If Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year, now in its 34th year, were a person, it would have graduated from college or completed military service, launched a career, got married, bought a house, and started a family. It would have a couple motorcycles in the garage, perhaps a cruiser or sport-tourer for the open road and a dual-sport or adventure bike for exploring the backcountry.

In other words, it would be like the rest of us: a dedicated motorcycle enthusiast.

Rider has been bringing you “Motorcycling at Its Best” for almost 50 years. We’ve tested nearly every street-legal motorcycle on the market, with an emphasis on real-world bikes that are within reach for most of us. For every $100,000 Arch 1s we review, we test dozens if not hundreds of motorcycles you’ll find in dealerships and garages across America, from sea to shining sea.

Related: 2022 Motorcycle of the Year

Unlike car dealers, most motorcycle dealers don’t offer test rides. Demo rides are great, but they are few and far between and often involve parade-pace conga lines that don’t allow riders to experience a motorcycle’s true capabilities. We know you count on us to provide honest, in-depth reviews to help you make informed purchase decisions – or to just keep you up to date on the latest and greatest bikes on the market.

Every year, we ride as many new or significantly updated motorcycles as we can and evaluate them within the context of their intended use. Then we put our collective heads together and identify those that best fulfill their intended purpose and advance the state of motorcycle design, performance, and function.

For 2023, there were more than 80 eligible contenders. We narrowed them down to 10 finalists and one winner.

Without further ado…

2023 Motorcycle of the Year Finalists:

1. BMW R 18 Roctane

The fifth member of the R 18 family is a unique alternative to the ubiquitous American V-Twin. It’s powered by the BMW 1,802cc “Big Boxer” Twin and features blacked-out styling, a midrise handlebar, a 21-inch front wheel, and hard saddlebags. The Roctane has admirable curb appeal, good comfort and handling, and high-tech features including Rock, Roll, and Rain ride modes.

Related: 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane | First Ride Review  

2. CFMOTO Ibex 800 T

CFMOTO has been on the gas lately, expanding its motorcycle lineup from seven to 10 models, including two versions of the Ibex 800 adventure-tourer powered by a 790cc parallel-Twin adapted from the KTM 790 Adventure. The top-of-the-line Ibex 800 T is comfortable, capable, and packed with useful features yet retails for an accessible $10,499.

Related: 2023 CFMOTO Ibex 800 T | Road Test Review 

3. Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide/Road Glide

For a company steeped in tradition, Harley-Davidson has taken two of its most iconic models in a decidedly modern direction. The new styling, 12.3-inch TFT color touchscreen, and liquid-cooled 121ci Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin with variable valve timing are only on the limited-production, high-priced CVO versions for now, but the significant updates have catapulted these baggers into the future.

Related: 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and Road Glide Review | First Ride 

4. Honda SCL500

In a nod to its iconic ’60s-era CL72 and CL77 scramblers, the new Honda SCL500 is powered by a 471cc parallel-Twin and has an upright riding position, a high-routed exhaust, block-tread tires, good suspension travel, and retro styling elements like fork gaiters and gas tank knee pads. Priced at $6,799 with standard ABS, the SCL500 brings back affordable cool.

Related: 2023 Honda SCL500 Review | First Ride

5. Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition

After introducing the highly capable Norden 901 adventure bike for 2022, Husqvarna launched the Expedition variant for 2023 with an Explorer ride mode, upgraded suspension, a beefier skid plate, and several touring-ready features, including waterproof soft saddlebags. With a 105-hp 889cc parallel-Twin and serious off-road chops, the Expedition loves to get dirty.

Related: 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Ride Review 

6. Indian Sport Chief

Built on the new Chief platform launched by Indian two years ago (Indian’s Super Chief Limited was a 2021 MOTY finalist), the Sport Chief is a West Coast club-style cruiser with a bullet fairing, a tall-but-forward handlebar, and mid-mount foot controls. With a lean-and-mean stance and a rumbling 116ci Thunderstroke V-Twin, the Sport Chief won our recent comparison with Harley’s Low Rider S.

Related: 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review

7. Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Since 2019, the Royal Enfield 648cc parallel-Twin lineup has included the Continental GT cafe racer and the INT650 roadster. For 2023, they were joined by the Super Meteor 650, a cruiser that draws from Royal Enfield’s 121-year heritage. After testing it on India’s rough-and-tumble streets, we were impressed by the Super Meteor’s style, build quality, capability, and value.

Related: 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | Video Review

8. Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

The new Suzuki 776cc parallel-Twin, which makes a claimed 83 hp and 57.5 lb-ft of torque, powers two new-for-2023 models: the GSX-8S naked sportbike (see review on page 32) and the V-Strom 800DE adventure bike. With a 21-inch front wheel, 8.7 inches of suspension travel, 8.75 inches of ground clearance, and a gravel TC mode, the 800DE is the most off-road-capable V-Strom yet.

Related: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Ride Review

9. Triumph Street Triple 765 R

We tested the updated Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS naked sportbikes in Spain, and as impressive as the higher-spec RS is, our reviewer favored the bang for the buck offered by the R. “It’s astonishing that a semi-exotic and highly refined motorcycle with such outsized performance capabilities can be had for less than $10K,” he said, adding that it is “one of the best values in motorcycling.”  

Related: 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 R/RS | First Ride Review 

10. Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ 

Winner of Rider’s 2021 MOTY award, the fourth generation of the Yamaha FJ/Tracer platform gets a new millimeter-wave radar that enables adaptive cruise control and a world-first radar-linked Unified Brake System as well as other useful updates. Powered by an exciting 890cc crossplane Triple, the Tracer 9 GT+ is one of the best sport-tourers available.

Related: 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Review | Road Test

And the 2023 Motorcycle of the Year winner is…

KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT

KTM has built bikes with “Duke” monikers for nearly 30 years, starting with the 620 Duke introduced in 1994, a lightweight, single-cylinder supermoto that was a bare-knuckled street brawler. The Duke family has grown and evolved over the years, and KTM’s U.S. lineup now includes the 200 Duke, 390 Duke, 790 Duke, 890 Duke R, 1290 Super Duke R Evo, and 1290 Super Duke GT.

We’ve tested them all, but the one that has become deeply embedded under our skin like a tattoo is the 1290 Super Duke GT sport-tourer.

