I rode mine from Portland to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean and back last year. No issues.

Hi Ben, I had the exact same sentiments and surprise when I bought a 701 LR version some 6 months ago. To be honest and cut through the tape; all perfect specs on paper; weight, quality etc... but; it's too powerful -for me-. I wouldn't worry too much about longevity; 10k km oil change and a lot of clever modern engineering on a single cylinder (NO other manufacturer over the years has put in so much further R&D into a single)

I have the same windshield. I moved it up so the bottom holes on the shield line up with the top holes in the fairing. Then drilled out on the sides and down about 3 inches lower than the lowest set of holes. It helped the wind grom shooting up my helmet.

Very impressive! The Klr and T7 are good bikes and all, but the fact you have a serious bike now has put you at the top of my watch list.

Awesome bike, good move! A lot of what keeps me from heavily modifying my DR is the fact that I’d probably be paying more in total cost than I would if I just got the 701. I’m staying on the cheaper side of the mods until the OEM components are worn out.

Congrats Ben👊 looking forward to seeing what you have planned. I've looked at theses as well

Great choice , I’m predicting this will be your new Favourite 👍🍺🍾

Holy Cow, Ben...a 701 Husky!! One of my fav bikes (that I do not own , LOL). Love to hear more about the professional lowering kit. Can't wait to see some ride videos this summer. Bike season is soon!

That Husky looks like a whole lotta fun. Bought a new KLR last fall and have been watching the videos you post as i'm near you in Rapids and I"m sure I will end up on some of the same trails some day. 63 years old and I spent the last 40 years mostly on the highway so i'm looking forward to getting back into and playin in some dirt. Not sure if the KLR was the right choice but I have loved the 160 miles I put on it so far.

Sweet bike man! Power to weight ratio is Awesome. Looking forward to seeing more on this bike!

Nice video. Ya, the 701 was a bit of an adjustment process for me too. I have a '23 701. Added a Yosh can with Rottweiler's dongle and PC6 with their map. These run super lean down low and at part throttle where the rider spends most of their time. Post fueling and exhaust mods it pulls much stronger off idle, which is great when trail riding at low speeds or slowing down in a tall gear on the road. It used to lug below 50 in 6th, now it can smoothly jet off from 35 or so. Get the revs up and twist it's tail and ya better be hanging on, the power is stout, the quick shifter is awesome, and the exhaust note from the Yosh can is braapalicious 😆 Another good mod if the bike sees off road are wider pegs and a lower temp fan switch, as the stock pegs are much too narrow, which is more of a problem when riding off road and standing a lot, and the fan switch really lets it heat up when riding slow. It is better to just let the fan run a lot when riding off road, the charging system has no issue keeping up. It surprised me how good the XPLOR suspension is right off the showroom floor. After setting the sag and dialing the clickers I find it to be just fine. The springs and valving are no fooling around firm, with no typical dual sport mushiness. Out on the trail the suspension craves a load and it wants the rider to hit things at speed to make it move through it's stroke. I am an experienced dirt rider and I ride it like a dirt bike in some pretty challenging Colorado terrain at times. Ya gotta respect the bike's weight and that the TKCs aren't great in the dirt, but within it's parameters the 701 hauls the mail. I put a rim lock on the front wheel and am running a heavy tube and 21 PSI, that is much better in the dirt than higher pressures, but still high enough to protect the rim from rock damage. I don't worry about the rear too much, Mode 2, ABS and TC off, and let it spin to win. The TKC rear is getting trashed pretty fast. Speaking of TC off, I also put the "off road" dongle on it to remember the preferred map 2 and TC off settings after shut down. It still defaults to off road front ABS on, rear off, so I still have to turn the front ABS off every time while off road, but it is better than having to reset everything. These bikes aren't great for anything in particular, but they are able to do pretty much everything reasonably well, and they are just plain fun to ride. This big, fast, smooth and revvy thumper in a capable dual sport wrapper has a uniquely cool feel all its own.

Nice choice! I’m picking up my 23 701 next week, I’m keeping my T7…. For now. Keen to see how much overlap there is and which one I end up choosing each time I head out. Love my T7, sure I’ll love the 701.

Sweet bike! Welcome to the 690/701 club!

Sweet bike! You can buy 2 DR650's for one 701. The 701 mainanace also swayed me to the DR 650.

Amazing work. Love the headlight. Not too sure about the fuel. tank filler neck. BMW need to offer something similar as an option.

