After returning from the international press launch of the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa, Alun declared it was the toughest adventure bike launch he'd been on in 12 years of testing motorbikes around the world.

And Alun wasn't alone in his assessment, with Dakar Rally winner Cyril Depres also impressed with the challenging route Husqvarna provided for the assembled journalists which saw them ride for more than 300 miles over two days of adventuring.

But how did the Norden 901 Expedition perform on the mix of technical trails, sweeping gravel roads, twisty coastal tarmac, and more? What makes the Expedition worth spending and extra £900 over the price of a standard Norden 901? And could South Africa help Alun get his trail riding mojo back?

Find out all this and more in the latest episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, in which James debriefs Alun on his return from the Norden launch.

WHAT IS THE NORDEN 901 EXPEDITION?

The original Norden 901 hit dealerships here in the UK in 2022, and less than a year later, the manufacturer has released a new model, called the Expedition. It shares the same engine, chassis, wheels, electronics, and more with the standard bike, but has been designed to offer greater comfort and performance over long distances, whether you're riding on or off road.

Let us know what you think of the new Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in the comments section below. And be sure to hit that subscribe button for more content from ABR.