Following his first ride on the then-new 2017 Super Duke GT, former EIC Mark Tuttle – not a man known to gush – described it as “nearly flawless, the perfect sport-touring bike for a rider who doesn’t want to give up sportbike levels of engine performance and handling. It’s comfortable for all-day riding, offers decent wind protection, makes enormous power, and does indeed handle and stop like a sportbike.”

After logging 3,500 miles for our first full test, we said “the GT is designed to excite you more than pamper you. … Few bikes feel so eager, so ready to take your breath away.”

It also earned a spot as a 2017 MOTY finalist: “We loved to dirty dance with KTM’s ‘Beast,’ the 1290 Super Duke R, but the GT is the version we could take home to mama. Higher, wider handlebars, wider cushier seats, lower footpegs, a bigger tank, and a nicely sized adjustable windscreen and hard bags ready the GT for long days at warp speed, all powered by that 173-hp V-Twin, which is retuned for better touring manners.”

In the years since, the 1290 Super Duke GT has only gotten better.

An update for 2019 included refinements for the liquid-cooled 1,301cc LC8 V-Twin, revised WP semi-active suspension, and improvements in lighting, wind protection, and instrumentation. It gained a few pounds, but our review stated that “the GT’s on-road performance is every bit as thrilling as it was before; it goes fast, turns fast, and stops fast with a level of precision and control that’s hard to beat.” On Jett Tuning’s dyno, it cranked out 157 hp at 10,100 rpm and 92 lb-ft of torque at 7,400 rpm at the rear wheel.

We were bereft when the GT disappeared from KTM’s lineup during the Covid years, but we were excited to see it return for 2023. Updates were few, mostly styling and instrumentation, but what we loved about the 1290 Super Duke GT remained undiluted. As we wrote in our review in the May issue: “While the 1290 Super Duke GT is pretty incredible, it’s no Hulk ready to explode in a rage with one mistimed input. Rather, the GT is a well-behaved beast, one with finely tuned throttle response and easily controllable power.”

Related: 2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT | Road Test Review

We also praised the GT’s high-spec components, top-notch electronic rider aids, confident handling, ride-all-day comfort, and generous 6.1-gal. fuel capacity. Although the 30-liter hard bags are no longer standard, they are available as accessories.

“This bike is the pointy end of the sport-touring spear, and it’s sharper than ever.”

’Nuff said.

Congratulations to KTM for the 1290 Super Duke GT, Rider’s 2023 Motorcycle of the Year!

To find a KTM dealer near you, visit the KTM website.

The post 2023 Motorcycle of the Year appeared first on Rider Magazine.

We review the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition, a more off-road and touring ready variant of the Husqvarna Norden 901 adventure bike that was introduced last year.

The Norden 901 Expedition features up-spec WP Xplor suspension (the standard model has WP Apex suspension), a 36-liter-capacity set of side bags, and a windscreen. Several optional features and accessories for the Norden are standard on the Expedition, including the Explorer ride mode, a beefier skid plate, heated grips and seat, a centerstand, and Bluetooth connectivity for infotainment and navigation. It’s priced at $15,799, a $1,300 premium over the Norden 901.

We spent two days flogging the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition on- and off-road in South Africa at the global press launch. Check out the video for our impressions, and read our First Ride Review here.

2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Specs

• Base Price: $15,799 
• Website: Husqvarna-Motorcycles.com 
• Warranty: 2 yrs., 24,000 miles 
• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
• Displacement: 889cc 
• Bore x Stroke: 90.7 x 68.8mm 
• Horsepower: 105 hp @ 8,000 rpm (factory claim) 
• Torque: 73.8 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (factory claim) 
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
• Final Drive: X-ring chain 
• Wheelbase: 59.5 in. ± 0.6 in. 
• Rake/Trail: 25.8 degrees/4.2 in. 
• Seat Height: 33.6/34.4 in. 
• Wet Weight: 503 lb (claimed)  
• Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal. 
• Fuel Consumption: 52.3 mpg (claimed) 

GEAR UP

• Helmet: Arai XD-4 
• Jacket: Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar 
• Gloves: Alpinestars Bogota Drystar XF 
• Pants: Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar 
• Boots: Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex 

The post 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | Video Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

On March 28, just 15 months after breaking ground on the development, KTM North America and parent company Pierer Mobility celebrated the grand opening of their new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California.

In attendance at the event were Stefan Pierer, CEO of Pierer Mobility AG; members of Pierer Mobility AG’s global board of directors; employees of KTM North America, including members of the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas factory race teams; local politicians and dignitaries; and numerous invited guests.

Related: 2023 KTM 890 Adventure | First Ride Review

“This is an emotional day for me,” said Pierer. “Exactly 30 years ago, I started in the USA with only a dozen employees. Today, we are Europe’s leading powered two-wheeler group, and we’re selling approximately 100,000 units annually in the U.S. market – so, more than $1 billion in sales. The most important success factor for us is racing; that is the driving force that pushed us over the years. Building our new North American headquarters in Murrieta was the biggest single investment we’ve ever made. We set a new standard for the whole U.S. market.”

Pierer stated that North America is Pierer Mobility’s most important market, which warranted the $53 million investment in the new headquarters campus.

Pierer Mobility AG purchased KTM out of bankruptcy in 1992, and at the time it had just 160 employees and sold only 6,300 motorcycles that year. Under Pierer’s stewardship, KTM grew slowly but steadily, but in the past decade its growth has accelerated.

In 2013, Pierer expanded its brand footprint by purchasing the legendary Swedish off-road brand Husqvarna from BMW, and in 2019, it acquired the Spanish off-road brand GasGas. Pierer Mobility AG also owns WP Suspension and the Felt and R Raymon bicycle brands.

Related: 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Ride Review

In 2022, three decades after Pierer acquired KTM, the KTM Group produced 375,492 motorcycles, an increase of 13% over 2021. Of those, 268,575 (71.5%) were KTMs, 75,266 (20%) were Husqvarnas, and 31,651 (8.5%) were GasGas motorcycles. During the same year, Pierer also produced 118,465 pedal and electric-assist bicycles for its Husqvarna, GasGas, Felt, and R Raymon brands.

Last year, Pierer also acquired a 25% stake in Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta, and it will provide distribution and marketing support in North America and other markets.

Pierer Mobility AG is very much on the gas, generating revenues of 2.437 billion euros in 2022, a 19% increase compared to 2021. It currently employs 6,000 workers around the globe, including 360 in North America – more than 200 of which are based in Murrieta, California.

