Precise, powerful and beautifully balanced off-road thanks to its rear-mounted tank, though the tall seat and lack of wind protection make winter road miles tough. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
4/5
Road usability
3/5
Technical off-road capability
4/5
Green-lane suitability
4/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£11,999
Engine693cc
Power79hp
Torque73Nm
Weight (wet)166kg
Seat height935mm
Fuel tank13.5L
Real-world range~165 mi
Economy~55 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance265mm
Suspension travel (f/r)265mm / 250mm
ABSYes
Traction controlYes
Ride modesYes
Service interval6,200 miles
Licence requiredA
What we actually found
Owners celebrate the 701 Enduro for its exceptional balance and precision. Riders frequently note that housing the fuel cell in the rear subframe gives the front wheel a featherlight, highly accurate feel in tight single-track and ruts. While owners praise its monster single-cylinder power and WP damping, they consistently mention that the tall 925mm seat and lack of wind protection make winter road links hard work.
Pros for green laning
Mass-centralised rear fuel cell: the self-supporting polyamide rear subframe houses the 13.5-litre tank, giving exceptionally light, flickable front-end steering.
High-performance 74hp engine: monster single-cylinder output provides effortless overtakes on tarmac links and relentless drive up loose rocky ascents.
Premium WP XPLOR damping: 250mm front and rear suspension travel with 270mm ground clearance absorbs deep washouts and rock steps without deflection.
Top-spec brakes and electronics: features switchable Offroad ABS, lean-angle sensitive traction control, and dual engine maps for dry or slippery trails.
Cons and limitations
925mm seat height: high seat height requires deliberate footing choices when stopping in rutted, off-camber terrain.
Zero standard wind protection: the minimalist enduro headlight cowl offers no wind deflection, making winter dual-carriageway transits cold and tiring.
Limited rear luggage capacity: the plastic fuel-tank subframe requires specialised luggage racks to carry heavy camping kit without stressing mounting points.
Gearing compromise: wide ratio 6-speed box requires careful sprocket choice to balance ultra-slow technical hill crawling against relaxed 70mph motorway cruising.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.