Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Evaluation | Bike Check

Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Evaluation

As soon as Husqvarna’s Norden 901 Expedition – an evolution of the already spectacular Norden 901 launched final yr – was delivered to life, the corporate was so assured in its new {hardware} that it let a pair free throughout the huge and barren expanses of Mongolia to place them to the final word take a look at.

The riders weren’t your bread-and-butter selection, both: none apart from five-time Dakar Rally winner, Frenchman Cyril Despres, and world-famous explorer Mike Horn. Big reserves of expertise and psychological power on each counts – not too many different individuals would abseil an Expedition down a sheer cliff face… (try the video right here)

In addition to showcasing the Expedition’s experience, the journey was all about journey, friendship and encapsulating the sheer pleasure of motorcycling – precisely the narrative that Husqvarna might be selling to potential patrons when its new mannequin hits native showrooms (alongside the Norden 901) for $27,840 journey away – solely $2800 greater than the bottom Norden 901 with a good catalogue of extra components and options.

The worldwide media launch of the Norden 901 Expedition was lately held in South Africa, and watching the trailer for the Despres-Horn YouTube movie in the course of the mannequin presentation was actually an inspirational start line. Who wants ‘Eye of the Tiger’ for motivation when you may have that…

Then it was our flip to pattern the Norden 901 Expedition over two days, with the machine displaying a degree of temperament, poise and talent that correlates with its standing as the brand new flagship of the Husqvarna journey touring vary. And it has to, within the face of sturdy opposition from the likes of the Ducati DesertX, the KTM 890 Journey R, Aprilia Tuareg 660, CFMoto 800MT Discover, BMW F 850 GS Journey and Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Professional.

However how precisely does the Norden 901 Expedition differ from the Norden 901? The most important change is the suspension, which has been uprated to WP Xplor from WP Apex – now replicating the sturdier setup on the 890 Journey R, and we all know how good that machine is off-road, particularly in softening the jarring high-compression hits. The one actual distinction between the suspension within the two fashions is the damping is softer within the Expedition for further consolation.

Suspension journey on the Expedition is 240mm at each ends (it’s 220/215mm on the Norden 901), whereas within the electronics division it will get the ‘Explorer’ journey mode which is an possibility on the Norden 901. The opposite journey modes on the Expedition are Road, Off-road and Rain, and it additionally has cornering ABS and traction management. In the meantime, the bi-directional quickshifter merely doesn’t miss a beat; it’s among the finest I’ve used, palms down.

Even with the stiffer 48mm Xplor shock to soak up the large hits, the aluminium bashplate nonetheless stays a priceless a part of the Norden’s protecting layer – and it’s big, enveloping the undercarriage after which working its approach up the aspect of the bike.

The Expedition additionally has a heated rider’s seat and grips, full smartphone connectivity for the five-inch TFT display screen to take/make calls, play music and activate turn-by-turn navigation (with a map obtain operate that may be considered offline), new bodywork (together with a non-adjustable windscreen bigger than the usual 901), and 36 litres of soppy baggage (and mounting rack) as commonplace fitment. It’s not probably the most sturdy baggage, however nonetheless greater than a helpful addition and an additional nod to its long-haul functionality.

The sprint additionally has house for an aftermarket-style GPS unit together with a USB jack for energy provide.

Tubeless Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 21- and 18-inch tyres stay in Expedition guise, that are an excellent match for a machine which is designed to spend as a lot time on-road as off. Certain, extra hardcore off-road riders will match extra aggressive knobbies, because the STRs are biased in the direction of the ‘journey’ aspect of the adventure-travel – and that was evident just a few occasions on the launch, particularly in some sandy sections.

We didn’t modify tyre pressures as we didn’t wish to run the danger of flat tyres, however we nonetheless managed to navigate our approach by way of some pretty troublesome countryside within the dry. Precipitation would have made it a very completely different story…

Two issues that haven’t modified on the Expedition from the bottom Norden 901 are the engine and body, with the 899cc parallel-twin remaining a burdened member within the metal trellis setup. The ride-by-wire engine has twin steadiness shafts and a power-assist slipper clutch, and produces 103hp (77kW) at 8000rpm and 100Nm at 6500rpm. Redline is 8500rpm.  Air filter entry is handy (elevate seat and undo two screws), though in actually dusty situations the addition of an oiled foam pre-filter could be advantageous.

It truly is a candy and playful engine, and a fantastic match for journey using. The a great deal of torque make brief work of sling-shotting from one nook to a different – alongside loads of top-end poke that may be tamed with nine-level traction management to supply the proper drift.

In every journey mode, riders may select road- or off-road ABS – the latter disabling the operate from the rear together with lowering early intervention on the entrance and disabling the lean angle sensor.

The Expedition actually has an attention-grabbing design, with the blue and white livery (the one one out there), rally-style tower and display screen selling a ‘mild’ look – I simply knew it will steer and deal with effectively.

And that was borne out over two days traversing some magical South African mountains and valleys – it handles phenomenally effectively, and is agile and nimble regardless that it’s added an additional 10kg over the Norden 901. The Expedition weighs in at a claimed 214.5kg (moist, with out gas).

We tackled some lengthy, free rocky descents the place it’s usually straightforward to turn into unsettled on a 200kg-plus journey bike. Nonetheless, the Expedition ate it up, which was actually reassuring.

The Norden template is about maintaining the burden low as doable – simply have a look at the droopy 19-litre gas tank, for a begin – whereas the Xplor suspension is tremendous cozy whereas managing to navigate sharp-edged bumps brilliantly. Nonetheless, I did get just a few little head shakes over some potholes at greater speeds, which was somewhat disconcerting.

However all in all, Husqvarna has nailed it: the Expedition is a allure on bitumen, and that polish continues off-road. I used to be pleasantly shocked with the bike’s off-road potential and, after spending an excellent chunk of time in current months on the 890 Journey R, I actually had a high-quality marker to check it in opposition to.

I couldn’t see the worth of the quickshifter within the filth, so I turned it off. Even with out the digital assist, the six-speed gearbox remains to be exact, however on just a few events I did hit false neutrals after I was transitioning from seated to standing or on uneven floor.

The seat is extra of a bucket type reasonably than flat, and because the terrain grew to become extra excessive my knees shaped two rounded grooves shaped in its flanks – which was a bonus for each consolation and agility.

I did bump my head on the brand new touring display screen just a few occasions after I was standing, however so far as deflecting wind it really works effectively – aided by the small gap within the center which helps to cut back turbulence.

With so many choices and changes out there within the electronics suite – I could also be old school however are the electronics on all these new bikes somewhat overwhelming? – I tinkered away till I ended up in Discover mode with the traction management dialled down to 2 (i.e. on the much less intrusive aspect of the dimensions), ABS set to off-road (i.e. disabling the rear) and the throttle setting to Rally. And the fantastic factor? The Expedition remembers all of the settings!

There have been just a few glitches on the launch with the electronics leaping out of modes and buttons not working, however I’m certain a software program improve will iron out the bugs.

I bear in mind cruising alongside this sandy path standing on the pegs, and beside me was Despres – additionally taking within the backdrop of rock-littered mountains interspersed with sky-blue lakes. An actual pinch myself second, however that is the rationale you’ll personal a motorbike just like the Expedition – though using subsequent to a Dakar legend could not all the time be assured…

And with a gas vary within the neighborhood of 400km, the Norden 901 Expedition is a ‘turn-key’ resolution to fulfill your wanderlust – there are not any holes to fill. The Expedition actually lit up my journey wick.

Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Specs