John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America, Inc. and Pierer Mobility North America, Inc. was also in attendance at the grand opening, and he called the event a “massive milestone in our company’s history.”

“The campus and our facilities, this represents the single biggest investment by our company,” Hinz said, “so thank you to Mr. Pierer. We designed these buildings for our employees, race teams, athletes, and truly for our dealers across North America to help support our brands and help support sales. This new campus showcases not only the facilities as a tool for our employees and dealers, but it’s our commitment, our dedication, and our investment into the motorcycle and bicycle industry here in North America.”

The new headquarters occupies a 20-acre site that includes three buildings comprising a total of 130,000 square feet. The two-story administrative building includes office and conference space, facilities for dealer and technical training, space for media fleets, and Kiska’s North American design center. The powersports building houses the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas factory race teams, WP Suspension, and R&D facilities. A third building serves as a warehouse.

Pierer Mobility also acquired 12 additional acres located adjacent to the new headquarters that have been set aside for future development. The group’s purpose-built private motorsports facility – RD Field – sits one block south of the corporate campus. It includes two supercross test tracks, a hard enduro test track, and a trials competition section for product testing and athlete training.

For more information, visit PiererMobility.com, KTM.com, Husqvarna-Motorcycles.com, or GasGas.com.

The post KTM North America and Pierer Mobility Open New North American Headquarters appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Walking up to the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition for the first time, the bold graphics caught my eye. In a departure from the subdued matte-black paint scheme on the standard Norden 901, the Expedition sports a blue and white colorway with yellow accents, a large white Husqvarna logo, and white handguards and side panels. Like the standard model, the graphics include topographical lines that bring to mind far-flung places where one might venture on the Expedition. 

Related: 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 | First Ride Review

The visual prowess of the new machine got me excited. The inverted WP Xplor fork – an upgrade from the WP Apex unit on the standard Norden – has an eye-catching WP logo and red accents on the silver tubes. The wrap-around skid plate is big and rugged, protecting both the underside of the engine and the lower pods of the horseshoe-shaped fuel tank. 

The Expedition looks the business, and all I wanted to do was ride it. 

But is it the off-road beast I wanted the first Norden to be? The standard model was released just last year, and it planted a prominent flag for Husqvarna – a legendary off-road brand – onto the ADV landscape. The Expedition ups the platform’s game with higher-spec WP Xplor suspension, a taller windscreen, and side carriers with a pair of 18-liter waterproof saddlebags. Several optional features and accessories for the Norden are standard on the Expedition, including the Explorer ride mode, a beefier skid plate, heated grips and seat, a centerstand, and Bluetooth connectivity for infotainment and navigation. It’s priced at $15,799, a $1,300 premium over the Norden 901.

Enough speculating, let’s ride! 

Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa 

Husqvarna did an amazing job plotting a route up and down epic mountains, over rolling hillsides, and along rugged coastlines near Cape Town, South Africa. Our first day started with a short stint on the freeway to get comfortable on the machine, and then we wicked it up on a hardpacked gravel road through vineyards and recently harvested grain fields. It was super dusty, so we tried leaving enough space between riders to avoid the dust without losing sight of those ahead of us. With a quick glance down, I saw 136 kph (84 mph) on the TFT display, and I wondered, Are we in a hurry?  

GEAR UP

• Helmet: Arai XD-4 
• Jacket: Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar 
• Gloves: Alpinestars Bogota Drystar XF 
• Pants: Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar 
• Boots: Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex 

Our route took us along the edge of a lake, and the scenery was breathtaking. Then we returned to the tarmac and blasted down a beautiful canyon road with towering cliffs, majestic mountains, and deep ravines. Back and forth we went, from gravel roads to highways at a brisk pace. The Norden’s 889cc parallel-Twin, which cranks out a claimed 105 hp and 73.8 lb-ft of torque, was pegged at 7,000 rpm in 6th gear without complaint, even though redline is 8,500 rpm. 

Day 2 brought more serious off-road terrain, with technical two-track, wet sand, and gnarly, rutted-out hillclimbs. At one point, facing exposed rocks and step-ups as the trail steepened toward a peak, I thought to myself, There’s no way this bike is making it to the top. It looked like something only an enduro bike should tackle but not this bike, not with its road-biased tires with 36 psi in them. But the Norden proved to be quite the mountain goat, and we successfully summitted the hill. 

Then it was on to an enduro-type loop section with sand, loose red rock, hardpacked dirt, and a wet, grassy stretch. We did several loops, each slightly faster and messier than the last, pushing the Norden 901 Expedition harder with each pass. Then we charged up a steep and crumbling single-lane paved road. What a climb, and what a view from the top! It was an amazing couple of days to test an adventure bike – the perfect mix of a challenging route and out-there countryside. 

Related: Motorcycle Camping on a Honda CB500X and Husqvarna Norden 901

Report Card 

The Husqvarna Norden 901 is built on the same platform as the KTM 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R, a bike I’ve previously sampled. They share an engine and much of the same technology, such as ride modes, cornering ABS and traction control, Motor Slip Regulation, and a quickshifter. As on the KTMs, ABS is linked to the ride modes, so selecting the Street or Rain ride mode activates the Road ABS mode, and selecting the Offroad or Explorer ride mode activates the Offroad ABS mode. 

But the Explorer ride mode is fully customizable. Riders can select among four different throttle-response maps (Rally, Offroad, Street, or Rain), select either ABS mode, and toggle between 10 levels of traction control for the rear wheel on the fly, ranging from Level 0 (off) to Level 9 (most intrusive). I found that Level 3 allowed for nice power slides without letting things get too out of hand. 

The biggest change on the Expedition relative to the standard Norden 901 is the suspension. Compared to the WP Apex setup on the base model, the Expedition’s WP Xplor fork has larger diameter tubes (48mm vs. 43mm) and more travel (9.4 inches vs. 8.7 inches), and the Xplor PDS (Progressive Damping System) shock also has more travel (9.4 inches vs. 8.5 inches). The KTM 890 Adventure R also has Xplor suspension, but the Expedition has softer damping for a more comfortable ride. After two hard-charging days of riding, I can tell you that the bike’s handling is phenomenal. 

