A model name like expedition gives a certain pre-concieved expectation, has Husqvarna named it well? We test the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition.
The biggest Husky has received an upgrade. Punters wanted the “old” Norden to be more dirt focussed, and the factory has responded with this new model named the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. The biggest change is the XPLOR suspension taken off the KTM 890 Adventure R.
Now sporting 240mm of travel front and rear, the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. has been transformed into a hill climbing (and descending) weapon. We threw this bike at all sorts of obstacles from water bars at speed where it landed beautifully to bombing down rocky strewn steep 4×4 trails where it rolled down easily, composed and in control. The ABS brakes worked very well in slippery conditions to provide the rider with the feel of confidence. With judicious throttle use riding up steep single trails with ruts it found a way to put the power down very effectively.
Despite our efforts to unsettle this bike it performed flawlessly in all the dirt scenarios we could throw at it and obviously was a joy to ride on the tarmac.
The Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition is a pretty bike. The unique styling and graphics are eye catching and appealing. The original version caught our eye and was very well mannered on the tar twisties. This new Expedition model adds a taller fixed front screen which worked very well to deflect the wind, and a huge aluminium bashplate to protect that low tank. This worked very well despite all the rocks that hit it making tinging noises constantly.
The motor is strong with just over 100hp and 100Nm of torque and I don’t believe you need any more HP out of a dirtbike. It has excellent low torque to lug up obstacles, and a healthy top end howl to motor you past any traffic or your mates. The various ride modes (street, rain, off-road and expedition) tweak the various ABS, traction control and peak HP settings to good effect. It’s great how you can change through them on the fly as applications arise.
Rider ergonomics were very good, the bar height and positioning was comfortable and the flat wide seat allowed hours in the saddle with no sign of a sore bum. The bike is wide through the legs but standing or sitting is neutral and comfortable. The flared seat actually promotes better grip with your knees (Steg Pegz style). Levers and controls were all easy to access and utilise even when underway.
The mod-cons are a welcome addition and it’s hard to knock the niceties like heated seat and grips with three heat settings that can be changed on the fly! When the temperature drops, it’s very nice to have them. The 5” TFT screen has a great clear display showing fuel economy, speed, revs, heat settings, ride modes etc.
The traction control works admirably well. You can tweak all sorts of settings to allow a certain amount of wheel spin, but at its heart, if you twist the throttle hard, it will spin but it also gets that power down well into forward momentum. I found it hard to knock either the ABS or TC. The cruise control worked very well and is always good for a chuckle on a motorcycle.
I was not sold on the quick shifter or “easy shift” mode as they call it as with my size 13 Gaerne SG12s I kept struggling to up-shift. The shifter cuts the motor erratically at the slightest touch of the lever hence it made for some uneasy riding initially. After turning it off I had no such issues and the bike was much better behaved with none of that behaviour. It shifted easily and cleanly like any normal enduro bike.
Make no mistake, this is a big bike at 214kg without fuel, and taller suspension to boot, but the low tank manages to hide that weight well. Swinging a leg over the bike is something you do with a concerted effort (even at 6’2”) and touching the ground I was almost on tippy toes with both boots. The steel sidestand promotes a more stepping on the bike versus a leaping on approach. Yes there is a centrestand on there as well for ease of servicing and mounting.
This extra bike bulk is most noticeable when you’re on the trail in some compromising situations (think mud bogs or slippery tree hopping) and the bike gets on an angle, and the weight works against you. While moving and underway, the bike feels svelte and responsive.
The grips are quite small and I would have preferred the traditional enduro half honeycomb style grips. The round mirrors while dated looking actually worked surprisingly well with a decent view behind, while also being tucked in enough to be protected in the event of a fall. The plastic brushguards provided are flimsy and more for wind protection than anything else. Footpegs are the old pre-2017 enduro pegs which work well. The head lights were good and I particularly rate the additional side LED spotlights which light up the “roo zone” on the sides and for dirt riding.
Speaking of kangaroos, on a return ride home in the dark we spotted four such critters, two of them requiring hard use on the brakes. We can confirm that in both instances the bike did an emergency stop very well and the brakes are top notch.
This is a bike I really wanted to like and after riding it for a few days it has really enamoured itself on me. It’s a great all round adventure bike with a frugal fuel usage (4.9l/100 despite hard use) that is perfect for riding short or long distances via dirt or road. Two up works well and the missus rated the seat and height with good visibility and she raved about the heated seat. Rider modes are great, the motor has plenty of poke, there is minimal vibration anywhere, it’s hard to find any negatives. This truly is an impressive motorcycle that would be at home in any would be adventurers garage. Well done Husqvarna.
HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901 EXPEDITION
ENGINE
Type Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel twin
Displacement 889 cc
Bore & Stroke 90.7mm x 68.8mm
Fuel metering Bosch EMS with RBW
Tank capacity 19L
Fuel Consumption 4.5 l/100 km
Transmission 6 speed
Clutch PASC anti-hopping clutch, mechanically operated
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase NA
Seat height 875/895mm
Ground clearance 270mm
Claimed Weight 214.5kg without fuel
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm WP XPLOR-USD, 240mm travel
REAR WP XPLOR PDS shock absorber, 240mm travel
BRAKES
Front Twin 320mm floating discs, radially mounted four piston caliper
Rear 260mm disc, twin piston caliper
ABS Bosch 9.1 MP (Cornering-ABS and off-road mode, disengageable)
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar NA
Front tyre NA
Rear tyre NA
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP: $27,840 Ride Away
Browser: www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com
WORDS AND PHOTOS | BERNIE DEN HERTOG