Swapping out your husqvarna 701 plastics is one of the easiest ways to make a tired bike look brand new again. Whether you're riding the Enduro version through thick brush or leaning the Supermoto over on the asphalt, your fairings are the first things to take a hit. Over time, those bright whites and vibrant blues start to show their age with scratches, stress marks, and that annoying dullness that no amount of spray-on wax can fix.
If you've spent any time on the forums or at a local meet, you know that the 701 is a bit of a special beast. It's not just another dirt bike; it's a high-performance machine that people take a lot of pride in. Keeping the bodywork in good shape isn't just about being vain—it's about protecting your investment and making sure the bike looks as fast as it actually is.
Why you might need new plastics
Most riders decide to go hunting for new husqvarna 701 plastics for one of three reasons. The most common is the "oops" factor. You're out on the trail, you misjudge a turn, and suddenly your radiator shroud is snapped in half or hanging by a thread. It happens to the best of us. Since the 701 is a heavier bike than a 250 or 450, when it goes down, it goes down with some serious force.
The second reason is simple wear and tear. Even if you never drop the bike, your knees rubbing against the side panels will eventually dull the finish. Road grit kicked up from the front tire will pepper the front fender and fork guards. After a few seasons, the plastic just looks tired.
Then there's the crowd that wants a total color change. Maybe you're bored with the stock white and neon yellow look. Switching to an all-black kit or maybe a gray setup can completely change the personality of the bike. It's a lot cheaper than buying a new motorcycle, and it gives you that "new bike" feeling all over again.
OEM vs. Aftermarket: What's the move?
When you start looking for replacements, you're going to run into a fork in the road: do you go with original equipment from Husqvarna, or do you look at aftermarket brands like Acerbis or Polisport?
There's a lot to be said for OEM husqvarna 701 plastics. The fitment is guaranteed to be perfect. You won't have to struggle with holes that are half an inch off or plastic that feels thinner than the original. However, the price tag can be a bit of a gut punch. Buying every single piece from a dealership adds up quickly, especially for those larger rear side panels.
Aftermarket kits are where most people end up. Brands like Acerbis have been in the game forever, and they usually produce the plastics for the manufacturers anyway. The big advantage here is the price and the color options. You can usually get a full kit for the price of just a few OEM pieces. The only downside is that sometimes—and I mean sometimes—the color match isn't 100% identical to the factory shades. If you're replacing the whole set, that doesn't matter. But if you're just replacing one shroud, you might notice a slight difference in the "Husky white."
Breaking down the kit pieces
The 701 is a bit unique because of its fuel tank design. Since the subframe is the fuel tank, the rear husqvarna 701 plastics are shaped differently than your standard motocross bike. Here is what you're usually looking at when you buy a refresh kit:
The front end
This includes the front fender and the headlight mask. The front fender on the 701 is pretty sturdy, but it's the most likely piece to get "sandblasted" by road debris. The headlight mask is more of a cosmetic piece, but it's essential for holding everything together up front.
Shrouds and side panels
These are the big pieces that give the bike its silhouette. On the 701, the radiator shrouds are quite large. They take a lot of abuse from your legs and any branches you might brush past. The rear side panels are also substantial and cover that massive fuel tank/subframe assembly. These are usually the pieces that show the most scratches after a slide.
Fork guards and swingarm protectors
Don't overlook the smaller bits. Fork guards are cheap but vital for protecting those expensive fork tubes from nicks that can cause seal leaks. While not always included in every basic kit, adding swingarm protectors can keep your bike looking mint even if you're riding in rocky terrain.
Installation tips for a painless swap
Changing out husqvarna 701 plastics isn't rocket science, but there are a few things that can make the job go a lot smoother. First off, don't just start ripping bolts out. The 701 uses a mix of Torx bolts, and some of them have shoulder washers that are easy to lose in the grass.
It's a good idea to work on one section at a time. Take off the old shroud, and immediately put the new one on. This way, you aren't left with a pile of bolts and no idea which one goes where. Also, keep an eye on the heat shielding. The exhaust on the 701 runs pretty close to the rear plastics. If your new kit doesn't come with adhesive heat foil, you absolutely need to peel the old stuff off or buy a new roll. If you don't, you might find your expensive new side panel melting onto your muffler after a twenty-minute ride.
Another pro tip: if you're planning on putting on a new graphics kit, do it while the plastics are off the bike and sitting on a clean table. It is ten times easier to align decals when you aren't crouching next to a dirty garage floor.
Keeping your new plastics looking good
Once you've got your fresh husqvarna 701 plastics installed, you probably want them to stay looking sharp for more than a week. The biggest enemy of plastic (besides the ground) is UV rays and harsh chemicals.
When you wash the bike, avoid using aggressive degreasers on the shiny bits. They can strip the oils out of the plastic and leave it looking chalky. A simple soap and water wash followed by a plastic-specific polish or a silicone spray can do wonders. Just be careful not to get any of that slippery silicone on your seat or your tires—that's a recipe for a bad time.
If you're a heavy off-road rider, consider some clear protective film in the high-wear areas where your boots rub. It's a cheap way to double the life of your side panels.
Final thoughts on the upgrade
At the end of the day, the 701 is a machine meant to be used. It's going to get dirty, and it's probably going to get scratched. But that's the beauty of dirt-style bikes; they aren't like a fully-faired sportbike where a tip-over costs three thousand dollars. Replacing your husqvarna 701 plastics is a relatively affordable way to keep the bike looking "fresh off the showroom floor" even after years of hard use.
Whether you're going for a stealthy blacked-out look or sticking with the classic Swedish-inspired colors, a new set of plastics is the ultimate weekend project. It's satisfying, it's functional, and it makes you want to get out and ride even more. Just remember to save those old, scratched-up panels—they make for great spares for when you know you're going to be doing some "extra adventurous" riding.