How Much Better can KTM really Be?? (2024 Husqvarna Norden 901)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- I’ve been looking at the 2024 Honda Transalp xl 750 as my next bike because it checks the most boxes from a reliable Japanese maker. But what if we trust European reliability? Or forgive it for the performance?
This thought brought me to “KTM Husqvarna GasGas” of Kawasaki Chuo in Kanagawa Japan. I came to look at the KTM 790 adventure right next to the 890 and 890 R because, if we don’t talk about reliability, the KTM are far superior. The cost is comparable even here in Japan after you think about mods you’d do and all the modifications you’d need on the Honda. When I was there they had a Husqvarna Norden 901 for a free test ride and here we are with my first ride, first impressions ride on the Norden and on any KTM motor.
Do you agree? Am I wrong? Does it really beat the Yamaha Tenere 700 and world raid, the Suzuki V Strom 800 de and re, the Aprilia Tuareg 660,and the 750 Transalp?
Let me know in the Comments.
I have a 2023 Norden 901. It's been rock solid and is a great bike. I ride it on trails, highway, and dirt roads.
The biggest thing for me was the heat when it hits 45c in Japan.
But for the people like you that get a perfect bike, it was the best adv bike I've ever ridden, minus the blinker indicator and honda hazards😅
Glad you like it
I wouldn't worry about reliability on new bikes from major manufacturers, even if they're from Austria or Italy. They're doing everything in their power to fight that bad reputation because it's costing them customers! Even considering that, I wouldn't buy a KTM myself, outside of the 390 range they're very pricey where I live. But if I had to have an A2 bike, damn the Vitpilen 401 is nice.
There still seems to be a lot of people on brand new ktms having big issues. If I can't get to work, I can't get to work.
And in japan, the heat is a concern
Complete bs. KTM does absolutely nothing to improve their reliability and reputation we can see that by their products.
I would get the Husqvarna, but for now i will stay with my T7. It is a great bike and absolutely no issues at all!💪🤘👊
I had a 1190 adv and it felt like a bicycle. I had fuel line & electrical problems but when the bike worked, it was great.
Thanks for the great video, the isssue with the heat can be solved by removing the catalyzer, same on the Aprolia Tuareg
That would be expensive, illegal, and all my Japanese bikes have never had such a heat issue and I keep the cat.
But thanks for the note
@@DragoniteMotoJP it s not really expensive at least for most ot the bikes, (1-200$) but yes you are right, it's illegal when you use the bike on-road
@DAI-proofofuniqueness it's expensive to void the warranty for a bike that's likely to need it.
But this is a adv touring bike. If it's not legal on the road, what the point.
If I have to trailer it, why not get a far superior mx bike.
Hi, I had lot of bikes but I can assure you that this Norden is really a great bike 🎉
So for someone that is going to buy a bike like me and it’s between tracer 9 gt or Norden 901 . Which one should be a better choice ?? Use would be mostly urban touring
@ddarkd3vil674 I bought the Honda transalp. I picked it because I'm trying dirt riding.
If I wasn't going to do dirt, or nothing more than a well packed gravel road, the tracer 9gt plus is , in my opinion, the best road bike I've ever ridden and literally my perfect bike. Get a screen from mra, a seat from sargent, and lower engine bars. That would be my perfect comfort super sport that will possibly last longer than me.
That's only my opinion, you should test ride both. But if you trust ktm, while the tracer is logically perfect, the 890smt really pulls at my heart.
its not just the 890 their other bikes have issues to, the only KTM that seems to have the issues worked out is the exc500 FE501 engines,
It is a real shame. They are sooo much better as bikes. But if every ride has that concern in the back of your mind…. How much fun can you have.
Honestly, regarding reliability/quality control, I would rather get the Chinese made (CFMoto) 790 than the Austrian 890/901. The misconception of all Chinese products being badly made with weak QC does not apply nowadays. Think of Apple and Tesla, which by the way has a better QC in their Shanghai factory than their US one. It's the same story with Korean cars like Kia and Hyundai, that were initially all cheap and unreliable, but have now become almost at the same level as Japanese makes. Speaking of Japanese makes, let's not forget when they first introduced the UJM to the west, people were skeptic about their low price and unproven build quality.
I have seen that cfmoto is very reliable. But the first 790s from cfmote did have the normal ktm reliability issues.
And the heat I felt at 17°c makes me wonder what will it be like at 40°c in the tokyo summer.
@@DragoniteMotoJP Hey, are you still set on getting the Transalp? I just test rode a 790 and I'm about to pull the trigger on it. The built-in cruise control and lower center of gravity with the fuel tank won me over especially since KTM is currently offering a 500$ rebate on the tech pack, which makes it only 380$ (CAD). Regarding the heat issue, it did feel a bit hot in city traffic at 20C, but the heat was mostly felt on my knees and lower thighs, which is a lot more tolerable than in the crotch area on other bikes. I've also heard that the Transalp also has heat issues, maybe it was colder when you rode it? Even though both bikes have 21in front, the KTM somehow handles with the agility of a 19in while still easily going over bumps and potholes.