On pavement, the added stiffness of the 48mm fork kept the front end firmly planted no matter how hard I pushed into turns, even with the additional travel. The damping allowed the Expedition to float down the road, but it never felt spongy or bouncy. Off-road was a different story. At high speeds on long, fast gravel roads, I felt equally confident until I hit a loose rock or pothole and the handlebar did a quick 1-2-3 twitch – just enough to remind me to tone it down. On gnarly trails, I felt the softness of the stroke and used all the travel, but it never held me back and I experienced less jarring on my body than what I’ve experienced on the 890 Adventure R. 

Before the more technical riding on Day 2, I asked the Husqvarna techs to firm up the damping front and rear (there’s a settings chart under the rider seat). Adjusting the fork is simple since there are compression and rebound clickers atop the fork tubes; adjusting the shock requires tools that are found in the toolkit under the side panel. The changes made a big difference. On the road, I could feel small imperfections in the tarmac, and I could dive into corners with even more confidence and speed. Off-road was even better. I felt more in tune with the bike, allowing me to push the limits. There was no more twitch at high speeds, and the bike tracked straighter through sandy sections. On rough, rocky trails, the tires didn’t deflect as much, though it would have been even better if we could have aired them down. 

The Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs on the Expedition, which have roughly a 70/30 on/off-road bias, performed well on pavement and on fast-paced gravel roads. We flogged them hard, and they provided confident, consistent grip. In sand and on some of the more technical off-road sections, however, I would have preferred a more aggressive knobby. Tires are always a compromise, and the Pirellis are versatile tires with big knob blocks that should hold up well during long multiday tours. 

Related: Riding the Ozarks on a Husqvarna 701 Enduro and a Kawasaki KLR650

Jack of All Trades 

Adventure bikes have a tough job. They need to be rugged and capable of tackling a wide variety of off-road terrain, they need to be robust enough to withstand abuse and carry heavy loads, and they need to provide enough power, comfort, and sophistication to satisfy riders who want to carve canyons or cross continents. 

The Norden’s tubular chromoly-steel trellis frame is light and strong and uses the engine as a stressed member for added rigidity. The rest of the chassis consists of a steel trellis subframe and a cast-aluminum open-lattice swingarm. The steering stem, triple clamps, handlebar, and footpegs are also made of aluminum, saving weight without sacrificing durability. 

The parallel-Twin engine is certainly up to the task. It’s a lively powerplant, yet dual balancer shafts keep vibration to a manageable level. It makes plenty of power and torque, its throttle-by-wire enables the selectable ride modes and other rider aids, and its 6-speed transmission is equipped with a slip/assist clutch and the best quickshifter I’ve had the pleasure of using.  

Whether seated or standing, I found the ergonomics to be spot-on for my 5-foot-11 frame. The low-slung fuel tank keeps weight down low for better balance and handling, and it keeps the upper part of the tank narrow between the knees. The tank, bodywork, and windscreen kept the wind and water off me for the most part. The windscreen isn’t adjustable, but it has a cut-out in the center that smooths the airflow. There was no buffeting, and I could look side to side without the peak of my helmet getting ripped by the passing air. When seated, I felt some airflow at neck level, but I didn’t mind, especially in the warm temperatures we were riding in.  

With good wind protection, cruise control, and heated grips and seat, the Expedition is a good choice for those who want to burn miles. The luggage that comes standard, however, wasn’t quite up to the task. Halfway through Day One, the crossmember that connects the two side carriers came off and went flying end over end down the road behind me. That got repaired, but after two days of thrashing, the loaded bags hung down because the stitching on the upper backing was stretching and coming undone. The side bags look good and provide useful storage, but they don’t seem robust enough for serious off-road abuse. 

For digital addicts, the Expedition has a connectivity unit that allows a smartphone to be paired via Bluetooth using the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app, which enables phone and music functions as well as Turn-by-Turn+ navigation and route planning. Pairing a Bluetooth helmet headset with the app allows riders to listen to music and take calls, with functions controlled via the left switch cube and displayed on the TFT dash. Maps can be downloaded for use offline, and up to 128 waypoints can be added to routes. I didn’t test the app, but I found the TFT display easy to read and the menus intuitive. 

See all of Rider‘s Husqvarna coverage here.

Bottom Line 

Overall, my criticisms of the Norden 901 Expedition are fairly minor. I’d like an adjustable windscreen, more robust luggage, and knobbier tires, but some of that just reflects my personal preferences. If you’re in the market for a middleweight do-it-all adventure bike, especially if you put emphasis on the “touring” part of Adventure Touring, then the Expedition is hard to beat. With its excellent on- and off-road handling, versatile engine, fantastic electronics package, and comfortable ergonomics, you’ll be smiling ear-to-ear on every adventure. 

2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Specs

• Base Price: $15,799 
• Website: Husqvarna-Motorcycles.com 
• Warranty: 2 yrs., 24,000 miles 
• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
• Displacement: 889cc 
• Bore x Stroke: 90.7 x 68.8mm 
• Horsepower: 105 hp @ 8,000 rpm (factory claim) 
• Torque: 73.8 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (factory claim) 
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
• Final Drive: X-ring chain 
• Wheelbase: 59.5 in. ± 0.6 in. 
• Rake/Trail: 25.8 degrees/4.2 in. 
• Seat Height: 33.6/34.4 in. 
• Wet Weight: 503 lb (claimed)  
• Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal. 
• Fuel Consumption: 52.3 mpg (claimed) 

The post 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Ride Review  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Just one year after the release of the Norden 901, Husqvarna has added a new member to the Norden family: the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. The Expedition takes all that’s great about the Norden 901 and makes it even more off-road-ready with up-spec suspension, a 36-liter-capacity set of side bags, a windscreen, and heated grips and seat. 

The Norden 901 Expedition is powered by the same eight-valve, DOHC, 889cc parallel-Twin that’s in the Norden 901 and KTM’s 890 Adventure/R. On both the Norden 901 and the Expedition model, that engine produces a claimed 105 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. 

Related: 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 | First Ride Review

Replacing the WP Apex suspension on the standard Norden 901 is higher-spec WP XLPOR suspension, with 9.4 inches of travel front and rear compared to the Norden 901’s 8.7 inches front and 8.5 inches rear. The WP XPLOR 48mm inverted fork is adjustable for compression and rebound, and the WP XPLOR shock is fully adjustable. The suspension gives the Expedition a ground clearance bump of 10.6 inches compared to the standard Norden 901’s 9.9 inches. 

