Motorcycle – Norden 901 2022 | The nice surprise of the Husqvarna adventure

Tropical vegetation of an impossible green. A volcano that touches the clouds in the middle of the ocean. Roads that wind everywhere. Trails as many as you want. And the new Husqvarna Norden 901. “Adventure” test in the Azores archipelago. Because someone has to do it …

Adventure, always adventure

Someday, psychologists will have to reflect on this period when the idea of ​​adventure simultaneously captured the imagination of so many people. The force of the feeling is such that it is to replace the car by the SUV in the world of the automobile and multiplies the adventurers in that of the motorcycle. An important distinction, however, between these two worlds is that an adventurer cannot just pose. It must be up to it, or it will be shunned. However, models really capable of tackling any type of terrain already exist, making the development of a convincing novelty all the more difficult. It is in this context that the new Husqvarna Norden 901 arrives.

Good genetics

All Husqvarna road models borrow certain elements from KTM – the brands belong to the same group. In the case of the Norden 901, the chassis and the 889 cc parallel twin cylinder producing 105 hp of the renowned KTM 890 Adventure are completely taken over. For the rest, Husqvarna installed adjustable long-travel suspensions, a large 21-inch front wheel, powerful brakes with ABS that can be partially or fully deactivated, a suite of electronic aids including traction control, and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR “road and trail” tires. Fairing elements exclusive to the Norden give it its own style.

An inviting format

With a mass in running order slightly under 220 kg and a reasonable saddle height (in the lower of the two positions), the Norden 901 offers a pleasantly welcoming format. Its precise steering, great stability and excellent braking make it easy to handle and very pleasant on the road. But it is especially once out of the road environment that the importance of this moderate size is revealed, the latter even allowing the medium-caliber pilot to ride in damaged terrain in a fairly aggressive way without too much stress. In expert hands, the Norden 901 takes the form of a very serious off-roader.

Staggering suspensions …

Regardless of her other qualities, if an adventurer is not equipped with adequate suspension on the trail, she becomes an exercise in style. If the Norden 901 has style, it also has absolutely stunning suspensions. Get out of a tight winding road that you have just attacked at a pace that a true sportswoman would struggle to follow, then climb – barely slowing down – to the top of a volcano by dirt roads and rocks dug by torrents of rainwater, with the same motorcycle and without even adjusting the suspensions, should be impossible. Thanks to the phenomenal suspensions of the novelty, this is exactly what we did and did again during the test.

… supported by incredible tires

With tires, you usually have to choose: on-road or off-road. The Pirelli of the Norden 901 are an exception. You can trust them in the rain and push them at an extreme pace in curves, without even realizing that these are not exclusively road tires. Then, without even adjusting their pressure, they not only allow you to go through dirt and gravel as if nothing had happened, but also to venture into mud and sand in moderation. The combination of these tires and the suspensions described above is the Norden’s secret weapon.

Homework to do for electronics

The novelty offers almost all the electronic functions and driving assistance in vogue: traction control, the choice of deactivating the ABS entirely or only at the rear for riding on trails, connectivity to a cell phone, modes allowing to reduce the power from 105 to 82 hp, and much more. But the way to activate these functions and switch from one to the other is not at all intuitive, simple or straightforward, especially since it sometimes has to be done while driving. You get used to doing it over and over again, but now that all the information is on a color screen, it should be a lot easier.

Conclusion

The Norden 901 being powered by the same torquey and fun twin as that of the KTM 890 Adventure and the novelty also incorporating the chassis of the KTM without modification, it would be illogical to expect the two models to be completely different. And yet, the distinctions are enough to conclude that the pupil has surpassed the teacher. More comfortable, much better designed and much more versatile, the Norden 901 should be considered as a benchmark for adventurers, all sizes combined. Powerful enough to entertain, not heavy enough to get in the way on the trail and comfortable to put the miles on the road: it is brilliant.

Transportation and accommodation costs were paid by Husqvarna.

Bertrand Gahel is the author of Motorcycle guide.