Husqvarna Nuda 900 details revealed

We've seen the radical new motorcycle, Husqvarna's first ever attempt at a street bike, but until now the Nuda 900's particulars were a closely guarded secret.

Two models have been confirmed, the Nuda 900 and up-spec Nuda 900R, and both are powered by Husqvarna's 898cc parallel twin cylinder engine. The engine is based on the BMW F 800 R's 798cc power pump, but with 2mm larger bore (now 84mm) and 5.4mm increase to stroke (now 81mm).

The bike also uses a modified version of the BMW F 800 R's trellis frame.

Peak power is 105hp (77kW) and peak torque is 100Nm, which compares well with its donor engine from the BMW, which ekes out 86hp (64kW) and 86Nm.

An uprated three-layer cylinder head gasket delivers a high 13.2:1 compression ratio, while new camshafts, conrods and pistons were needed in order for the revised crankshaft to fit snugly.

"Through the new design of motor with 1mm larger 33mm intake and 28.5mm exhaust valves, Husqvarna has increased the power to 105 horsepower and torque to 100Nm while managing to retain the linear, fluid nature of the power delivery at small throttle openings and low revs," reads the Husqvarna media statement.

The Italian-based company has also canted the engine 30 degrees forward, and claims its twin 46mm throttle valves give the bike above average fuel economy. With a compact 13 litre fuel tank located under the seat, you'd hope so. The company reckons "...the Nuda allows for distances of over 260km between stops."

If you're still wondering what kind of motorcycle the Nuda 900 is (we would call it a naked bike), Husqvarna describes it as a "crossover model" between a naked bike and a supermoto. "Husqvarna doesn’t feel the Nuda can be shoehorned into any specific category," espouses the company. "Is it a supermoto? Is it a naked bike? The Nuda is whatever you want it to be, but above all it’s a Husqvarna."

So there you have it, everyone's still confused. But the idea that it can be 'anything' is interesting. What about an adventure tourer? Accessories include a tall windscreen, hard or soft luggage, flat or two-tier seat, so maybe a tourer is possible?

Chassis wise and there's some nice kit involved. The frame is a steel trellis unit lifted from the BMW F 800 GS, shortened by 50mm then stiffened via an 80mm steering head tube. Husqvarna says that this combines with a decreased steering head angle to "give the Nuda greater agility at low speed."

Designed for the urban environment, the standard Husqvarna Nuda is equipped with 48mm Sachs forks with adjustment for compression preload, while the rear wheel is suspended by a fully adjustable Sachs monoshock.

Meanwhile the Husqvarna Nuda 900R gets higher spec 48mm Sachs forks that are fully adjustable, and an Ohlins rear monoshock is also fully adjustable and comes with a ride height adjustor.

The Nuda 900 is tall bike and this may be a point of contention for some riders: The regular Nuda motorcycle has a seat height of 860mm while the Nuda 900R has a higher 875mm seat height.

Brakes are similar on both models, four pot radial Brembo calipers biting twin 320mm rotors, though the Nuda 900R gets monobloc calipers for improved decelerative performance. Both bikes get 240mm rear disc with a twin piston caliper.

Overall weight has been kept low, "less than 175kg" says Husqvarna of the Nuda 900R, thanks to a smattering of carbon fibre parts and a lighter exhaust system. No word on the standard Nuda's mass.

The minimalist Husqvarna street bike is expected to be on sale in Australia late 2011.