The Husqvarna Norden 901 might not feel like a brand new bike as it’s visually so close to the firm’s 2019 concept model – but this is the showroom version and it represents Husky’s first venture into the twin-cylinder market in nearly a decade.
Like the rest of the Husqvarna range ever since it was bought by KTM’s parent firm, Pierer Industrie, the Norden owes more than a little to an existing KTM model. In this case, it’s the 890 Adventure that lends its bones to the new Husqvarna – the first time one of KTM’s two-cylinder bikes has been given the treatment.
Spec-wise, that means we get the 889cc KTM LC8c engine in 77kW form, making its peak at 8000rpm and the max torque of 100Nm at 6500rpm, mounted in a chrome-moly steel frame that sports WP Apex suspension at either end. It’s not quite a straight rebody of the KTM, though, as the suspension travel is increased from 200mm at each end to 220mm front and 215mm rear. That puts the Norden directly between the KTM 890 Adventure and the 890 Adventure R; the latter has WP Xplore forks and a WP Xact shock giving 240mm of travel front and rear.
The Norden’s bigger changes, though, come in the visuals. The bike borrows the KTM 890 Adventure’s idea of a saddle-style plastic fuel tank, carrying the main bulk of the fuel low down on either side, with the two parts connected to a conventional-looking central filler. However, it’s not the same tank – the Husqvarna’s is reshaped to suit the bike’s more retro-inspired styling and reduced from 20 litres to 19 litres in the process. That’s still enough for a 400km range, though.
The rest of the bodywork borrows its look in part from the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen models, with an oversized round headlight and bold straight lines and flat surfaces, but the overall silhouette owes a debt to classic Paris-Dakar bikes of the 80s and 90s. The bluff nose, mid-height screen and large, alloy engine guard all contribute to the semi-retro look. It’s clear that the Norden is going to be a direct rival to Ducati’s upcoming DesertX, which also summons the spirit of 80s Dakar bikes and will pack a twin-cylinder engine with around 80kW when it’s launched in December. With more extensive bodywork than the KTM it’s based on, the Husqvarna is a little heavier than the Austrian machine, coming in at 204kg dry instead of 196kg.
Unsurprisingly, the electronics package is similar to the KTM 890 Adventure’s, with a 5in TFT dash, cornering ABS and cornering traction control, three riding modes – street, offroad and rain, with a fourth ‘explorer’ setting available as a dealer-installed software update – and the inevitable Bluetooth connectivity for media, calls and navigation. An up/down quickshifter is standard, too, and the ABS has an offroad setting that allows the rear wheel to be locked up when riding on dirt.
Technical highlights:
- Chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame with engine as stressed member
- 889 cc parallel-twin engine with 105 hp peak power and 100 Nm of torque
- Adjustable WP APEX suspension provides exceptional comfort both on the street and offroad
- Three selectable ride modes (Street, Rain, Offroad) and optional Explorer mode
- Cutting-edge, switchable cornering ABS with Offroad mode
- Ride-by-wire throttle
- Easy Shift function
- Cornering-sensitive traction control allows for nine levels of adjustable rear wheel slip (in Explorer mode)
- Power Assist Slipper Clutch (PASC)
- Tubeless spoked wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres for peak performance on the street and offroad
- Large capacity, 19-litre fuel tank provides an extended range of up to 400 km
- Optional Connectivity Unit provides turn-by-turn navigation, telephone call reception and music selection functionality from the rider’s smartphone
Ben Purvis
