I own a 2021 model KTM 690 with a small screen and Seat Concepts seat. I tested a std 901 recently and had the same experience as you. Agree with you on everything especially wind protection, it was far worse than my 690. I am also tempted by new 890 or 901 Expedition but for now the 690 stays as I prefer it’s lighter weight, around 50 kg lighter. Cheers
Miałem Huśkę 901 przez jakieś 7 miesięcy i nie wytrzymałem z nią więcej - głównie ze względu na niesamowity buffeting który ten motocykl generował na wysokości mojego kasku, po 30 minutach na tym motocyklu przeraźliwie bolał mnie łeb. Próbowałem z tym coś zrobić zmieniając różne części ale nic nie pomogło doraźnie. Więc się pozbyłem. Teraz mam zupełnie inny motocykl ale czaje się na 701 SM :)
Dokładnie wiem, o czym mówisz - 901 już powyżej 90km/h zaczynał urywać mi głowę. Mega dziwne jak na motocykl sklasyfikowany jako turystyczny. Chętnie sprawdzę, jak działa szyba w 890 Adv lub 901 Expedition. Tam już nie powinno być tego problemu. pozdro i trzymam kciuki za 701SM! :)
I own the 701 with the same tower as you. Went to a dealer did a test ride on the Expedition recently. Did not ride it for very long and only on asphalt. Find it to be very comfortable had it upp to speed of 130km/h no problem. Handled well as long as it was moving. But at stand still you really felt the weight of the bike and tiptoe to reach down. The width of the seat contributes, not just the saddle height. Would never take this bike on the trails. For me this was just another big heavy bike and to be honest, quite boring to ride.
Hey Jan and thank you for your comment - very interesting information! Is 901 boring compared to 701? I believe it depends on the use - for more on-pavement travel with some easy gravel roads, 901 would be more comfy, but I absolutely agree - for trail riding, 701 and 50kg less = much better experience. all the best!
Just bought a new 23 standard for $6000 less than the expedition (CDN money). Got the expedition skid plate for $400 extra. The only real weakness is the rear shock, which can be upgraded for about 2k if necessary, but I'm guessing 90% of rider's (probably including myself) won't need to.
I think it must be more of a sinusoidal - I used to ride F800GS, then F850GS, later I moved to CRF250Rally to finally find the middle solution with 701. So parallel twins are not new to me. I had many thoughts how 901 compares to my ex fully spec'ed 850GS. Do I miss the comfort? Yes. Would I go back to 200kg+ bike's today? No. But I still like them, so maybe one day in the future 901 Expedition would be the right tool for the job again. Cheers!
I liked your story about the 701 because it was evident that it was the perfect motorcycle for you, good off-road and good for long trips like an "Adventure," a true unicorn. This year, I decided to return to motorcycles and enduro after 9 years. I considered the 690/701, but in the end, I bought a used XT600 to see if I really wanted 150kg or to go towards the 200kg range (and I was considering the Tuareg 660 due to its low center of gravity and good suspension while rejecting the T700 for the opposite reasons) or maybe something lighter. However, my conclusion was that a 150kg motorcycle rides just as uncomfortably on the road as a 110kg motorcycle, but it is easier to ride a lighter bike off-road. That's why I was able to trade my XT600e for a WR450 today. Since the EXC500 can handle long trips (ARiemann1), Yamaha can do it too. Maybe someday I'll also head towards heavier bikes, or maybe I'll buy a second one. Having hardenduro and adventure is the best solution :-)
I find those 🦄 bike searching stories fascinating! Thank you for sharing yours, Marceli. I think it is good to change bikes from time to time, try different ones as tools for the current needs. And I am still convinced 701 Enduro is a perfect one for me at this moment, but I do not exclude changes in the future, depending on the needs/ideas for motorcycling :)
And about having more than one bike - it didn't work for me. I used to own CRF250 and 850GS at the same time, bit 90% of rides I was doing on the little Honda (more fun, joyful and more relaxed experience). And I kind of believe that in my case having 701 + 901 at the same time would end up in similar situation. Of course I would find opportunities to ride 901, but I would choose 701 much more often on a daily basis. But maybe that is just me.
