Has the new BMW naked twin caught anyone else's eye?
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:03 pm
I'm referring to the Husqvarna Nuda 900 and Nuda 900R due out by year-end. It's essentially a hypermotard version of the F800R but it has a number of great upgrades including ohlins/sachs suspension, radial mounted Brembo monoblocks, a reworked version of the F800's parallel twin that delivers 105 hp and 100nm of torque as compared to 110 and 119, respectively in the R1200R. While it has a bit less power than the R1200R it also weighs 50 pounds less dry so what it gives up in power it gets back in pounds.
Downsides are that it's ugly, has a much higher seat height of 875 mm versus 800 mm for the standard R1200R seat, lack of the R1200R's versatility as I'm sure they won't be offering a panoply of windscreens and hard luggage, etc. I suspect it also lacks traction control and ABS though I could be wrong. The burnouts in the videos make it pretty clear it lacks linked braking. It appeals to me because it's edgier looking than the bike we all know and love. I particularly like the headlight/windscreen.
I should probably stop looking at it. The last thing I need to be doing is considering a bike that perches me higher up in the air so I will fall farther before hitting the pavement. A rationale person would be looking for a car but cars bore me now.
It does raise a point of annoyance. So BMW's subsidiary, Husqvarna will build and offer their bikes with upgraded suspensions and brakes from Ohlins and Brembo but if I want those on a BMW that no doubt costs more, I have to buy the bike with the OEM parts and then purchase aftermarket replacement parts. As I've learned recently, if I need to replace the OEM parts, in the rare event of an accident, the OEM parts cost as much or more as the good aftermarket stuff. Call me crazy but would it be a bad strategy to offer a premium motorcycle with premium equipment?
Downsides are that it's ugly, has a much higher seat height of 875 mm versus 800 mm for the standard R1200R seat, lack of the R1200R's versatility as I'm sure they won't be offering a panoply of windscreens and hard luggage, etc. I suspect it also lacks traction control and ABS though I could be wrong. The burnouts in the videos make it pretty clear it lacks linked braking. It appeals to me because it's edgier looking than the bike we all know and love. I particularly like the headlight/windscreen.
I should probably stop looking at it. The last thing I need to be doing is considering a bike that perches me higher up in the air so I will fall farther before hitting the pavement. A rationale person would be looking for a car but cars bore me now.
It does raise a point of annoyance. So BMW's subsidiary, Husqvarna will build and offer their bikes with upgraded suspensions and brakes from Ohlins and Brembo but if I want those on a BMW that no doubt costs more, I have to buy the bike with the OEM parts and then purchase aftermarket replacement parts. As I've learned recently, if I need to replace the OEM parts, in the rare event of an accident, the OEM parts cost as much or more as the good aftermarket stuff. Call me crazy but would it be a bad strategy to offer a premium motorcycle with premium equipment?