The Husqvarna Nuda 900R has turned out to be one of the anticipated new releases for this year, and almost against the odds.
When Husqvarna first announced it was developing some new roadgoing models and a 900cc engine, while we expected competent and well-designed models in themselves, we weren’t sure whether there was room in the market for the additional brand.
And then the first Nuda 900R pics were released and that characteristic Husky style turned out to be very well interpreted.
We’re impressed with the individualism of the bike, it’s spikey lines, and of course the 100hp it pulls.
That Husqvarna has been able to rely on the backing of BMW has been lucky, and obvious in the Nuda 900R release at the Innovation Day.
It looks like we get a twin-cylinder 900cc Husqvarna, edgy styling and the finishes of a BMW F.
That could make for quite a winning bike.
The Nuda 900R has been designed to be lighter and more powerful than an F800R, although it has much in common with the BMW with its forks and wheels.
The chassis is built on the 800GS, and as we already know so is the engine although new internal components give it a sportier feel.
BMW and Husqvarna have decided to kit out the Nuda 900R with some top notch technology, including Brembo brakes, front Sachs suspension and rear Ohlins shock, and according to Husqvarna technicians, the carbon exhaust will be a standard fit.
Some of the design elements have been borrowed from the Concept Mille3 which so impressed at EICMA last year, and the offroad pedigree is evident.
That might be the only thing that turn some people off this naked/motard, given that purist naked bike riders might find the offroad style too obvious.
The front nose of the Nuda 900R and the mudguard which looks like a dart are creating a stir and we get the feeling it will be a love-it or hate-it affair for many.
The part around the airbox and tank looks refined to us, and Husqvarna engineers have obviously lavished some close attention on the bike – creating an overall well-proportioned effort.
Some of the offroad and urban-style elements look thrown together on a casual basis, but there was probably a reason behind the choices and if the BMW quality is there (as it looks like it is) all that will be forgiven.
The riding position is a surprise and we’ll have to try it before we can judge it, but it looks like it’s a cross between a motard and aggressive naked bike, with a high, hard seat.
It’s been positioned to help the close centre of gravity of the Nuda 900R, which also gets forward-placed pedals and higher handlebars.
It doesn’t look like the most comfortable place to be to complete kilometres of road touring, but is definitely an aggressive pose for an urban and offroad ride.
Husqvarna Nuda 900R technical details still haven’t been released, but there’s talk of 100 hp and 100 Nm of torque, on a dry weight of 175 kg.
That’s enough to excite us (although additional weight for passenger pedals, mirrors and indicators needs to be added to that figure).
The Nuda 900R will slot right into the twin-cylinder supermotard segment and will probably provide some serious competition for Aprilia and Ducati as it does so.
The Nuda 900R will be released on the market before the EICMA show and we should see it on the road by 2011 end.