Brutale

BRUTALE

MV Agusta knows naked bikes

All due respect to the newly muscled-up Kawasaki Z1000, but Italy has been doing naked bikes right from just about the beginning.

The MV Agusta Brutale is a perfect example. From the 2001 Serie Oro model, the raspy inline-Four has been torquing smiles out of riders from the first twist of the wrist.

If anything, though, early Brutales were a bit too brutish. But with the latest 990R and 1090RR versions, the evolution of these low-volume naked exotics has reached a new level of refinement without losing any of the thrill.

At first look, these bikes don’t appear all that changed. But a closer examination reveals much re-engineering.

The 990 on which we are focusing is, in fact, a fantastic case of a split personality. The new counterbalanced 998cc engine features redesigned oiling, cooling and charging systems, plus a smaller bore and an increased stroke (76.8 x 55mm vs. 79.0 x 50.1), numbers that produce slightly less peak power than the previous bike but with a much broader, flatter torque curve. Given the claimed 139 horsepower, you’ll never miss the 3 horses that are gone. Also aiding the cause are a new, butterfly-equipped exhaust system and redone six-speed, cassette-style gearbox.

The new engine is so smooth and responsive that I was able to drop revs all the way down to 1500 rpm in sixth gear and still experienced clean, shudder-free, solid acceleration. Then, when the engine hit 7000 rpm, the whole space-time continuum began to bend and compress! The rev-limiter finally cuts in at 12,000 rpm. Through all ofthat, there’s no sudden, hard-to-control explosion of acceleration, just a fantastic, smooth slingshot effect that confirms the effectiveness of the new, strange-bedfellow combination of 46mm Mikuni throttle bodies and Magneti Marelli ECU.

Control of this power is easily managed by the superb dynamic quality of the redesigned chassis. Rigidity of the new frame (involving a redone steering head and new steering damper) is increased by using the engine as a semi-stressed member. A revised singlesided swingarm is nearly an inch longer and 2.5 pounds lighter. Rake is increased a half-point to 25 degrees, with slightly longer trail of 4.1 inches. Wheelbase has consequently grown from 55.5 inches to 56.6, while the static, front/rear weight distribution has remained unchanged at 51.5/48.5 percent. The new 50mm

Marzocchi fork is fully adjustable, while the Sachs shock offers spring preload and rebound-damping adjustment.

Some found the old bike to be a bit twitchy and prone to biting the hesitant hand, but the new one is incredibly agile, surefooted, neutral, precise and stable—yes, all at the same time. On the racetrack, the Brutale felt absolutely at home, even at full lean. Further, on a ride I took up a twisty, bumpy backroad full of very tight hairpins leading into sudden, steep grades, the 990 just went around these typically first-gear, tricky corners in either third or fourth gear with total ease and aplomb, as well as with impressive acceleration thanks to the civilized-yet-powerful engine.

I’ve never quite experienced a bike that could do this, from the excellent track performance to the tightest, nastiest roads. Honestly, the engine reminds me of the 7.0-liter, LS7 V-Eight that powers the Corvette Z06, a mill that can burble along in sixth gear at 500 rpm, pulls harder than a turbo diesel on the bottom, then roars to its 7000-rpm redline with amazing fury.

And the same as that Corvette Z06, the new MV Agusta Brutale 990 absolutely is in a class of its own, plus it has that spicy touch of Italian flavor that helps make everything better! MV knows naked bikes. _Bruno dePrato