Husqvarna 701 Nomad AdventureIntroducing the Husqvarna 701 Nomad
We like the 701 Husky! It's quick, it's light weight, it's flexible and looks the business. It has all the goodies of the KTM690R without, from a travel point of view, the weaknesses. It has a stronger frame, especially around the headstock, a smooth as silk engine and has been dubbed by many as the best travel enduro ever... we agree! Having taken one for a ride we were convinced it's a very good platform for a hard-core travel bike. Obviously it will benefit from a modification or two to make it a real long distance bike. We've therefore designed a travel-tower/fairing, carefully engineered pannier racks (taking into account there is no subframe on a Husky 701!), options to carry extra fuel, crashbars, a luggage rack that can take a duffle bag, a proper skid/bash plate which unlike many others also protects the frame, a brake cylinder protector, bar risers in various sizes and upgraded suspension front and rear. |
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Road legal and complete, also available in kit form
The Husqvarna 701 Nomad being road legal and complete has always been important to us. Making a product and then simply labelling it 'for off-road use only' to avoid all kinds of problems at the design stage, is not the way we work. We build a full blown travel bike and that means it has to be legal for on-road use too, pure and simple. We also wanted the Nomad to be complete. Our adventure tower for instance is a lot more than just an aluminium structure to which you have to adapt all sorts of brackets and holders in order to mount what you need, as we've seen often with other brands. Some of them don't even allow for the standard dashboard mounting! We looked at ergonomics, ease of use, practicality and looks (as we wanted it to fit the Husky style too). We also wanted something which would be easy to repair out in the field and be strong and adaptable. As any blacksmith will tell you, welding weakens the material, that's why we've opted for an all bolted construction. This also allows for partial disassembly of one side, so you can work on the wiring from the other and it makes it a lot easier to straighten out after a prang. Replacement parts are available and to allow for easy repairs while on the road quite a few of the machined parts are even interchangeable. We used commonly available components with a proven track record. The Husqvarna 701 Nomad is also available in kit form, for you to mount on your bike, and comes complete with extensive fitting instructions (no welding or changes to the frame required).
The Husqvarna 701 Nomad being road legal and complete has always been important to us. Making a product and then simply labelling it 'for off-road use only' to avoid all kinds of problems at the design stage, is not the way we work. We build a full blown travel bike and that means it has to be legal for on-road use too, pure and simple. We also wanted the Nomad to be complete. Our adventure tower for instance is a lot more than just an aluminium structure to which you have to adapt all sorts of brackets and holders in order to mount what you need, as we've seen often with other brands. Some of them don't even allow for the standard dashboard mounting! We looked at ergonomics, ease of use, practicality and looks (as we wanted it to fit the Husky style too). We also wanted something which would be easy to repair out in the field and be strong and adaptable. As any blacksmith will tell you, welding weakens the material, that's why we've opted for an all bolted construction. This also allows for partial disassembly of one side, so you can work on the wiring from the other and it makes it a lot easier to straighten out after a prang. Replacement parts are available and to allow for easy repairs while on the road quite a few of the machined parts are even interchangeable. We used commonly available components with a proven track record. The Husqvarna 701 Nomad is also available in kit form, for you to mount on your bike, and comes complete with extensive fitting instructions (no welding or changes to the frame required).
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Designing a proper Husqvarna Adventure bikeRight from the start we wanted our Husqvarna 701 Nomad to look and feel like a proper Husqvarna should. We also wanted nothing but top quality materials and workmanship in order to achieve the level of quality we were after. We do all our machining in-house, apart from the laser cutting, to get the level of quality we want. This is not a middle of the road adv kit but a top spec, road legal and long range travel bike, and unlike others comes at a reasonably price. We use the KTM 450RR Rally screen which has been tested in the Dakar at speeds of 170 km/hr(!) and has proven to work.
Heated grips, heated vests and being able to charge a multitude of digital gizmos is no longer just a luxury, so we accommodated for it. It's also one of the reasons why we use LED headlights (which are E-marked for road use), to reduce the power drawn from the charging system, which means you have more available for accessories. We didn't go the easy way and fit the dinky little ones used elsewhere (most of which aren't E-marked) but opted for the brilliant Vision-X Halo 90 mm units. Yes they are more expensive but they give a serious amount of light and have the option to change the type of beam by simply changing the cover. We made each headlight individually adjustable in all directions. Vision-X claims a usable light of up to 260 mtr in spotlight form. Even if you fit 4 of them, say two flood lights, one dipped beam and a spot, and switch them all on at the same time, you're still below what the single original H4 unit uses in terms of power. The light kit we have comes complete with protective covers, which have a silicone seal to prevent dust between cover and light. |
Plenty of electrical options
Our adventure tower has room for up to 12 USB charging points or up to 6 standard 12V connectors or any combination thereof. We've also incorporated 6 options for RAM-mounts as they are in our opinion the best and most versatile way to mount items like a GPS, satellite tracker, Go-Pro etc. On the dash you'll find all the original Husqvarna warning lights, the ABS button in an easy to reach position and the original digital speedo from TrailTech, which is now also easily readable when you are standing on the pegs. Apart from a change in the headlight cable (as we use two headlights instead of one) there is no change in the Husqvarna wiring at all. All connectors can be re-used. You'll also find the option of 4 extra switches above in the dash panel which can be used for spotlights, heated vests and/or grips plus whatever else you want to fit. We use sturdy European made switches which can handle up to 15 Amps, no need for an extra relay. 15 Amps is more than ample for just about anything but a 12V kettle...
