HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901 (2022 - on) Review

Much too much fork dive for spirited road riding, even with the fork adjustability you can't dial this out. I personally found the seat comfortable for an hour then quickly became very painful which was strange. Wind buffeting always an issue was much better with no screen or mirrors on.

Noisy rattly engine just sounds terrible actual performance is great as is the quick shifter but nothing changes the clattering noise beneath you. If you've come from Jap bikes you'll find this disconcerting. Earlier 901 owners remove the cat to reduce head but 2024 bikes not so easy to do.

Had both front discs changed at the 600mile service as front brakes pulsed notably from the day I rode it home. I found the plastic battery cover trim never sat flush with the tank fairing any movement of the seat would dislodge it, just became a annoyance. In the 3 months I owned the bike any time the bike would stall (offroad) I'd get a immobiliser warning on the dash this would stay there until the ignition had cycled on/off several times, again annoying.

Dealer servicing costs were reasonable, local dealer has since ceased trading.

Does come with a lot of kit.

Ride quality is very good. Adjusting suspension easy but once you get your own settings it's great.Brakes are good also.No problems so far at 8,300 miles.Touring no problem. Can travel 100 miles or so without break if necessary.Seat very comfy for me. I don't carry a pillion so can't comment on that.

Engine is fantastic. Very responsive and power across the rev band.Mpg around 60. Gearbox slick no problems.Great for overtaking. Plenty quick enough in real world conditions. Service interval 9500 miles or one year which ever comes first.I use in street mode,all conditions and it's fine.

Everything high quality finish except fuel filler cap.paint chips on this.

£300 pounds main dealer service including brake fluid change which was 65 quid.Because serviced at a main dealer Husqvarna offer years breakdown cover for following year.

The quickshifter is very good as is the cruise control.I didn't like the the tyres and changed to Conti TKC70s.I also changed the short scren to a Puig touring screen and fitted a pannier rack.

With the suspension firmed up to the sport setting it feels much more controlled on the road. Haven't ridden it off road because there is nowhere near where i live to ride it but planning a big ride on european ACT routes next year and possibly a big ride though southern Russia, Kazakstan and Mongolia! Brakes are ok but nothing special. Theres a fair bit of front dive which im not used to coming from a GS but this can be ballanced out using the rear which has plenty of feel.

The only thing i miss is low down torque of my 1150GS which pulls effortlessly from 2k. However the Norden is still very tractable and smooth from 3k and is so smoth its no problem in the twisties to keep it around 4k for access to the more urgent power. Great fun and the quick shifter is excellent though tend to use the clutch between 1-2 and 5-6 gears as the quick shifter is a but snatchier there.

Cant fault it yet. But only had it 5 months. The stock luggage is a bit of a missed opportunity and it would have made much more sense to fit a full sized rack to allow upgrading of the soft paniers without replacing the rack as well. Ive taken it off altogether in favour of rackless. But if it had a full size close fitting offset rack i would probably kept it and upgraded the panniers. Only issue i had with the bike was initially when i picked it up the shop had not checked the petrol tank valves were fully open so the petrol in the tanks did not level and led me to run out of fuel even though one of the tanks had fuel and showed plenty of mileage remaining on the gauge. This was a simple fix by just fully opening the valves both sides. Once this was sorted the bike runs perfect.

Cant say what the servicing costs are yet as ive only had the initial 1k service. Fuel economy is excellent. Gauge showing average of 66 mpg and range of 240 miles from full.

Luggage is a disappontment. I can forgive the quality of the panniers themselves as a starting option but not fitting a full size rack to take other after market panniers is annoying and a big miss in my opinion. But everything else is fab. Upgrade in suspension from standard and the upgraded bash plate, heated grips and seat make this a really attractive buy.

The ride is very comfortable. The suspension soaks up the bumps but it doesn't feel too soft in the corners. In fact, this bike is surprisingly agile and handles great on the road.

The acceleration puts a smile on my face. Slow speed performance is very smooth. The only complaint is the sound of the engine a tickover which is a tad agricultural.

The build quality and standard of plastics and components is very good. No reliability problems to date (3,500 miles).

Fuel economy is excellent (60 miles/gallon)

The TFT display is very clear and easy to use. Switches are decent quality and again easy to use . The optional heated grips are superb. One or two items I have had fitted as options but I would have liked to have seen them as standard such as the centre stand and the skid plate extension. The Touratech hard luggage is of excellent quality and well worth adding to your purchase if you intend to use your Norden for touring. The tyres give heaps of confidence in the corners and in the wet.

Brakes are little lacking in feeling when going fast on road but they do the job very well and are not too powerful offroad.

Absolute peach of an engine that will put sports bikes to shame. Does sound like crap though.

So far so good at 2k with both on and off road riding. None of the internet reported issues such as leaking coolant hoses, blown rear shocks or oil leaks.

You get a lot for your money compared to the KTM's BMW's but it is expensive compared to T7 etc Comes with quick shifter, aux lights, engine maps, ABS modes, cruise control, anti wheelie, cornering slip control........ I added heated grips and the explorer pack. Grips are excellent and are controlled through switches and dash.

It’s a travel bike. Done a few coast runs. It loves B roads (I live in the Peak District) it corners like it’s on rails due to the low slung tank. The only shit thing I would say about it was initial wind buffering from the screen but I’m now used to it and it’s not too bad. I think it was a case of coming from a different bike and getting used to it

The engine is its best feature. It’s like a KTM Duke on knobblys. It makes my mates ATAS lol like it’s stuck in gear. The quick shifter is fantastic. It makes it like a different bike when you want a bit of a play

So far so good. She’s got 3500 miles on her so a bit early to tell but starts on the button when asked

Had first service done at main dealer. Only as its a new bike. Gear 4 at Market Deeping are and have been fantastic from purchase of bike to first service. I’ll do the 12 month services myself as I’m handy on the spanners but might take her in for the 9000 miles service just to keep the dealer record up

The quick shifter is phenomenal. That’s standard equipment. The explorer pack is worth it so you can get rally mode on. The Pirelli STRs tyres are shit hot on tarmac. Only done a few hard packed green lanes but I can imagine they’ll need replacing for anything too extreme