Husqvarna Confirms Norden 901 Concept Will Go To Production

The Norden 901 is coming out of concept purgatory!

Published on 12.04.2019

It was less than a month ago when Husqvarna first peeled back the cover on their exciting new Adventure Touring concept bike, the Norden 901. With its distinctive blend of modern design and classic lines, it’s one of the adventure bike concepts that has captured the most attention this year. According to the Swedish-born brand, “the NORDEN 901 received high levels of interest” from the press and public during an EICMA unveiling that was “extremely successful.” The response online has been overwhelmingly positive too, which may be why we are receiving this good news so soon.

If the Norden 901 concept was one of your favorite bikes launched at EICMA, you’ll be happy to hear Husqvarna has announced they will be turning it into a production model. We could already tell from the concept’s advanced state of development that it was likely to make it to the showroom floor. Small details like a USB port, integrated LED tail lights and a functional tank rack gave us hints that it wouldn’t take much to put it into production. The bike had been captured out testing on the road in Spy Shots as well. But we have to admit, green lighting of the project came faster than we guessed.

Only a few details about the bike have been released so far about Husqvarna’s first Adventure Touring bike. What we do know is that it’s based on KTM’s 790 Adventure platform, sharing the same chassis. But it gets a larger parallel-twin motor from the KTM 890 Duke, which has been “tuned for adventure usage.” The Norden is designed to be slim and is said to offer “class-leading lightness” so we can assume it should be at least as light as the 417-pound (dry) KTM 790 Adventure. It will also ride on a 21″ front wheel and 18″ rear, along with high-spec WP suspension components.

Norden 901 Technical Highlights

Designed to be a slim and light explorer motorcycle
889.5 cc parallel twin engine specifically tuned for adventure usage
Versatile for both off-road performance and touring ability
Rides on 21” front and 18” rear wire-spoke wheels
High quality WP suspension components

What will be interesting to see is how Husqvarna plans to differentiate the Norden 901 from the KTM 790 models. KTM and Husqvarna already share platforms between several models, like the FE 501/500 EXC or 701 Enduro/690 Enduro. KTM provides a solid foundation and Husqvarna puts their own unique spin on it. They also tend to target the premium segment of the market with their street line, so there may be upscale touring features and aesthetic treatments that help set Husqvarn’s first Adventure Tourer apart.

Husqvarna has mentioned they want to put an emphasis on “practical accessibility and comfort” and provide “effortless rideability and high-end modern equipment,” which signals a touring focus. A bike that riders can use for “daily commutes, extended adventures and everything in between,” says Husqvarna. Perhaps it will be something that combines the touring features of the standard 790 Adventure with the off-road suspension of the R, while adding a larger fuel capacity, increased engine size, more amenities, and Husqvarna aesthetic details.

Hopefully, the news will continue to flow in quickly. Husqvarna says, “Further information related to the NORDEN 901 will be released as it nears market launch.” Expect the production version to be revealed at either EICMA or Intermot next year as a 2021 model and stay tuned for more details!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

 10 Comments

Author: Rob Dabney

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10 thoughts on “Husqvarna Confirms Norden 901 Concept Will Go To Production”

Martin Shirley on December 4, 2019 at 3:23 pm said:

Unbelievably gorgeous for a bike with such utility.

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Quin Mar on December 4, 2019 at 7:31 pm said:

Gerald.Kiska Norden 901 team 10/10 from me – it’s popular because it’s an honest design which is NOT in denial : vs the Gerald.Kiska 790-KTM-insect team 1/10 -> a fake #Orange-Shock design in denial (to fake the weight) vis a missing fairing, missing crash bars and the usual deliberately shocking orange looks – Gerald and Stefans old strategy in it’s 29th twilight year(s). I don’t like any of Husky’s (Kiska) naked road bikes – but this 901 is a “wow” first for me, because of its honest Neo-Classic look which respects Dakar and the tradition of large bikes in Dakar history. If it stays like this (mock-up) – I will test ride it with a view to buying. The map contour lines hit the spot for me as I love navigation and maps. Hopeful the price is competitive to other players in the 900cc adv market.

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Svendura on December 5, 2019 at 1:58 am said:

Much depends on the weight for me. The more it exceeds 200 kg, the less I will be excited about it.

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Paulo on December 5, 2019 at 10:00 pm said:

Cool to see them go through with it, I’m sure it will sell. Personally I’ll give it 3-5 years before jumping onboard…..KTM/Husky has a tendency to produce high quality parts and put them into something cool but don’t always like to work with another high quality part. LOL. On top of all that, this thing looks tall and as top heavy as all the other big pigs out there. I see them selling this for $15-$18k depending on fancy widgets. Keeping my eye on it.

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- Ian on December 6, 2019 at 8:57 am said:
  
  I like it. No way in hell I’d pay anything over 13K for this. A G850GS is 14K.
  
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  - PK on December 7, 2019 at 5:51 pm said:
    
    Doesn’t really matter how much the BMW 850 is it’s an anemic over weight
    Pig.
    
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    - pedro on May 12, 2020 at 6:29 pm said:
      
      touche
      
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Guest on December 6, 2019 at 7:36 pm said:

Would love a 401 Enduro

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Sparrow on December 22, 2019 at 11:04 pm said:

Another heavy overpowered impractical allroad/big enduro/adventure/suv bike. The market for those wasn’t saturated enough.
To be fair, apart from the color sceme, the bike looks absolutely gorgeous.

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- Clay Derouin on May 11, 2020 at 2:15 am said:
  
  If you have a smaller bike in the stable it can certainly fill a niche! Comfy daily rider / grocery getter, ling slab trips which gravel to easy single track options. I think it’ll be tons of fun. I just hope it has tons of suspension travel!
  
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