Thank you Ben for allowing yourself to make an extravagant decision for once! It gives me hope that I can do the same 🙂 soon. I live at the foot of the mighty Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. I own both a 21 Afirica Twin AS ES DCT (Love this bike!). But I mostly solo ride. When exploring solo (with my Garmin SOS on board) I take my second bike a 230 CC, a '21 California Scooter Company TT250. I am considering the Husky 701 or KTM 690 as I exclusively begin my adventures on the roads/highways leaving from home (about 25-35 miles out from the woods and trails). I am considering a Beta 390 RR-S too, but agree with you that that may be too much road duty for a higher compression bike......hmmmm. I really don't want to do a DR-Z 400 which is the most common (nor the DR 650). I hope this might be the solution!

Looks like it should be a good bike. Looking forward to seeing how you make out on it. Thanks

Nice choice!

Now we’re talking I’ve always wanted one congrats

I've had my 690 for six years now. Zero issues for me in that time. The stock seat does suck big time so comfort xl is a good option.

I just bought a 2023 690 in January, love it so far, I’ve owned a bunch of different dual sports and just got rid of my Africa twin that I loved just to heavy off road, was a little worried about the Ktm from all the internet horror stories, people either love them or hate, so far loving the performance, great do all bike

Dream bike. I had to settle with the FE 501, working out well for multi day trips. Feels good.

Change your clutch fluid it that thing, good luck and looking forward to your video's.

Nice choice! As a fellow T7 owner in WI I’m interested to follow along on the 701 review and mods you perform! 😁

Cool to see you on a husky! I’m not gonna lie and pretend that I fully trusted my first KTM but just know that most of what you read is squeaky nails and I’ve seen more KLR smoke top ends than any other DS and people still call them reliable and even the T7 groups prove that those break also. Enjoy the the bike! Euro bikes are so much more fun!

Sweet bike Ben.

The torque hit from a big single is something everyone should experience. Honda xr650l is what I roll on. Would love to have the Gas Gas cousin!!

It looks like I missed some videos. 😂 I did not see this one coming. I like the selection though. To me, the 690/701/700 is the perfect BDR type ride build platform. With some added fuel capacity and tuned out fueling/throttle, they seem like a great fit for technical rocky BDR sections. Motorcycle Travel Channel dude certainly makes good use of his. Looking forward to your videos and reviews on it.

Nice! Looks like a 17? That was the worst seat they made. I put a stock seat off a 2018 on mine, and it was night and day. Seat concepts is great too, but wasn't necessary for me, and I put 16000mi on my 17. The vibes were never an issue on mine once I balanced the wheels. I think you'll find the maintenance thing to be negligible. Look at the owners manual, 2k for oil changes. 2 qts is not a lot but it has 2 screens and 2 filters. The rest is just normal like maintenance and consumables like every dirt oriented motorcycle. The 2017 had 4cs forks which was my biggest complaint. I upgraded to a 2023 701 with xlor forks and it's night and day. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised once you get a real ride on it in the dirt. I've taken mine everywhere and have ridden mostly off-road from single track to light adv. I have ridden it at all the Wisconsin dualsports and single track. A lot of the 2 track and adv stuff I do is 2up and there simply isn't another motorcycle capable of that anywhere near the same weight and performance as the 690/701. Years ago dealer's couldn't sell them and now people are finally realizing what a great platform it is.

Had a 690 Enduro R which left me stranded in the woods a few times because sometimes she just didn’t want to start. Wanted to keep it but didn’t like the unpredictability.

Congratulations, I thought about buying one but also worried about maintenance, but honestly doing 3k miles on that bike, compared to a T-7 is more of a challenge.... For me and my use , I would trailer it to where I can ride, it would just be too much on my old bones to have to ride it an hour to and from, nevermind the thrashing session.. best of luck with it!😊 She's a beauty!

Nice 😊 …like you I’m scared of the non Japanese bikes. But I want a Norden 901 soooooooooo Bad !

I leaned towards a 2014 500 exc and plan to pickup a T7 or KTM 990 for the road. For a bike in the middle of that, the 701 and 690 are hard to beat you are 100%.

Sweet bike..I love the platform I had a chance to test ride a 690 but I'm not a big fan of the frame design.. no engine protection especially for an off road bike

The XR650 R is a awesome machine!! Just my 5 cents worth.

I was very happy with my Dr650. For a larger dual sport/lighter adv bike I'd go for the DR. It's got a lot of character. That being said that doesn't mean the 701 isn't awesome!

