Husqvarna Trek Riders Put the 2026 701 Enduro to the Test in the Flinders Ranges

There are few better proving grounds for a motorcycle than 1,500 kilometres of outback tracks, rocky climbs, creek crossings and fast-flowing station roads. And with the 2026 Husqvarna 701 Enduro making its Husqvarna Trek debut in the spectacular Flinders Ranges this September, riders had the perfect opportunity to discover whether the latest updates lived up to the hype.

The verdict? It didn't take long.

With the unique terrain of the Flinders Ranges allowing riders to spend almost 80 per cent of the week off-road, the Trek route served up exactly the kind of conditions the 701 Enduro was built for. From open twin-track and rocky hill climbs to technical sections that demanded both confidence and control, the 2026 model was put through its paces by riders of all experience levels.

For Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia Marketing Manager Rosie Lalonde, the Trek offered an opportunity to reconnect with a familiar favourite while experiencing the latest updates for the first time:

"I'll admit I am biased, but I was genuinely excited to ride the new 2026 701 Enduro on the Trek.

I'm fortunate enough to ride a 701 on our Trek events, but that generally only happens once a year. Every time I throw a leg over one, I'm instantly reminded why I enjoy riding them so much. They're incredibly capable off-road, but never intimidating. I always feel like I can tackle whatever the route throws at me without getting in over my head. Creeks, hills, rocks. The 701 and I always seem to find our way through with a smile. When I heard about the updates for 2026, I was excited to try new electronics, but I honestly didn't think it would feel all that different from the previous year models I'd ridden.

My first proper ride came on the afternoon of Day 1, as I headed into Bendleby Ranges Station. There was no easing into it. Within minutes we were straight into flowing twin-track, little dry creek crossings and some pretty decent hill climbs. How good!

The first thing that stood out was the rear suspension.

Now, I'll happily admit that I'm not the rider who spends hours tweaking clickers or discussing suspension settings – I generally just get on and ride. But even I could immediately feel the difference. The bike felt planted and controlled without being harsh. The word the more technical riders would throw around was "plush", and for once I understood exactly what they meant.

The next surprise was the engine characteristics.

The 701 has never lacked power, but the throttle response in Rally mode felt incredibly smooth. Rolling on the power delivered an instant response without any abruptness, and noticeably more grunt than I remember of the last model. It was one of those changes you don't necessarily appreciate on paper but immediately notice from behind the bars.

Then came the hill climbs.

A series of loose, rocky shale climbs provided the perfect opportunity to experiment with the Dynamic Slip Adjuster – or Rally Mode which is easier to refer to. Not really paying attention to what setting I was on initially – or thinking it would make that much of a difference – I started out in Rally Mode with 2 or 3 slip adjust selected.

The result wasn't exactly a riding masterclass. I got to the top of the hill okay, but there was no shortage of clutch work, leg flailing and general determination involved.

After receiving some good-natured feedback over the comms from my better-half Brenno, I increased the slip setting and lined up for another attempt.

Surely it couldn't make that much difference.

Turns out it could.

With the slip level increased, the bike simply found traction and drove forward. Suddenly my feet stayed on the pegs, my riding looked significantly less dramatic, and the whole climb felt easier and more controlled. It was one of those moments where a feature goes from sounding good in a brochure to making complete sense in the real world.

That was the moment I realised the 2026 701 Enduro wasn't just an evolution of the bike I'd ridden before. It was genuinely better.

Over the next six days and nearly 1,500km of riding, the new 2026 701 Enduro and I just become better and better friends – with the new upgrades delivering a smoother, more confidence-inspiring ride. The only downside was when I lent the bike out to some other riders during different parts of the week … and very nearly didn’t get it back!

One of those riders was Trek veteran Greg "Macca" Macfarlane, who unexpectedly found himself aboard the 2026 701 Enduro when his much-loved 2016 machine, affectionately known as Helga, decided she'd had enough.

For Macca, being without a bike at Trek was more than just an inconvenience. With six Husqvarna Treks under his belt and his son Rooster attending his first, the pair had been looking forward to spending the week riding the Flinders together.

Fortunately, a solution was sitting in the Husqvarna fleet.

Rosie handed over the keys to the 2026 701 Enduro spare bike, allowing Macca to continue the ride. While grateful for the loan, he admits his expectations were tempered by the fact his own 701 was far from standard.

"Helga" had spent years evolving into a highly personalised machine, complete with a 732cc engine, Nova gearbox and premium suspension setup.

Naturally, Macca expected the standard 2026 model to feel like a step backwards.

Instead, it caught him off guard.

"The first thing that surprised me was the engine. The Rally Throttle, quickshifter and TFT screen were immediate standouts, but it was the overall usability that impressed me. Being able to quickly adjust ABS and slip control, then have the bike remember those settings when you restart it, is unreal. No scrolling through menus every time you stop. You just get back on and ride."

The suspension was another unexpected highlight.

As someone accustomed to riding a heavily modified motorcycle, Macca expected suspension upgrades to immediately make their way onto the shopping list. Instead, after the first day in the Flinders, that thought never really arrived.

Over the following days, he and his son regularly swapped between Rooster's 2016 701 and the new 2026 model, giving them a unique back-to-back comparison.

What stood out most wasn't necessarily a single feature, but the overall feel of the motorcycle.

We both couldn't believe how light it felt. The bike felt closer to a 501 than previous 701 models. Even Rooster's standard bike felt heavier. The engine was more responsive, the handling felt lighter, and by the end of each day I felt noticeably less fatigued than I normally would.

After more than 1,200 kilometres aboard the new machine, Macca had reached a conclusion.

What began as a borrowed motorcycle had become one he wasn't particularly interested in giving back.

One conversation later, and the press bike had found a new home. Or at least, that was the plan …

Macca's newly purchased 701 Enduro, now nicknamed Heidi, hadn't been in the shed for long before attracting attention elsewhere in the household.

When I got the bike home, it wasn't long before my wife and daughter had their eyes on it. They're both quite small, around 50 kilos, and they were happily riding laps around the cane farm. I don't think it's going to be called my bike for much longer!

For a rider who arrived at Trek convinced his highly modified machine would be impossible to replace, buying the motorcycle he'd initially borrowed says plenty about the latest evolution of the 701 Enduro.

And perhaps even more importantly, it ensured a memorable week in the Flinders Ranges continued long after the Trek had finished.

To find out more about the Husqvarna Trek community, and how you can join, click here: https://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/en-au/experience-the-brand/husqvarna-trek.html