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/970089
2018 MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 800 RR FIRST TEST P96 At 386 pounds dry (claimed), the Brutale 800 RR is relatively light. Yet it somehow feels even lighter on the move thanks to the crankshaft that rotates in the opposite direction of the wheels, minimizing the gyroscopic effect. This lowers straight-line stability but there's more than enough of that to go around. More impor- tantly, it changes directions quicker and requires less effort to do so. Back in 2012, MV was the first OEM to bring this tech- nology to street bikes—Ducati just caught up this year with the Panigale V4 superbike. This is an amazing motor sur- rounded by exquisite styling, and that's why it is easy to be happy whether you're looking at the Brutale RR or riding it. With that said, there are two issues that needlessly detract from the rid- ing experience: the LCD dash- board and the shape of the tank. There's no easy way to say this, but the dash does not belong on the Brutale (or re- ally, any upmarket motorcycle). I could forgive the aesthetic disappointment if it was highly functional, but the display fails that test as well. It's small so all the gauges except the speed- ometer and gear indicator are tiny and cramped. Display space is at such a premium there's no fuel gauge but there's appar- ently enough area to have the tachometer extend out to 16k even though redline (which is not indicated on the tach, mind you) occurs before 14k. I appreciate when the speedometer is the easiest thing to read at a glance; the problem with the Brutale is that the speedo is the only thing you can read at a glance. In general, I was quite pleased with the upright ergonomics and the wide handlebars. I assumed the gorgeous seat with the nega- tive space underneath it would be my biggest obstacle to being comfortable, but it was fine for 50 miles at a time. Instead, what gave me trouble was the bottom edges of the fuel tank, the way the natural resting spot for my thighs grip the Brutale. There is a sharp ridge that seems to exist only for styling purposes, and after just 15 minutes it created an uncomfortable pressure point. I asked Mr. Castiglioni about this and his response was that short- er riders aren't affected by it. That might be an acceptable answer if I played in the NBA, but I'm 6'2". Plenty of riders will suffer from something that could be easily fixed if MV would just smooth out the edges of the tank. Form over function prevails. Thankfully, there's plenty of function elsewhere—this is an amazing motor surrounded by exquisite styling, and that's why it is easy to be happy whether you're looking at the Brutale RR or riding it. But exclusivity has its price, and if you're simply look- ing for a high-performance na- ked motorcycle, the Brutale RR makes the Triumph Street Triple look like a bargain. If, however, you're looking for art that moves you, MV's "Motorcycle Art" will do so figuratively and literally. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2018 MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 800RR ($16,698) ENGINE: .Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-stroke, 12 valves, inline triple DISPLACEMENT: ............................. 798cc BORE X STROKE: ................79 x 54.3mm COMPRESSION RATIO: .................... 13.3:1 POWER: ................ 140 hp @ 12,300 rpm TORQUE: ................64 lb-ft @ 10,100 rpm CLUTCH: ......Hydraulically activated wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION: .6-speed cassette style CHASSIS: .......... Tubular steel trellis with aluminum rear swingarm pivot plates FRONT SUSPENSION: . 43mm Marzocchi inverted fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: Single Sachs shock absorber, fully adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ................ 4.92 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................4.88 in. FRONT BRAKE: ...... 320mm dual floating discs, 4-piston calipers, ABS standard REAR BRAKE: .......220mm disc, 2-piston caliper, ABS standard FRONT TIRE: ............ 120/70 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III REAR TIRE: ...............180/55 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III RAKE: .................................................24.8° WHEELBASE: ................................55.12 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ............................ 32.68 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .........................4.36 gal. WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED): ....... 385.8 lbs. COLOR: ........................ Pearl Shock Red/ Metallic Carbon Black, Pearl Ice White/ Metallic Carbon Black