6200mi Not so bad in my book. I only do (no trips) 2000mi or so a year. I ride full-time, and year-round with a short ride to work. It never snows and rarely rains here. "The basic service interval for the 701 Enduro is every 10000 km (6200 miles) or annually, at which point you change the oil and filter, clean the oil screens, and do a host of other annual checks. Every 10000 km / 6200 miles (but not necessarily annually), you also should do a valve clearance check and change the air filter. Luckily the valve clearance check isn’t too involved, as there’s just one piston and the valves are easy to read and adjust. Spark plug changes are every two valve services, but while you have the plugs out for the valve service you should inspect them and check the gap. Finally, keep you brake fluid and coolant up to date, every two and four years respectively."

I own DR650 and this Husky is light years ahead in power and technology plus has 6-speed for better highway cruising and shorter gearing down low off-road riding. If I lived where you do I might make such an investment but I think it is still too heavy and more money then I would spend. Probably opt for CR450L instead. Once you get over 300lbs for off-road it becomes a big pig and the 70 hp is basically unusable off-road.

I highly recommend swapping out the seat for a Seat Concepts XL if you need more comfort.

This is the exact bike I wanted/want , but settled on the klr cause it was half the price.

How tall are you mate? I'm 5'7 looking to get a 701 but know I'd have to lower it.

If you could only have 1 bike, what would it be?

I just bought one two weeks ago

Mor powa baby!

Very nice Bike! So you done with the KLR?

I would much rather have the Doctor then the 701. The only time I would think the opposite is if I lived in a major city and I turned the bike into a SM .

I'm waiting for Japanese brands to launch a motorcycle like this. if they don't I think I'm going to buy the KTM 690.

The “higher strung smaller bore counterparts” that you refer to don’t actually need all the maintenance you seem to be so against. The higher performance dual sports are actually very reliable. I think you have talked yourself into not getting one for reasons that don’t actually exist. The only reason not to get a higher performance dual sport is if you can’t afford it. But once you experience how fun they are - especially compared to the old design pigs the japanese call dual sports, you will do everything you can to afford one. Good luck

Lol because you like to be stranded when something breaks, and no one on the trails will have tools to help you when it breaks down. Good luck out there, you do have gobs of power but more power can be more problems.

I’ve never seen a 701 make it to 30,000 miles. I’ve seen a few in the high teens and one hit 20,000 and then exploded and left the owner stranded. I can’t take these bikes seriously and most of the guys that ride the 701 are usually weekend warriors that just want to look the part with Mosko moto bags and Klim gear. Sadly adventure riding is turning into a “lifestyle” like Harley Davidson. Everyone wants to a “me too” adventure bike now instead of a black street glide

Its not an enduro, I would say a dual sport. But a nice bike none the less. The acceleration is surprising!

Bars are bit low in purpose.. hen you stand to not to stand like a tree.. but to be in attack position.. like in enduro off-road track needed.. ;)

What year is the bike?

My buddy has one he says it's too big for the trail 😞

My DR650 was great, taking me places *I* wouldn't take a big bike. I loved it. However, mine wasn't especially reliable, stranding me outback twice, and needing a new top end in between. One owner, fully serviced, 45k km. 🤷 Don't get me wrong, it's a good bike, I loved it, but legendary reliability? Yeah nah. DRs and KLRs don't make much power because they're ancient, air cooled designs, not specifically for reliability. If Suzuki or Kawasaki invested in more than annual paint changes, their versions would also make more power. In comparison, a 690/700/701 is exciting and scary - yeah baby! 😎 Recent models have reportedly fixed known weaknesses. I guess I'll find out. 🤔

What year is it?

Price can buy 2 dr650 for the price of the 701

Why people do not choose the 701…maybe the price man…..reliability and lot of maintenance.

y does husky and ktm insist on making their bike so tall im 5’11 and even then they seem needlessly high up

Found a dr650 in great condition...2000dollars😂 thats why but if monwy wasnt an issue...you're right

The only reason why I dont want a 701 is because they are just too tall.

Ben Jammin be jammin!🙃

Two DR 650 for the price of one 701

What year is it?????

not the same thing

1st lol

More money than brains. I hope you have maintenance issues, reliability issues, and parts shortages. Husky and KTM are overpriced crap. Report back in 10k miles and tell me how much you love it.

wonder if you can give an update in a year. I have always thought that KTM bikes are crap for reliability. You should have bought a BMW if you want reliability. I am hoping you find a good experience.