I love alternate history stories. You’re familiar with the type: The Man in The High Castle. What if the Allies lost World War II? What if Richard Nixon hadn’t resigned? What if Hunter S.
Thompson was elected sheriff of Aspen Colorado.
Okay, so that last thought isn’t really a book…but it should. It’s fun sometimes to speculate about what might have happened if history took a different turn.
The Husqvarna 701 Enduro is the best example of what could have happened if the single-cylinder engine was still popular.
Husky recently sent me the 701 Enduro for a test ride. Here’s what I discovered.
Husqvarna 701 Enduro Overview
Thumper madness
You’re capable of pushing the bike beyond the boundaries of what you’d generally anticipate from a thumper.” Nothing has changed much.
Things have altered in reality. The 701 Enduro now has the same engine that drives the Duke 690 R giving it the equivalent of 74 horsepower at 8000 RPM and 54 lb-ft torque at 6500 RPM with no noticeable modifications from the prior model.
It still has two counterbalancers for a very smooth ride. There is also an electronic throttle.
Riding on the edge
No matter if you’re speeding, or slower, when you drop an arm over the 701 Enduro You’re always riding at the edge.
This is because the seat’s 36-inch height is taller than many people’s comfort zones. And it’s also quite difficult. It demonstrates the 701’s roots as a dirt bike definitely.
And so does the suspension. The 701 isn’t a complete dirt bike however the WP XPLOR fork and shocks are strong and off-road-friendly. Don’t expect the soft ride that Japanese twins provide.
Husqvarna 701 Enduro Features
Engine
An electronic, single-overhead-camshaft, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine.
This lightweight engine’s highest power rating of 55 kW (74 horsepower) at 8,000 RPM and torque rating of 73.5 Nm at 6,500 RPM inspire confidence in the driver.
Frame
The trellis’s frame is made of quality chrome-molybdenum steel and is meant to deliver precise handling and inspire confidence in the riders.
Through accurate estimations of torsional stiffness and longitudinal flex, the rider is provided with a precise feedback signal.
Husqvarna 701 Enduro Specification
Engine
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Power in KW | 55 kW |
| Starter | Electric starter |
| Bore and Stroke | 105 mm x 80 mm |
| Clutch | APTC(TM) slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated |
| CO2 emissions | 98 g/km |
| Displacement | 692.7 cm³ |
| EMS | Keihin EMS with RBW, twin ignition |
| Design | 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine |
| Fuel consumption | 4.21 l/100 km |
| Lubrication | Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps |
Chassis
| Weight (without fuel) | 146 kg |
| Tank capacity (approx.) | 13 l |
| ABS | Two-channel Bosch 9.1 MP ABS (incl. Cornering ABS and Supermoto mode Disengegable) |
| Front brake disc diameter | 300 mm |
| Rear brake disc diameter | 240 mm |
| Front brake | Brembo twin-piston floating caliper, brake disc |
| Rear brake | Brembo single-piston floating caliper, brake disc |
| Chain | X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4″ |
| Frame design | Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Front Suspension | WP XPLOR-USD, Ø 48 mm |
| Ground clearance | 270 mm |
| Rear Suspension | WP XPLOR with Pro-Lever linkage |
| Seat height | 920 mm |
| Steering head angle | 62.3 ° |
| Suspension travel (front) | 250 mm |
| Suspension travel (rear) | 250 mm |
Conclusion
This is the single-cylinder that will maximize your bike performance. After more than a decade of riding huge singles I am confident that this engine is the right one for me.
Although the chassis is not very smooth I could easily adapt to it after a few weeks of riding.
The only difficulty? The cost of $ 13399 is my sole concern. This is a substantial amount and the mechanical complexity of the 701 makes its long term maintenance costly.
The 701 is worth a test drive if you can afford It.
