There is no denying Husqvarna were onto a good thing with the 701 Enduro - itself a tweaked version of KTM's ever-popular 690 Enduro - and now for 2020 one of the drawbacks of the Enduro's design has been fixed in a new variant which lands in New Zealand in May. The 701 Enduro LR.
The Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR takes the base 701 Enduro and slaps a great big fuel tank on above the engine to boost fuel capacity to a whopping 25-litres when combined with the factory fuel tank at the rear of the bike.
With all that fuel on board, Husqvarna claims the 701 Enduro LR is the perfect machine for extended, adrenaline-filled on-road or off-road adventures, and allows up to 500km of range between fuel stops.
Husqvarna Motorcycles New Zealand has confirmed to On Throttle the expected price of the 701 Enduro LR is to be $20,049 plus on-road costs. This does, however, come with a caveat.
“$20,049 is the current correct price for the bike but, with the way the dollar has dropped, I don't know if it will be able to stay at that, says KTM/Husqvarna Motorcycles' New Zealand General Manager Patrick Stafford.
Stafford also noted that at this stage Husqvarna Motorcycles NZ currently doesn’t have official pricing on the LR tank kit which can be retrofitted to existing 701 models but expects to be able to confirm this for us post-lockdown.
The Long Range kit itself is quite a comprehensive unit. Not only including the large forward fuel tank, but Husqvarna has also included an electronic switch for riders to swap between the two fuel tanks, additional fuel pump, new seat and graphics kit to ensure the upgraded bikes retain the factory fresh aesthetic.
While the 701 Enduro is based off KTM’s 690 Enduro models, currently there is no word on whether KTM will also offer a similar kit.
Speaking with Stafford, he noted that the Husqvarna kit is unlikely to be a bolt-on part for 690 owners.
"I don't believe the kit can be used on the KTM as the bodywork and seat are different designs, he told us.
That's not to say it won't fit with a bit of work, but the whole idea of the LR kit is to be a simple bolt-on job.
We'll update you with any information regarding the pricing of the kit and whether KTM will also offer a long-range kit for the 690 when it comes to hand.
