Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1469992
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 1000 RS P120 the dash, and you're met with oodles of grip. Lovely. Here's one of the conundrums with the RS. It handles beautifully, but the engine is the weak spot. That's strange to say given the amount of horsepower on tap, but a 1000cc super-naked such as this needs to have a broader range of performance from low to high rpm, and the RS's prime perfor- mance is concentrated north of 8000 rpm, at which point you can kiss your license goodbye if you get busted. But, damn, is it fun or what! It feels a God-given right to ride the RS as fast as possible everywhere you go. The ride is an amalgamation of mixed martial arts and an oil painting, a beauti- fully brutal experience that's only for a very select group of people. I have no qualms of saying the three- cylinder MV Agusta Dragster 800 is a far better street bike than either the 1000 RR or RS could ever be. The Dragster is a more rounded proposition with an en- gine character more suited to everyday riding, but it doesn't have half the allure a 1000cc Brutale has. buried hard into medium-to-fast speed corners makes the MV a joy to ride up mountain roads. Trail braking right to the apex is never an issue, the MV retaining its line while at the same time welcoming any direction changes the rider wishes. Part of this has to do with the re- duced weight of the engine internals, less reciprocating mass ensuring the RS isn't too reluctant to change line. Another factor is the tubular steel chassis' skinny, light character, while another, more important factor, is the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires offer stupendous edge grip and fast, stable direction changes. Dial in the copious amounts of power while on the side of the tire, the traction control light flickering on (Left) MV's radially mounted dash is pretty easy to use considering all the parameters you can adjust. (Below left) Launch control. Just the thing you need to get over the 5000- rpm flat spot. (Below) See what we mean about those passenger pegs?! Take them out and you have one of the best looking back-ends in the business.