By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Husqvarna Norden 901 (MY2022) vs KTM 890 Adventure (MY2021)
Husqvarna Norden 901 vs KTM 890 Adventure: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
You'll find the Husqvarna Norden 901 weaving playfully from the first corner, and it's still at it hours later. The KTM 890 Adventure carries its weight low and tips in light.
So which one do you buy?
The Norden 901 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Nose ahead: Norden 901
The Norden 901 nudges ahead where the road turns to gravel. Close enough that a test ride on dirt is worth it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Norden 901
In the twisties, the Norden 901 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Call it a modest edge.
The 890 Adventure has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
A touch ahead: 890 Adventure
On a long day in the saddle, the 890 Adventure comes out a little ahead. Thank better wind protection and more range per tank for that. Ride both before you decide.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
The KTM 890 Adventure costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear winner on value for the money.
What makes each one tick
Norden 901
The Norden's tank sits low and slim between your knees, and that keeps parking-lot turns calm. There's a hefty shove of torque waiting behind the throttle. At a hard sport pace on pavement, the soft stock damping can't stop the front washing and the rear squatting. The seat shrugs off punishing trips.
Nils rode the Norden 901 in 2021, and in the Pyrenees and the US Southwest in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
890 Adventure
Fuel slung down around the engine keeps the 890 Adventure's mass tucked beneath the seat. At turn-in, the bar doesn't fight you, and the bike drops into a bend at a nudge. It'll run a weekday commute and a weekend out on Kane Creek. The twin claws out of hairpins.
Nils rode the 890 Adventure in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure has the lower seat: 32.7 in (830 mm) vs 33.6 in (854 mm).
- The 890 Adventure has the larger fuel tank: 5.3 US gal (20 L) vs 5.0 US gal (19 L).
- Cruise Control: standard on the Norden 901, option on the 890 Adventure.
Which one for the way you ride
For commuting and running costs, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
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
890 Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Strong, torquey LC8c parallel-twin
- Comprehensive electronics package as standard
- Low center of gravity from wrap-around tank
Trade-offs
- Stock seat comfort divisive on long rides
- Rally mode and Quickshifter behind paywall
- Dealer network density issues
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.
890 Adventure
- Camshaft and rocker arm wear (early production) Some early MY2021 units exhibited premature wear on camshafts and rocker arm bearings, in some cases requiring head replacement under warranty. KTM addressed this with updated parts in later production runs.
- Front brake feel and pad wear Some riders report the J.Juan front brake setup as lacking initial bite and exhibiting faster-than-expected pad wear under heavy use; commonly upgraded to alternative pad compounds.
- Clutch slave cylinder leakage Owners report hydraulic clutch slave cylinder weeping or leaking, sometimes requiring replacement. Tends to surface at moderate mileages.
- TFT display glitches and Bluetooth connectivity issues Intermittent reports of TFT display freezing, Bluetooth pairing dropouts with KTM My Ride app, and occasional display blackouts requiring ignition cycle. Often resolved via firmware updates at dealer.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 3-year-old Norden 901 with a 3-year-old 890 Adventure.
- Norden 901
- $10,500
- 890 Adventure
- $9,500
At three years old, the Norden 901 sits around $10,500 while the 890 Adventure lands near $9,500. That's a $1,000 gap in the KTM's favor. They're recorded from the used market, not live prices.
What they share
- Displacement
- 889 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 105 hp (77 kW)
- Peak power at
- 8,000 rpm
- Torque
- 74 lb-ft (100 Nm)
- Peak torque at
- 6,500 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
Where the spec sheets split
| Norden 901 | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.6 in (854 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Dry weight | 450 lb (204 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| Norden 901 | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 51 mpg (US) / 4.6 L/100 km | 52 mpg (US) / 4.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| Norden 901 | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 59.2 in (1504 mm) | 60.2 in (1528 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.9 in (252 mm) | 9.2 in (233 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.5 in (215 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Norden 901 | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Standard | Option |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