Our adventure tower has room for up to 12 USB charging points or up to 6 standard 12V connectors or any combination thereof. We've also incorporated 6 options for RAM-mounts as they are in our opinion the best and most versatile way to mount items like a GPS, satellite tracker, Go-Pro etc. On the dash you'll find all the original Husqvarna warning lights, the ABS button in an easy to reach position and the original digital speedo from TrailTech, which is now also easily readable when you are standing on the pegs. Apart from a change in the headlight cable (as we use two headlights instead of one) there is no change in the Husqvarna wiring at all. All connectors can be re-used. You'll also find the option of 4 extra switches above in the dash panel which can be used for spotlights, heated vests and/or grips plus whatever else you want to fit. We use sturdy European made switches which can handle up to 15 Amps, no need for an extra relay. 15 Amps is more than ample for just about anything but a 12V kettle...
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Adventure tower or Rally tower?
Well, actually both. The tower was originally designed as an Adventure tower. We used all our experience and technical knowledge done up in the field (which culminated into a motorcycling world record) to build a tower that works for a traveller. Most rally towers block too much of your vision. You can't see the front wheel when going slowly over the remains of that old bridge or the rock and hole infested track leading up to it, and they are too high. When you look at the photos you'll see that, unlike with most rally towers, a large portion of the KTM Rally screen fitted to our adventure tower is un-blocked to allow full view of what's ahead. And that is despite having the tallest GPS fitted in the photo, as a conventional Motorcycle GPS is much lower and can be fitted as well. But then we started to received more and more comments that it has all the basics to make it into a very good rally tower as well… That's why we've developed, together with a rally bike builder, a rally kit for it. It's a simple yet flexible and sturdy addition to the Nomad tower, which can be bolted on without disassembling the tower. For more details see here. |
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There is plenty of vision on each side of the tower, which is kept as narrow as possible. Inside the tower you'll find the original Husqvarna wiring, no need to cut and splice, it's all out of the weather and no dangling mess of wires on the outside either. All the power for charging points and switches comes through it's own cable and fuses, directly from the battery. We're thus not putting any extra strain on the original wiring. Your warranty is thus unaffected.
Aux fuel tanks
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Euro 4 and Carb regulations has made auxiliary tanks no longer an option if you want a road legal bike. PE tanks don't pass the Shed test and the extra fuel capacity means the legally required fuel vent containment system is no longer up to the task. Add to it that there is no simple Euro-4 compliance test for just the tanks, as they are part of the emissions system the complete motorcycle with the tanks fitted will have to be re-submitted for Euro 4 testing again. Tests which are not only prohibitively expensive but also need to be done both in Europe and the US. As Euro 5 is also just around the corner, it's no longer a viable option to make road legal auxiliary fuel tanks. Simply labelling them 'for off-road only' is not what we want to do and won't work for much longer anyway as upcoming standards will apply for them too. As far as we're aware there are no Euro 4 legal auxiliary fuel tanks available for the 701 and as we wanted a road legal bike we looked for an alternative.
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A better solution
Fuel containers which are not plumbed into the fuel system, are not a part of the motorcycle but considered cargo. There are still Euro and CARB compliances to consider but the latest triple layer Rotopax PE fuel containers meet those requirements. They have a sturdy and simple mounting system and can take some abuse. To allow travelling in remote areas we have developed a mounting plate which fits our (and many other brands) pannier/soft luggage rack. On the rear luggage rack there is room for another Rotopax. When empty the 3 tanks only add 4kg. Obviously the bright red Rotopax look hideous, which is why we made a cover for them! They can stay on the Rotopax at all times, and protects the Rotopax from the worst of the elements. They have an opening flap, to access the standard Rotopax mount. To be honest, in the end we feel we've come to a much better solution than fitting auxiliary tanks. You don't need to fit the Rotopax when you don't need them, but still have the option when you do. On long trips you can take them off and leave them on the campground or at the hotel to explore that gnarly trail without being hampered by a big cumbersome fuel tank. The weight distribution is better too as we can fit Rotopax tanks front and rear. At the same time you can still take up to 33 litres of fuel.