I'm not worried about the made in China part. The 890s are full of issues. I'm worried about the fundamental design for Austria.
I felt the heat from the normal at 17c while I felt no heat at all on the honda at 25c.
If say the aprilia tuareg is the smart choice. But only 3 dealers in all of Japan, 2 have bad reviews, and 1 has no reviews. So that's that.
And honda is cheaper in japan because it's a Japanese model. So all the missing parts here (cruise, suspension, so on) can be added as top shelf items within the price gap. And Japan has the full 91hp
But the ktm is the better bike if it's a trouble-free ride. But I've never met a 790 or 890 owner that's been trouble-free. I've only found about 5 on the internet who have been trouble-free or at least mostly trouble-free.
But I'm leaning towards the transalp. Not 100% set as of yet.
@@DragoniteMotoJP Fair enough, the Transalp is almost the exact same price as the 790 here in Canada. I'm also worried about liability, but the new 2024 MY 790/890 have the new LC8c engine (previously LC8), which KTM is now offering free extended warranty (4 years instead of 2) as long as you perform the scheduled services at the dealer. I'll go on a limb and assume this means that the new model is more reliable, so I might just go for it.
@@KazurinRyuu I save about 35% after tech pack. But if I was in North America where Transalp was only 81hp and the price was that close I’d get aprilia or try a ktm, but Japan has a savage import tax and Hondas are made here, so… I just get the Honda and invest in the after market…. Probably
Husq should have put that CFmoto 450 in the svart and then built a norden 451.
KTM has had quite a few defects with their 890 line. It's a fact. Make sure you have a dealer nearby.
My big concern is, if I use the bike to get to work. Even if the dealer sorts out every issue, that's still a day I didn't make it too work
5000 km, 30% offroad, no problem
Honda AT was 5000 euro price extra, sorry Honda,
The AT is 2500 cheaper here.
Glad yours is trouble free. If they were all reliable people wouldn't buy anything but 790/890s. They are the better bike
Norden 901 here in the Philippines is at US $10,200 brand new from the dealer. Normally price at US $17,000. Should I buy one with all this “reliability” issues? Thanks!
I need a bike as a main transportation.
So I need honda reliability.
If it's a second bike or just fun, the norden is better. But the heat I felt on a 17°c day was a lot. Thinking of Japanese summers and how Philippines are probably hotter, I'd be concerned.
But ignoring reliability and heat, ktm bikes are the best.
Since you wanted a Tracer 7. Have you ever thought about a Triumpf Tiger 660?
I've ridden the trident and had a street triple.
Fine bikes, but I like Triumph japan. Reasons I can't get into, but I won't work with them anymore.
That being said, if i were back in the usa, the tiger 900 would be top of my list
@@DragoniteMotoJP thanks for replying :)
Never had an issue with mine and I abuse the hell out of it. All internet BS. Maybe some of the early ones had issues but never met anyone who actually has other than people who flooded their bikes etc.
@jaymac_uk great. It's my ideal bike. But I've had plenty if commenter's with issues.
Glad yours is trouble free. Second to none if it's a reliable one
@@DragoniteMotoJP no just internet hype. Know numerous people with them. Laugh at these “commentators” who have never had one. The transalp rusts and goes wrong a lot more. My mate sold his as it didn’t stop breaking down.
@@jaymac_uk you’re the only person I’ve every heard that even knows someone with a Transalp issues. But there are endless videos and forums of ktm issues. Some journalists has tech troubles at the launch.
But I’m happy yours works. It would be great if yours was normal.
@@DragoniteMotoJP erm no. I had an Africa twin new in 2018 and that went wrong a couple times so I sold it. My friend had a brand new Transalp this year but sold it back to Honda as his screen failed three times, corrosion was forming on the wheel spokes and wiring plug connectors, it had a couple engine management issues so that was the final straw.
Sorry but Honda are not what they were. They make them much cheaper these days. I thought about the Transalp but that put me off.
The 890 platform is the best adventure bike.
@jaymac_uk I'm not saying your wrong, I'm saying I've never heard any of this before.
But I can promise you, if this bike is falling apart a year from now, I'll be tossing a coin between the tuareg 660 and ktm 790.
The 1 think I'll always say against any Japanese maker, they are cheap by laking all kinds of parts I need to ad myself. Ktm and Aprilia will sell me the whole bike.
I’m on my 3rd fuel sender
Honda is not on the precipice of going out of business. KTM is. You're a fanboy. KTM sells you features and then takes them away unless you pay more. Very poorly run.
@perfectlynormal5729 definitely not a fanboy🤣🤣
ruclips.net/p/PLECZcAA7wjOfcEzcZhXRRtzOWC7zKTLKU&si=VMZLs5fJCZiGTpBk