We may not get Husky’s twin-cylinder Nuda 900 in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean that the Italy-based, German-owned company of Swedish origin is ignoring the street market on our side of the Atlantic. Its recent announcement of the TR650 Terra ($6999) )and TR650 Strada ($7499) dual-sport motorcycles gives us an indication of Husky’s future road-bike intent in the U.S., even if these bikes don’t drift too far from the company’s off-road roots.
The new TR650s don’t have the retro flavor of the Concept Baja and Moab single-cylinder show bikes revealed by Husqvarna during the past year. Instead, the TRs plainly take their inspiration from the Strada concept first shown last December.
Ties to parent company BMW have allowed Husqvarna to fast track these bikes to market: The 652cc Single that powers the Terra and Strada are based on BMW’s G650GS engine. Husky-specific modifications to the engine include an updated EFI system, revised cylinder head and piston, a higher compression ratio and new cams, which Husky claims helps the engine achieve 58 horsepower. Potential fuel efficiency is said to exceed 55 mpg. Drive is delivered through a five-speed transmission and cable-operated clutch.
A key difference between the two models is rolling gear; the Terra rides on a dirt-worthier 21-inch front/18-in. rear wire-spoke-wheel combination, while the more street-oriented Strada has cast-aluminum wheels in 19-in./17-in. sizes. Another important distinction is that the Strada comes equipped with switchable ABS as standard; the system isn’t available on the Terra.
A variety of accessories will be available from Husky, including low seats, heated grips and luggage. Single-cylinder adventure touring, anyone? Bikes are expected to arrive in dealerships this fall.
It makes us wonder what is in store for the Europe-only Nuda 900 platform. Could something like the Touratech Nuda-X-Cross raced at Erzberg be an indication of what Husky’s big Twin naked-streetbike could turn into? Given the popularity of larger, multi-cylinder adventure-touring bikes, it seems likely Husqvarna would take this direction, and the company could hardly ignore the U.S. market if it were to produce such a bike.
