Mv Augusta Brutale

I test rode a 2017 Brutale and it was fab, I also owned a 2017 F3 800, also fab, but wrecked my nerves that it wouldn't be at any moment.

Just know what you're getting into, google, 'fuelling issues', and 'sprag clutch', and you'll be fine (or you won't be).

And, not wanting to be 'that guy', but's Agusta, btw, not Augusta

 

Here's my F3 looking pretty...



And here it is on an early recall... (not so pretty)



Can you see why I lost confidence in it?

 

Test rode a Brutale when my Tursimo Veloce was in for service with MotoCorsa. Same engine as the Turismo but in a higher state of tune. A great machine, as are all MVs to be honest. As Snips has alluded to; riding one and living with one can be different experiences.

From my 2 and bit years of ownership of my 2016 Turismo I can report the following:

• The dealer network is patchy and spares availability can also be an issue.
• Electrics, at least with mine (others reported similar issues), are great to start with but aren't made a/ for the UK climate if you ride in the wet, or b/ for longevity. As mine was a sports tourer riding in the rain was something of a pre-requisite. In fact electrical issues started in the 2nd week of ownership from new and then popped up occasionally during the following 2 years culminating in three failures on one tour which, along with limited space for pillion and luggage, was the end of the relationship for me.
• Residuals are terrible, worse than any other marque, in the main due to lack of support from the afore mentioned small number of dealers and spares availability. Be prepared to take a bath if you're only in it for the short term.
• On the other hand they:
  1/ Are beautifully engineered and designed, just looking over one you can see the attention to detail that sets it apart from other brands.
  2/ Handle superbly with high spec suspension and brakes combined with low weight. I was smitten on a test ride by this.
  3/ The 800 triple is a superb engine for real world solo use, becomes a bit breathless two up. If they had made a bigger engined Turismo I would have been sorely tempted to stick with MV despite the other shortcomings.

Crazy mental and a whole lot of fun, as the front (instruments in the main) were so low and slim with a reasonably high riding position it felt like you were practically flying along on your own as you could barely see the machine below you. Maybe that's because I was used to a screen and fairing on the Turismo though... A great bike to keep in the garage for a countryside blast. Long distance and touring not so good.


Me on my Turismo on the Col du Galibier in the Alps. 5 tours and 18,000 miles in 2 years, the finish stood up very well though I did lavish a lot of care on her.

 

You genuinely have to be a prize moron to consider an MV - a lot of frustration and cost in return for very little.

 

Well, that's a constructive reply to the debate...

Any justification for your reply; have you owned one?

 

I had two of them, a ‘13 Brutale and a ‘15 Stradale.
I pretty much 2nd what Bumkin says. I only had one issue with the Brutale, the gear selector sensor failed, it was a recall item and was fixed quickly under warranty with Moto Corsa (my nearest dealer) the only other issue was the suspension was set up so bad from new the thing tried to kill you in every turn, but a quick trip to a suspension shop to get it set properly improved things massively and from then on it was great, absolute banzai, amazing engine and so light, had that from new for 3yrs and then chopped it in for a ex demo Stradale, as for that one the appeal was tarnished a little, as the structure at the dealership also changed. Loved the bike, looked amazing and an absolute hoon to ride but had niggling issue with the throttle position sensor causing it to go into limp mode until you turned it off and on, the dealer tried to clear it with software upgrades which I doubted and was proved right, their No1 mechanic (knew his onions) said it needed a new throttle grip and bodies but was overruled by the new workshop manager fudging it off with software upgrades again. I got the impression they were just palming me off until the warranty ran out, and wouldn’t commit to accepting that if it wasn’t fixed after the warranty it would still be covered as an ongoing issue so I lost faith in it, more so with the dealer than the bike.

Service intervals are short (major valve service every 7,500 miles). Can be fickle, look amazing, a good forum (mvagusta.net), patchy dealer support, don’t know what they are like for parts since the Russians took them over (if they still own it?) but when running right and on your favourite A/B road, I’d still say they are probably the best bikes I’ve owned.

 

No, I am not that stupid.

However several colleagues have and the constant moaning and groaning about their unreliability, poor build quality, mods necessary to overcome dumb design decisions fully justifies my reply (which was constructive in the sense it was trying to save the OP from the misery of MV ownership).

Do you comprehend now?

 

Poor build quality? Have you taken a look at modern ducati's lately? Quality has dropped on fit and finish in my opinion. As for reliability, Ducati are not without their lemons either. Neither are any of the other manufacturers free from any problems. Sometimes its the luck of the draw and sometimes the owners themselves are the lemons.

 

Tbh I think if everyone on here had only one form of transport and that was your only bike, none of us would be on this forum

 

I would vouch for Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds as a dealer. As well as being a great place to visit to see all the variety of bikes they offer, they are the ones that virtually dismantled my bike for that recall shown above, and rebuilt it without any issues, even subsequently surviving a track day.

This photo was taken last weekend, so they are increasing their MV profile since I had mine.




I'll also add that I got a very good trade in deal for mine when I chopped it in for my 959 Corse. I think the Ducati dealer got the wrong valuation for my F3, and I snatched their hand off

 

I'd be riding a C90 Honda.

 

The 3 cylinder platform does suffer from more problems than the older 4 cylinders. I have a F4 and I love it. It's also very reliable. I wouldn't buy any of the 3 cylinder bikes though

 

Was tempted with a Brutale 800 RR on a 2018 plate in local dealers. Gorgeous to look at. But I'm at an age when I want something comfie, this dont look it.

 

Not sure why can't post pic in original message.

 

I had a brutale 920 for a couple of years and it was great, 100% reliable. Rode it to Italy and back, seat wasn't great though. Think I did 14k miles on it.
Traded it in for a 800 triple version, once again 100%reliable. Not a relaxing ride and was always wanting to GO!. lovely paint finish. Think I did about 12k on that one. I know a few people who had sprag issues but mine was still the original one. I would of had another but they went out of my price range.

 

I've just bought a track bike, and now my 1098s is in danger of getting sold for something more streetable. How does the Brutale 800 compare to a KTM 790/890 or Street triple, or the small Monster?

I didn't have a Brutale on my list but saw a white one like doggy's on Autotrader (maybe same bike with stock exhaust?) and I'm suddenly considering one. Far cheaper than I was expecting.

I could just keep the 1098 and get a junker that lives outside under a cover, but if it's not fun and good looking then I won't ride it...clearly I have standards.

 

down the road from me, got my dragster 800 from the same place. Fun bike, looked fantastic but needed a steering dampener.