2022 Norden 901: Husqvarna’s First Adventure Bike Hits the Road and Dirt
It’s a storied name in the dirt bike world, but Husqvarna isn’t limiting itself to off-road conditions these days. The Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen, for example, are modern interpretations of the café racer formula. And the Swedish brand is also developing both an electric motorcycle and scooter. Its new Norden 901, though, lets Husqvarna bridge paved roads and muddy trails in a different way: the adventure bike way.
After two years of waiting, the Husqvarna Norden 901 is finally ready for adventures
Although the 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 is a new model, it’s been spotted in pre-production form before. Husqvarna first showed it off as a concept at the 2019 EICMA show, kicking off months of spy shots and speculation, Cycle World reports. And now, the production version is here.
Husqvarna refers to the Norden 901 as a ‘travel bike,’ but its website acknowledges that it’s an adventure-touring motorcycle. And while the brand has years of experience with dirt bikes, dual-sports, and enduros, this is its first adventure bike. But though it’s a new bike, it’s not technically all-new. Like many of Husqvarna’s machines, the 2022 Norden 901 borrows from a KTM motorcycle—in this case, the 890 Adventure.
Given how good KTM’s existing adventure bikes are, borrowing some of its parts is by no means a bad thing. However, while the 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 is based on the KTM 890 Adventure, the two bikes aren’t 100% identical.
The first Husqvarna adventure bike brings dirt-bike lessons to the road
| Spec | 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 |
| Engine | 889cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin |
| Power | 105 hp |
| Torque | 74 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual with slipper-assist clutch |
| Front suspension and travel | 43mm WP APEX fully-adjustable inverted fork; 8.66” |
| Rear suspension and travel | WP APEX fully-adjustable mono-shock; 8.46” |
| Seat height | 33.6”-34.4” |
| Unfueled curb weight | 450 lbs |
Although the 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 has the same powertrain as the KTM 890 Adventure, other parts of the Swedish adventure bike differ from its Austrian counterpart.
For one, these motorcycles don’t look alike, owing to the Norden’s different windshield, fairing, headlight, and seat. Plus, though it rides on the same size wheels as the 890 Adventure, it has Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. And while the Husqvarna ADV’s frame also comes from the KTM, and uses the engine as a stressed member, its rake and trail are different. These geometry changes reportedly make changing directions faster, MCN says.
In addition, the 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 sits in-between the KTM 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R in terms of suspension tech and specs, Cycle World notes. The Norden has less suspension travel than the R but more travel than the base 890. And the adventuring Swede’s seat is lower than the former bike’s seat but higher than the latter’s seat. But, if the Norden’s seat is too tall for you, there is an optional lowering kit available. The Husqvarna ADV’s handlebars are adjustable as standard, though.
Electronics carry over essentially unchanged from the KTM adventure bikes, though Husqvarna makes some features standard. Like the 890 Adventure, the Husqvarna Norden 901 has lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, as well as anti-wheelie control, two on-road riding modes, and an Off-Road Mode. Explorer Mode, likely Husqvarna’s equivalent of KTM’s Rally Mode, is still optional. However, while an up-and-down electronic quickshifter is optional on the KTMs, it’s standard on the Norden 901.
Like the KTMs, the Norden 901 has a 5” full-color TFT display with Bluetooth, though smartphone connectivity is optional. But the Husqvarna has standard cruise control, while the 890 Adventures don’t.
How much will the 2022 Norden cost when it arrives in dealers?
Although it’s a 2022 model, the Husqvarna Norden 901 should be hitting US dealers this month. With its $13,999 starting price, it’s now the most expensive road-legal bike the brand offers. And it’s $1900 more expensive than the 701 Enduro dual-sport.
However, in keeping with its relation to the KTM 890 Adventures, the Norden is priced in-between them. The 2021 890 Adventure is $900 cheaper while the R is $200 pricier. And given the suspension and tech upgrades over the base 890 Adventure, the extra cash is arguably worth it.
Still, the true test of an ADV doesn’t start until it goes from dirt to pavement and vice versa. But on paper, Husqvarna’s new bike might have more than a few riders planning some winter and spring adventures.
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