EICMA 2015 FIRST LOOK: MV Agusta Brutale 800

In the back of my mind, I was expecting MV Agusta to unveil an updated F4 at EICMA. There have been ongoing rumors about updates aimed at fixing the problems that developed when more power was squeezed out of the engine. I've even heard a few details such as no more radial valves, new oiling circuitry, and new cooling system. Not so! There was no sign of a new F4, but there was a beautifully evolved Brutale 800. The folks in Varese know the three-cylinder naked bike is their trump card, and they play it smartly.

The 2016 Brutale 800 is mostly new, with styling that is even more daring and yet very beautiful. It features a new steel-trellis frame structure that is more triangulated and which wraps more solidly around the engine, Turismo Veloce-style. The naked bike has been redesigned in every detail to make it easier to ride close to the limit, more user-friendly if you will, and more comfortable. A new swingarm and slightly increased rake (up from 95mm to 103mm) extend the wheelbase by 20mm to 1400mm (55.1 in.). Fuel tank capacity has been increased to 4.36 gallons, but looks neater yet.

The triple has undergone vast changes to comply with Euro 4 emissions standards. This caused peak output to decline to 116 horsepower, but peak torque rose to 61.2 lb.-ft. so the trade-off was even, with extra benefit for road use. The bike is expected to benefit from a further improvement of MV Agusta’s electronics suite, and also sports new instrumentation and a rather innovative (by motorcycle standards) headlight with annular LED-technology driving lights, BMW car-style. But isn’t MV associated with Mercedes Benz…?