Page 32 - Sept 2024.cdr

2024 MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 1000 RS REVIEW:

SPEED THRILLS, PRICE CHILLS

BY MICHAEL TEO VAN RUNKLE

ver the past few months, I received an
introduction to MV Agusta, the "other" Italian Brutale or shrieking banshee?
Omotorcycle manufacturer. Mention Italian
motorbikes and Ducati typically comes to mind for most
people, or Moto Guzzi, or Aprilia. But the name MV
Agusta always lingered somewhere in the recesses of
my mind, suggesting absolutely stunning designs and
rip-roaring performance—even before the first
Dragster RR America loaner pulled up to my proverbial
doorstep this past Spring.

The Dragster arrived with plenty of pros and a few
cons, as expected of a special-edition motorcycle
featuring fancy tech to match a somewhat hilarious
red-white-and-blue paint job. But my second MV
seems to represent more of the heart of the brand's
run: the Brutale 1000 RS, supposedly the "more Still, the highlight definitely sits cradled in the frame.
affordable" version of the Brutale 1000 RR hyper- MV updated the Brutale 1000's 998cc inline-four
naked engine for model year 2023 with a balance shaft—a la
Mitsubishi's silky smooth inline-fours—as well as
titanium connecting rods and radial titanium valves.
The upgrades aim to help that little ball of fury remain
reasonably tame for regular riding

As reasonable as can be expected, anyway, for a
screaming mill capable of pumping out 208
horsepower on the way to a redline of 13,000 rpm. And
just hopping on the Brutale 1000 RS for a ride around
the neighborhood, I noticed immediately that the
engine itself seemed to ride directly between my legs, a
center of mass all compact and angry, ready to unleash
brute force at the slightest twist of throttle.
Hence the Brutale moniker, I suppose. And despite the
use of titanium, the balance shaft setup further
Brutale RS vs RR. contributes to a dry weight of 410 pounds—not hefty,
What exactly makes up the RS package, versus the but not a superleggera by any means, especially given
more hardcore RR? Well, first off and perhaps most the upright positioning of rider and machine.
importantly, the RS received much higher clip-ons Immediately addicted to the cacophony.
attached to the triple, though still not a true single-piece
handlebar. This helps to keep the riding position
somewhat more typical of a naked, the category
arguably inaugurated by the Ducati Monster.

And yet, the Brutale also runs fairly high footpegs to
match a similarly high seat, with a standover height of
33.27 inches, so swapping out for these higher clip-ons
never sacrifices too much the aggressive posture,
instead merely helping to prevent aching wrists without
losing the Brutale's sense of sportiness. A set of 50-
millimeter Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear damper
round out the package, rather than the Öhlins used on
the much more expensive RS.

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