SuperBike Magazine

September 28, 2009 - Alan Dowds/Ben Purvis

First sight of 2010 MV Agusta Brutale - with high res pics ... Scroll down for the full story

Well, you can tell the EICMA Milan bike show isn't far away, what with all the new bikes leaking out of Italy. And here's another. It's MV Agusta's 2010 Brutale, which the firm claims has no less than 85 per cent new parts. It does look rather like the old one, but we're assured that it is a 'silent revolution' rather than a mere restyling. Hmmm.

EIGHT years on from its debut MV has revealed a complete revamp of its Brutale but while the bike is 85 percent new you'll have to be an anorak to instantly spot the changes.

The two-model range, incorporating the entry-level 990R and line-topping 1090RR, gets an entirely new chassis, overhauled engines and, believe it or not, new bodywork.

Surprisingly, it's the lower-range machine that's actually had more attention to the engine. Capacity is up from last year's 989R version (actually 982cc) to 998cc, with a peak power of 139bhp. That's actually 3bhp down on the 989, revealing the new bike's true intention to focus on torque rather than all-out power. The new motor's stroke is up from 50.1mm to 55mm, while the bore shrinks from 79mm to just 76mm, bucking the trend for ever-revvier short-stroke screamers. A new Mikuni injection system, incorporating traction control software, makes sure the 78lbft of torque doesn't translate to uncontrollable wheelspin.

At the bottom end, the new engine cases are lighter than before despite being enlarged to fit a new counter-rotating balancer shaft. Revisions to the oil system and transmission shift mechanism, along with the new exhaust incorporating an EXUP-style butterfly valve complete the upgrades.

The 1090RR uses the same 1078cc capacity as last year's Brutale 1078RR, although it's actually lower in both power and torque than its predecessor with 144bhp (154bhp for the 1078RR) and 85lbft (86lbft).

The chassis on both bikes has a redesigned steel trellis front section to offer more strength and less weight than before, and uses a new, longer swingarm and more trail to add stability. The Marzocchi forks are reworked internally for better handling.

Both bikes get new brakes, too – with the components coming from Brembo, naturally. Both share radial mount calipers, but the more expensive machine gains the firm's Monobloc units and larger 320mm discs, replacing 310mm versions on the 990R.

That seemingly unchanged styling is actually subject to the greatest number of alterations. The headlight design is new, incorporating Audi-style LED sidelights, and is accompanied by new instruments including a gear position indicator. Indicators in the mirrors replace the earlier bike's bolt-on affairs.

Moving back, the tank is reshaped to gain larger airbox intakes, the radiator covers are revamped and the tail is entirely new, with a thinner profile and die-cast aluminium rear section housing new LED tail lights.

UK prices have yet to be announced, but in America the range starts at $15,000 (£9500) for the 990R, with the 1090R coming in at $18,000 (£11,400).

Here's the full, rather flowery PR. And here's a gallery of more pics.

BRUTALE 1090RR: Identity transformed. MADE IN MV.

Almost a decade has passed since the appearance of the first Brutale, a prestigious, naked motorcycle with fascinating design, power, and speed. Its characteristics, unique and unmistakable, have made it famous the world over, enabling it to win coveted prizes as the most beautiful motorcycle of the year.

The Brutale pushes the limits of research and technology in its 2010 models - the 990R and the 1090RR. With its state-of-the-art components, the 2010 Brutale delivers acclaimed performance and ease of riding, in keeping with the “Made in MV” formula: a commitment to excellence in componentry, in the design of which MV Agusta is at the forefront. The “easy” handling enable the Brutale to compete with the Japanese nakeds: it is agile and instinctive in the hands of the rider. It excels on the racetrack, and its eclectic elegance and charm thrill even the casual admirer.

To achieve these results, it was necessary to replace 85% of the components, but the new Brutale has preserved the significant style features of previous versions. The work carried out on the 990R and 1090RR cannot be defined as mere restyling; rather, it is a silent MV Agusta revolution.

BRUTALE NEW ERA: 85% of the components are new and were DESIGNED BY MV AGUSTA

There is little left of the old Brutale model, as 85% of the parts have been completely redesigned. From the aesthetics, to the engine, to the rolling chassis, no component can be interchanged with those of the previous versions.

