2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition First Look

[Hugh Janus]

The 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition promises more capability. (Husqvarna/)

For 2023, Husqvarna has added another member to its Travel range of motorcycles. Joining the 701 Enduro and the Norden 901 is the brand-new Norden 901 Expedition. While much of the core of the bike remains unchanged from the standard model, the Expedition comes equipped with upgraded suspension plus a load of standard accessories that equip the bike to set off on an adventure right from the showroom floor. The goal was to improve the Norden in terms of off-highway capabilities, while also stocking it up with comfort features to make the journey more enjoyable.

The Expedition comes with upgraded suspension and lots of standard accessories including luggage. (Husqvarna/)

Suspension and Chassis

Starting with the suspension, what separates the Expedition from the standard model by the largest degree are the more off-road-friendly WP Xplor units front and rear. At the front, the base model’s WP Apex 43 (43mm stanchion) fork is swapped for the Xplor 48 fork with much larger 48mm stanchions. While the Apex fork has provisions for compression and rebound, the Xplor adds preload to the mix. Similarly, at the rear, the Apex shock is swapped for an Xplor shock. The Apex unit on the standard model has preload and rebound damping, while the Xplor unit is fully adjustable with preload, compression, and high- and low-speed rebound damping.

Travel increases from the Apex’s 8.7 inches at the front and 8.5 inches at the rear, to 9.4 inches at each end on the Expedition. This in turn has increased the Expedition’s ground clearance 0.7 inch to 10.6, while also increasing the wheelbase slightly from 59.5 to 60.1 inches.

The fully adjustable Xplor 48 fork offers more travel than the standard Norden’s fork. (Husqvarna/)

The Norden 901 Expedition has a chromoly-steel frame that utilizes the engine as a stressed member. Rake is set at 25.8 degrees, with 4.2 inches of trail. Out back is a die-cast aluminum swingarm that utilizes a linkless PDS shock. Spoked 21-by-2.5-inch front and 18-by-4.5-inch rear wheels are a tubeless design and mounted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires in 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 front and rear sizes.

An Xplor shock is fitted to the Expedition and is fully adjustable. (Husqvarna/)

The mechanical details of the braking system include J.Juan (a Brembo sub-brand) radial-mount four-piston calipers up front with 320mm discs, while a twin-piston caliper and 260mm disc reside out back. You can read more about the ABS system below.

The triple clamps are aluminum and have provisions for six mounting points and 30mm of front-to-rear adjustment for the tapered-aluminum handlebar. Additionally, the two-piece seat offers two height levels to help the rider find the perfect position. The claimed heights are 34.4 inches in the low position and 35.2 inches in the higher setting.

The two-position seat can be set to 34.4 inches or 35.2 inches. (Husqvarna/)

Accessories

While the suspension is the big-ticket news in terms of performance-oriented additions, the list of included creature comforts and accessories helps further distinguish the two models. Some of the items that are aimed at extending the rider’s comfort over long distances include standard heated grips and rider seat, and a much taller Touring windshield to provide better protection from the wind and rain. Another key addition, that you usually don’t know you need until it’s too late, is a centerstand that greatly simplifies chain maintenance and changing tires or helping when fixing a flat (get a plug kit!). With the new burly suspension, you’ll want better engine protection, so a heavy-duty aluminum skid plate is included as well.

More burly suspension begs for off-road riding, so a heavy-duty aluminum skid plate is standard. (Husqvarna/)

You can’t go far without luggage, so the Expedition comes with a set of soft bags and all the necessary mounting hardware already installed. The combined capacity is a claimed 36 liters. The luggage mounts don’t appear to be compatible with Husqvarna’s other luggage options, so if you want more capacity or hard bags, you’d need to purchase another mounting system to do so.

Another key addition is the Connectivity Unit (optional on the base Norden), which allows you to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to the motorcycle, which in turn allows you to utilize the bike’s TFT display via the Ride Husqvarna app to access turn-by-turn navigation and manage phone calls and music.

