[Moto] Norden arrives: Husqvarna 901 adventurer set for on and off-road exploration from 2022

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https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2022-husqvarna-norden-901/

After almost two years of spy shots, and video teasers Husqvarna have finally lifted the covers off their hotly anticipated Norden 901 adventure bike.

Based on the pre-existing KTM 890 Adventure range, the Norden is distinguished from its Austrian siblings by its typically-Husky futuristic bodywork, complete with cyclops LED headlight.

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Said to be ergonomically designed to work with the rider’s body, the smooth plastics wrap tightly around a KTM-derived 889cc parallel twin engine - producing a claimed 103.6bhp and 73.8lb.ft, as well as acting as a stressed member within the steel chassis.

Riding the Husqvarna Norden 901 off-road

This frame itself also comes from its orange siblings, with a slightly more aggressive rake and trail for faster changes of direction.

Also shared with the standard 890 are the WP Apex forks and shock, however there’s now more adjustment and 20mm extra travel in the front end and 15mm extra at the back for a little more composure on the rough stuff.

There’s also 30mm of adjustment in the handlebars and the foot peg rubbers can be removed for more grip off-road. A two-piece seat climbs between 854mm and 874mm and gets thinner towards the tank to help riders reach to the floor.

A side view of the Husqvarna Norden 901

Also keeping the bike in check are a myriad of lean sensitive electronic aids – made possible by a six axis IMU. This includes cornering ABS on the J.Juan brakes and anti-wheelie – with nine-stage traction control unlocked when the bike is placed in the optional 'Explorer' mode. It can also be deactivated completely if you fancy.

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Flicking to the off-road ABS setting allows you to lock up the rear wheel, and removes lean sensitivity at the front end for greater precision on loose surfaces. This is further helped by the rugged Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber, which hug a pair of spoked tubeless rims.

On top of this, Husqvarna have also thrown in cruise control, an up and down quickshifter and three standard riding modes. Engine braking control also works with the slipper clutch for better precision on aggressive downshifts and deceleration.

Parked up on the Husqvarna Norden 901

Helping operate these systems is a 5in TFT display, which can also be connected to your mobile via the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles App for turn-by-turn navigation.

There’s no word on pricing yet, but we’d expect it to sit between £12,000 and £12,500.

Norden 901 nearly here: Husqvarna put through its paces by rally legend Cyril Despres
First published on 17 August 2021 by Jordan Gibbons

Jumping the Husqvarna Norden 901 prototype

As the Husqvarna marketing machine gets into full swing, the brand have released their latest video of the new Norden 901; this time we see it tearing around the volcanic plains of Iceland.

There are two bikes in the video being piloted by some very handy riders: one is five-time Dakar rally winner Cyril Despres, the other is extreme explorer Mike Horn, who has also raced the Dakar on four wheels.

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As well as amazing views of Iceland, what the video really shows us is just how capable the new bike will be (especially in the right hands). So far all we’ve been able to garner from the bike is what it’s like to ride on the road, when MCN bagged an exclusive first ride last year.

The duo explored Iceland on the Norden 901 prototype

At the time we said: "it offers a slightly softer – luxurious, even - more real- world alternative to the sportier 890 Adventure R. It’s subtly more welcoming, especially as you sit more in the bike than on it, so you feel more part of the bike and can ride it more intuitively."

But now having seen it do the business off-road, it’s clear that it’s just as capable as its orange counterpart. Concentrating on the bike, it’s clear that these machines are one step closer to production, quite possibly even full production spec, and that very little has changed between these and the first prototypes we saw two years ago.

Five-time Dakar rally winner Cyril Despres

The biggest change, other than the paint finish, is that the two-part split dash has gone in favour of a more conventional TFT – albeit not the one from the 890 Adventure, with Husky instead opting for the 5in full colour unit from the 1290 Super Duke R.

It’s no real surprise to see a few items carry over from the 890 accessories catalogue, including the Akrapovic pipe.

We’re expecting Husqvarna to unveil two versions of the Norden – a more off-road and adventure focused version with a high mudguard, longer-travel suspension and dual sport tyres as well as a more touring focused model with shorter suspension, comfier seat, larger screen and road-biased tyres.

There’s been no official word from Husqvarna on the release of the new bike but we’d expect it to be unveiled in the Autumn and to be in dealers for Spring 2022.