the perfect Hooligan weapon, making punters on sports bikes look foolish in the twisty bits ... just remember to watch your (VIBEY!) mirrors as they Whistle by you at 160 mph once back on the straight roads.

My Duke is a lot of fun, but I'm probably going to sell. Only had it two months! (yes, I am truly an idiot!)

I'm just not the young aggressive rider I once was. How I made it out of that period alive, is quite a miracle ... but a story for another day.

I just can't use what the 690 has anymore. I know it's there ...
no way can I get there most of the time.

I do love a lot of things about the bike: Handling is very good ... but forks need work. Stock seat is very good too ... OK for at least two hours before a break needed. (Corbin seat on my DR650 is good for 4 hours easily)

Fuel economy is remarkably good. Seat height is VERY low at just 32.5 inches. Perfect for me.

But not ideal for travel and not great fast highway cruising all day riding with a group of Hooligans on 1200cc bikes averaging 80 mph for a full tank worth of miles.




OK, back ON TOPIC and more about the CRF Rally! Enough of these BIG KTM's and Huskies!