The Motorcycle That Makes Camping Trips Better
Car camping is a very popular form of recreation. The freedom of the open road and the adventure of sleeping under the stars create an experience like none other. But it also requires careful packing and smart safety habits for an enjoyable trip. Motorcycles make it tougher because of size constraints and limited storage capacity.
Still, adventure bikes are a great companion for motorcycle camping trips because of their go-anywhere construction and ability to clip on storage solutions like panniers and top boxes. It is always good to opt for an ADV with standard panniers, as it lowers the initial cost and is more budget-friendly. A few solid options exist today, but we focus here on an underappreciated Expedition ADV with the heart of a KTM and the spirit of a vagabond.
Here’s Why ADVs Are Solid Camping Trip Motorcycles
Adventure motorcycles are a great choice for camping trips because of their do-it-all appeal. The balance of on-road and off-road comfort, stability, and capability makes it easy to reach even the remotest camping spots. Relatively large fuel tanks (often 5+ gallons) provide a range of well over 200 miles, letting you venture deep into remote areas far from the nearest gas stations.
A tall riding stance, long-travel suspension, and engine protection give you the confidence to tackle hardcore off-road trails. An upright, relaxed stance keeps you comfortable and fatigue-free, so you can enjoy your time at the campsite instead of ending up sore and missing out on stargazing! Furthermore, ADVs are generally designed with a much stronger subframe to handle the added weight of luggage and a pillion. On a solo exploration trip, additional tail bags allow you to carry much more luggage.
Standard Panniers Would Make Things Perfect
While most ADVs can accept compatible pannier and top box mounts, it is always better to choose models that come factory-fitted. The main advantages include a cleaner, more considered setup that doesn’t leave you second-guessing how to add accessories. Second, the price includes the panniers, and the standard warranty typically covers their mounts.
This adds to peace of mind when on challenging trips. Adventure bikes with standard panniers are limited, but there are plenty to leave you spoiled for choice. Suzuki offers the most options in this lot with the V-Strom 650XT Adventure, the V-Strom 800DE Adventure, and the V-Strom 1050DE Adventure. All these Suzuki ADVs come standard with hard, weatherproof side cases. Kawasaki also offers standard hard panniers on the KLR650 Adventure.
Interestingly, it is a dual-sport that is impressively versatile and a capable go-anywhere companion. Beyond these examples, one lesser-known middleweight ADV stands apart with rugged, soft panniers. The Husqvarna Norden 901 is a greatly underrated ADV that can go anywhere. Its Expedition trim takes it a notch higher, making it the perfect companion for dreamy camping trips.
The Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition Is A Gorgeous Go-Anywhere ADV
This is a jacked-up version of the standard Norden 901 ADV. While the standard version is already a capable middleweight bike that excels on and off the road, the Expedition trim takes it up a notch. It gets upgraded suspension, protection, riding, comfort, and luggage solutions. It is designed for riders who crave adventurous rides to their camping sites. Husqvarna has tuned this ADV with a heightened focus on off-roading.
So much so that it even has a dedicated smartphone app to download maps, plan adventures, and trace routes by adding up to 128 waypoints along tricky trails. Comfort isn’t an afterthought, as the Norden 901 Expedition comes with features like heated grips and a heated seat. Its overall appeal is so strong that this Swedish ADV punches above its weight, making the Honda Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger 1200 series take notice.
Comes With Rugged And Weatherproof Standard Soft Panniers
This ADV’s rugged appeal is well showcased visually. The Norden 901 Expedition has neo-retro styling with a circular headlamp, a unique semi-faired design, a taller windscreen, and added protection. The topography-inspired graphics are a neat touch. Husqvarna has also neatly integrated standard auxiliary lights below the headlamp and inside the fairing.
The bash plate is one of the biggest in its segment and signals the hardcore off-roading it’s built for. A neatly integrated set of soft, weatherproof panniers helps you prepare better for those camping trips. They offer a combined storage capacity of 36 liters and have a compact footprint. Husqvarna also offers much bigger aluminum side panniers as optional extras.
Powered By A KTM-Sourced Engine That Packs A Punch
The Norden 901 Expedition is powered by the same engine as the KTM 890 Adventure R. It is an 889 cc parallel-twin engine that produces 103 horsepower and nearly 74 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheel through a six-speed manual gearbox and a final chain drive. Attention to detail is impressive, as this ADV uses an O-ring chain, a tougher, low-maintenance option among motorcycle chain designs. It has a high compression ratio of 13.5:1, which contributes to its chirpy character.
Capable Underpinnings Are Ready To Explore The Greater Unknown
A chromoly steel trellis main frame with a bolt-on sub-frame underpins this ADV. This setup matches the standard Norden 901. The swingarm is also shared: a die-cast aluminum unit with link-free shock mounting. The suspension setup is superior, comprising 48 mm WP Xplor inverted front forks. The rear gets a WP Xplor PDS monoshock. Both ends offer 9.4 inches of travel and have full adjustability.
Braking duties come from dual 320 mm discs paired with radially mounted four-piston calipers. The rear gets a 260 mm disc coupled to a two-piston caliper. Its go-anywhere confidence comes from its tire choice. The Norden 901 Expedition gets dual-purpose Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tubeless tires at both ends. They are wrapped around laced 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.
Relaxed Ergonomics To Comfortably Reach Those Camping Spots
The Norden 901 Expedition is a sizable motorcycle with a 60.2-inch wheelbase, a 25.8-degree rake angle, and a 4.2-inch trail. It also packs a sizable five-gallon fuel tank. Seat height is on the higher side, but adjustable from 34.4 to 35.7 inches. Despite its intimidating size, Husqvarna has kept its heft in check, with a curb weight of 504 pounds. The rider sits upright and relaxed, with optimum protection from a tall windscreen up front. The side fairings also help deflect wind well around the motorcycle.
Top-Spec Technology Complements Its Off-Roading Finesse
The technological features are comprehensive here. The cockpit features a five-inch TFT that serves as a window to an array of ride-enhancing, assistive, and safety features. It offers multiple ride modes (Street, Rain, Off-Road, and even a distinctive Explorer mode). It also includes a Custom mode that riders can tweak to their liking by adjusting throttle response, traction control, and peak power output. It also gets a standard quickshifter for faster transitions on and off the road.
It also gets nine levels of lean-sensitive traction control and switchable ABS that can truly elevate the off-roading experience. Husqvarna has updated this unique ADV for 2027 with a key focus on electronics. It gets an updated slip adjuster with ten settings to fine-tune rear-wheel drift and front-wheel lift based on terrain. The price bump is also nominal, as the 2027 model is priced at $16,999. The 2026 model is priced at $16,499.
Source: Husqvarna Motorcycles, KTM, Ducati, BMW Motorrad, and Triumph Motorcycles
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