VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P83
(240mm) of suspension
travel front and rear. That's
an increase of about an inch
on both ends, give-or-take
five millimeters. Moreso than
the increased travel, you get
the elevated performance of
the fully adjustable WP Xplor
componentry complete with
a wider range of adjustment
and increased rigidity. This
is the same exact design as
the KTM 890 Adventure R and
same family of suspension the
Husqvarna, KTM and GasGas
off-road bikes come set up
with. Xplor is as proven as
suspension comes and fea-
tures adjustable preload (front
and rear), compression and
rebound clickers, and high-/
low-speed compression
adjustability on the shock. The
next level up from here is big-
wallet territory with Xplor Pro
Components a'la the limited
"Rally" versions of KTM's 890.
We've complimented this
Xplor suspension group for
years with our only real com-
plaints being the KTM 890
Adventure settings being too
aggressive for more relaxed
riding duty.
Husqvarna comes in with
a unique setting here. With a
lighter fork spring and with
internal damping/valving ap-
proximately 20% "lighter" than
the KTM 890 Adventure R, the
Norden 901 Expedition sticks
to its softer-edged roots while
still providing a substantial
suspension package and full-
length ADV travel.
Upgrade number two is the
factory installed 4mm thick
aluminum skid-plate. This is
a serious piece of protective
(Above) The
substantial 4mm-
thick aluminum full-
coverage skid plate
should last through
any bashing to
come. (Below) These
company-branded
soft bags were a
little disappointing.
Buckles that bind
with dirt and seams
that are showing
wear indicate
some room for
improvement.
