MV Agusta give the Brutale and Dragster models an overhaul
Middleweight nakeds get useful upgrades from the Superveloce
‘The idea is to make them easy to live with’
MV Agusta have updated two of their most popular models: the Brutale RR and Dragster RR with new engines, chassis and electronics. The idea is to keep things as fun and zippy as they are now but make them that bit easier to live with. Sounds good to us. If you’re not familiar with the two bikes, they share most of their running gear but are differentiated by their styling. First up the engine in both bikes has had an update for Euro5. The 800cc triple in the Brutale and Dragster is quite unsusual, both in its displacement and also because of its counter-rotating crank, which helps make the bike turn quicker by reducing inertia. Ducati have gone that way on their big V4 but there are no middleweight nakeds with the same tech.
There’s been a few small changes inside, including added Diamond Like Coatings and new big-end bearing shells to help reduce friction and a redesigned exhaust. Despite these eco-friendly changes, MV have kept peak power the same at 138bhp – not bad for an 800cc triple. Paired with these engine updates are a new clutch as well as changes to the quickshifter and gearbox to smooth out the shifting. As per the previous model, MV are offering the Smart Clutch System (SCS) auto-clutch as an option. The SCS uses a version of the Rekluse auto clutch, that engages and disengages as revs rise and fall. You can still pull the clutch in as you stop, but the system means you don’t have to if you don’t want to. It also makes it completely impossible to stall as any drop in revs, such as from engaging the clutch too quickly, would make it automatically disengage.
The electronics have had a huge update, too – courtesy of an Inertial Measurement Unit made by Milan-based e-Novia. The Brutale and Dragster RR now come with lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, launch control and front lift control as standard. The workings of this are through a joystick on the left-hand controls and shown in the new 5.5in fullcolour TFT dash (same one as the Super Veloce 800). There are other creature comforts hidden inside the dash including turn-by-turn navigation when paired with a smartphone and cornering lights powered by the IMU. There’s even a factory-installed tracker to thwart any ne’er-do-wells.
There are some more practical changes for long distance types including cruise control, a speed limiter (handy for average speed cameras) and more padding on the seat, as well as daft changes for mad types such as a launch control button by the throttle.
Some of the changes are more physical. The frame has been updated with new side plates to improve the stiffness, while there’s a new linkage for the rear suspension to improve comfort. The shock has been updated to get the most from it, while the front suspension has been tuned to match the updated rear.
There’s no word about pricing or availability, but we’ll bring you the info as soon as it’s available.