By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Husqvarna Norden 901 (MY2022) vs BMW F 850 GS (K81)
Husqvarna Norden 901 vs BMW F 850 GS: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Into the first bend, the Husqvarna Norden 901 tips in playfully, and it's already weaving toward the next one before you've settled. The BMW F 850 GS turns in precisely, then settles neutral.
So which one do you buy?
The Norden 901 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
By a nose: Norden 901
In the dirt, the Norden 901 edges ahead. That comes from more low-end pull and a tougher build. Not enough to decide it alone.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Norden 901
Through a string of corners, the Norden 901 feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The Norden 901 costs less, but that doesn't make it the better buy for everyone. Which bike gives you more value depends entirely on what you want it for.
What makes each one tick
Norden 901
A low-mounted tank keeps the Norden 901 slim between your knees, and walking-pace U-turns lose most of their menace. The brake lever stays drama-free on wet, mossy cobblestones, where the bike stops with no intervention you'd notice. Its stock suspension isn't stiff enough for a real sport pace on pavement, where the front end washes and the shock squats. The seat shrugs off expedition miles.
Nils rode the Norden 901 in 2021, and in the Pyrenees and the US Southwest in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
F 850 GS
There's a throaty thrap in the F 850 GS's twin. It spins up freely. A bump at an aggressive off-road pace with a heavy load burns through the fork's stroke quickly. The tall wheel holds its line down a long straight.
Nils rode the F 850 GS in the Eifel in 2019, and in the Pyrenees in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Norden 901 has the lower wet weight: 481 lb (218 kg) vs 505 lb (229 kg).
- The Norden 901 makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The Norden 901 makes more peak torque: 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) vs 68 lb-ft (92 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Call it even on commuting, long days, and running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Norden 901
Strengths
- Engine that reads your mood
- Quicker than it looks
- Took relentless abuse without flinching
- Comfortable across brutal days
- Electronics that earn their keep
Trade-offs
- Stock suspension too soft for sport pace
- Calf heat at low speed
- Rough when cold
- Fixed windscreen requires tools to swap
- J.Juan brakes lack initial bite
F 850 GS
What owners say
Strengths
- 270° parallel-twin character
- Faultless on-road handling
- Build quality and switchgear feel
- Cross-spoked tubeless wheels
- Refined ride-by-wire throttle (when warm)
Trade-offs
- Snatchy throttle at low rpm
- Stock seat unsuited for long days
- Suspension blow-through under load
- Weight in the middleweight class
- Wind protection on Standard
Known problems to check before you buy
Norden 901
- Side stand bracket cracks Owners have reported cracks forming around the side stand mounting bracket, particularly on bikes used with luggage or in off-road conditions.
- Camshaft and timing chain wear on early LC8c engines Some early LC8c-engined bikes (shared with KTM 790/890 platform) have shown premature camshaft and timing chain wear, occasionally addressed under warranty with updated parts.
- TFT display readability in direct sunlight The 5-inch TFT can be difficult to read in bright direct sunlight, particularly when wearing polarised sunglasses.
F 850 GS
- Automatic cam chain tensioner rattle and premature failure Loud rattling on cold start that may persist or worsen as the engine warms; in severe cases the tensioner fails to extend, allowing cam chain slap that can damage chain guides. Some owners required a new tensioner; one documented case escalated to a head replacement. Aftermarket manual mechanical tensioners have been developed specifically to address this on the F-twin platform.
- Loose steering head bearings causing clunking Loose steering head bearings produce clunking noise and front-end wobble over bumps and at speed. Insufficient bearing torque check during the dealer break-in service is reported as a contributing factor.
- Front fork seal leaks (frequently right-hand fork) Front fork seals leak oil down the stanchion, with potential to contaminate front brake pads and disc. Aggravated by dust ingress, washboard surfaces, and off-road use.
- Snatchy throttle response at low RPM and during cold-running Noticeable jerk or surge when reapplying throttle from closed at low rpm, especially in first and second gear, plus rough running during the cold-start enrichment phase. Caused by lean Euro fuel mapping plus drivetrain backlash. ECU re-mapping is a common owner remedy.
- TFT display and Connected app pairing failures BMW Motorrad Connected app fails to pair with the TFT, drops connection mid-ride, "ghost vehicle" profile bug on iPhone, Bluetooth pairings wiped after software updates, repeated Sena re-pairing required. Affects MY2021+ models where Connectivity is standard, and pre-MY2021 models with the optional Connectivity Package.
- Stock rear brake pedal too low for standing off-road riding The stock rear brake pedal sits too low for a rider standing on the pegs off-road; raising the pedal can introduce friction/dragging if not done correctly. One documented case during an organised ride event involved brake fluid expelled during overheating tied to a misadjusted pedal causing constant light brake application.
- Stock windscreen on the F 850 GS produces helmet buffeting at highway speeds The Standard variant's small two-position adjustable screen produces helmet buffeting and wind noise. The Adventure variant's larger screen substantially improves this; aftermarket touring screens are a common upgrade for F 850 GS owners.
- Stock seat uncomfortable on multi-hour rides The stock seat is consistently flagged as uncomfortable beyond two to three hours of continuous riding. Aftermarket comfort seats from BMW (Comfort Seat), Wunderlich (AKTIVKOMFORT), Touratech (Comfort Seat) and Seat Concepts are common owner replacements.
- Slipper clutch overheats in slow, dense traffic The wet slipper clutch can overheat in slow-moving dense traffic, causing the clutch lever to go loose and shifting to become difficult until the clutch cools. Recovers without permanent damage in reported cases.
- RDC tire pressure monitoring displays inaccurate values The RDC tire-pressure monitoring system is reported to show pressures that diverge from a calibrated external gauge; owners generally recommend cross-checking with an independent gauge and not relying on the RDC value as absolute.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 3-year-old Norden 901 with a 3-year-old F 850 GS.
- Norden 901
- $10,500
- F 850 GS
- $11,500
At three years old, the Norden 901 sits around $10,500 while the F 850 GS runs about $11,500. That's a $1,000 gap in the Norden's favor. They're recorded from the used market, not live prices.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
Where the spec sheets split
| Norden 901 | F 850 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.6 in (854 mm) | 33.9 in (860 mm) |
| Wet weight | 481 lb (218 kg) | 505 lb (229 kg) |
| Norden 901 | F 850 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 889 cc | 853 cc |
| Power | 105 hp (77 kW) | 95 hp (70 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,000 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) | 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,500 rpm | 6,250 rpm |
| Norden 901 | F 850 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 51 mpg (US) / 4.6 L/100 km | 57 mpg (US) / 4.1 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| Norden 901 | F 850 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 305 mm |
| Rear tire | 150/70-18 | 150/70-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.2 in (1504 mm) | 62.7 in (1593 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.9 in (252 mm) | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 8.0 in (204 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.5 in (215 mm) | 8.6 in (219 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Norden 901 | F 850 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Option |
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Option |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