The 901 expedition is exactly the same story/selling technique as the Yamaha Tenere WorldRaid; first they bring out a 'standard' bike which is far from perfect, almost un-rideable, then they bring out the version as it SHOULD have been. BUT... at a considerable upscaled cost/price. The manufacturer could have implemented these few better items for a fraction of the cost (slightly better suspension, wind protection, etc) PS Some feedback, if I may; please don't interrupt your video with an advertising question to subscribe. If your channel is good, subscriptions will follow automatically... now I just find it another waste of my time amongst billions of other ads I need to suffer everywhere else. PPS maybe don't talk that much about a motorbike model that you have not been able to ride, what's the point? I'm far more interested in your experience at the moment. Nice video, thanks!
Thanks Peter for the good feedback! Very valuable. And yes, the standard Norden and T7 were almost like market testing and in the second iteration they made it right.
Standard 901 unrideable? Do you rode it at all? Wind protection suck, but other than that it is a excellent bike... much better than t7, desertx and africa, much much better... off course everyone now is a hardcore off road rider and "needs" better suspension but its marketing bullshit😂
@@melonkask Hey Melon and thank you for the comment. I understand your comment is a replay to the one made by Peter, but let me please just address the suspension part: I was able to compare my 701 Enduro WP XPLOR directly to 901 Norden WP APEX on the same roads I am riding very often, and I would never say I am a hardcore rider, but the difference for me was huge. That is why if I were to buy 901, then I would only consider Expedition now. Much better, more stable ride on WP XPLOR. Yes, there is still a weight difference and I do not know if WP EXPLOR on 901 is adjusted to that (different springs in WP EXLOR on 701 vs 901), but I surely hope so!. Cheers!
@@rfk76 I would buy expedition too because the little price difference, but wp apex is not garbage, this kinds of bikes are to explore little wilderness and most of its riders are daddys with beer bellys:)
I own a 2021 model KTM 690 with a small screen and Seat Concepts seat. I tested a std 901 recently and had the same experience as you. Agree with you on everything especially wind protection, it was far worse than my 690. I am also tempted by new 890 or 901 Expedition but for now the 690 stays as I prefer it’s lighter weight, around 50 kg lighter. Cheers
I just picked up my expedition today! Loving it so far!
Congrats, J P! Have a lot of great time on it now :)
Miałem Huśkę 901 przez jakieś 7 miesięcy i nie wytrzymałem z nią więcej - głównie ze względu na niesamowity buffeting który ten motocykl generował na wysokości mojego kasku, po 30 minutach na tym motocyklu przeraźliwie bolał mnie łeb. Próbowałem z tym coś zrobić zmieniając różne części ale nic nie pomogło doraźnie. Więc się pozbyłem. Teraz mam zupełnie inny motocykl ale czaje się na 701 SM :)
Dokładnie wiem, o czym mówisz - 901 już powyżej 90km/h zaczynał urywać mi głowę. Mega dziwne jak na motocykl sklasyfikowany jako turystyczny.
Chętnie sprawdzę, jak działa szyba w 890 Adv lub 901 Expedition. Tam już nie powinno być tego problemu.
pozdro i trzymam kciuki za 701SM! :)
Great Review ❤
Thanks!
I own the 701 with the same tower as you. Went to a dealer did a test ride on the Expedition recently. Did not ride it for very long and only on asphalt. Find it to be very comfortable had it upp to speed of 130km/h no problem. Handled well as long as it was moving. But at stand still you really felt the weight of the bike and tiptoe to reach down. The width of the seat contributes, not just the saddle height. Would never take this bike on the trails. For me this was just another big heavy bike and to be honest, quite boring to ride.
Hey Jan and thank you for your comment - very interesting information!
Is 901 boring compared to 701? I believe it depends on the use - for more on-pavement travel with some easy gravel roads, 901 would be more comfy, but I absolutely agree - for trail riding, 701 and 50kg less = much better experience.
all the best!
Imagine having bought the Norden and now the Expedition has better suspension, a better screen and bashplate.
Yeah, I would be seriously sad... at least.
Just bought a new 23 standard for $6000 less than the expedition (CDN money). Got the expedition skid plate for $400 extra. The only real weakness is the rear shock, which can be upgraded for about 2k if necessary, but I'm guessing 90% of rider's (probably including myself) won't need to.
I notice a phenomenon of off-road raiders being attracted towards heavier machines over time.
