Parallel test: Husqvarna Nuda 900 R and BMW F800R
Where did Nuda come from?
In fact, this is the child of BMW's father and Husqvarna's mother, that is, an Italian-German product. Italians know how to design and Germans are known to be of high quality, so the Nuda 900 R is an interesting mix. But the question of whether it works as a package was still up in the air. The answer is obvious: yes, it works! And don't be offended if BMW is a bit in the background, this time it's still a Husqvarna star.
The BMW F800R is a highly versatile and proven motorcycle that heralded years ago the determination of Bavaria to become popular even among the wider masses of motorcyclists. Its in-line twin-cylinder engine pulls surprisingly well and offers enough power to keep two wheels full of fun.
Transplant with modification
We can say "golden mean". This BMW loaned its engine to Nudi. In Husqvarna, the bore has been increased by two millimeters and the caliber by 5,4 millimeters. Nuda has 898, and BMW has 798 "cubic meters". The compression ratio was increased to 13,0:1 and shifted like the main shaft, which increased from 0 to 315 degrees. The result: a sharper response to the addition of throttle and 17 more horsepower.
The Lafranconi exhaust ensures that you have a pleasant smile on your face every time the engine rumbles. Oh, how the good old growling bass caresses the soul of the motorcycle! I don’t know how they did it, but sometimes the engine rumbles just as if it was accelerating beautifully slowly in a big Harley. God's ears!
Nuda is much more aggressive on the road
The difference also shows up when the path leads to bends. Husqvarna looks at them like Zavec from Bethuel Wachon and leads them away with surgical precision. This is where their rich supermoto experience and BMW's knowledge of frame construction and geometry come to the fore. Who knows, he enjoys drifting on the Nuda R and accelerating from a corner on the rear wheel.
The screw engine and 13-liter fuel tank will force you to refuel more often. With one gas station, you will travel 230 to 300 miles (depending on the pace of the ride) and that is really Nudi's only gripe. On the other hand, the F800R, with its 16-liter tank and less demanding engine, delivers up to 360 kilometers of autonomy. That it is built for travel, BMW also demonstrates when you are behind the wheel and feel comfortable.
Unlike Husqvarna, it is much more comfortable, as the Nuda has a high seat with hard padding. Thus, the BMW sits much lower, which is perfect for anyone with a short stature and for beginners. However, don't be fooled by that, BMW is still a true roadster that handles corners well. You can ride it with incredible precision without "twisting" the frame and suspension under the influence of all the loads acting on the motorcycle at that moment.
Everyday racing components
It is in the corners that the Husqvarna suspension, to put it mildly, racing, manifests itself. A pair of Showa upside-down telescopes do a great job up front, while an Öhlins shock does the job in the back. Both front and rear, you can play with your favorite settings as you wish.
To really get a feel for the brake lever and sharper braking, Nudi screwed on Brembo monobloc radial calipers, which are already so beautiful I just stared at them, let alone squeezed them while driving. Braking on the BMW is much smoother, with a big fuse in braking power metering, and the ABS works flawlessly and is a true guardian angel in all driving conditions.
The difference between the two is the same as comparing a mid-range roadster (like BMW) versus a racing supercar (Husqvarna). Last but not least, the brakes on the red-white-black beauty are very similar to those on the worst BMW S1000RR.
Cheap Nuda isn't really ...
Parts at Husqvarna really do not skimp, and if not sooner, this is reflected in the final price. At 11.990 euros, the Nuda R is of course more expensive than the F800R, which costs 8.550 XNUMX euros with reliable equipment. And it is precisely this difference that distinguishes ordinary motorcyclists from gourmets and demanding people who are satisfied with only the best that money can buy. At BMW, on the other hand, you can never blame yourself for giving too much as it offers so much for its price. Comfort, safety, bold looks and extremely versatile use.
Husqvarna Nuda 900 R, yes or no? We definitely give our thumbs up, but only if you're old enough to tame a sport horse, otherwise you should ride a well-established recreational horse - the BMW F800R, preferably with ABS and heated levers. PS: Do you know what else is the good side of merging? Heated levers in Husqvarna! Yay, BMW.
Text: Petr Kavcic, photo: Matevž Gribar
Face to face - Matevzh Hribar
The fact that they both have an R at the end doesn't mean anything in this case! Compared to the criminal Husqvarna, BMW is a polite nerd: calm, stable, moderately comfortable… It's very interesting how two characteristically different motorcycles can be built on the same basis.
And what would you have? BMW F800GS with Nude engine, rally suspension and rough off-road tires! Wow, that would be a custom car for me.
Bmw f800r
Basic data
Sales: Avtoval, doo, A-Cosmos, dd, Selmar, doo, Avto select, doo
Test model cost: 8.550 €
Technical information
engine: two-cylinder in-line, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, electronic fuel injection
Power: 64 kW (87) at 8.000 / min
Torque: 86 Nm at 6.000 rpm
Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain
Frame: steel pipe
brakes: front discs Ø 320 mm, 4-piston Brembo brake pads, rear disc Ø 265 mm, single-piston calipers
Suspension: front classic telescopic fork Ø 43 m, travel 125 mm, rear double swingarm, single shock absorber, adjustable preload and backlash damping, travel 125 mm
Tires: 120/70-17, 180/55-17
Growth: 800 mm (option 775 or 825 mm)
Fuel tank: 16
Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Weight: 199 kg (with liquids), 177 kg (dry)
Husqvarna Nuda 900 R.
Basic data
Sales: Langus Motocentr Podnart, Avtoval, doo, Motor Jet, doo, Moto Mario
Test model cost: 11.999 €
Technical information
engine: two-cylinder in-line, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, electronic fuel injection, two operating modes
Power: 77 kW (105) at 8.500 / min
Torque: 100 Nm at 7.000 rpm
Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain
Frame: steel pipe
brakes: front discs Ø 320 mm, 4-piston radially mounted Brembo brake calipers, rear disc Ø 265 mm, Brembo calipers
Suspension: Sachs front inverted telescopic fork Ø 48 m, 210 mm travel, rear double swingarm, Sachs single damper, adjustable preload and backlash damping, 180 mm travel
Tires: 120/70-17, 180/55-17
Growth: 870 mm (optional 860 mm)
Fuel tank: 13
Wheelbase: 1.495 mm
Weight: 195 kg (with liquids), 174 kg (dry)
