2016 Husky 701 Enduro

[Spectaitor]

New rider here. Want to do some dual sporting - Commute 3km to work and back everyday and do excursions on the weekends.

I'm 27 years old and last rode a Yammy DT 125 when I was 15 on the weekends (Was my friends)

Have the chance to get a 701 Enduro with about 1500kms at an extremely attractive price, otherwise a CRF250L (also barely any kms) at a great price too. First choice was the Honda but I am leaning more on the Husky side if the price is good for me.

This is through a friend so hence the good prices on either.
Am I stupid to believe that I can learn to ride on the husky without killing myself. I'm extremely careful by nature and think I can use a tame throttle - I have no interest in wheelies or anything like that.

I feel the husky will serve me well long term. Are there any things I need to worry about with the 2016  model, look out for etc? I know the Honda will be more reliable compared but the difference shouldn't be too much?

Help me out here guys.

[chopperpilot]

If you can afford the 701, go for it!

As you know, there is no comparison between the two!

The 701 will be taller, so just check that.

The 701 is as good as new. You take care of it, and it will reward you with trouble-free ownership!

[chopperpilot]

And you'll be fine with the power of the 701...you'll get used to it quickly!

[Welsh]

And you'll be fine with the power of the 701...you'll get used to it quickly!

very quickly! But yes it’s a TALL bike so check that out first. 

[BuRP]

I have no interest in wheelies or anything like that.

No wheelies? 
Then buy that slow boring Honda, it will outlast the Husky anyway and your grandchildren will still use it.
So, that's settled then, glad I could help.


The Husky though is tall yes, but geewizz it looks good hey?
It also forks off in a manner unbeknown to you considering your last biking experience because it most literally is a hooligan bike, it urges you relentlessly to open that throttle and let it rip!
I know, I have one, my first KTM in fact.
And I wasn't a fan of orange, their owners to blame due to bragging all the time... 
But, very slowly however undeniably I may just have become a bitofafan now - se be warned, do NOT buy that Husky!
Do not even take into consideration that you've got little recent biking experience so you'll have to re-learn what a bike is, and what it can do.
I remember I did that by controlling the throttle, easy did it... but that was long ago, the current generations rely on electronics to keep them safe.
This 701 has little of that, just ABS and FI, so only a brain will keep you safe.
Got one?
If yes then you will see that your question is a bit silly eh?
A nighonnew 701 for a bargain is too good to pass up on, and I most certainly would pounce on such an occasion.
But for you, I'd recommend to buy that 250 which will feel powerful and exiting to you ..... for say two days of riding.
Then you'll regret not getting that 701 - which by that time has a new owner, you also know that.


Anything else I can help with?
 

[drewdza]

Your sole riding experience is an occasional spin on a mate's DT125 about 12 years ago....

So you're essentially going to "learn to ride" on a Husky 701...keep us posted  ....and have a mate take videos 

Suggestion: Buy the Husky. Learn to ride on the Honda 

[Spectaitor]

A nighonnew 701 for a bargain is too good to pass up on

I am here exactly because I feel the same way aswel

I definitely have faith in my ability to learn safely and sensibly. I have the right attitude and a love that I haven't been able to enjoy for too long.
I'm still teenie bopper tho so don't want an unnecessary money pit that I can't handle, hence needed some assurances from the wiser.

As for wheelies, I should add that learning to wheelie on a beautiful beast might not be the best idea I could've come up with

[BuRP]

I should add that learning to wheelie on a beautiful beast might not be the best idea I could've come up with

It's a lot better idea than buying an underpowered bike which you get bored on quickly.
Mind though, this only applies in this i.e your case, as I feel too many youngsters kill themselves by buying a superbike instead of a supersport they should have gotten, for reason on a 1000 you learn to survive, and on a 600 you learn to ride.
Not the same here as the 70-odd horses will only start trampling you if you hang on to the wide-open throttle for too long, and a normal brain will have shut it long before that.
They actually can be ridden normal, you'll only find that you will want to try a lil' power wheelie now and then 

You'll enjoy and not regret getting that 701, promise.
Post a piccie here when you have it? 

[2StrokeDan]

Take the Honda, no doubt.

You may well never learn to relax and enjoy the 701, as it is quite a sharp tool.

At least until you feel you have really mastered that Honda, then look at something bigger.

But at least you are ahead of the crowd who, as come-back bikes, go straight for the 1200 class.

[BuRP]

go straight for the 1250 class

Fixed that for ya 

[Spectaitor]

I want to commit to a bike for a couple years and I fear that the Honda would make me want to move on far too quickly.

I will still test ride both bikes before to check the brown pants factor and whether I feel confident about taking on the Husky. My commitment to my wife was that I would get it near the end of the year so I still have about 2 months to make my decision and the bikes will wait for me because I've committed to taking one regardless. They are both aux bikes so no rush it seems.

[2StrokeDan]

go straight for the 1250 class

Fixed that for ya 

  Thanks!

[2StrokeDan]

I want to commit to a bike for a couple years and I fear that the Honda would make me want to move on far too quickly.

I will still test ride both bikes before to check the brown pants factor and whether I feel confident about taking on the Husky. My commitment to my wife was that I would get it near the end of the year so I still have about 2 months to make my decision and the bikes will wait for me because I've committed to taking one regardless. They are both aux bikes so no rush it seems.

Try and get to ride the 701 as much as you can because I bought my own bike from a guy that thought it was the right bike for him. It was not.

[Spectaitor]

I plan to ride it lots. The guy seems quite keen on me getting into riding so it won't be hard to get the feel of each bike.

[geopat]

My first proper bike was a ktm 690  no reason why you shouldnt be fine on a 701 and years down the line it will still be able to make you shit yourself if you get too brave

[Spectaitor]

Of that I have no doubt 

[Minxy]

I think if you've ridden a bit when you were younger it's fine, go with any bike.

I used to ride a little Honda 125 road bike when I was in school. Took a good break from biking until I was older and then looked at getting into adventure biking. EVERYONE said, get a small bike, 250 or whatever.  I was like nah and got a 650. I rode the 650 for about 6 months and my boyfriend asked me if i want to ride his 950 Super Enduro. Guess what? The 950 was WAY better than the 650, easier to ride as it was more capable etc. So I ended up just riding the 950 for years.

Get the 701, you won't regret it

[stcomza]

Very, very good advice on here 

If it was my choice to make, I'd go for the Husky.  You will be able to manage the power and learn very quickly what you can and can't do. It is better to have power in reserve than twisting the throttle and nothing happens.

Nothing wrong with the Honda - it's capable and reliable and will give you years of good service, no bones about it. To say the Honda is a stepping stone to something bigger/better might sound harsh (to some...) but at the end of the day, it is what it is. 

Enjoy whichever bike you choose 

[Mayhem]

Just a thought here, imagine quite a few years down the line and you are sitting on your veranda in the retirement village and talking to the Grand kids telling them you could have had a 701 Huskey.... but I took the Honda instead
I'm sure they will disawn you even though you still have the Honda

[Spectaitor]

 

Well it's settled then, if I get it at this magical number then it will be a reality