2019 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro First Look
Our palms are sweaty over this one
MV Agusta looks like it wants to turn the 1000 cc naked bike class on it ear. How so? Well, take a look at the 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro. Based on the MV Agusta F4 RC, the Brutale 1000 looks to have the credentials to kick some serious street fighter butt.
Engine
Here’s a number for you: 208 hp standard. Adding a pipe and remapping brings the total to 212 hp. This is the origin of MV’s heady claim that the Brutale 1000 contains “one of the most powerful naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines in production [making] the Brutale the most powerful naked sports bike in the world.”
While taking the inline-Four layout from the F4, MV reworked the engine to the point that only a few castings remain unaltered. The head, for example, features a CNC-machined combustion chamber that incorporates radial valve positioning. Titanium valves work in those machined valve seats and slide on new, sintered valve guides. Low friction Asso compression rings are utilized to improve both performance and efficiency, while the pistons themselves are powered by a from-scratch redesigned crankshaft that was balanced to minimize vibration and the associated power loss at high-rpm operation.
Similar to the combustion chambers, MV reached down into its Superbike racing bag of tricks to improve the Brutale 1000’s lubrication system. The result is a new, semi-dry sump setup that is claimed to provide optimal lubrication during steep lean angles and wheelies.
An oil bath isn’t the only way to reduce friction in an engine, and MV focused those on the primary drive and transmission for additional power savings. Through the use gears that were precisely designed to reduce friction and noise, MV Agusta achieved these goals.
Next, the intake and exhaust needed to be retuned to suit the improved engine. On the intake side, revisions of the intake ducting and the inclusion of “special resonators” allowed the engineers to remove the variable-height ducting system previously employed. This change alone saved 2.2 lb. (1 kg) from the engine. The EFI utilizes two injectors per cylinder, one near the throttle body and the other above the intake to manage both power delivery and cleaner emissions. The bespoke 4-into-1-into-4 exhaust utilizes an electronic valve to improve engine torque and help meet noise requirements.
Making sure that all of the electronics work in harmony with the mechanicals, MV collaborated with Eldor to craft the ECU. Naturally, the system is ride-by-wire and features multiple maps. An IMU also assists with the 8-level traction control and disengageable anti-wheelie system. An up/down quick shifter and launch control complete the engine’s electronics package.
The electronics don’t end there, though. MV pairs 320 mm floating discs with Brembo’s Stylema calipers in a system controlled by a Bosch 9.1 ABS unit.
Chassis
The Brutale 1000 continues the development of MV Agusta’s use of the “composite chassis structure,” which mates a steel trellis frame with aluminum side plates. Attached to that frame, are an electronically adjustable Öhlins fork on one end and an Öhlins TTX36 shock controlling a single-sided swingarm at the other.
According to MV Agusta, the riding position is predictably sporty with clip-ons mounted to the top of the triple clamp. Rearsets handle the rider’s foot placement.
Carbon fiber is used throughout the bike for weight savings in the wheels and most of the bodywork. Speaking of bodywork, the inclusion of spoilers on either side of the radiator is a departure for a naked bike, but the reasoning behind them is the same – which is important for a bike with a claimed top speed of 186 mph (300 kph).
From the upswept exhaust to the swoopy lines of the tank, the Brutale 1000’s design screams that it could only come from MV Agusta. The LED headlight features cornering lights plus a distinctive LED running light. The special metallic matte paint adds to the visual cache.
Finally, to make the 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro extra special, only 300 units will be manufactured. No information was given on price or availability, but we’ll let you know when we find out.
Be sure to follow the rest of our 2018 EICMA Show coverage with information on the new models being revealed in Milan all through the next few days.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Too bad the MV dealer network is non-existant in the mid-atlantic region. Closest one is 200+ miles away. This bike looks nuts.
The one possible problem I see with the bike(besides the price) is it wasn't tuned for the street. It has the SAME ENGINE tuning as the F4(the horsepower & torque specs are at the same rpm's)