Some motorcycles are built for comfort, others for efficiency. But a rare breed exists with just one obsession—pure thrill. The Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 belongs to that category. Riding it isn’t simply about getting from point A to B—it’s an adrenaline-charged experience. Raw, loud, and unfiltered. I had the chance to push this machine on the legendary Tamhini Ghat, and what unfolded was one of the most intense and exhilarating rides of my life. Here’s why the Vitpilen 701 isn’t just unique—it’s borderline wild, and yet impossible not to love.
Engine: 75 hp from 0.7 Liter Displacement
First things first—the heart. This machine runs on the world’s most powerful production single-cylinder engine. That’s not just a statistic, it’s a declaration. Borrowed straight from the KTM 690 Duke, the 693cc motor is infamous for its aggression and featherweight character. It pushes out a ferocious 75 hp and 72 Nm of torque—yes, all from a single piston. Fire it up and it doesn’t just start, it growls, a deep mechanical snarl echoing from the exhaust. Under 3,000 rpm it feels sluggish, like it’s grumbling at being disturbed. But twist the throttle and past that point it doesn’t simply come alive—it explodes. At 6,750 rpm the torque slams in like a sledgehammer, and by 8,500 rpm you’re holding on tight as 75 wild horses charge through a chassis weighing just 166 kilos. Every hairpin exit at Tamhini Ghat had the rear tire clawing at the tarmac, while the front wheel flirted with the sky. The throttle is razor-sharp—demanding finesse but delivering blistering acceleration if you get it right. This isn’t an engine for lazy cruising or casual Sunday rides. It’s a weapon, a raw performance tool, and on a road as tight and twisty as Tamhini, it’s the closest thing to injecting pure adrenaline straight into your veins.
Husqvarna Range: 300 km
You’d probably expect a bike with this kind of performance to sacrifice fuel range. I thought the same when I noticed the small 12-liter tank. But here’s the twist—the Vitpilen 701 can stretch up to 300 km on a full tank, thanks to its efficient single-cylinder engine. The official figure stands at 4.0 l/100 km, and during my ride—with all the hard corner exits, heavy engine braking, and steep climbs—I still averaged around 4.4 l/100 km. That’s impressive for a machine that sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 3 seconds. So, while it’s built for city streets and winding roads, you don’t find yourself constantly searching for a fuel pump. On my Pune to Mulshi ride, up through Tamhini and back, I still had fuel left in reserve. My only gripe? The clutch lever feels a bit too short. In stop-and-go traffic or during frequent shifts, it takes some getting used to. Not a deal-breaker, but a reminder that this bike’s DNA leans more toward carving corners than crawling through congestion.
Enormous Power-to-Weight Ratio
This is where things really get interesting. The Vitpilen 701’s power-to-weight ratio is 2.21 kg per horsepower. That’s supercar territory for a naked street bike. For context, a BMW F 800 R, which has more power on paper at 90 hp, actually ends up being slower because it hauls more weight , 202 kg to be precise. On the road, this translates to an immediate, direct connection between throttle and motion. Every movement of your right wrist feels like it’s directly pulling the landscape toward you. On Tamhini’s tight corners and unpredictable surfaces, the bike felt super nimble. It tips into corners effortlessly , almost telepathically. At times, it felt like the bike was cornering for me, as if it knew the line better than I did. And it never flinched , not once , even when I pushed into lean angles that would make most bikes weep. Bridgestone Battlax S21 tires, stock on the bike, offer phenomenal grip. I could feel how much lean angle was still left in reserve. I read later that the tire grip limit is 60 degrees, which is MotoGP-level crazy for a road tire. You’ll run out of skill before you run out of grip. The suspension setup , WP Apex forks up front and a WP monoshock at the rear , is taut, focused, and sharp. It’s not plush. You feel every bump, every ripple in the road. But that’s part of the deal. This bike is not about comfort. It’s about communication. And man, does it talk.
Conclusion
I’ll be honest , the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 is not for everyone. It demands attention, both in terms of maintenance and rider input. It’s not a sit-back-and-cruise machine. The seating position is aggressive. The ride is stiff. The engine is loud and moody when cold. And there’s barely any room for a pillion, although Husqvarna has somehow made that tiny seat surprisingly tolerable. But when you’re alone on a road like Tamhini Ghat, with the early morning mist hanging low and the corners coming fast and tight , this machine makes perfect sense. Every squeeze of the brake, every twist of the throttle, every quick downshift with that buttery quickshifter, it all clicks. The bike becomes an extension of your will. It’s not just a motorcycle. It’s an experience. An unfiltered one.
Read More:
Gina Carano Biography: From MMA Pioneer to Hollywood Actress
Special Forces Season 4 Cast Revealed: Meet the Celebrities Joining the World’s Toughest Test
Rolls Royce Spectre Black Badge Launched in India at ₹9.5 Crore: Price, Features, Performance & More