2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Trip Evaluate

Strolling as much as the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition for the primary time, the daring graphics caught my eye. In a departure from the subdued matte-black paint scheme on the usual Norden 901, the Expedition sports activities a blue and white colorway with yellow accents, a big white Husqvarna emblem, and white handguards and facet panels. Like the usual mannequin, the graphics embody topographical traces that recall to mind far-flung locations the place one would possibly enterprise on the Expedition. 

Associated: 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 | First Trip Evaluate

The visible prowess of the brand new machine bought me excited. The inverted WP Xplor fork – an improve from the WP Apex unit on the usual Norden – has an attention grabbing WP emblem and purple accents on the silver tubes. The wrap-around skid plate is massive and rugged, defending each the underside of the engine and the decrease pods of the horseshoe-shaped gasoline tank. 

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The Expedition appears to be like the enterprise, and all I needed to do was journey it. 

However is it the off-road beast I needed the primary Norden to be? The usual mannequin was launched simply final 12 months, and it planted a outstanding flag for Husqvarna – a legendary off-road model – onto the ADV panorama. The Expedition ups the platform’s sport with higher-spec WP Xplor suspension, a taller windscreen, and facet carriers with a pair of 18-liter waterproof saddlebags. A number of non-obligatory options and equipment for the Norden are normal on the Expedition, together with the Explorer journey mode, a beefier skid plate, heated grips and seat, a centerstand, and Bluetooth connectivity for infotainment and navigation. It’s priced at $15,799, a $1,300 premium over the Norden 901.

Sufficient speculating, let’s journey! 

Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa 

Husqvarna did a tremendous job plotting a route up and down epic mountains, over rolling hillsides, and alongside rugged coastlines close to Cape City, South Africa. Our first day began with a brief stint on the freeway to get comfy on the machine, after which we depraved it up on a hardpacked gravel street by means of vineyards and not too long ago harvested grain fields. It was tremendous dusty, so we tried leaving sufficient house between riders to keep away from the mud with out shedding sight of these forward of us. With a fast look down, I noticed 136 kph (84 mph) on the TFT show, and I puzzled, Are we in a rush?  

GEAR UP

Our route took us alongside the sting of a lake, and the surroundings was breathtaking. Then we returned to the tarmac and blasted down an attractive canyon street with towering cliffs, majestic mountains, and deep ravines. Backwards and forwards we went, from gravel roads to highways at a brisk tempo. The Norden’s 889cc parallel-Twin, which cranks out a claimed 105 hp and 73.8 lb-ft of torque, was pegged at 7,000 rpm in sixth gear with out grievance, although redline is 8,500 rpm. 

Day 2 introduced extra severe off-road terrain, with technical two-track, moist sand, and gnarly, rutted-out hillclimbs. At one level, dealing with uncovered rocks and step-ups because the path steepened towards a peak, I assumed to myself, There’s no means this bike is making it to the highest. It seemed like one thing solely an enduro bike ought to deal with however not this bike, not with its road-biased tires with 36 psi in them. However the Norden proved to be fairly the mountain goat, and we efficiently summitted the hill. 

Then it was on to an enduro-type loop part with sand, unfastened purple rock, hardpacked filth, and a moist, grassy stretch. We did a number of loops, every barely quicker and messier than the final, pushing the Norden 901 Expedition tougher with every cross. Then we charged up a steep and crumbling single-lane paved street. What a climb, and what a view from the highest! It was a tremendous couple of days to check an journey bike – the proper mixture of a difficult route and out-there countryside. 

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Report Card 

The Husqvarna Norden 901 is constructed on the identical platform because the KTM 890 Journey and 890 Journey R, a motorbike I’ve beforehand sampled. They share an engine and far of the identical expertise, equivalent to journey modes, cornering ABS and traction management, Motor Slip Regulation, and a quickshifter. As on the KTMs, ABS is linked to the journey modes, so deciding on the Avenue or Rain journey mode prompts the Highway ABS mode, and deciding on the Offroad or Explorer journey mode prompts the Offroad ABS mode. 

However the Explorer journey mode is absolutely customizable. Riders can choose amongst 4 completely different throttle-response maps (Rally, Offroad, Avenue, or Rain), choose both ABS mode, and toggle between 10 ranges of traction management for the rear wheel on the fly, starting from Stage 0 (off) to Stage 9 (most intrusive). I discovered that Stage 3 allowed for good energy slides with out letting issues get too out of hand. 

The most important change on the Expedition relative to the usual Norden 901 is the suspension. In comparison with the WP Apex setup on the bottom mannequin, the Expedition’s WP Xplor fork has bigger diameter tubes (48mm vs. 43mm) and extra journey (9.4 inches vs. 8.7 inches), and the Xplor PDS (Progressive Damping System) shock additionally has extra journey (9.4 inches vs. 8.5 inches). The KTM 890 Journey R additionally has Xplor suspension, however the Expedition has softer damping for a extra comfy journey. After two hard-charging days of driving, I can inform you that the bike’s dealing with is phenomenal. 

On pavement, the added stiffness of the 48mm fork stored the entrance finish firmly planted irrespective of how exhausting I pushed into turns, even with the extra journey. The damping allowed the Expedition to drift down the street, but it surely by no means felt spongy or bouncy. Off-road was a unique story. At excessive speeds on lengthy, quick gravel roads, I felt equally assured till I hit a unfastened rock or pothole and the handlebar did a fast 1-2-3 twitch – simply sufficient to remind me to tone it down. On gnarly trails, I felt the softness of the stroke and used all of the journey, but it surely by no means held me again and I skilled much less jarring on my physique than what I’ve skilled on the 890 Journey R. 

