LAUNCH

MV AGUSTA’S 800 LAUNCH WE RIDE THE NEW TRIPLES FROM MV. BELLISSIMO!
WORDS STUART WOODBURY PHOTOS TIM MUNRO

MV Agusta has gone through a couple of hands in Australia over the past few years, now that it is in the hands of Urban Moto Imports, the company that produces, “Motorcycle Art” should finally be set to stay in this country. MV produces beautiful looking machines and their performance is up there with some of the best. We got to ride the new 800 triple cylinder range – Dragster, Dragster RR, F3, Stradale and Turismo Veloce (all except for the Brutale) over a wide range of road conditions and here is what we thought of each model.

ENGINE

Weighing in at just 52 kg and being extremely compact despite the displacement, the 798cc in-line 3-cylinder engine optimises weight distribution while the counter-rotating crankshaft enhances the dynamic performance of the 800 MV range. These characteristics make this engine one of the most advanced triples in the world. Each of the five bikes has different power output, and like any other three cylinder bike on the market, they are a lot of fun to ride.

With each of the bikes we rode you can change both power maps and traction control settings on the move and all come with quick shifters as standard. The engine maps on the Dragster, Dragster RR, F3 and Stra dale are labelled as Rain, Normal and Sport, with the Turismo Veloce having Rain, Touring and Sport. Each of the bikes has eight levels of traction control to dial in.

On the Dragster RR and Turismo Veloce, the quick shifter works for both up and down in Sport, in the other modes, it only works on up shifts.

SPECS MV AGUSTA DRAGSTER 800

PRICE: $20,499 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
POWER: 92kW @ 11,600rpm
TORQUE: 81Nm @ 8600rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 125mm.
Rear, monoshock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 125mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 811mm,weight 167kg (dry), fuel capacity 16.6 litres, wheelbase 1380mm
BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston switchable ABS calipers. Rear, 220mm disc, dual-piston switchable ABS caliper.
COLOURS: White, Matt Metallic Grey
VERDICT: STYLISH FUN

DRAGSTER 800

The “standard” Dragster 800 is an aggressively styled naked machine that is compact in riding position, yet supportive. The suspension is setup sporty and you get a quick shifter (up only), standard. If you can’t stretch the extra bucks for the RR version,this is a great machine to ride and get you noticed by onlookers. The fuelling on the Dragster was my only concern,at just off closed throttle it would hunt along making a rough ride. You can ride around it, but the answer for fixing it would be a fuel controller.

Braking is powerful and as a fun bike to ride, the Dragster ticks this box with a big fat green pen!

SPECS
MV AGUSTA
DRAGSTER RR

PRICE: $22,999 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
POWER: 103kW @ 13,100rpm
TORQUE: 86Nm @ 10,100rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 125mm. Rear, mono shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 125mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 811mm,weight 168kg (dry), fuel capacity 16.6 litres, wheelbase 1380mm
BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston switchable ABS calipers. Rear, 220mm disc, dual-piston switchable ABS caliper.
COLOURS: Pearl Shock Red/Pearl Ice White, Pearl Shock Red/Carbon Metallic Black
VERDICT: SHOW TO MATCH THE GO!

DRAGSTER RR

The most stylish of this group (in my eyes) is the Dragster RR. I just couldn’t stop looking at this angry, yet pretty motorcycle. The delectable spoked wheels and anodised hubs stand out at a standstill and the anodised fully adjustable red forks add to the visual delight. It also has the go to match the show, the 800 triple punches out 103kW with things like six injectors and other mods to produce some sweet numbers, and it’s matched with a quick shifter for both up and down shifts (while in Sport mode), making this beast a very swift machine if you want it to be. Of all the MV’s at the launch, this is the one I would buy (the carbon black version).

F3 800

A seriously under-rated sports bike in my eyes. If you match the 108.8kW to the light 173kg (dry) weight and the electronics package, you have a formidable package that will be much easier to ride than the litre bikes and have you dicing with them. Quick shifter fitted is for up only. It would be nice to have it for the downshifts also, which would make this bike even faster to ride.

The F3 is a stunningly good looking motorcycle that gets people perving all over it at a standstill.

STRADALE 800

If you come from a dirt bike and want a tourer or a similar (dirt bike) feeling road bike – the Stradale is the exact bike you’d be after. The riding position is very much the fl at bar and fl at seating position, yet the Stradale’s seat is sculpted for a bit more comfort. Handling is extremely light, making turn in lightning fast. Quick shifter fitted is for up only and one of the best styling features about the Stradale is seeing it from the rear.