Both Norden 901 models are equipped with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tubeless spoked wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires for performance both on and off the road. Offroad ABS is standard, and the Easy Shift function allows riders to change gears up or down without the clutch with the help of the Power Assist Slipper Clutch to smooth out any clumsy shifting. 

The 5-gallon fuel tank provides riders with a maximum claimed 248 miles of range, and Husqvarna says the bike weighs 473 lb without fuel. The rotation-molded tank places most of the volume low and in front of the engine to lower the center of gravity and give the rider more freedom to move between riding positions. The Expedition also receives a heavy-duty skid plate made of 4mm, laser-cut aluminum. 

Related: Motorcycle Camping on a Honda CB500X and Husqvarna Norden 901

The Expedition is more off-road ready right off the showroom floor with the addition of several previously optional accessories. For example, the Expedition comes standard with a side bag carrier system made from tubular steel and a side bag set with two waterproof bags. Each bag has a storage capacity of 18 liters, a waterproof roll closure, and welded seams. Heated grips, a heated seat, and a new windshield will keep adventurers comfortable in adverse conditions. 

The 5-inch TFT dashboard allows the rider to adjust the display to show the trip meter, fuel range and consumption, and water temperature, while all ride modes and ABS settings are always visible. The Expedition also features Husqvarna’s Connectivity Unit to connect to a smart phone for Turn-by-Turn navigation, answering phone calls, and playing music. 

Although the Norden 901 Expedition is made to be ready to ride right away, Husqvarna also offers a wide range of accessories and extras, like an Akrapovič Slip-on silencer, Touratech cases to replace the standard luggage, Factory Racing footpegs, and a radiator protection grille. 

The 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition is available for $15,799, a price increase of $1,300 over the 2023 Norden 901. Find more details on Husqvarna’s website. 

The post 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | First Look Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

As the saying goes, it’s the journey and not the destination that makes the trip. But how does one describe a destination that is as good as it gets and an even better ride? With autumn upon us, it was the best time – and maybe our last chance – for riding the Ozarks before winter.

Scan QR code above or click here to view the route on REVER

Instead of our usual big bikes, we rode our thumpers – Bill on his Kawasaki KLR650 and me on my adventure-kitted Husqvarna 701 Enduro.

Related:

• 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 | Video Review
• 2020 Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR Announced in North America

Big Singles are a great way to travel, especially if you’re not in a hurry. That made them perfect for our trip because the route I chose demands backing off the throttle to see the sights and make the corners. 

Our counterclockwise route began in Clarksville, Arkansas, riding northbound briefly on Highway 21 and then turning east on Highway 292 to connect with Highway 123, a great road that climbs into the mountains through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Highway 123 follows Little Piney Creek and then Hew Creek, and there are scenic waterfalls along the way.

At Sand Gap, Highway 123 connects with Highways 7 and 16. We continued east on Highway 16, which is a pleasure to ride, with the kind of tarmac that offers confidence-inspiring traction in its many curves, even with our dual-sport tires.

At Clinton, we rode south on U.S. Route 65 and then followed Highways 92 and 16 around the south side of Greers Ferry Lake, turning north on Highway 5 near Heber Springs.

Our first day’s destination was Mountain View, a small town of 2,900 people that’s surrounded by the Ozark Mountains and close to the gorgeous White River. It’s also known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World.” During the summer months, folk and country music groups gather in the city park, providing family entertainment well into the night, especially on Saturdays. In the spring and fall, when the nights are too cool for the musicians’ fingers to pluck their stringed instruments, they play in the afternoons. It’s a popular attraction, so make your hotel reservation well in advance. As you might expect, there’s not much pickin’ and grinnin’ in the winter.

From Mountain View, we rode north on Highway 5, and just before the junction with Highways 9 and 14, we turned left on Swinging Bridge Road, named after the cable-suspended wooden bridge over the crystal-clear South Sylamore Creek. Just west of the bridge, mountainous Highway 14 took us to the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area with its springs, caverns, and cliffside hiking trails. Mirror Lake, popular for its rainbow trout, is fed by the cold water from Blanchard Springs. Near the lake, one can hike a wooden walkway and down stone steps to where the spring comes out of the caverns. Pretty cool. Below the Mirror Lake dam, another trail takes you to the remains of a corn mill built in the early 1900s and the bottom of Mirror Lake Falls.

On the map, Highway 87 looked like it would be fun, so we rode it back to Mountain View. It was a good choice!

From Mountain View, we again rode north on Highway 5 along the lovely White River and through charming places like Calico Rock, Old Joe, and Norfork. A short hop west on Highway 201 took us to the sweeping curves of Highway 341 (Push Mountain Road) into the Leatherwood Wilderness area.

At Highway 14, we turned west again and crossed Big Creek and the Buffalo River. If you ride through here during hot weather, the Buffalo is a great place to cool off, with parking and access at Dillard’s Ferry.

Just south of Yellville (if you cross Crooked Creek, you’ve gone too far), we turned west on Highway 235 and rode south until it ended at U.S. Route 65. We continued west, turning onto Highway 123 again near Western Grove and riding south. We crossed the Buffalo River again just before we got to Piercetown.

Rather than ride a short 10 miles west on Highway 74 to Jasper, we continued south on Highway 123 through what’s known as the Arkansas Grand Canyon, taking the long way to Jasper via Highway 7. After only a few miles on Highway 123, my Husky’s low-fuel light lit up, but we were still some 45 miles from “good” gas in Jasper. I asked myself, Should I stop at the one gas station on 123 and put low octane in my thumper or chance it and go for the good stuff? I chose the latter – and ran out of gas just 7 miles south of Jasper. Next time I’ll know: A gallon of cheap gas is better than none at all! Bill’s KLR had just enough fuel left to get him to Jasper, and after a short roadside nap, we were off again.

Jasper is a lovely little town, and just north of it, after crossing the Buffalo again, is Highway 74, an often overlooked but fantastic motorcycling route. We rode it west to Highway 43 – famous for elk sightings – and then west on Highway 21 and south on 74 again.

Highway 74 connected us to the famous Pig Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 23). Feeling bolder than I should have, I tried to use the Husky’s superior power to pull away from Bill’s KLR, but he stretched the KLR’s throttle cable and hung with me. As fast as we dared go, some guy on a multi-cylinder crotch rocket blew by us and out of sight. One good thing about riding a thumper is that you feel like you’re going fast when you really aren’t.

