MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2009 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £600 |
Power: | 142 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (419 lbs / 190 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesMV’s new range-topping Brutale 1090RR, the first of the new-generation of machines built under Harley Davidson ownership, might not look very different to the old one, but it’s a revelation.
It’s 85% new, boasts a dual power map, an eight-stage traction control system and is 4kg lighter than the out-going 1078RR. But most importantly it’s night-and-day friendlier and easier to ride than ever before, and still goes like stink.
It’s a real shame MV didn’t move the styling on a bit though. This would be a five out of five motorcycle but its fourteen-grand price tag puts it out of reach for all but the lucky few.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineGone is the cramped, harsh, uncomfortable Brutale of old, MV’s new super naked is almost Honda-like in its refinement, comfort and friendliness.
On the road it’s smooth and easy and on track it’s one of the best production bikes you can buy out of the crate, with or without a fairing.
The standard slipper clutch helps the Brutale glide into corners effortlessly, there’s epic stability at full lean and tons of grip and composure on the throttle.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 142bhp inline-four cylinder 1078cc motor has the same basic layout and capacity as the out-going flagship Brutale 1078RR.
It’s around 3bhp down on last year’s bike, due to restrictions in the exhaust for noise and emissions.
The motor is 2.5kg lighter and has a slipper clutch. It also has a new starter and generator assembly, revised gearshift with a longer throw, water pump, oil pump, oil pump pick-up, fuel pump, balance shaft and exhaust.
It’s still an angry, powerful beast of a motor but now with all the rough edges smoothed off.
The traction control system detects engine revs and doesn’t have wheel-speed sensors, like the Ducati Streetfighter S. It’s very subtle and is hard to feel whether or not it actually works.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere’s no doubting the quality of the Brutale 1109RR, it’s exemplary, and has a better attention to detail than its closest rival: the Ducati Streetfighter S.
Previous Brutales have been proved to be reliable and now that Harley Davidson are at the reigns, spares availability promises to be improved.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThis is still the awe-inspiring Brutale we all know and love, but now it has a calm and civil side, which we like. It’s a superb machine and one we’d all love to own if we had the disposable.
But for £6000 less you can buy a brand new Triumph Speed Triple, which might not be as exclusive but is just as much fun. Find an MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR for sale.
Equipment
As well as traction control the Brutale 1090RR comes with fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear shock.
It has monobloc four-piston calipers, a slipper clutch, a gear position indicator and completely new bodywork, including a roomier seat and a taller 23-litre fuel tank. It has hand-built exotic-ness oozing from every pore.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1078cc |
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Engine type | Four-stroke, inline-four |
Frame type | Steel trellis/cast ali mix |
Fuel capacity | 23 litres |
Seat height | 830mm |
Bike weight | 190kg |
Front suspension | Fully-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Fully-adjustable |
Front brake | Single 320mm disc |
Rear brake | 210mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 17 in |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 26 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £600 |
New price | £14,599 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 142 bhp |
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Max torque | 85 ft-lb |
Top speed | 165 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 160 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2009 – Model introduced
Other versions
MV Agusta Brutale 990R
Owners' reviews for the MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2009 - on)
3 owners have reviewed their MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2009 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2009 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £600 |
Version: Corse
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £1,000
This bike is a weapon of mass seduction, it draws you in and lulls you with its brilliant handling and easy ridability and its all day seat comfort. But lurking just an easy throttle twitch away the beast stirs and launches you into another world, one where everything becomes a blur and your left wondering what the hell happened! I love this bike, it's just totally mad and deadly if in inexperienced hands, I would not let anyone who hasn't had at least 20 or 30 years of riding experience on several different types of motorcycles and have completed in that time lots of rider training and track days ride this bike. If you only ever buy one special motorcycle in your later years then make it an MV Brutale 1090RR, even if it sits in the shed for most of the year as you ride your other bikes I can guarantee that when you bring it out and look at it before you go riding you'll find yourself just staring at it and its beautiful lines and then once riding you'll wonder why you even have other bikes because this bike is like a drug! Its so addictive and you just want to hear that exhaust roar and the scenery blur and to feel the rush you get just being alive and on this marvellous machine that feels like its another extension of you. I have five bikes, 2008 GSX1400 2002 CB900 Hornet 2003 Monster S4R 1988 J model GSX-R1100 limited edition And my 2011 MV 1090RR I have been riding for 43 yrs, some as a racer and the rest as a road and track day aficionado.
The fronts are awesome! The back is easy and controllable.
This bike you can ride everyday with ease but be prepared to service it more often. Servicing costs are the same as any other bike, the only special times are when those hemi-valves need adjusting and may cost a bit more.
Buying experience: Brought from dealer new.
Version: Australian Version
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £360
This bike is just simply superb, I own an 08 GSX1400fe an 03 Ducati S4R and a 1988 GSX-R1100J black gold limited edition and the bike I ride the most is the MV because like the article it's truly the most fun and it's comfortable enough to ride all day. I also think it out handles my s4r which has been fully set up for me and I think that that's saying something big for MV to have a bike that good straight out of the box!
Costs are on par with any bike needing to be serviced they all need oil, plugs, filters etc etc...
Buying experience: I got my 2011 model RR for $10,000 AUD because it wasn't sold even tho it was still a brand new bike (Brought 30 Nov 2017) brought from dealer who was super helpful.
Version: rr
Year: 2010
Annual servicing cost: £425
stiff
low rpm snatche
12000m
trip reset