Earlier than the extra technical driving on Day 2, I requested the Husqvarna techs to agency up the damping entrance and rear (there’s a settings chart underneath the rider seat). Adjusting the fork is easy since there are compression and rebound clickers atop the fork tubes; adjusting the shock requires instruments which are discovered within the toolkit underneath the facet panel. The adjustments made an enormous distinction. On the street, I may really feel small imperfections within the tarmac, and I may dive into corners with much more confidence and pace. Off-road was even higher. I felt extra in tune with the bike, permitting me to push the bounds. There was no extra twitch at excessive speeds, and the bike tracked straighter by means of sandy sections. On tough, rocky trails, the tires didn’t deflect as a lot, although it could have been even higher if we may have aired them down. 

The Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs on the Expedition, which have roughly a 70/30 on/off-road bias, carried out properly on pavement and on fast-paced gravel roads. We flogged them exhausting, they usually supplied assured, constant grip. In sand and on a number of the extra technical off-road sections, nevertheless, I might have most well-liked a extra aggressive knobby. Tires are all the time a compromise, and the Pirellis are versatile tires with massive knob blocks that ought to maintain up properly throughout lengthy multiday excursions. 

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Jack of All Trades 

Journey bikes have a tricky job. They should be rugged and able to tackling all kinds of off-road terrain, they should be sturdy sufficient to resist abuse and carry heavy hundreds, and they should present sufficient energy, consolation, and class to fulfill riders who wish to carve canyons or cross continents. 

The Norden’s tubular chromoly-steel trellis body is mild and powerful and makes use of the engine as a confused member for added rigidity. The remainder of the chassis consists of a metal trellis subframe and a cast-aluminum open-lattice swingarm. The steering stem, triple clamps, handlebar, and footpegs are additionally made from aluminum, saving weight with out sacrificing sturdiness. 

The parallel-Twin engine is definitely as much as the duty. It’s a vigorous powerplant, but twin balancer shafts maintain vibration to a manageable stage. It makes loads of energy and torque, its throttle-by-wire permits the selectable journey modes and different rider aids, and its 6-speed transmission is supplied with a slip/help clutch and the most effective quickshifter I’ve had the pleasure of utilizing.  

Whether or not seated or standing, I discovered the ergonomics to be spot-on for my 5-foot-11 body. The low-slung gasoline tank retains weight down low for higher stability and dealing with, and it retains the higher a part of the tank slim between the knees. The tank, bodywork, and windscreen stored the wind and water off me for essentially the most half. The windscreen isn’t adjustable, but it surely has a cut-out within the heart that smooths the airflow. There was no buffeting, and I may look facet to facet with out the height of my helmet getting ripped by the passing air. When seated, I felt some airflow at neck stage, however I didn’t thoughts, particularly within the heat temperatures we have been driving in.  

With good wind safety, cruise management, and heated grips and seat, the Expedition is an efficient selection for many who wish to burn miles. The baggage that comes normal, nevertheless, wasn’t fairly as much as the duty. Midway by means of Day One, the crossmember that connects the 2 facet carriers got here off and went flying finish over finish down the street behind me. That bought repaired, however after two days of beating, the loaded baggage hung down as a result of the stitching on the higher backing was stretching and coming undone. The facet baggage look good and supply helpful storage, however they don’t appear sturdy sufficient for severe off-road abuse. 

For digital addicts, the Expedition has a connectivity unit that permits a smartphone to be paired by way of Bluetooth utilizing the Trip Husqvarna Bikes app, which permits telephone and music capabilities in addition to Flip-by-Flip+ navigation and route planning. Pairing a Bluetooth helmet headset with the app permits riders to hearken to music and take calls, with capabilities managed by way of the left change dice and displayed on the TFT sprint. Maps could be downloaded to be used offline, and as much as 128 waypoints could be added to routes. I didn’t take a look at the app, however I discovered the TFT show straightforward to learn and the menus intuitive. 

See all of Rider‘s Husqvarna protection right here.

Backside Line 

General, my criticisms of the Norden 901 Expedition are pretty minor. I’d like an adjustable windscreen, extra sturdy baggage, and knobbier tires, however a few of that simply displays my private preferences. Should you’re available in the market for a middleweight do-it-all journey bike, particularly when you put emphasis on the “touring” a part of Journey Touring, then the Expedition is difficult to beat. With its glorious on- and off-road dealing with, versatile engine, incredible electronics bundle, and comfy ergonomics, you’ll be smiling ear-to-ear on each journey. 

2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Specs

• Base Worth: $15,799 
• Web site: Husqvarna-Bikes.com 
• Guarantee: 2 yrs., 24,000 miles 
• Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
• Displacement: 889cc 
• Bore x Stroke: 90.7 x 68.8mm 
• Horsepower: 105 hp @ 8,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare) 
• Torque: 73.8 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare) 
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch 
• Ultimate Drive: X-ring chain 
• Wheelbase: 59.5 in. ± 0.6 in. 
• Rake/Path: 25.8 levels/4.2 in. 
• Seat Peak: 33.6/34.4 in. 
• Moist Weight: 503 lb (claimed)  
• Gas Capability: 5.0 gal. 
• Gas Consumption: 52.3 mpg (claimed)