2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990 R and 1090 RR - First Look

Since the debut the original Brutale 750 in 2001, MV Agusta has sold almost 15,500 examples of the stripped-down, naked version of its F4 racer-replica. Over the years, the Brutale's inline-Four has grown in displacement, paralleling the progression of the F4. For 2010, two new models, the 990 R and special-edition 1090 RR, have been introduced. As with the previous-generation examples, these machines differ in their displacement and quality of chassis components.

Although the new models are not radically different in appearance from their predecessors, MV claims that 85 percent of the components are not interchangeable with the models they replace. That's fine by us, as Massimo Tamburini's styling is classically enduring. Among the components that have been refreshed: headlight, instrument cluster, mirrors, tail section and mufflers and, of course, the engine.

990 R  Significant changes were made to the liquid-cooled, radial-valve, dohc engine, including a bump in displacement from 982 to 998cc. Bore and stroke were changed from 79.0 x 50.1mm to 76.0 x 55.0mm. A new bank of 46mm Mikuni throttle bodies is managed by a Marelli computer that features eight-setting traction control and two injection maps. The chrome-moly-steel chassis features a new swingarm, which is 2.2 pounds lighter and provides a 1.1-inch-longer, 56.6-inch wheelbase. Lighter, gravity-die-cast aluminum wheels, a 50mm Marzocchi fork, a Sachs shock and revised steering geometry (rake was increased from 24.5 to 25.0 degrees; trail was increased from 3.99 to 4.07 inches), all of which are said to contribute to improved stability.

1090 RR  For the special-edition RR, engine capacity was increased to 1078cc by removing an additional 3mm of material from each cylinder while using the same stroke. Additionally, the RR is fitted with a wet slipper clutch. MV claims 144 horsepower; the 990 makes 139 hp. Torque is 85 foot-pounds, up from 78 ft.-lb. The 1090 RR's chassis gets adjustable footrests, forged aluminum wheels, an external-reservoir-equipped Sachs shock with adjustments for high- and low-speed compression/rebound damping and Brembo radial-mount Monobloc calipers.