Engine

The power unit in the Expedition is identical in every regard to the base Norden. It’s the same 889cc LC8c parallel twin that also powers KTM’s 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R. The liquid-cooled DOHC eight-valve engine produces a claimed 105 hp at 8,000 rpm and 74 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. For reference: The last KTM 890 Adventure R we ran on the Cycle World dyno cranked out 86.5 hp at 8,320 rpm and 58.1 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,870 rpm at the rear wheel. The cylinder head utilizes lightweight assembled camshafts which actuate both intake and exhaust valves via finger followers. A pair of balance shafts (one in between the camshafts and a second in front of the crankshaft) reduce vibration, while service intervals are set at around 9,500 miles. A pair of 46mm Dell’Orto throttle bodies are operated by ride-by-wire control.

The exact same engine that powers the standard Norden and the KTM 890 Adventure/Adventure R is used in the Expedition. (Husqvarna/)

Power is sent to the rear wheel via a PASC (power assist slipper clutch) into the six-speed transmission that comes equipped with the Easy Shift quickshifter that allows clutchless up- and downshifts.

Electronics

The Husky’s brain is a Bosch engine management system with ride-by-wire throttle control. This system allows the rider to choose between four distinct modes including Street, Rain, Offroad, and Explorer. The latter is a user-customizable mode in which the rider can individually tailor traction control, throttle response, peak-power output, and ABS preferences to their liking. The Cornering MTC traction-control system is lean-angle sensitive and has nine levels of intervention for rear-wheel slip. The MTC also provides wheelie control depending on the chosen mode. While Motor Slip Regulation manages engine-braking electronically to work in concert with the slipper clutch.

The rider interface is anchored by this 5-inch TFT display. The Expedition comes standard with the Connectivity Unit that allows your smartphone to talk to the bike via Bluetooth. (Husqvarna/)

Another nice feature that is possible with the ride-by-wire system is cruise control, which comes standard on the Expedition.

Bosch’s 9.1 MP Cornering ABS system utilizes an IMU to determine the bike’s lean angle and intervene accordingly when switched to the standard mode. In Offroad mode, ABS is turned off to the rear wheel so it can be completely locked, while the lean-sensitive function is turned off and ABS intervention reduced.

Full LED lighting is used including the headlight, fog lights, turn signals, and taillight. (Husqvarna/)

The Expedition comes equipped with all LED lighting including the large round headlight and a pair of integrated fog lights, while slim front and rear turn signals are minimalist and tucked out of the way.

Conclusion

Depending on where you plan to ride and on what type of surface, the Expedition version of the Norden offers a whole lot of extra features for the money. For an extra $1,300, the $15,799 Expedition comes with the Xplor suspension, luggage, a skid plate, and a lot of other bells and whistles that sound like they would cost a whole lot more to add to a standard Norden. We’ll be riding the new bike in just a few weeks time in South Africa, so look for the First Ride Review in mid-March.

Left side view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)
Front three-quarter view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)
Front view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)
Rear view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)
Top view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)
2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in action. (Husqvarna/)
Cockpit view of the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. (Husqvarna/)

2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Specs

MSRP:	$15,799
Engine:	Liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin, 4 valves/cyl
Displacement:	889cc
Bore x Stroke:	90.7 x 68.8mm
Compression Ratio:	13.5:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed, chain
Claimed Horsepower:	105.0 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Claimed Torque:	74.0 lb.-ft. @ 6,500 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI, twin 46mm Dell’Orto throttle bodies
Clutch:	Cable-operated PASC slipper clutch
Engine Management/Ignition:	Bosch EMS w/RBW
Frame:	Chromoly-steel
Front Suspension:	WP Xplor 48mm inverted fork, fully adjustable, 9.4 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	WP Xplor PDS shock, fully adjustable, 9.4 in. travel
Front Brake:	Radial-mount 4-piston calipers, 320mm disc w/ Bosch ABS
Rear Brake:	2-piston caliper, 240mm disc w/ Bosch ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Tubeless aluminum spoked wheels; 21 x 2.5 in. / 18 x 4.5 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 90/90-21 / 150/70-18
Rake/Trail:	25.8°/4.2 in.
Wheelbase:	60.1 in.
Ground Clearance:	10.6 in.
Seat Height:	34.4–35.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:	5.0 gal.
Claimed Dry Weight:	473 lb.
Contact:	husqvarna-motorcycles.com

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