It’s not been all that many years since Husqvarna started breaking out of its mould of Enduro and Motocross machines by producing proper road-focused motorcycles, so the launch of any new model is something of a fanfare.
Which may explain why we’ve been getting the star treatment this week on the official launch of the Husqvarna Norden 901, the Swedish company’s biggest motorcycle yet and maiden foray into the adventure market.
Coming three years after its last launch big launch - the quirky Vitpilen and Svartpilen roadster duo - the Norden 901 echoes its smaller siblings by following the template put down by parent company Pierer, or rather KTM to you and me.
That means the Husqvarna Norden 901 gets to draw upon the respected, gravel-munching KTM 890 Adventure R for its ADV debut.
We’ve come to the tiny Azores, a cluster of tiny islands in the Atlantic Ocean where the terrain is tough and the scenery verdant. Think of it as a greener, more Portuguese - and rainier - Tenerife.
Either way, it is a good test for the Huskie to what it is - or not - capable of as it piles into a class with some impressive competition, including his sister KTM donor, plus the Triumph Tiger 900, Honda Africa Twin and - even with its smaller stature - the Yamaha Tenere 700.
Naturally we don’t hang out so we’re ready to bring you our first impressions of the Husqvarna Norden 901, with the FULL REVIEW and verdict to come before our Toad has even touched down on British soil again.
