Husky Nuda range due in March

The Swedish company's Nuda 900 and Nuda 900 R are Italian designed and manufactured with a larger version of the BMW F 800 R parallel twin engine. Australian importers The Paul Feeney Group on the Gold Coast expect it to reach our shores as early as March.

Meanwhile the Nuda 900R will have its first southern hemisphere showing at the motorcycles shows in Perth, November 4-6, and Sydney, November 26-27. Prices will be announced closer to launch but it will compete with the BMW F 800 R ($13,900), KTM 990 Super Duke ($19,995), Ducati Hypermotard ($15,990) and new Ducati 848 Streetfighter ($18,990).

Compression ratio is raised to 13.2:1 and it will have 78kW of power and 100Nm of torque compared with the BMW's 64kW and 86Nm. The R version will also be 2kg lighter at 175kg thanks to a lightweight exhaust and use of carbonfibre.

Handling should be good with adjustable Swedish Ohlins suspension at the rear and adjustable Sachs forks and a 50mm shorter and stiffer frame.

It should also stop well with monoblock radially-mounted four-piston Brembo brakes with 320mm brakes at the front. Riders will sit high with an 860mm seat on the base model and 875mm on the R compared with the F 800 R at 800m.

Italian minimalist design is highlighted by the exposed trellis frame, high exhaust and stylised headlight which look more like Ducati's Streetfighter than the BMW F 800 R.

The Nuda 900 R version comes in the Swedish company's red and white race colours while the Nuda 900 is black. Husqvarna has developed a full range of accessories including a high windshield, two-level seat and soft or hard luggage. 

The Nuda isn't the first street bike Husqvarna has produced, but in recent years the company has devoted its range to off-road machines and small-bore, single-cylinder supermotards.

HUSQVARNA NUDA 900, NUDA 900 R

Price: N/A
Engine: 895cc parallel twin, 78kW/100Nm
Transmission: 6-speed, chain drive
Fuel: 13-litre fuel tank
Economy: 5L/100km
Seat: 860mm (875mm - R)
Weight: 175kg (R)