2015 MV Agusta Brutale 800 review, first ride

The exotic motorcycle specialist, Meccanica Verghera or MV Agusta was founded in 1945 in Milan, Italy as a sub-brand of the Agusta aviation company. The brand provided jobs and a cheap mode of transport for many, post the war. But today, the new MV Agusta bikes, or, the one in particular that we’ve reviewed here, the Brutale 800 is in no way a mundane means of transport.

A simple, yet elegant look and supremely stylish lines are what MV Agusta has managed to give their famous muscular naked bike. Be it the large oval headlight upfront whose chin sharpens or the skillfully flattish fuel tank with flanks extending outward, the Brutale 800 is every inch a motorcycle that will impress you.

MV has kept the design statement minimal, but that’s not to say it isn’t so very meaningful. The seat of the motorcycle is well contoured, and its tail tapers away into a shapely but tiny rear end, for a pillion. Underneath sits a triple outlet exhaust, which looks quite unique. The ten-spoke rims blend well with the Brutale 800’s neat looks, accentuated in a single side swingarm at rear. Overall, with a mix bag of straight lines, attractive meshed bits and a truly spectacular fit-and-finish, the MV Agusta Brutale 800 makes one sweet-looking machine, probably fit enough to head straight into a large drawing room showcase.

Don’t take the Brutale 800's engine lightly; the bike is capable of really quick acceleration. So quick that the engineers have provided a vast array of electronic riding aids to help keep the bike properly leashed. Cubic capacity is 798cc, from which you get no less than 123.3bhp, potent, and ready to launch you forward with an unyielding rush. As on Triumph’s Street Triple, the Brutale 800 comes with an in-line, three-cylinder powerplant.

Other than some limited vibrations you may experience at low revs, this loud engine with its awe-inspiring exhaust note will have you feel like you’re suddenly walking, no wait, make that jogging a trio of angry Neapolitan Mastiffs around town. The Brutale 800 is equipped with a quick-shifter, enabling seamless, lightning quick clutch-free upward shifts. The clutch itself is well weighted, with a good feel to allow trotting around in city. There’s an eight-stage traction control system, and we sampled the first, third and eighth, progressively increasing traction control which made it clear MV Agusta has done a masterful job of ensuring new riders don’t get stung should they try to push the bike.