Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | Road & Off-Road Test

[@ADVPulseVideos]

Check out the full review at: www.advpulse.com/adv-news/husqvarna-norden-901-expedition-review/

[@lukefish7562]

I’ve got 2300 miles on my Expedition and couldn’t be happier with it. Great review. Appreciate it. 🏍️💨

[@ADVPulseVideos]

Thanks for the watch! Great to hear feedback from an owner!

[@RandomGRK]

Any issues with engine heat?

[@lukefish7562]

@@RandomGRK Howdy! I just hit 4600 miles on the way home from work today and she’s been flawless so far. Doing more slow, technical riding recently and of course the fan comes on and there is a little heat on the left leg but it’s nothing more than that. My Crf300L is worse in that regard.

[@MichalBaginski-m3b]

That is one big trip. You need to do min 20k so you can say anything.

[@Graybeard_]

To those who are quick to point fingers at the reliability of the KTMs and therefore Nordens, I'd like to point out that, aside from a very few actual owners, most are drawing their "conclusions" from what they read in the forums. Fair enough, when you look at the complaints of say Hondas there is no comparison. Honda is king in reliability, service ability and parts availability world-wide. But I spent a good chunk of my career staring at data. So let's look at some numbers. If you read 50 forum threads and there are five references to reliability issues with, let's focus on Nordens to keep things less complicated, in each thread you read, you have read approximately 250 issues with Nordens. I seriously doubt that anyone could honestly say (and verify) that they read about 250 Norden issues from actual owners, but let's go with that data point for now. The tiny, subjective window or picture you get from those 50 threads and 250 issues could not possibly represent a larger picture with Norden or any bike, or vacuum, or garden hose for that matter. If it did, the product would fail and be dropped quickly. If a company had so many issues with its entire line of products, it would quickly go bankrupt. When a vehicle model has a serious issue that is occurring frequently, the company issues a recall. For example the NHTSA issued over 1,000 safety recalls involving over 35 million vehicles and other equipment in 2021. So what is the bigger picture with Norden? In the first half of 2022, Husqvarna sold 34,737 motorcycles worldwide. Now while that figure is not just Nordens, it begins to show us a larger picture, that 100s of thousands of Husqvarna bikes have been sold in the last few years with 10s of thousands of them likely Nordens. So while we can browse the forums and see that KTMs, Nordens have a higher percentage of issues than say Hondas, there are 10's of thousands of Nordens out there with no issues. The same point can be made with customer service. We read about the bad experiences, maybe 100 out of, again, 10s of thousands of customers who have no issues with their dealerships. I'm no fanboi of Husqvarna. I bought a timber falling saw from them a couple of years ago and hate it for several reasons. It was my first and last Husqvarna saw. But that is about design and function, not reliability. My Husqvarna brush cutter, on the other hand, has served me well for 17 years cutting brush on three timberland properties that I own in two states without a single issue other than a cracked fuel line (at 17 years) which took $2 and 20 minutes to fix myself. I would caution those interested in any bike from any manufacturer to do your research. And while forums are certainly a place I use to gather some user information, I would never let forum rats decide my next bike for me.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Great, in-depth review. I have a 2022 890 Adventure S and wish the Expedition was available last year. I wasn't enamored with the standard Norden 901 but these refinements make the Expedition a solid ADV bike. Love the new bash plate.

[@robdabney]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd have to agree. The 901 Expedition is a major upgrade over the standard bike.

[@revmaniac6995]

Great review!

[@robdabney]

Awesome to hear that. Thank you!

[@185kph]

Thank you very much for the review. Very informative.

[@jesuslopez-lq7fz]

It is an excellent motorcycle. I like to see the characteristics of the motorcycles, they give you good information about the motorcycles.

[@trout_man]

I love the look of the Expedition even more than original and the extras as great value. However..... those bags are throwaway. Noone who does Adv is gonna waste space on those. Toss em Norden

[@RandomGRK]

Any issues with engine heat? Read mixed reviews on it

[@robdabney]

I had no issues during the test with excessive engine heat.

[@mojoriden]

890R softened their suspension from 2023 on to make it easier to live with so the suspension is now the same

[@skipole09]

How’s it compare with the desert x?

[@robdabney]

The DesertX feels more powerful but doesn't have the low end grunt of the Norden's twin. The Expedition feels a little lighter and the suspension is better for aggressive off-road riding. Although I'd say the DesertX beats the standard Norden in the suspension department. As far as equipment and electronic aids, they are similar. Both bikes are in the same category of performance overall, so pick the one you like based on looks, features, price and you won't go wrong.

[@jerzygroclinek5066]

so when it comes to behavior only on an asphalt road - a normal Norden will be better?

[@robdabney]

Yes, for aggressive street riding in the twisties, the standard Norden would be better. Not that this one is bad but it's taller and has longer suspension so there's more dive and squat.

[@jerzygroclinek5066]

@@robdabney Thank You for answer

[@eatcommies1375]

I most likely will buy this bike, I wish they offered it without those cheesy bags….

[@geoffreycampbell504]

You dont have to use them!!1

[@shmooautomotiveltd5212]

Shame they are let down by mechanical and electronic problems. Great bike to ride, but not one you’d be able to use for a serious off the beaten track adventure. Which defeats the object of owning this sort of machine.

[@mihaimihai9254]

I absolutely agree with you even though I have to admit it's one of the most good looking ADVs on the market.

[@lukefish7562]

I have 2300 miles on my Expedition and I assure you it’s been off the beaten path. Saying that an 890/901 is not capable of doing some serious off road riding is ridiculous. Ever heard of a guy named Chris Birch just to throw one name out there? 😁 Tell him that.

[@shmooautomotiveltd5212]

@@lukefish7562 they’d make sure Mr Birch wasn’t stranded by the side of a Spanish road for 14hrs.

[@Angry-Lynx]

​@@lukefish7562 its not ridiculous. he talks about reliability, performance is obviously there. Ktm aventures were always more of toy to beat around local dirt roads and forests, not for true long dinstance travels. if ktm were as reliable as honda i think nobody would be buying anything else ; one of main reasons my decision was new AT - trouble free ownership(cheap to own), autobox and softer suspension, all advantages to me. and its beast on and offroad

[@lukefish7562]

@@shmooautomotiveltd5212 there is no doubt about that good sir! They’d helicopter him in another most likely. 😆 Still doesn’t make it incapable of serious “off the beaten path adventures.” Enjoy and be safe!

[@gavinhassett479]

Luggage racks look rediculous

[@carlossheppard1745]

All those extras with the same low power and torque. It’s basically a road adventure bike that too heavy and underpowered for adventure off road.