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2012 · Naked Bike · A variant of the Nuda 900
Differences between the standard Nuda 900 and the R
Supermoto Soul On Asphalt
The Nuda 900 is an off-road brand building a road bike on its own terms. At its heart is an 898 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 315-degree crank. That gives it an uneven, big-bang firing order and far more personality than the layout usually offers. It makes 105 hp at 8,500 rpm and 74 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm, fed through a six-speed box and chain. Around it sit a steel trellis frame, an upside-down fork and suspension that adjusts at both ends. The styling is tall, narrow and unmistakably Husqvarna, and it still looks like nothing else in the parking lot.
It rides the way it stands. The bar is wide, the posture upright, and the chassis changes direction with very little input and plenty of lean angle in reserve. The Nuda suits an experienced rider who wants a twin with real character for back roads, not a spec-sheet weapon. Be honest with yourself about the downsides. The seat sits at 34.4 in (875 mm), the tank holds just 3.4 gal (13 L), and the electronics are thin: ride modes are standard, ABS was optional and there is no traction control. On a used one, check the swingarm bearings for play and note how it handles heat in slow traffic. Isolated reports flag both.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 105 hp (77 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 898 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Wet weight | 423 lb (192 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 gal (13 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've heard a lot about the Nuda 900: in the paddock, over coffee with owners, on club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me. For this bike, what they say is remarkably consistent. Owners love how it steers, stops and pulls. Their complaints are about a firm ride, some fussiness at low revs and the practical limits of its range.
The chassis gets the most consistent praise. Owners call it agile and intuitive. They say it feels lighter than it looks, changes direction without fuss and then holds its line through tight corners. Several point out that it stays stable even under hard braking, which is why so many of them call it a proper backroad tool. The brakes come up just as often. Riders talk about big stopping power, a lever with excellent feel and progression, and no fade when they push hard. They single out the radial-mount Brembo calipers as a good match for the bike's sporting intent, and aggressive riders say the brakes give them confidence.
Owners can't stop talking about the engine. They describe a broad spread of torque that pulls cleanly from low revs, an urgent midrange, and a real appetite for the redline. A common claim is that it outpunches most mid-size twins and stays easy to ride, because the power comes in a linear way. Riders describe the sound as a deep, thumping note that is refined and aggressive at the same time. Comfort surprises people. Despite the supermoto look, owners report enough legroom and a supportive seat to stay comfortable for hours, and many use the bike for commuting as well as weekend rides. Some add that wind protection is reasonable at higher speeds. A few also say the engine is easy on fuel, with careful riding stretching a tank to roughly 150 miles (240 km).
That same 150-mile (240 km) figure is also the most common gripe. Plenty of riders see it as a hard ceiling and describe the Nuda as a bike you fill up often, which makes it a poor fit for long tours. Suspension is the next recurring complaint. Riders are happy on smooth tarmac, but over broken pavement they describe the ride as harsh and bouncy, and some report the light bike getting knocked off line mid-corner. Around 3,000 rpm, especially in town at small throttle openings, owners say the engine hunts and surges slightly, which makes it jerky in traffic. They call it a minor annoyance, but one they notice. Passengers have a harder time than riders. A narrow, thinly padded pillion seat and high pegs keep two-up trips short. A few owners also say OEM parts and knowledgeable service are harder to find today, given how briefly the bike was built.
Swingarm bearing play
Some owners have reported play in the swingarm bearings, potentially leading to instability. Noted in a single specialist source; not widely corroborated.
Overheating
Isolated reports of overheating, particularly in slow traffic. Mentioned in a single source; other reviews note no cooling issues.
Where this Husqvarna Nuda 900 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Nuda 900 is actually built for.
If your weekend is Angeles Crest and you ride on skill, the Nuda's light steering, deep lean clearance and loud twin fit you well. Just know there's no traction control, and the tall seat makes LA traffic stops awkward.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
Tight, repetitive curves reward what this bike does best: quick direction changes and a chassis that talks back. Plan fuel stops, since 3.4 gal (13 L) won't stretch far on the ride in.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Husqvarna Nuda 900. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2010–2012
Italian Instinct, Instantly Obedient
About the same used price as this bike at 14 yr
Competitor · 2008
Italian V-Twin, Sorted Daily
Same Platform · 2008–2018
Adventure Comfort Without The Drama
About the same used price as this bike at 14 yr