Husqvarna Strada - First Look

Husqvarna is under pressure from parent company BMW to define its role in the market and introduce a new line of models. Following the now-production-ready Nuda 900, which is powered by a modified BMW F800 parallel-Twin, Husqvarna designed a concept bike around the dohc 650cc Single from the G650GS.

Like the Moab unveiled last month at the EICMA show in Milan, the Strada is a street scrambler. In fact, both machines use the same 48-horsepower engine, large-diameter, steel-tube, twin-spar frame, offset-spindle Sachs 48mm inverted fork and steel swingarm. Braking supplies the daisy-style front brake rotor; Brembo provides the twin-piston caliper.

Main difference between the two bikes is in the “enduro” touch added to the Strada in the form of more off-road-capable wheels and tires. The Moab sported 17-inch wheels shod with Pirelli MT60R radials in 120/70 front and 160/60 rear sizes, whereas the Strada has a 19/17-in. combination with cross-ply Metzeler Tourance in 100/90 and 130/80 sizes.

Due to its more aggressive-looking brakes, wheels and tires, the Moab has a tougher appearance. But the Strada, with its sharper lines, seems much leaner. Indeed, thanks to having a more favorable power-to-weight ratio than the G650GS, the claimed 340-pound Strada should perform brilliantly.

Husqvarna says the Strada will go into production next year.