THE first of Husqvarna's new BMW-based road bikes has emerged in new spy pictures taken in Germany.

Without wanting to seem to smug, Visordown revealed back in January that the BMW-owned firm was planning a range of 900cc machines based on a reworked version of the Rotax-made twin that powers BMW's F800. And that's exactly what the photos show.

This prototype even still carries “BMW” logos on the engine cases – they're sure to be gone for production – but otherwise it's a fair representation of the 2012 machine that will be launched later this year.

Husqvarna has confirmed the project, saying that two models will initially be launched (one a higher-spec “factory” version). Upside down forks and radial brakes are among the sporty trappings that distinguish the Husqvarna from the BMW machines it might otherwise compete with. The styling, while angular, isn't quite as other-worldly as the weird three-cylinder concept bike Husqvarna showed last year, instead it's a fairly conventional supermoto style in the mould of the KTMs that will to be the main rivals for the new machine.