Fuel containers which are not plumbed into the fuel system, are not a part of the motorcycle but considered cargo. There are still Euro and CARB compliances to consider but the latest triple layer Rotopax PE fuel containers meet those requirements. They have a sturdy and simple mounting system and can take some abuse. To allow travelling in remote areas we have developed a mounting plate which fits our (and many other brands) pannier/soft luggage rack. On the rear luggage rack there is room for another Rotopax. When empty the 3 tanks only add 4kg. Obviously the bright red Rotopax look hideous, which is why we made a cover for them! They can stay on the Rotopax at all times, and protects the Rotopax from the worst of the elements. They have an opening flap, to access the standard Rotopax mount. To be honest, in the end we feel we've come to a much better solution than fitting auxiliary tanks. You don't need to fit the Rotopax when you don't need them, but still have the option when you do. On long trips you can take them off and leave them on the campground or at the hotel to explore that gnarly trail without being hampered by a big cumbersome fuel tank. The weight distribution is better too as we can fit Rotopax tanks front and rear. At the same time you can still take up to 33 litres of fuel.
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Soft luggage options Quite a few off-spins have emerged from our work with the Husky as well. Our Nomad soft luggage rack for instance which allows for easy soft luggage fitment. Simply throwing saddle bags over the seat is no longer an option (if it ever was a good one in the first place is debatable...) as the heat generated by the exhaust will melt the plastic bodywork of the bike they cover. Forget dinky heat shields, they don't work. The only thing that does work is to fit a proper rack, which not only secures your bags properly and makes mounting them a lot easier, it also creates an air gap between bag and bodywork. See the product page button below for more info. Made for riders We've made everything for the Husqvarna 701 from a travelling point of view. The rear luggage plate for example is not a small tiny one but properly sized to allow throwing on a duffle bag. We've also positioned it further forward, which means the bag will be over the fuel filler cap, but using the excellent ROK-straps that means only two clicks (and two seconds) to access it. We've also developed a soft luggage range at the moment, specifically for long term travel, another result of working on the Husky and realising there isn't actually anything that fits and works as well as it should. Not the bonanza of buckles and straps everywhere as found on other bags, which makes fitting them a pain, and not as ridiculously expensive either. And before you ask, no we're not going to have it made in China... In fact nothing we've made for the Husky is made in China. 95% is made right here in Holland, the remaining 5% of it elsewhere in Europe. |
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How can we make a top quality product for this price?
That's a question we've heard many times. The answer is quite simple: we build it ourselves, we love what we do and and our hourly rate is more than reasonable as we don't have extravagant lifestyles. You will not find an expensive limousine in front of our workshop that you have to pay for. In fact we don't have a car at all as we prefer to ride a bike. We are a small company with low overheads, we do not skimp on quality or workmanship and only use top quality materials.
That's a question we've heard many times. The answer is quite simple: we build it ourselves, we love what we do and and our hourly rate is more than reasonable as we don't have extravagant lifestyles. You will not find an expensive limousine in front of our workshop that you have to pay for. In fact we don't have a car at all as we prefer to ride a bike. We are a small company with low overheads, we do not skimp on quality or workmanship and only use top quality materials.
The Husqvarna 701 Nomad Adventure at a glance
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Quick facts
• Made by travellers for travellers • Built to your specification • Original KTM450RR Dakar screen • RAM mount options for GPS, GoPro etc. • 2 LED E-marked lights • Wide range of electrical options • Factory warranty is unaffected • Anodised or powder coated • Marine and aircraft grade aluminium • 100% Made in Europe, 95% made in Holland |
The Husqvarna 701 Nomad Adventure is made to order, as everyone's requirements are different and the design allows for a lot of adaptability. We can supply them in kit form (whereby we assume you have the basic skills to fit it yourself) or we can build your bike to your specification. The tower can be anodised or powder coated to virtually any colour you want, the pannier racks come powder coated. There are various options available such as USB charge points, GPS mounting points and we're happy to fit options we probably never even thought of too. All this has to be known before anodising or powder coating, which is why they are made to order. Each bike or kit is built on order and to specification
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(ex VAT: €946.99
Kit includes: - 701 Nomad Adventure tower - KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - Husqvarna 701 Nomad luggage rack S - Optional low front mudguard/fender |
(ex VAT €1204.29)
Kit includes: - 701 Nomad Adventure tower - KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - Husqvarna 701 Nomad luggage rack L - Husqvarna 701 Nomad soft luggage rack - Skidplate anodised black - Optional low front mudguard/fender |
(ex VAT €1436.69)
Kit includes: - 701 Nomad Adventure tower - KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - Husqvarna 701 tail tidy - Husqvarna 701 Nomad-R Soft luggage rack - Husqvarna 701 Nomad-R luggage rack L - Skidplate with toolbox anodised in black - Brake cylinder protector - Optional low front mudguard/fender |
(ex VAT: €1158.64)
Kit includes: - Husqvarna 701 Nomad Adventure tower - KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - Nomad tower rally kit in blue - Skidplate anodised in black - Rear brake cylinder protector |
