The latest Brutale retains its original DNA but features smarter technology, smoother power delivery and more everyday practicality.
Sports bikes are always popular. The sound, the precision, the sheer concentration of the machines built to attack corners and chase lap times. But on real roads, where potholes and traffic lights are commonplace, it’s hard to justify using a sports car every day.
This is where naked bikes come into play. They offer the same pure, high-performance driving pleasure, but in a package that makes sense in the city. And few names define this category as much as the MV Agusta Brutale.
When the Brutale first debuted at EICMA in 2002, it was more than just another naked bike. It was a statement of intent. MV Agusta, based in Schiranna on the shores of Lake Varese, built something that looked and felt like rolling art, but with enough ferocity to back it up.
The teardrop-shaped headlight, the sculpted tank, the exposed frame. Everything showed Italian craftsmanship and attitude. Over the years, the Brutale has become a symbol of beautiful chaos: sophisticated but violent, delicate but dangerously fast.
Now, almost 25 years later, the name returns to EICMA once again. The new Brutal Series Oro dispenses with all numbers and suffixes and is limited to just its name. And fittingly, it’s all about balance. Balance between performance and usability, style and substance, sophistication and soul.
Beneath its aggressive lines lies a 931cc three-cylinder engine. It is derived from the Enduro Veloce adventure bike, but has been extensively modified for use on naked bikes. The counter-rotating crankshaft remains, a racing-inspired feature that reduces inertia and makes the bike feel more lively during quick changes of direction.
Almost all major internal components have been revised: new cylinder head, redesigned ducts and a new Termignoni exhaust system.
The result is 148 hp at 11,200 rpm and 107 Nm of torque at 8,400 rpm. Impressively, 85% of this torque is available from just 3,500 rpm, meaning the bike promises a powerful and effortless ride regardless of gear or road.
The chassis follows the MV tradition with a mix of art and technology. The steel back and sheet aluminum chassis return, but this time with a higher degree of lean and a slightly softer flex to improve handling on real roads.
The single-sided swingarm has been lengthened by 30 millimeters to increase stability and complement the sharper geometry.
The suspension and brakes are as high quality as you would expect. Limited to just 300 units, the Gold Series model features Öhlins equipment at both ends, consisting of a NIX 30 fork at the front and a TTX 36 shock absorber at the rear.
The braking system comes from Brembo and uses high-quality Stylema calipers that engage the two front discs. Forged aluminum wheels reduce unsprung mass, while Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa IV tires keep everything sticking to the asphalt.
Technology has also caught up with the Brutale. A new 5-inch TFT display with full smartphone connectivity offers turn-by-turn navigation, riding modes and traction control settings.
The MV electronics package, previously a weak point, now feels suitably current. All systems are standard and even the basic version of the bike is anything but “Spartan”.
In short: What is special about this new Brutale is not just the number of units or the exclusivity of the limited edition.
It’s maturity. MV Agusta seems to have found a way to retain the Brutale’s wild nature while taming it enough for everyday use. It’s still an art to ride, but now it looks like a bike you can live with and not just look at in the garage.
Source: Engine 1 – Formula Moto