Highway 23 dropped us down out of the Ozarks onto Interstate 40 and then back home to Oklahoma.

Riding big Singles for 650 miles in two days wasn’t bad at all. In fact, in the mountains of Arkansas, it was big fun.

The post Riding the Ozarks on Big Singles | Favorite Ride appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Buried deep in my iPhone is a text message I sent to my riding buddies on Feb. 29, 2008 (lucky leap day, as it turns out):

I got the job!! I’m Rider’s new Road Test Editor! Woohoo!

I had just returned from my second interview with Mark Tuttle, Rider’s former editor-in-chief. We had met up for a motorcycle ride, and during lunch at a beachside cafe, he offered me the job.

Working full-time at a motorcycle magazine really has been a dream come true. It’s been an honor and a privilege to ride hundreds of new motorcycles and travel all over the world. But one of the most rewarding parts of my job has been getting to know fellow motorcycle enthusiasts who work in the industry – passionate, intelligent, talented individuals who have become not only trusted colleagues but true friends.

The Wingman

One of those friends is Kevin Wing. He’s one of the best motorcycle photographers in the business, and his work has been featured in Rider, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Cycle World, and other leading publications since the ’90s. Wing is responsible for countless inspiring covers and vivid images that bring this magazine to life, and he deserves way more credit for his contributions than we could ever give him. 

Wing was the photographer on my first Rider photoshoot. A month into my new job, Tuttle asked me to photo model on the Buell XB12XT for the June 2008 cover feature. Wing was patient with my inexperience, coaching me on how to ride 2 feet off the back bumper of a minivan for tracking shots. 

Wing is also a perfectionist. He’ll call for as many photo passes as it takes – sometimes dozens of them in a single corner – to get the lighting, focus, angle, and other details just right. On the Buell shoot, I struggled to do repeated U-turns on a steep, narrow road for the cover shot. When I blew it one time and ended up in the weeds, he snagged a few embarrassing frames of me trying to extricate myself.

If I’m honest, I’ve never felt like the “talent.” I’m a rider with middling skills who is always trying to compensate for a lifelong habit of cocking my head to the left, inspiring a few riding buddies to nickname me “iLean.” The real talent is the guy behind the camera.

The Dukester

Another industry veteran I’m proud to call my friend is Kevin Duke. He started out at Motorcyclist in the late ’90s and was an editor at Roadracing World and Motorcycle Consumer News before taking the helm as editor-in-chief at Motorcycle-USA.com and then Motorcycle.com. When the EIC position opened up at our sibling publication, Thunder Press (which became American Rider last May), I was stoked when Duke landed the job.

Over the years, I’ve attended dozens of press launches around the world with Duke. He was at my first press launch in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the spring of 2008, one that will forever live in infamy after one guy crashed (me), nearly every other journalist got a ticket, and one unlucky soul was hauled off in handcuffs. But that’s a longer story best told over a couple of beers…

In January 2013, Duke and I attended the global launch of the BMW R 1200 GS “water” Boxer in South Africa, an event that got cut short on the first day after a British motojournalist crashed and ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Following the fatal incident, the mood at the launch was somber. We had a free day before our flight home, and Duke and I decided we needed to do something life-affirming. So we borrowed a BMW X1 and drove to Bloukrans Bridge, which, at 700 feet above the Bloukrans River, is the site of the world’s highest commercial bungee jump.

I was nervous during the entire two-hour drive there, hoping Duke would chicken out so I could do the same. But he never did, and we went through with it. The jump was two seconds of sheer terror followed by one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

The Motorcycle Camping Plan

Duke and I oversee a small editorial team as we work collaboratively on Rider and American Rider. Duke is a former racer and can wheelie anything on two wheels, but now that he runs an American V-Twin publication, his opportunities to ride bikes not made by Harley or Indian are limited.

“Hey Duke, we’re working on this adventure issue for Rider. How about you take the train up here to Ventura, and we’ll go for a ride? Bring your tent and sleeping bag.”

We both spend way too much time riding a desk chair, so he didn’t hesitate to accept my invitation. We had a pair of adventure bikes – a Honda CB500X and a Husqvarna Norden 901 – in the Rider garage, and we’d be joined by Wing on our Yamaha Tracer 9 GT long-termer.

Related Stories:

• 2019 Honda CB500X | First Ride Review
• 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 | Video Review
• 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT | Long-Term Review

You know what they say about the best-laid plans. Duke missed his 6 a.m. train, pushing our departure back by two hours. Deadlines, a bum knee, and aftereffects of a Covid booster slowed down my last-minute packing, so by the time we hit the road it was noon.

First, the Ride

From my house, I can hit California Route 33 with a rock. It peels off U.S. Route 101 near the beach, and after winding through small hamlets like Casitas Springs and Oak View, Route 33 passes a biker hangout called the Deer Lodge and becomes one of the best motorcycling roads in Southern California, entering the wide-open spaces of Los Padres National Forest. I even wrote about the 33 in my cover letter when I applied to Rider back in 2008:

A motorcycling treasure sits in Rider’s backyard. The triple-crown of the Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway (Route 33), Lockwood Valley Road, and Cerro Noroeste Road has it all: breathtaking vistas, peg-scraping switchbacks, fast sweepers, and top-gear straights.

Even better, these roads have minimal traffic, especially on a Tuesday. “The Kevins” and I have ridden together many times, and we enjoy a brisk pace. We pushed our bikes hard and gnawed the chicken strips down to gristle. And then, out of nowhere, we received an unexpected gift.

Covering about 25 desolate miles from its junction with Route 33 to the small community of Lake of the Woods, Lockwood Valley Road has suffered a long history of neglect. It was in rough shape when I first rode it 15 years ago, and over the years, it has only deteriorated further. One tricky section is a tangled knot of first-gear corners that go through narrow desert canyons and washes. On one of my first test rides through Lockwood Valley, I dumped a $20,000 BMW R 1200 HP2 Megamoto in a patch of sand that caught me off-guard, cracking one of the magnesium cylinder heads and nearly putting my dream job at risk.

As the Kevins and I turned onto Lockwood Valley Road, we saw that the top layer of pavement had been scraped off. A few miles later, we came upon the paving crew. And then … nirvana!

