Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Review | The Total Package ?

The Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition offers many upgrades versus the standard Norden 901, KTM 790 Adventure, KTM 890 Adventure and Adventure R. Should you choose it over a Honda Africa Twin, Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, BMW F900GS, Ducati DesertX and others? Let's find out. #adv #motorcycle #husqvarna #ktm #advrider

🏍TODAY’S GEAR:

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00:00 Model Overview
02:30 Specs/Features
06:07 Ergonomics
07:45 Performance Tests
08:53 Highway Test
10:20 Sport Test
11:55 Off Road Test
16:27 Pros and Cons
25:17 Competitors
27:53 Final Thoughts

[BigRockMoto]

➕After owner feedback below, I believe the front end wobble could be down to a loose steering head, misaligned forks or uneven fork height, tire balance issue, or something similar that could be remedied by some basic maintenance.
📣Would you still but a KTM or Husqvarna given everything that is going on with the company? I think this is a good discussion to have below.

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[kellygoertzen]

I have the '23 901 expedition and have put about 4, 000 hard off road miles on it since I bought it used. I experienced some headshake at about 85mph under full throttle, lightening the front end. but it's easy to tune out by just adding preload to the rear. I'm 6'2" and 230, 250lb suited up for dirt riding. I restrung the bike for my weight and load out, and haven't looked back. It lofts, jumps and endures G-outs with ease. IMO its far and away the best value today for a touring level mid size ADV bike. I describe it as an 890 advR Plush. Thanks for your ongoing GREAT reviews Ian. And FWIW, I'm not even slightly worried about KTM's troubles. They're too big and successful to go away. Plenty of others out there with money to help them recover.

[kieranJo]

Purchased a standard Norden 901 after watching your videos. Thank you for your simple and honest advice.

[danielcarlier]

Very pro review as usual on this channel, a great channel for all motocycles / fun oriented & demanding audience, congrats & keep up !

[ComfyDadShoes]

This is such a great looking bike. Thanks for featuring it!

[KilynnWeber]

Man, I've been waiting for you to do this review for a while. Looking forward to it.

[RideOutWest]

I have a '23 Expedition with 5, 500km on it now, and experienced terrible headshake at about 5, 000km. The front wheel was actually wobbly/loose when I pushed it side to side while stationary. I thought it was a failed front wheel bearing and took it to the dealer. Turned out to be loose steering head bearings - 15 minutes and 30 bucks later and it was perfect again. Still love the bike but have now bought the full workshop manual so that I know how to check everything myself (and how to torque it all correctly). My main lingering concern is the potential of engine dusting with our dry dusty environment in Australia, so I added a better foam filter to compensate. Yeah, and my stock luggage has failed so have bought both an aftermarket soft set and a hard set. Also replaced the stock mirrors with Double-take ones, and a few other mods like exhaust system, levers, etc.

[hubertuswo]

Thanks a lot for the excellent review! I have a 2023 Expedition and have covered 27k miles so far. I don't have the front wobble, but my front brakes had some wobble. After replacing the brake discs and pads, it seems to be fine now. However, the rear shock absorber damping was very poor at first. The bike would bob up and down, especially when riding with luggage. Since my dealer replaced the damper's shim set with an alternative one from WP, it is now fine. Apart from that, my bike had a few other quality issues, such as a loose ignition lock and a leaking front brake fluid reservoir. Everything was fixed under warranty

[byronchesebro]

I own a 2023 standard 901, I am 5 11 183 pounds and I like my suspension soft. I have 7600 miles on my Norden and have taken it on two separate 11 day trips to Baja, 1 trip to the Sierras and I am very happy with the bike. I have never noticed the heat issue at anytime, nor have I experienced any head shake even while traveling 70 miles of remote dirt and sand South of Bahia Ascension in Baja, many times at speed just to stay on top of the sand. I love the low C G made possible by the gas tank design. Wind turbulence was bad on the highway until I put 3 clip ons on the windshield, especially helpful on the sides. Now I have a quiet space even on the highway. KTM engines always sound like a bucket of bolts, but overall I am very happy with my choice. Based on Ian's reviews if I was buying again I would probably buy the Tuareg and forego the extra power due the financial uncertainties surrounding KTM.

