This is Husqvarna’s new street bike motor

This is the 900cc parallel-twin that will power Husqvarna’s first adventurer tourer. Very closely based on the 798cc engine of the BMW F800GS, Husqvarna has not only increased the capacity for more top-end power and stronger low-end torque, but redesigned the exhaust and airbox in pursuit of the same goals, while also dropping some weight and centralizing mass.

The existence of a new Husqvarana adventure tourer was revealed by the brand’s owner, BMW in february. Speaking at the international launch of the BMW K1600GT, BMW Motorrad vice president Herman Bohrer stated, “In Milan debut a maxi enduro Husqvarna combining German engineering with Italian design. It will have a two-cylinder engine and a bike light and agile.”

Looking at the BMW motor next to the new Husky, it’s striking just how similar they are. In fact, aside from badging and the red valve cover, they’re essentially identical. On the outside at least. It’s not currently known how Husqvarna is increasing the capacity, whether its bore, stroke or both.

The F800GS makes 85bhp at 7,500rpm and 62lb/ft of torque at 5,750rpm. That has to power a bike that weighs 455lbs/207kg (wet). While its certainly capable of motivating the GS, the delivery is somewhat flat and uninspiring. That’s exacerbated by the too-tall gearing, which has you slipping the clutch all the way up to 20mph in first gear. Not fun when you’re crawling over tough terrain.

To differentiate this new Husqvarna from the F800GS donor bike, the company looks to be capitalizing on the Italian brand’s dirt heritage to create something lighter, faster and more off-road focussed than the F800GS. While BMW’s adventure tourer is an extremely capable all-rounder that can perform fairly impressively off-road given its weight, the GS is by no means the Dakar-style racer its looks suggest. Dropping weight and adding power should help move the new Husqvarna towards being more of an honest dual sport.