All the twists and turns that were such a challenge when the pavement was cracked, patched, potholed, and strewn with sand and rock-slide debris became a jet black, eerily smooth roller coaster like those plastic Hot Wheels tracks you could twist into acrobatic shapes and loops. We were gobsmacked.

The Actual Motorcycle Camping

An army marches on its stomach, and so does a crew on a photoshoot ride. We’re all remote workers these days, so rides like these give us a chance to see each other face-to-face and have some laughs. While we sat around a picnic table and scarfed down an XL combination pie at Mike’s Pizza, Duke revealed that Wing had also been the photographer on his first shoot – 25 years ago to the month. We commiserated about the recent heat wave, inquired about Duke’s and Wing’s kids, and discussed the length of my beard. By December, I should be eligible for a part-time gig as Santa.

We waddled out to the bikes rubbing our distended bellies, saddled up, and made our way through the alpine community of Pine Mountain Club before spiraling our way up Cerro Noroeste Road to the top of its namesake mountain. Cerro Noroeste is surrounded by the Chumash Wilderness, and sprawled across its 8,300-foot summit under the shade of enormous Jeffrey pines is Campo Alto Campground.

When my brother and I first camped at Campo Alto back in ’06, we had embraced our Tennessee heritage, bringing little more than a box of fried chicken, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and bed rolls tossed in the bed of my F-150. We’ve taken Rider staff camping trips to Campo Alto, so it seemed a fitting location for our most recent escape. A week after Labor Day on a Tuesday, it was deserted.

As the Kevins set up camp, I rode down to the general store in Pine Mountain Club and stocked up on beer, chips, sandwich fixin’s, and firewood. We soon had a toasty blaze going and cold cans of IPA in our hands. Heavy rains had spun off from Cyclone Kay and soaked the mountains only a day or two before, and the petrichor mixed with the smell of pine and wood smoke.

“Hard to believe we’re so close to home,” Wing said. “Feels like we’re a million miles away.”

We had ridden less than 100 miles since leaving Ventura, and it was probably half that to the campground as the crow flies. But we were on the top of a mountain surrounded by wilderness, and there was no one around but us.

After the sun went down, it dropped into the 40s, so we huddled close to the fire, sipped some 10-year-old Henry McKenna bourbon, and told war stories about press launches, photoshoots, close calls, and embarrassing moments. (Yes, I told the Gatlinburg story.)

Ours was an adventure with a little “a.” We didn’t do much preparation or planning, nothing went wrong, and we were back home in less than 36 hours. But we slept in tents under the stars, had fun, and asked, “Why don’t we do this more often?” Even a brief escape with good friends does wonders for the soul.

The post Motorcycle Camping on a Honda CB500X and Husqvarna Norden 901 appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Husqvarna Motorcycles North America Inc. has announced the availability of its 2023 street lineup, including the single-cylinder Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401, the versatile single-cylinder 701 Supermoto and 701 Enduro, and the parallel-Twin Norden 901.

Related: Backcountry Discovery Routes to Give Away a 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901

The 2023 701 Supermoto and 701 Enduro were made available in November at authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealers, while the Norden 901 arrives in December 2022. The Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 models will be available from January 2023 onward.

2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401

Husqvarna says the 2023 Svartpilen 401 is great for urban and rural settings alike, while the lower bar and sport tires of the 2023 Vitpilen 401 make it suitable for twisty roads or as a commuter. Both bikes feature a liquid-cooled 373cc single-cylinder engine making a claimed 44 hp and 27.29 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed gearbox linked to an Easy Shift sensor allowing for clutchless gear changes, and PASC slip/assist clutch.

The steel trellis frames, low weight (approximately 333 lb dry weight for the Vitpilen 401 and 335 lb for the Svartpilen 401), and WP APEX suspension contribute to the bikes’ middleweight capabilities, and ByBre brakes and Bosch ABS offer powerful, controlled stopping. Both bikes have an approximately 2.5-gal fuel tank.

See all of Rider’s Husqvarna coverage here.

2023 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto and 701 Enduro

For 2023, the main changes to the 701 Supermoto and 701 Enduro are new colors and graphics.

Both bikes return with a liquid-cooled 693cc single-cylinder engine making a claimed 74 hp and 54.21 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm, a 6-speed gearbox with the Easy Shift function, and the Adler APTC slip/assist clutch.  

The 701 Enduro and 701 Supermoto are equipped with an LCD dashboard with a USB port and an RPM display and gear selection indicator. From the handlebar, riders can quickly personalize their machine by selecting from two ride modes. Mode 1 on both bikes offers sporty throttle response and cornering-sensitive traction control. Mode 2 on the 701 Enduro provides a smooth throttle response with off-road traction control, allowing wheel slip and lifting of the front wheel.

On the 701 Supermoto, Mode 2 provides a more aggressive throttle response with reduced traction control to allow for drifts and full control on slides. Riders can also deactivate traction control entirely. 

The 701 Enduro has WP XPLOR suspension, and the 701 Supermoto has WP APEX suspension. Both bikes feature Brembo brakes (with 300mm/240mm front/rear discs on the 701 Enduro and 320mm/240mm on the 701 Supermoto) and cornering ABS that can be disengaged.

The 701 Enduro has a dry weight of approximately 322 lb, while the 701 Supermoto comes in at approximately 324 lb. Both bikes have 3.4-gal fuel tanks.

2023 Husqvarna Norden 901

Husqvarna says the Norden 901 delivers “the ideal blend of offroad capability and world-traveler ridability.” Our editor-in-chief put this claim to the test with his video review of the 2022 model after two days of on- and off-road testing on to São Miguel, Azores, a wet, foggy island in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Norden 901 is based on the KTM 890 Adventure platform. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 890cc DOHC parallel-Twin that makes a claimed 105 hp at 8,000 rpm and 74 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm at the crank, a 6-speed sequential gearbox with the Easy Shift function, and a PASC slip/assist clutch. It features ABS (Road and Offroad modes), lean-angle-sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control, and cruise control and is equipped with adjustable WP APEX suspension, with 8.7/8.5 inches of front/rear travel. 

For 2023, the Norden 901 features updated ride modes, including the return of Street, Offroad, and the optional Explorer mode, as well as a Rain mode that replaces the Urban mode on the 2022 model. Street mode gives direct throttle response with traction control suited for paved surfaces and Road ABS. Rain mode has controllable throttle response with reduced peak power and traction control engaged at lower rpms. Offroad mode has smooth throttle response and allows wheel spin before traction control is engaged and ABS is automatically adjusted to match terrain. The optional Explorer mode gives the rider full control over throttle response, peak power, and ABS.

