MV Agusta goes big-bore

The machine will be claiming somewhere in the vicinity of 200hp, which, after Kawsaki's release of the (perhaps optimistic) 200hp ZX-14 suggests that the double ton is the new goal for premium performance bikes. MV's decision to break the one-litre barrier also raises the question whether other sport bike marques will follow.

The initial production of the machine will be in limited edition form - as per the Italian maker's usual practice - and only 100 will be made. The report claims a stratospheric price of $168,000, which has yet to be confirmed.

In any case, there is also a production version in the wind.

An 1100 MV Grand Prix model was produced in 1979 (see pic), assembled from parts by the then German importer.