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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2R2sleC6fM
Husqvarna’s Nuda 900 has more to do than most new bikes. Of course, it needs to sell well to justify its existence, but it’s also bringing Husqvarna back to pure road bike production for the first time since the Sixties, and it should show us what new owner BMW plans to do with the brand.
Not such a new owner, in fact, because BMW bought this run-down off-road bike brand from the MV Agusta fire sale four years ago. Husqvarna – once Swedish, then Italian – has a new factory funded by its German masters not far from MV Agusta near Varese in northern Italy, but we’ve seen little in terms of new models to show for the investment.
Until now, with the introduction of the Nuda 900 and similar but higher-spec 900R. Plenty is borrowed from BMW, not least the Nuda’s parallel twin engine, a heavily reworked version of the worthy if dull unit that powers the German company’s F800GS.
Capacity had been increased by 100cc through an increase in bore and stroke, while the crankshaft has been altered so rather than both pistons moving up and down together, the firing intervals are staggered.
There are also bigger valves, revised cam profiles and the inevitable remapping of the engine management. It all adds up to a substantial 18bhp boost to 103bhp, despite many of the changes intended to improve the feel and sound of the motor.
The frame is ex-BMW, too, the tubular steel trellis from the F800R shortened by a couple of inches and with stiffening around the steering head, which is at a steeper angle to improve agility. The styling is pure Husqvarna, however, an angular and very lean look inspired by the company’s dirt bikes.
Husqvarna is offering two versions of the Nuda, the more expensive 900R distinguished by its top-spec Brembo Monobloc front-brake calipers, red, white and black colour scheme, different seat, a smattering of carbon-fibre components and higher-spec suspension.
While the Nuda looks like a candidate for the big supermoto class with its tall suspension, narrow profile and wide bars, Husqvarna was so convinced of its touring potential that half the bikes on the launch were supplied with panniers (optional extras lifted from the BMW K1300S accessories catalogue).
It’s hardly the ideal tourer, however. The firm, narrow seat has you shifting awkwardly after about an hour while the fuel tank is relatively small. So, even though exceptional economy is claimed (53mpg at a steady 75mph, 47mpg for the lower-geared 900R), in real-world riding you’ll be lucky to cover 120 miles before worrying about making the next fuel stop.
A passenger won’t thank you for keeping going that long, either. The pillion discomfort is in contrast to what should be the Husqvarna’s most direct rival, the outstanding KTM 990 SM-T. The Nuda matches the KTM for engine punch and character, however, the pepped-up Beemer unit bulging with mid-range muscle and delivering thrust with a compellingly offbeat soundtrack. It’s best to change up well before the 9,000rpm red line, but it still delivers if you spin it hard it and this fabulous engine is the Nuda’s strength.
Like the rest of the bike, however, the chassis doesn’t seem sure of its job. On the track, where I rode the 900R, it holds a tight line and goes where you point it with reasonable willingness, but try very hard by giving the bars a good tug and you find it baulking at too-rapid direction changes, throwing in the odd wobble and shake to confirm its dislike of ultra-sporting stuff. There’s a lack of feel from the front end too, yet those Monoblocs are ferocious stoppers, too fierce for the bike even on a dry racetrack.
The ride quality is good, but the Nuda gets bouncy when you explore its limits, while stability at higher speeds is borderline.
The engine alone will sell this bike to some, but rather than straddling more than one category, it gives the impression of falling between two. For all that, it’s still fun and exciting, but so are many other bikes.
THE FACTS
Husqvarna Nuda
Price/on sale: £7,850 (900R, £9,250)/December
Power/torque: 103bhp @ 8,500rpm/74lb ft @ 7,000rpm
Top speed: 125mph (est)
Fuel tank/range: 2.9 gallons/140 miles (est)
Verdict: Looks great, with a fabulous engine, but lacks the versatility Husqvarna claims.
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