For more information, visit the Husqvarna website.

The post Husqvarna Announces 2023 Street Lineup appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Who wouldn’t appreciate a 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 with $12,000-worth of upgrades? Backcountry Discovery Routes, an adventure motorcycling nonprofit organization, is giving one away for its annual Motorcycle Sweepstakes Fundraiser, taking place now until Jan. 20, 2023. The entry fee is $25. 

Watch Rider’s 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 Video Review here 

“We’ve worked with our industry partners to turn this bike into the ultimate adventure machine,” says Inna Thorn, BDR Executive Director. “It’s set up specifically for tackling any or all of the Backcountry Discovery Routes. This is by far the most well-equipped sweepstake bike that BDR has ever offered, and we hope the community will be just as excited to participate in this year’s sweepstakes as we are to offer it.” 

The aftermarket accessories on the Norden 901 include: 

• Full WP suspension XPLOR PRO upgrade 
• Special BDR Edition graphics 
• Protection and luggage systems from Touratech 
• Yoshimura slip-on exhaust 
• Garmin Zumo XT with locking mount 
• Scotts steering stabilizer with TripleClamp Moto mount kit 
• LED lights by Cyclops 
• Complete set of 11 BDR Butler Motorcycle Maps 

Backcountry Discovery Routes is a non-profit that works to create and preserve off-highway riding opportunities for dual-sport and adventure motorcyclists. All proceeds from the sweepstakes will go toward helping BDR with these goals. 

BDR’s work includes “promoting rider education and safety campaigns, driving economic relief to rural communities, and encouraging responsible motorcycle travel in the backcountry.” 

Anyone can enter to win the 2022 Norden 901. International entries are welcome with the understanding that the prize will be collected in Seattle, Washington, and may be subject to tax or importation limitations. 

The winner will be drawn live on Jan. 20, 2023, at 1 pm PST on BDR’s YouTube channel. 

Click here to visit Backcountry Discovery Routes’ website for more information about the organization and the sweepstakes. 

The post Backcountry Discovery Routes to Give Away a 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 appeared first on Rider Magazine.

With limited availability on select 2023 motocross, cross-country, and enduro models, the new Husqvarna Heritage machines offer a special livery honoring Husqvarna Motorcycles’ off-road racing heritage.

Built on the platforms of the 2023 FC/TC, FX/TX, and FE/TE ranges, these competition-focused motorcycles are designed for racing at the highest level and have been enhanced by a new look inspired by the Swedish heritage of the brand, combined with black anodized EXCEL rims to create what Husqvarna says is “an understated and exclusive appearance.”

Husqvarna Motorcycles has secured 15 FIM Motocross World Championship titles, five AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross Championships, and numerous off-road racing titles since Swedish racer Bill Nillson claimed the brand’s first in 1960. Husqvarna says the exclusive run of Heritage models honors those racing achievements and was inspired by the racing machines of the past, designed with a unique look to pay tribute to the competitive history of Husqvarna Motorcycles.

Related Stories: Read all of Rider‘s Husqvarna coverage here.

The range of motocross and cross-country Heritage models are built upon the new FC/TC and FX/TX platforms and feature the same advanced technology introduced just this year.

2023 Husqvarna Heritage Motocross Technical Highlights

In the motocross range, the Husqvarna Heritage lineup will include the FC 350 Heritage (MSRP $10,899), TC 125 Heritage ($8,149), and the TC 250 Heritage (MSRP $9,149).

For cross-country, Husqvarna is offering the FX 350 Heritage (MSRP $11,649) and the TX 300 Heritage (MSRP $11,299).

Technical highlights provided by Husqvarna are as follows:

• New Husqvarna Racing heritage-inspired graphics 
• New high-strength EXCEL alloy rims provide durability and a premium finish 
• New bodywork with specifically tailored ergonomics for easier movement
• New hydro-formed chromium-molybdenum frames improve anti-squat behavior
• New topology-optimized die-cast aluminum swingarm provides optimal rigidity and low weight
• New throttle body fuel injection on 2-stroke engines
• New FC/FX 350 DOHC engines
• New Quickshift sensor on all 5-speed 4-stroke models (FC 350 Heritage and FX 350 Heritage)
• New electric start on all 2-stroke models (TC 125 Heritage, TC 250 Heritage, and TX 300 Heritage)
• New aluminum-polyamide hybrid subframe construction provides specifically calculated rigidity and advanced durability
• New WP XACT 48 mm front forks with AER technology
• New WP XACT rear shock design with CFD-optimized main piston and tool-free adjusters
• New multifunctional Map Select Switch also activates the Quickshifter, Traction, and Launch Control
• High-performance hydraulic clutch systems
• Premium-quality ProTaper handlebars

2023 Husqvarna Heritage Enduro Technical Highlights

In the enduro lineup, Husqvarna is offering the FE 450 Heritage (MSRP $11,849) and TE 300 Heritage (MSRP $11,299).

Technical highlights provided by Husqvarna are as follows:  

• New Husqvarna Racing heritage inspired graphics 
• New high-strength EXCEL alloy rims provide durability and a premium finish
• A two-piece carbon fiber composite subframe weighs just over 2.2 lb (1 kg)
• WP XPLOR front forks and WP XACT rear shock
• Two Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) maps on 4-stroke model plus Traction Control
• Two selectable ignition curves and automatic fueling adjustment on 2-stroke
• Advanced linkage progression, shared with the Husqvarna motocross range, for optimum control and comfort
• Pankl Racing Systems 6-speed gearbox with enduro specific ratios

To enhance the Heritage models, an extended list of Technical Accessories allows riders to improve engine performance, handling, and durability of their machine. Included in the range of competition-focused components are triple clamps, wheelsets, exhaust systems, sprockets, and a full list of protective parts.

New lines added to the Apparel Collection include a premium Moto-10 Spherical Railed Helmet and Origin Jersey. Both are designed to match the Heritage machines with comfort and style.

The Heritage models will be available from October onward in limited numbers at authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealers.

More information available on the Husqvarna website.

The post 2023 Husqvarna Heritage Motocross, Cross-Country, and Enduro Models | First Look Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.