MV Agusta Brutale 800 test review

The Italian motorcycle designers are renowned for coming up with master pieces. And MV Agusta range of motorcycles is best known to have a “Wow” factor whenever a new model is launched. The older models are nevertheless timeless in design and iconic as well.

Our test model, the Brutale 800 came up top in the looks department for the Street Naked Class. Mean, sleek and well sculpted. Fifteen years after its first appearance, this fully redesigned Brutale still makes head turns.

This mid-sized naked sports bike comes with a three-cylinder engine with counter-rotating crankshaft and is capable of delivering a maximum power output of 116hp at 11500rpm. From 2016 MV Agusta have “updated” the Brutale 800 to satisfy the Euro 4 emission standards but in the process sacrificed some power due to the compliance

The ALS steel tubing frame is incorporated with light aluminium alloy clamps in the rear area of the pivot of the single swingarm. Great looking design but a bit rigid and tends to oversteer. I had to be extra cautious that I don’t over shoot each time I take a fast sweeping corner.

The 43mm Marzocchi forks have a travel of 125 mm, 1mm more than the rear Sachs shock absorber. Both front and rear brakes are Brembo equipped. A four pistons brake callipers gripping a pair of 320mm diameter front floating disks while the rear comes with a twin-piston calliper gripping on a 220mm disk. The Brembo brakes as expected performed up to standard. Predictable and no surprises in stopping the Brutale 800.

The slipper clutch is now hydraulically operated and comes with an electronic EAS 2.0 Up & Down quick shifter. Smooth up and down shifting. Other than shifting to first gear or when riding in slow speed, I find it a bit boring to use the clutch. This Brutale has it, so use it as it is intended to.

The engine is managed by the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) technology which includes integrated multi map Full Ride by Wire. Another great feature is the traction control that comes with eight settings.

The elliptical shaped headlight is lighted up using LED, same goes for the indicators.

Feedback from review:

• The protruding angle at the lower sides of the trapezoidal tank causes discomfort to the rider’s thigh when both legs are tucked in onto the tank.
• Engine heat drawn to rider at low speed. It is a “sauna on bike” when riding in an all summer round country like Malaysia.
• Rooms for improvement in the handling department on corner agility, as well as corner entry and exit in mid to high end speed.
• Exhaust cover burned the rear side of my boots when I have the tip of my front-end boot to the peg. The cover is too close to the right leg peg.
• Exhaust sound emission has a nice sporty bass note when travelling above 120 Km/h or when you do a sudden acceleration.
• Wind resistance is bearable even on high speed considering the Brutale comes without any front screen.
• Seat cover and stitching are premium, but comfort is average.

Specifications:

Power: 86.5kW[116hp] @11500rpm

Torque: 83Nm[61.2ft-lbs] @7600rpm

Dry weight: 175kg

Fuel capacity: 16.5L

Engine: Liquid-cooled, in-line three-cylinder, four-stroke, four-valves per cylinder, DOHC, 798cc, 13.3:1 compression, 79 x 54.3mm bore x stroke, Mikuni EFI, MVICS, Eldor 2.0 EMU, RbW, three injectors

Gearbox: Cassette style, six-speed, constant mesh

Clutch: Hydraulically actuated Wet-clutch, multi-disc with back torque limiting device

Chassis: ALS Steel tubular trellis, aluminium alloy single-sided swingarm, Trail: 103.5mm

Suspension: 43mm Marzocchi USD forks, fully adjustable, 125mm travel, Progressive Sachs single shock, fully adjustable, 124mm travel

Brakes: Bosch 9+ ABS with RLM, dual 320mm floating rotors, Brembo four-piston radial callipers, single rear 220mm rotor, Brembo two-piston calliper

Wheels & Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres, Aluminium alloy five-spoke wheels, 3.50 x 17in, 5.50 x 17in, 120/70 – 17, 180/55 – 17

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 1400mm

Seat height: 830mm

Overall length: 2045mm

Overall width: 875mm

Test bike courtesy of: MV Agusta Malaysia. LifeStyle Centre. Batu Caves, Selangor