Among the new parts:

Front wheel rim, either gravity die-cast, or forged
Front brake disk
Suspensions Internals (oil dynamics and components of the front fork)
Instrument cluster (design, logic definition and information handling)
Brake pump with integrated tank
Headlight
Mirrors with directional indicators
Handlebar
Handgrips
Steering damper

Fuel pump
Fuel filler cap
Inner damper (oil dynamics and inside components)
Rear swingarm
Rear turn signals
Taillight
Pressure die-cast rear taillight support
Rear wheel hub, either gravity die-cast, or forged
Many of these parts have been designed and crafted by MV Agusta, rather than sourced from market suppliers, thereby affording technical and aesthetic perfection.

Of all the world's manufacturers, only MV Agusta obsessively pursues aesthetic perfection in its component design, because its aim is to make beautiful what others make only functional. And, without being presumptuous, the Brutale is the best example there is on the market.

BRUTALE 990R: Aesthetics

Headlight - The headlight retains the same drop profile and the same dimensions, but introduces a fresh, more modern design, which takes account also of a modified support, but eliminates the direction indicators. Inside, in addition to a new poly- ellipsoidal element, there is a system of 8 LEDs that create a “light strip” effect, like that found on cars, which for motorcycles is entirely new.

Instrument cluster and instrumentation - The new lines of the instrument cluster have abandoned the soft shapes of the previous cluster to achieve a style that is in keeping with the modern, slender features of the bodywork. It is designed to fit a personalized, interchangeable cover, which the rider can select from those available in the accessory line. The instruments are also all new, working in conjunction with the engine control module via a high speed CAN line, retaining the split dial, with the rev counter, which is even more precise. The two LCD screens have been enlarged and have even more functions.

There is now an indicator showing which gear is engaged, the fuel level, the speed, the hazard key, the water temperature, and the chronometer function, with memory of laps and of times. The instruments are already set up to use a system for monitoring tire pressure.

Handlebar - The fitting of the handlebar is flexible, to improve comfort and to reduce the vibration level. On the integrated handlebar clamps, the upper triple clamp assembly, including the handlebar clamp, is new. This latter has been designed with an elegant hinge release system, which enables the handlebar group to be quickly dismantled. The handgrips also have a new design, with an alternation of smooth and rough areas that improves grip.

Rearview mirrors - The rearview mirrors are larger and have more volume for greater visibility, but have also been placed higher up than before; the arm is in pressure die-cast aluminum, to reduce vibrations and to improve stability. They house LED direction indicators (3 on each side), which are perfectly incorpora- ted into the rear mirror assembly, yielding a cleaner line than the traditional position.

Key block - The ignition block is the very latest generation, fitted with an immobilizer, the presence of which is indicated by a red light on the instrument cluster. The fuel cap is also new, with an advanced design in which the MV name stands out on the back, thanks to careful and precise manufacturing.

Bodywork and technical fittings - The air ducts for the air box are larger and tapered directing additional airflow. The radiator protections, no longer in metal and integrated with the mechanical components, are now part of the bodywork. In addition to streamlining the radiator and protecting it, they act as ducts to provide better cooling. The most evolved part of the motorcycle is the rear, thanks to a thinner, more modern tail, which makes sitting more comfortable. The LED taillight is integrated into the tail, which is no longer in plastic, but is pressure die-cast in aluminum, and is an entirely new design element. The two beautiful exhausts, which flow along the right side of the motorcycle, have been enhanced, eliminating the welding at the tips of the silencers and, above all, featuring an even more inclined and thinner cut that matches the lines of the bodywork. The external engine supports are sleeker and, along with the side stand, are embellished with the MV logos in relief.

The differences with respect to the 990R:

The new steering head has a new steering damper on the handlebar
The air ducts of the air box, painted in the same color as the tank, become an integral part of it, and as a result, the design is even more aggressive
The valve cover is painted red
The 1090RR version comes in two color formats: Pearl White/Black and Red/Silver.


BRUTALE 1090RR: Engine

The engine size has increased from 982.3 cc to 998 cc without any variation in layout. The cylinder bore and stroke have gone from 79 x 50.1 mm to 76 x 55 mm. The reconfiguration of the 4 cylinders, with 16 radial valves, seeksto make power delivery smoother, with a response that is more progressive, solid, and harmonious than before, especially when opening-closing and when accelerating.

For this purpose, a new 46 mm Mikuni throttle body assembly, with a non-return feed that is 0.33 lbs lighter than the previous one, has been installed. The new throttle body assembly is operated by Marelli 5SM electronics, which perform better than the previous, and which feature new software for such things as traction control (for which 8 adjustments can be made) and a double EFI map.