I think it must be more of a sinusoidal - I used to ride F800GS, then F850GS, later I moved to CRF250Rally to finally find the middle solution with 701.
So parallel twins are not new to me. I had many thoughts how 901 compares to my ex fully spec'ed 850GS. Do I miss the comfort? Yes. Would I go back to 200kg+ bike's today? No. But I still like them, so maybe one day in the future 901 Expedition would be the right tool for the job again.
Cheers!
I liked your story about the 701 because it was evident that it was the perfect motorcycle for you, good off-road and good for long trips like an "Adventure," a true unicorn. This year, I decided to return to motorcycles and enduro after 9 years. I considered the 690/701, but in the end, I bought a used XT600 to see if I really wanted 150kg or to go towards the 200kg range (and I was considering the Tuareg 660 due to its low center of gravity and good suspension while rejecting the T700 for the opposite reasons) or maybe something lighter. However, my conclusion was that a 150kg motorcycle rides just as uncomfortably on the road as a 110kg motorcycle, but it is easier to ride a lighter bike off-road. That's why I was able to trade my XT600e for a WR450 today. Since the EXC500 can handle long trips (ARiemann1), Yamaha can do it too.
Maybe someday I'll also head towards heavier bikes, or maybe I'll buy a second one. Having hardenduro and adventure is the best solution :-)
I find those 🦄 bike searching stories fascinating! Thank you for sharing yours, Marceli.
I think it is good to change bikes from time to time, try different ones as tools for the current needs. And I am still convinced 701 Enduro is a perfect one for me at this moment, but I do not exclude changes in the future, depending on the needs/ideas for motorcycling :)
And about having more than one bike - it didn't work for me. I used to own CRF250 and 850GS at the same time, bit 90% of rides I was doing on the little Honda (more fun, joyful and more relaxed experience). And I kind of believe that in my case having 701 + 901 at the same time would end up in similar situation. Of course I would find opportunities to ride 901, but I would choose 701 much more often on a daily basis.
But maybe that is just me.
2 cylinders=Too much weight
Any twin is better than a 690 if there is any tarmac involved
690/701 is definitely less capable than 901 on tarmac.
but as soon as you are off the pavement... weight is the king.
Cheers!
@@CykloGamonie sure, I guess it depends on how much offroad you ride. I rode a 690 and would not want to own it as an only bike.
The 901 expedition is exactly the same story/selling technique as the Yamaha Tenere WorldRaid; first they bring out a 'standard' bike which is far from perfect, almost un-rideable, then they bring out the version as it SHOULD have been. BUT... at a considerable upscaled cost/price. The manufacturer could have implemented these few better items for a fraction of the cost (slightly better suspension, wind protection, etc)
PS Some feedback, if I may; please don't interrupt your video with an advertising question to subscribe. If your channel is good, subscriptions will follow automatically... now I just find it another waste of my time amongst billions of other ads I need to suffer everywhere else.
PPS maybe don't talk that much about a motorbike model that you have not been able to ride, what's the point? I'm far more interested in your experience at the moment.
Nice video, thanks!
Thanks Peter for the good feedback! Very valuable.
And yes, the standard Norden and T7 were almost like market testing and in the second iteration they made it right.
@@CykloGamonie keep up the good work!
Standard 901 unrideable? Do you rode it at all? Wind protection suck, but other than that it is a excellent bike... much better than t7, desertx and africa, much much better... off course everyone now is a hardcore off road rider and "needs" better suspension but its marketing bullshit😂
@@melonkask Hey Melon and thank you for the comment.
I understand your comment is a replay to the one made by Peter, but let me please just address the suspension part:
I was able to compare my 701 Enduro WP XPLOR directly to 901 Norden WP APEX on the same roads I am riding very often, and I would never say I am a hardcore rider, but the difference for me was huge. That is why if I were to buy 901, then I would only consider Expedition now. Much better, more stable ride on WP XPLOR. Yes, there is still a weight difference and I do not know if WP EXPLOR on 901 is adjusted to that (different springs in WP EXLOR on 701 vs 901), but I surely hope so!.
Cheers!
@@rfk76 I would buy expedition too because the little price difference, but wp apex is not garbage, this kinds of bikes are to explore little wilderness and most of its riders are daddys with beer bellys:)