A Blood-Red Vitpilen 701 Supermono from XTR Pepo…
When the Husqvarna Vitpilen (“White Arrow”) first arrived in 2018, many commentators expected the futuristic-looking neo-retro naked bike might be more style than substance. However, they were happily surprised to find the 692cc single-cylinder machine was an absolute hoot to ride.
“The 701 is best described as a joyous mash-up of supermoto rowdiness and sportbike performance.” –Cycle World
The frame and engine came from the KTM 690 Duke — at the time, the most powerful single-cylinder engine on the market at 75 bhp. That’s some serious thump!
This build comes from our world-class builder Pepo Rosell of XTR Pepo, an aficionado of vintage endurance racers and superbikes who normally builds his bikes for clients and companies. In the case of the “Rödpilen” (Red Arrow) you see here, however, he built the bike for himself.
“So, this history really begins really just after the pandemic when I tried the Vit 701 of a friend and was so impressed by the rideability, lightness, and the engine. So I thought to buy it but my Ducati hooligan mind told me: NO! Get a Scrambler!!!“
Pepo did indeed purchase a Ducati Scrambler, which he transformed into a street tracker dubbed “Makoki” — a bike we featured on BikeBound back in 2023.
Fast forward a few years, and Pepo decided he needed something lighter after the Scrambler fell over at his home, trapping him beneath it.
“I must lift the bike 185 kg from the floor…alone. That was the moment I decide that I needed a light bike, something near 140 kg.”
Pepo was already drifting toward lighter bikes after building the “GRR” Guerrilla 450 for Royal Enfield, which he rode in the sprint races atop Mount Jaizkibel during last year’s Wheels & Waves Festival.
“I raced it at Punks Peak and enjoyed it so much that weekend. I had fun again on a bike — just 131 kg and enough power (near 40 hp). This was the signal; I returned home, put my Scrambler up for sale, and started the search for the Vit, which for me is the best option in the sporty single category (the 701 version).”
Pepo says the Vitpilen is “an icon of…pure design,” so it was a challenge to make it over. On the other hand, he found the stock bike supremely impractical and uncomfortable, leaving the door open for a full transformation.
“The idea was to make a little bike in endurance/race mode as I make the big ones… I decided to ‘Ducatizar’ (Spanish word that means to make like a Ducati) the bike. Inspiration could be the Ducati Vento 350 from the 80s or the Gilera Saturno from the 90s.”
If you’re going to engage in a bit of ducatizar, then first things first: The White Arrow must become red, hence the Rödpilen (“Red Arrow”) name. Below, Pepo gives us a rundown of the modifications and a full build sheet on the bike.
We love to see what happens with a “master constructor” like Pepo builds a bike just for himself, and the Rödpilen is no exception. It’s as if the cold White Arrow of Sweden has been dipped in the hot blood of Italian speed and style…by Spanish hands, of course! The result is a red-hot arrow of supermono design, which weighs 50 pounds less than the original.
Photography credits go to one of the best in the business, Xavi Dynamische. Without further ado, we’ll let Pepo tell you more about the build.
In the Builder’s Words…
One thing I remember when I tried the Vitpilen 701 was that it was uncomfortable, with this ridiculous original clip-on, so I mounted real race clip-ons. I also changed the ergonomics, mounting a real solo seat. I also installed a little cupolino (small windscreen), which was the same one from the GRR 450 project.
The most important thing was that it should brake — the original single front brake is poor and dangerous when going really fast on a track or in the city.
I removed all the useless stuff, such as the entire rear frame, bodywork, seat, airbox, etc. Also the very heavy original catalytic condensor and silencer, mounting instead a full titanium exhaust with a little “catalysator” and an open silencer.
I eliminated all the environmental measures (the “woke” part of the bike 😊), even the ABS. Then mounted a new front end modified by myself to run double brake rotors with Brembo radial calipers, Galfer lightweight rotors, and radial brake pump from Discacciati. I also mounted a Rapid Bike (technical sponsor) racing exclusive ECU module with a nice mapping.
The weight has dropped from the original 157 kg [346 lbs] to 134 kg [295 lbs] wet with oil, coolant, and 4 liters of fuel. Et voilà! I have made my logical bike 😉
At same time I have made three versions of the bike: The one I’ve showed you (very styled), another one without a front fairing with the original front light (see the render), and the third will be the definitive one, which will have an aluminum fuel tank — very 80s endurance mode. This I will show you when I finish the new fuel tank.
Technical Schedule
Donor bike: Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 (2018)
- XTR front fairing (GRR 450 project)
- Hand-crafted plexiglass windscreen
- XTR LED front light
- XTR front bracket
- Conversion to double brake rotor: Original Vitpilen 701 fork bottles with KTM Duke 790 fork tubes with two radial brake calipers.
- BREMBO radial front brake calipers (from a Ducati)
- GALFER front brake rotors
- VITPILEN 701 front wheel
- CONTINENTAL Sport Attack 2 tire 120/60-17
- XTR front mudguard
- XTR carbon fiber clip-ons
- DISCACCIATI radial PR 19 front brake pump
- FRENTUBO brake lines
- XTR Brake calipers scoops
- DISCACCIATI radial PR16 clutch pump
- FRENTUBO clutch line
- NICECNC clutch slave cylinder
- KTM DUKE 690 aluminium water radiator
- DNA air filter (airbox eliminated)
- Titanium exhaust system
- SC Project “silencer”
- Modified original fuel tank
- XTR rear subframe (solo conversion)
- XTR solo seat (Pantah 821 project)
- XTR upholstery
- XTR rear LED light
- Led blinkers
- WP rear shock
- GALFER rear brake rotor
- FRENTUBO brake line
- BREMBO brake pads forward and rear
- Original Vitpilen wheel
- CONTINENTAL Sport Attack 2 tire 160/60-17
- FULLBAT LIPO battery
- RAPID BIKE EVO Racing exclusive programmable ECU
- XTR modified rear mudguard
- Carbon fiber chain protector
- REGINA Gold chain 520
- JT Lightened front sprocket
- Ergal lightened rear sprocket
- Regulable and foldable footrest
- ARTENRUTA painting
- XTR bellypan
- TRAZZA stickers
THANKS TO OUR TECHNICAL SPONSORS:
I want to thank MOTOS ASCARI for his logistic support and help.
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Pictures by Carrascosa
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