No alterations have been made to the materials, measurements, and profiles used on the thermal side, but the new electronics allow for the elimination of the position sensor of the camshaft. The completely redesigned engine crank case is 1.32 lbs lighter than the previous one, and is fitted with a counter-rotating balancing shaft to resist high-frequency secondary vibrations, which has been placed at the front of the engine and is driven directly by the primary transmission gear. While the transmission ratios remain the same, the internal gearbox command mechanism is entirely new, redesigned to allow adopting a gear sensor, and to provide a smoother and more comfortable shift of the lever. Using this new sensor, the engine control unit is able to optimize the injection and ignition calibrations and the position of the exhaust valve according to the demands of the individual gears.

There is also a new Mitsubishi, Neodymium-Iron-Boron generator, cooled by a high pressure internal oil jet, which - together with the new transmission system and a damper that incorporates an elastomer vibration canceling system - contributes to saving a full 3.52 lbs.

The lubrication circuit has also been entirely renewed, with a double rotor pump which is smaller and lighter (by 0.75 lb), but more efficient than the previous one. The circuit is no longer divided, as it was before, and the pump serves the radiator and the engine which are placed in series. The new oil filter has an environmentally- friendly paper element, which is easy to access without dismantling any part of the engine, thereby reducing maintenance time. The water pump, too, has been completely redesigned, and although it is 0.13 lb lighter than the previous one, its cooling capacity is up to 65% greater at low revs.

Engine performance has been optimized to improve drivability and power delivery, which are further enhanced by the new exhaust system, which has a choke valve operated by the injection control unit.

The 1090RR model shares all of the basic characteristics of the 990, but has a 1078 cc engine offering even greater power and performance.


The RR differs from the 990 model in its considerably larger engine size, and also its slipper clutch, which is an original MV design.


BRUTALE 990R: Rolling Chassis

The cage of pipes in chromium molybdenum steel, which constitutes the frame, retains the TIG welded trellis structure, but with a taller, lighter, and more rigid design. Taking a cue from the aeronautical industry, MV opted to use the more precise and more costly TIG welding process to make the frame stronger and more attractive.

The extension of the rear swingarm (which has been entirely redesigned and is 2.2 lb lighter) lengthens the wheelbase for greater precision in the ride, increasing the torsional rigidity and decreasing the weight. The new wheelbase also reinforces the Brutale's signature stability. The weight reduction in the wheels and swingarm provides improved suspension operation.

The new chain guard is wider and wrap-around, improving protection against dirt and thus enhancing rider safety. A forged insert has been incorporated as an aesthetic detail and protects the rear swingarm in the event of an impact or fall from the vehicle.

The rear wheel features a cush-drive, plus a new hub and bearing, the purpose of which is to make the engine more resistant to stress and to improve comfort.

Although not adjustable on the 990R, the foot rests have a flexible assembly to absorb vibration and to improve comfort during the ride.

With an innovative design, the rims are even lighter than those on the 989R; they are gravity die-cast, with a weight that is 1.5 lb less on the rear rim, and 0.77 lb less on the front.

The front forks have had their internals and oil dynamics completely designed by CRC, and are produced by Marzocchi exclusively for MV Agusta. The stems are 50 mm, and the compression, extension, and spring preload may be adjusted. The internal components and the calibration have been modified, with the range dropping from 130 mm (5.12 in) to 125 mm (4.92 in).

The front wheel trail has been increased from 3.99 in (101.5 mm) to 4.07 in (103.5 mm), the wheelbase extended from 55.51 in (1410 mm) to 56.61 in (1438 mm), the height of the seat from 31.69 in (805 mm) to 32.68 in (830 mm), and the angle of the steering tube increased from 24.5 to 25°.

The rear shock absorber covers the oil dynamics and the internal components. It offers a single adjustment of the extension, without a separate tank.

The braking system includes 12.2 in (310 mm) NHK disks, a steel flange and Brembo 1.26 in (32 mm) radial mount 4-piston calipers.

The RR version features the following additional components:

Adjustable foot rest supports
MV Agusta-designed forged rims, with extremely thin spokes
Rear shock absorber with a double compression adjustment, high and low speeds, and a separate extension tank.
320 mm Brembo braking disks, a flange in aluminum and monobloc racing brake calipers, with 34 mm pistons and a radial attachment.


MSRP: $18,000