Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1433357
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901 P98 SPECIFIC ATIONS 2022 HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901 ($13,999) ENGINE TYPE 4-stroke, parallel twin VALVETRAIN DOHC, 8-valve DISPLACEMENT 889cc BORE X STROKE 90.7 x 68.8mm COMPRESSION RATIO 13.5:1 STARTING SYSTEM Electric TRANSMISSION 6-speed FUELING SYSTEM DKK Dellorto, 46mm throttle body COOLING SYSTEM Liquid CLUTCH: Cable operated, PASC slipper ENGINE MANAGEMENT Bosch EMS with RBW TRACTION CONTROL MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 3-mode, switchable, Explorer mode optional) ABS MODES Street (cornering sensitive) / Off-Road RIDE MODES Street, Rain, Off-Road EMS MTC, MSR, Easy Shift CRUISE CONTROL Stock CONNECTIVITY Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Call-In, Music Selection TECHNICAL ACCESSORIES Connectivity Unit, TPMS, heated grips, seat FRAME Chromoly-steel from HANDLEBARS Aluminum, tapered FRONT SUSPENSION WP Apex-USD 43mm, compression, rebound, preload adj. REAR SUSPENSION WP Apex-Monoshock w/linkage, rebound, preload adj. FRONT BRAKE Dual, 4-piston caliper, radially mounted, 320mm disc, ABS (switchable) REAR BRAKE 2-piston floating caliper, 260mm disc, ABS (switchable) FRONT WHEEL 2.50 x 21 in., tubeless, spoked REAR WHEEL 4.50 x 18 in., tubeless, spoked FRONT TIRE Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 90/90R x 21 in. REAR TIRE Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 150/70 R x 18 in. CHAIN X-Ring 520 WHEELBASE 59.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 9.9 in. SEAT HEIGHT 34.4 in. FUEL CAPACITY 5.0 gal. WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED) 449.7 lbs. can unlock the quickshift function with their Rally mode for $500 if you unlock the Rally Pack at your dealership. And cruise control on the KTM? It will add another $249.99 for the current model. The Norden 901 has Explorer Mode (KTM's Rally Mode) and it will cost you $189.99. To me, Explorer Mode is a no-brainer just like Rally Mode is in orange. It of- fers you max throttle response and vari- able slip control in nine levels. I leave this bike in Explorer Mode all the time and simply adjust my level of allowed slip based on road conditions. If it's dirt, I let the wheel fly and drop slip control into 2 or 3 most of the time. If I hit pave- ment, I'm not looking to party like that, so I jack it up into the 6 and 7 range. If it rains, I go to 9. It's easy and adjusts in real-time and makes electronic rider aids fun. That's not easy to do. Buy it. MSRP on the Norden 901 is right at $14,000 and will run you around $15,000 once you get out the door without any of the add-ons above. That's about $200 below a comparable KTM right now, if you can find one. I couldn't help but compare this bike to its aggressive cousins. It's just the way families work. You can't pick your family, am I right? Husqvarna's Norden 901 is a potent member to the Austrian family. It brings a unique style and performance spec to a proven platform and is intent on delivering a very com- plete adventure touring experience. It lives up to its hype and sets itself apart from relatives very well. It has limits, but they aren't a surprise. And the benefits it brings to the ADV world are sure to overshadow them, in my opinion. Here's to the Norden for picking its own path. I sure hope it decides to visit me in America, next. CN