[King_Cole]

As always, such a honest, level headed and compressive take on a bike. The 901 really is one, if not the most ADV ready and versatile bikes available.

Nice work Ian! From one Husky 901 rider to another. Ride on! 🏍️🔥

[jakegirouard]

I have a 2024 Expedition and love riding the bike. However, I have had major issues. I did a ride from the Nevada desert into Oregon and right as I was about to hit the trails in Christmas Valley, OR I was hit with an over heating warning. At this time I only had about 3k miles on the bike. I had plenty of coolant, and I later learned that the thermostat was failing on the bike (controls how much coolant gets to the radiator). That has since been replaced under warranty, and it took my dealer some time to figure out the cause. The latest issue I’ve been experiencing is a “low oil pressure” warning on cold starts, which sometimes causes the bike to turn off when I start it. I took it to my dealer and they replaced the oil pressure switch, changed my oil, and replaced my filter. The fix worked for about 2-3 weeks and I’m experiencing the issue once again. Husqvarna did double the warranty period for 2024 models, but I am concerned. I really do not want to experience a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.

[kxghmzd]

24’ Standard Norden - Road tripping from Ohio - Montana Sun Rd - Denali, Alaska this summer. Ride it everyday rain/shine - Thanks for the review🇺🇸

[lukefish]

Yay Ian!
I knew you had owned the original Norden and after I picked up a ‘23 Expedition I’ve wanted you to get one and do a review for two years now but you’re a busy man with lots of bikes.
But I’m glad to now be able to see what you think especially after owning the original 901.
I’ve got 17, 000 miles of pure joy on mine and pray my valve/cam check goes well soon.
Thanks buddy for all you do!
🙏🏽
🏍️💨
Now for your super fine entertainment…🍿😁

[AdventureIdaho]

Best looking ADV on the market IMO. Price is great considering what the Expedition comes with. Just bought a 1250 GSA which I do not regret. I really do like this bike though.

[noPhilta]

I absolutely love all of your motorcycle content mate. Great review, as always! Cheers.

[albunge]

I bought a 901 when they first came out in 2022. I ride almost exclusively in the dirt, and found out the Apex suspension was not up to par. Due to this I installed the Xplor Pro forks and shock like the KTM Rally has. Now you couldn't pry that bike out of my cold dead hands. I set them up to be 240mm even though I'm 6'2". I wouldn't want the bike any taller. I have never experienced headshake with that suspension. I have also never had a check engine light or any issues in 3 years...maybe I got a good one. I bought my first KTM in 1993 so I have had a lot over the years and have never had issues with the brand, but I'm a bit of a maintenance nut, so that might help.

[olliechristopher]

Man Ian at 13:29!! So glad you came out of it OK. The 890's/901's I've seen have dampers on them.

[Paul-rhez]

I purchased the 2024 Expedition and experienced severe tank slapping above 80 mph on the highway, especially when accelerating - mostly on grooved freeways. I found that the fork height was uneven, straight from the factory which was confirmed with photos when I purchased the bike. I didn't experience any tank slapping once the fork height was set even, again this was on the highway.

[ChrisWalsh-mwny]

I have a 23 model. The stock screen is too narrow, all the wind hits you right in the ears and those mirrors make it worse.Isotta makes the perfect windscreen, 2.5” shorter and 5ish”wider, fixes the wind noise. Double take 2.0 mirrors are a must. I Went up on spring rates front and back, haven’t bottomed out since. Dropped the fork tubes, the front end sits low in stock form, I’ve never had a tank slap or death wobble and it just handles better. I also put the rally seat on, it’s not heated but it’s narrower for getting feet down and almost as comfortable as stock seat. The luggage and racks are throw away items for most serious ADV riders, they were the first things I removed. Decat mid pipe solves the heat issue for the most part. The buzz at high revs is definitely something I noticed immediately, but coming off a 2016 701 enduro, it’s smooth as butter to me. I found the stock seating position a little cramped, the higher seat and lowered pegs from Vanasche makes a world of difference. Some things can be fixed aftermarket, some can’t. The cams are always in the back of my mind but hopefully I’m one of the lucky ones with no issues 😅. Good fair review Ian . Cheers

[andrecontois]

My one cent opinion on the headshake in the video. Look at what terrain was underneath when the headshake happened. Cross rut. Off throttle. Could happen there on any bike.