MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR Pirelli review

MV Agusta loves its limited-edition motorcycles, so much so that it’s now become a key marketing strategy for the iconic Italian company.

The modus operandi not only adds life to an existing product base, but it also means MV Agusta doesn’t have to engage the Japanese and the larger Euro-Brit manufacturers in a volume production war to put dollars in the bank.

The Brutale 800 RR Pirelli Edition is one such machine, and is based on the Brutale 800 RR naked.

The genesis for this limited-edition machine isn’t hard to work out from the title, and the collaboration with Pirelli not only amounts to a number of styling touches – colour-matched seat stitching, for one – but also a wider rear wheel (six inches) and a tyre (200-section) straight from the company’s F4 supersport machine.

There are two liveries on offer: red or blue, with the option of coloured tyre bands. And gone are the Diablo Rossi III tyres from the Brutale 800 RR and replaced by Diablo Supercorsa SP hoops.

Price for the machine is $30,880 rideaway, compared to $24,990 rideaway for the Brutale 800 RR and $21,990 rideaway for the base Brutale 800.

Bikesales rode the Brutale 800 at the launch in 2016, and it was clear that MV Agusta had taken form and function to a new level, with the engine, electronic and chassis packages delivering a beautifully behaved bike with a meaty spread of power. And that equated to a lot of fun.

MORE: World launch: 2016 MV Agusta Brutale 800

Later that year, another round of tightening emission laws-induced changes were announced, headlined by the 140hp and 86Nm triple and a host of new componentry aimed at reducing noise “generated by the combustion”. That included a harmonic damper, a new mechanical cam-chain tensioner, new camshafts and new valve guides, all housed in a redesigned cylinder head.

There were also noise-reducing engine cases, a new starter motor, a new countershaft and primary gear drive, bi-directional quickshifter and an updated throttle unit.

Styling wise, there was a reshaped headlight profile, a retractable passenger grab rail as well as LED taillights and indicators.

New baseline markers had been set, which carries through to the current iteration of the Brutale RR – and by extension the Pirelli-branded limited-edition model.

It’s been a challenge from time immemorial to make motorcycles without fairings look sexy. But during the photo shoot for the Brutale 800 RR Pirelli Edition, with the summer sun in full bloom, it was obvious that MV Agusta’s nailed it. There’s no fat, the slim tail section is spectacular, and the bronze pipes and single-sided swingarm speak for themselves. And all the grips, levers and other chattels bear the hallmarks of quality. Just beautiful lines – period.

Jump on, and the feel-good vibe continues. The broad spread of power is just so impressive and, combined with the rorty top-end, is what makes this engine one of the finest in triple land.

The torque is ever-present, but the triple really becomes intoxicating from about 5000rpm – as does the induction roar. The auto blipper-equipped quickshifter, a part of the bike’s Motor and Vehicle Control System, is slick and delivers a wonderful pop when you are pushing on. It really does add to the experience. The only issue with the quickshifter: a few false neutrals flicking from first to second.

There are four different engine maps: rain, normal, sport and custom, and you can set the likes of ABS traction control, throttle sensitivity, electronic engine braking control and torque control in any of them – there are no preset parameters.

The RR has a fairly aggressive front-end bias – from a geometry and seating position point of view –and the only thing you see when you’re riding is clear air in front of you. Its wheelbase is only 1400mm, so it’s extremely light to flick from side to side, but more than loads up those Diablo Supercorsa tyres and allows the bike to hold a sharp line.

That’s when the crisp throttle response and wide spread of torque are your best friends to help the RR slingshot out of a turn – all ready for the next one… It really is superbike-type experience, but with excellent manners and comfort at a higher level.

Gripes? A couple. The dash is just too small, and it's hard to decipher what warning light is what, and the hydraulic clutch is quite stiff.

The virtues of the MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR are many and varied, and the Pirelli version showcases them all – but with a few changes to add even more sporting flair.

If the 30K spend is going to test you, though, the Brutale RR is still a magnificent specimen – and you won’t be disappointed by the Brutale 800 either.

MORE: MV Agusta lops is finance rate

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 12-valve in-line three-cylinder
Capacity: 798cc
Bore x stroke: 79mm x 54.3mm
Compression ratio: 13.3:1
Fuel system: Eldor Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 140hp (103kW) at 12,300rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 87Nm at 10,100rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc slipper clutch
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel tubular trellis
Front suspension: 43mm upside-down Marzocchi forks, fully adjustable, 125mm travel
Rear suspension: Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable, 124mm travel
Front brakes: Dual 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo radial monobloc calipers, Bosch ABS
Rear brake: 220mm disc with Brembo twin-piston caliper, Bosch ABS
Wheels: Aluminium-alloy, front 3.50 x 17, rear 6.00 x 17
Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP – 120/70-17 front, 200/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Trail: 103.5mm
Wheelbase: 1400mm
Seat height: 830mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
Claimed dry weight: 172kg
Fuel capacity: 16.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $30,880 rideaway
Colors: Pirelli Red or Pirelli Blue
Bike supplied by: MV Agusta Australia
Warranty: Three years unlimited kilometres plus three years roadside assistance