MV Agusta has revealed the latest iterations of its Brutale naked sportbikes. Although looking much like the previous 989R and 1078RR, these new editions have been fully revamped, with new four-cylinder engines and significant chassis tweaks.
Both versions use a lighter engine crankcase than before, and the Brutale 990R has a 998cc motor, up from the 982cc 989RR via a stroke increase and a bore reduction. The larger and more expensive flagship Brutale, the 1090RR, retains the old 1078RR's 1098cc displacement. Both models include a traction-control system, and the RR adds features like a slipper clutch, larger brake rotors and forged aluminum wheels.
MV has given the new versions a longer wheelbase with a longer swingarm and more relaxed steering geometry. New headlight, mirrors with integrated LED turnsignals and a new instrument package give fresh styling features. The power band in the 1090 version is promised to be more pleasing both on the road and on the track and not only because of the extra horsepower. The 1090 RR has got better brakes than the 990R and a lot more feel, but despite all this the Brutales are still among of the more potent naked streetfighters out there.
Though the bike wheelies easily on the road if desired, the Brutale 1090RR does not wheelie at will out of corners or when hard on the throttle from low speed. Ride quality is actually very composed, surefooted and a steering damper keeps the front in check most of the time too.
The Brutale 1090RR is truly MV Agusta's flagship to their storied history. Started-off as an Italian Agusta aviation concern, its bikes spawned a rich tradition of GP-winning bikes in he '60s and '70s. Their motorcycle production ceased in 1980, but Italian holding company Cagiva restarted the failing motorcycles business in 1991 with modest success.
Heavily indebted, the manufacturer was bought by Malaysian car maker Proton in December 2004. In December 2005 however, Proton decided to cut its ties with MV Agusta and sold it to GEVI SpA, a Genoa-based financing company related to Carige, for a token 1 euro excluding debt. In 2006 that financing company, GEVI SpA, with 65% of the share capital, had refinanced MV Agusta, and by doing so allowed the company to continue, and brought MV Agusta ownership back to Italy.
On July 11, 2008, Harley-Davidson announced they had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the MV Agusta Group for US$109 million. The purchase raised hopes for a new direction for the company. The acquisition was completed on Aug 8, 2008.
On Oct 15, 209, despite a string of well-received bikes, the Motor Company put the Italian firm for sale the same day it unscrewed the drain plug under Buell.
Fortunately, the backlash of the looming management change does not seem to have affected things yet. MV Agusta announced that for the first three months of 2010 bike sales went up 50%.
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