Brudeli 654L - Specifications & Review

Company History

Brudeli’s Leanster 654L was a brave attempt to combine motorcycle intimacy with the cornering security of a multi-track front end. Founded in Norway by engineer Geir Brudeli with co-founder Kjetil Eide, the company developed a parallelogram tilting mechanism that let both front wheels lean with the chassis while providing a broader contact patch under braking and mid-corner load. The concept targeted real-world riding: imperfect roads, variable weather, and the sudden need for emergency maneuvers where extra grip can be the difference between drama and a shrug. Packaging the system around a robust single-cylinder engine kept weight manageable and maintenance straightforward. Testers praised the Leanster’s neutral steering, confidence under trail braking, and the way it preserved motorcycling’s essential body-english rather than feeling like a small car. As with many innovators, Brudeli faced scaling challenges—homologation, supplier economics, and the narrowness of the niche. Yet its influence radiated outward: the project added to the knowledge base around tilting multi-wheelers and inspired conversations among larger OEMs about front-end architectures. Historically, Brudeli represents Nordic pragmatism applied to fun—an engineer’s answer to the question, “How do we make cornering safer without making it dull?” For riders who experienced the 654L, the memory is of carving with improbable stability, a reminder that the laws of physics can be negotiated with clever linkages and the courage to prototype. The Leanster remains a cult favorite, proof that innovation can be both protective and playful.