With the panniers fitted, the tail lights are operated via the lights fitted in the panniers, when they’re “disconnected”, the tail lights fitted to the bike take over. It’s not your “run of the mill” motorcycle and will have you wanting to see more of it, not to mention the masses of other riders wanting to ask, “what is that thing”? No doubt when you’ve just blasted past them and are already sipping on your coffee.

TURISMO VELOCE 800

The newest of the MV 800 range is the sports touring Tursimo Veloce.

Suspension is compliant and full adjustable, with the rear also having a remote preload adjuster. I gave the rear two turns more of preload and I’d probably go with a turn or two on the front for a unit my size. With its upright bar and lightweight nature, handling is relaxing and the slightest push of the bar is all you need for turn in – an excellent bike to be on for all day touring.

The engine has the least amount of power in the range, but this is hardly noticeable. Its characteristics are smooth and having the quick shifter for both up and down changes makes touring very relaxing (again, it needs to be in Sport mode for this). A 5 inch TFT interactive instrument panel is easy to use and gives the bike a unique, top-of-the-range look. There’s also plenty of scope for personalisation: you can even configure

your own preferred data display setting with the utmost ease via the simple to use switchgear on the left switch block.

For comfort the adjustable screen is a pinch type arrangement and can be used while riding. I preferred it all the way down, which moved a good amount of wind away from my chest, with anything above this it buffeted my helmet.

As with all the bikes here, you can cycle through the eight levels of traction and the power modes on the fl y, done via the starter button. MV has given you a great mid-sized tourer that is light and easy to handle, with plenty of useable power – something many of you would be looking for.

SPECS
MV AGUSTA F3 800

MODEL: MV Agusta F3 800
PRICE: $19,999 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
POWER: 108.8kW @ 13,000rpm
TORQUE: 88Nm @ 10,600rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 125mm. Rear, monoshock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 123mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 805mm, weight 173kg (dry), fuel capacity 16.5 litres, wheelbase 1380mm
BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston switchable ABS calipers. Rear, 220mm disc, dual-piston switchable ABS caliper.
COLOURS: Pearl Ice White/Matt Avio Grey, Red/Ago Silver, Matt Metallic Senna Black
VERDICT: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THIS SWEET LOOKER.

SPECS
MV AGUSTA
STRADALE 800

MODEL: MV Agusta
PRICE: $19,999 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
POWER: 84.5kW @ 11,000rpm
TORQUE: 78.5Nm @ 9000rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 150mm. Rear, mono shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 150mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 870mm, weight 181kg (dry), fuel capacity 16 litres, wheelbase 1460mm
BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston switchable ABS calipers. Rear, 220mm disc, dual-piston switchable ABS caliper.
COLOURS: Pearl White/Sand Metallic Grey, Red/Silver, Bronze Metallic/Pearl White
VERDICT: DIRT BIKE BOYS, YOUR TOURER IS HERE!

ACCESSORIES

All of the bikes have an extensive range of accessories available. On bikes like the Dragster RR you can spend thousands on carbon fi bre, or at the opposite end, you can invest in touring gear for the Turismo Veloce. A great range for each bike allows owners to create their own piece of “art”.

TRIPLE THE FUN

The only 800 model missing from this launch was the Brutale 800. It is similar to the Dragster 800, yet with a more aggressive riding position. But, the main point here is that MV Agusta appears to be here to stay in Australia which is such a great thing to have. You can’t miss any of these machines, as the triple exhaust exits really make a statement and say, “Hello”!

The two standout machines for me were the Dragster RR and the Turismo Veloce.

You can have the bling for a weekend coffee run and the style for your touring.

SPECS
MV AGUSTA
TURISMO VELOCE 800

PRICE: $20,499 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
POWER: 81kW @ 10,000rpm
TORQUE: 83Nm @ 8000rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted fork, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, travel 160mm. Rear, mono shock, adjustable remote preload, compression and rebound, travel 165mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 850mm,weight 191kg (dry), fuel capacity 22 litres, wheelbase 1460mm
BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston switchable ABS calipers. Rear, 220mm disc, dual-piston switchable ABS caliper.
COLOURS: Silver/Avio Grey, Red/Silver
VERDICT: RELAX AND ENJOY THE STYLE.

Series Navigation

<< NEWSBMW S 1000 XR >>