For a while now, mass market motorbike producers have normally had one single factor in frequent throughout the board, and it is this: If you are going to expend R&D sources to craft a brand new powerplant, you’d finest consider that sucker will probably be on the coronary heart of a number of automobiles. You cannot actually argue with the logic, actually.
When Husqvarna lastly unleashed the Norden 901 on the world as a 2022 model, the moto-Internet collectively breathed a sigh of reduction. By that time, you see, it wasn’t a query of if; like so many issues, it was extra a query of when.
Why? Because by that time, spy photographs and teasers and rumors and all types had been swirling for years. Rumors come up on a regular basis, however they normally fade away fairly shortly if there is no substance behind them. That wasn’t the case with the Norden.
Interestingly, although, the Norden nonetheless stands alone within the Husqvarna 901 lineup right here in February 2024. While it is true that the Norden 901 shares a coronary heart with a few of its KTM 890 siblings below the Pierer umbrella, it nonetheless appears slightly unusual that it has but to be joined by a minimum of yet another 901. After all, we’ve been seeing spy photos depicting more than one 901 out testing since at least 2019. That’s practically 5 years in the past, which is extra like a zillion years in moto-time.
Evidently, Husqvarna should suppose so, too, as a result of it simply dropped a teaser for an upcoming video launch on March 5, 2023. The 30-second brief, posted to each Husky’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, depicts what seems to be a brand new 901 that is arrange for ice racing.
We’re handled to a number of nice closeup pictures of the studded tires ripping into the ice, full with audio of the studs biting into the ice with a sound high quality that is crisp sufficient to provide the shivers. The engine sound is there a part of the time, however it’s clear that each one of this video is only a teaser. So, you do not get an excessive amount of, though we did handle to tug a couple of key stills out to aim to get a deal with on what we’re seeing.
So, Which 901 Is It?
Husqvarna 901 Teaser – Graphics, Front Wheel, And Tank Pad Closeup
Husqvarna 901 Teaser – Soft, twinny underbelly, unprotected by even the trace of a skid plate.
Husqvarna 901 Teaser – Rear, Front, and Exhaust Closeup
Judging the pictures we see on this teaser towards the recently facelifted small-displacement 2024 Svartpilens and Vitpilens, it seems fairly darn Svarty to me. Not totally, although; the high-mount exhaust is clearly a change. Then once more, if that is certainly a teaser for a manufacturing ‘Pilen of some variety, it is clearly additionally not going to return with studded tires from the manufacturing unit. So that might merely be a racing modification.
I requested round, although, and this is what a few of the remainder of the RA workforce noticed.
Executive Editor Jonathon Klein speculated, “To me, that looks like a Vitpilen. It’s got the shape, the aggressiveness that the Vit had. Although, those are Svart bars, so… Please be a 901 Vitpilen? Please, Husqvarna, please.”
New Associate Editor Robbie Bacon stated, “Battle of the head and heart. The heart wants a Vit, but the head says Svart.”
To which I responded (in basic me-fashion), “Since when has there been a Svart without a Vit? I’d argue this means a Vit is also on its way. They come in pairs.”
What do you suppose, readers? Are you prepared for the most important ‘Pilen but? Also, which do you suppose we’re taking a look at? Let us know within the feedback.