Collectible: MV Agusta 125 TRL

The resurgence in recent years of the revived Motogiro d’Italia has been one of the success stories of the classic motorcycle scene. The original Motogiro was established in 1953, catered for motorcycles up to 175cc, and was run over 3000km on Italian public roads. It was extremely popular. Bike manufacturers were eager to promote their products in a period of insatiable demand and the public was desperate for entertainment in a dour time.

Sadly a horror crash in the 1957 Mille Miglia car race (Portago’s Ferrari ran off the road, killing himself, his co-driver and 13 spectators) led to the banning of all road races in Italy. More recently many of these races have been resurrected as historic events rather than races, and in 2001 the Motogiro reappeared. And, just like the original, to qualify for the premier Historical class all entrants had to be under 175cc and built prior to 1957.

Most Italian manufacturers of the day built bikes for the Motogiro, and one of the more popular was the MV Agusta 125 TRL. TRL stood for Turismo Rapido Lusso (luxury fast tourer).

The first MV Agusta production four-stroke was the 175cc CSTL unveiled at the end of 1952, and during 1954 a 125cc version was added to the range. Compared to the racing MVs the 125 single’s specifications were unremarkable. The two valves were operated by pushrods and rockers, and with a mild compression ratio of 6.4:1 and breathing through a tiny Dell’Orto 18mm carburettor, 7hp (5.1kW) was produced at 5200rpm. Only a four-speed gearbox was included, this integral with the engine unit as was typical with Italian motorcycles of the day. Ignition was by a 6V/30W flywheel magneto.

Although the 125 was obviously built to a budget, the running gear was closely related to the more expensive and exotic 175. The duplex frame incorporated the engine as a stressed member and the 125 was fitted with an oil-damped telescopic front fork and rear shock absorbers. The rear frame section was a distinctive ‘Boomerang’ shape that would characterise MV singles for nearly two decades. Rolling on a pair of 18-inch wheels, the 94kg 125 TRL handled as well as anything else available, even if the power was modest.

Intended as an entry-level model, a workhorse rather than street racer, the 125 TRL’s true forte was exceptional fuel economy. Ridden in a restrained manner the 125 used less than 1.9 litres per 100km (52.6km/lt), providing a frugal owner a range of more than 400km. It was this economy rather than outright performance that saw the 125 MV become one of the most popular small capacity motorcycles sold in Italy during the 1950s.

And while other models in MV’s line-up were deleted as sales declined, the little 125 remained available until 1973. By this stage the power output had more than doubled, to 15hp (11kW), but the overhead valve single was still largely unchanged from 1954.

Although the 125 MV wasn’t as exotic as the comparable Ducati or Mondial, these unassuming little motorcycles provided many with a competitive mount in the famous Italian road races of the 1950s. The 125 was also overshadowed by its exotic double overhead camshaft stablemates but was a more realistic way for many to enter the glamorous world of MV Agusta.

This holds true today. Few can realise an ambition to own a factory MV racer or double overhead camshaft four, but the 125 TRL provides entry into an exclusive club.

These are the numbers you’ll need to crunch if you’re thinking about putting a 125 TRL in your own shed…

Story courtesy of Motorcycle Trader.