MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR CANNONBALL (2010 - 2012) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £1,000 |
Power: | 165 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (419 lbs / 190 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesBased on MV’s range-topping Brutale 1090RR, the Cannonball is fitted with an array of mouth-watering MV Agusta Corse goodies.
Starting with the standard £13,699 machine, which is smoother and far easier to live with than the angry Brutales of old, you can choose what parts of the Cannonball kit you want by going on to MV’s online ‘configurator’. Our test bike was fully-loaded with £3917-worth of cosmetics and chassis mods, which include MV Agusta Corse levers, rearsets and a dazzling array of carbon fibre parts. It’s topped off with a £4745 F4 superbike-inspired engine kit, which has a tuned top end and a full titanium Arrow exhaust system, which boosts power by 21bhp to 165bhp.
The Brutale 1090RR Cannonball manages to be insanely fast, unbelievable fun, stupidly loud, excessively expensive and easy to ride, all in one go. In our book, it makes this one of the most desirable motorcycles in the world.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineWith its Cannonball kit fitted you still get the same friendly new-generation Brutale. On this test bike the standard fully-adjustable Sachs rear shock and 50mm Marzocchi forks are set to give a plush, quality ride and the stock Brembo brakes are powerful enough for anything you care to throw at them.
From the Cannonball chassis kit, you only notice the slightly chunkier feel of the MV Agusta Corse racing levers and the higher rearsets, the rest of the goodies are purely cosmetic.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThis isn’t a bike for shrinking violets. Hammer through the gears at full throttle and the tuned inline-four-cylinder 1078cc motor hesitates very slightly at low rpm, then takes off in violent style. It will loop-the-loop in first gear and wants to lift in the next two. The engine devours revs and gears and before you know it, if you’re on a big enough track, you’ll be flat in top, struggling to hang on while your ears are being assaulted by the angry roar of the titanium Arrow racing exhaust.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe build quality of this machine is stunning and reliability of the previous model Brutale has never been a problem.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThis is the ultimate super naked. It’s super-fast and handles like a superbike. It’s the most insane fun you can have on a bike if you’ve got a mischievous streak in you. Yes it’s hideously expensive and you can have almost as fun on any one of the leading super naked machines out there for a fraction of the price, but if you want the very best, the Cannonball is the one to have. Find an MV Agusta Brutale for sale.
Equipment
On top of all the goodies you get with the Cannonball kit, you get traction control, fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks and Sachs rear shock, monobloc four-piston Brembo calipers, slipper clutch and gear position indicator. Compare and buy parts for the MV Agusta Cannonball in the MCN Shop.
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 | Marzocchi 50mm forks, fully-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Sachs single shock, fully-adjustable |
Front brake | Brembo four-piston calipers, twin 320mm discs |
Rear brake | Brembo twin-piston caliper , 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 | £121 |
Annual service cost | £1,000 |
New price | - |
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 | 165 bhp |
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Max torque | 83 ft-lb |
Top speed | 165 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 133 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2010 – Model introduced
Other versions
MV Agusta Brutale 990R
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR
Owners' reviews for the MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2010 - 2012)
3 owners have reviewed their MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 1090RR (2010 - 2012) 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 (2010 - 2012)
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: | £1,000 |
Year: 2012
I have always loved Italian bikes, had an Aprilia Falco before and got the chance to get a Brutale here in Switzerland. It has not disappointed, I go into the garage just to look at here, every ride is an occasion, always get's attention at bike meets. Its speed and handling are way beyond my capabilities as a rider. Drawbacks? Clutch is heavy for town riding, the pegs are quite high
The RR has the bling, so good Brembo brakes and suspension. Not a bike for a pillion
The engine is incredible, when it gets up in the rev range it is ballistic, the induction roar is also pretty addictive Sometimes feeling like you are riding a snarling rottweiler.
Every MV is a work of art, and my 10 year old one has kept its looks, no major problems
The RR come with all the bling, lighter wheels, upgraded brakes etc
Buying experience: Bought second hand and I got a great deal with some added carbon fibre and saddle with MV logo
Version: 1090RR
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £1,000
Always wanted an MV now living the dream. Bought a 1090RR here in Switzerland and now roaring around the Jura and AlpsWhat an engine I've had 1000cc Italian bikes before but this is on another level. Sometimes feels a bit like holding a snarling Doberman on a lead. The induction roar is addictive. Its not called a Brutale for nothing, brutal acceleration. Criticism, clutch a bit heavy around town Headlight not greatFor me my Brutale passes the "garage test" every time I go by the garage I stop to admire her
Mama Mia! What an engine
Above Swiss francs
Year: 2010
Are you sometimes depressed? Anxious? Then take an MV Brutale 1090RR pill. Better than valium or fluoxetine for solving the blues... You will come home intoxicated by a different drug, uplifted and high as a kite. But you will still be addicted and nothing will satisfy your yearnings until you're back on that 1090RR again....
Brakes are top-end. As good as any superbike of its era. Turn-in is spectacular. Just look at a corner and think the ideal fast line you'd like to take, and hey presto, you are on it - smooth, stable, instant. But if you want/need a super-rapid direction change mid-corner then it's there. Beautiful balance and control with the flickability of flat bars and perfect geometry. Glorious.
Torque - acres of it. Forget the 150 plus bhp top-end rush - which is fantastic nonetheless. Concentrate instead on the sub-6000 rev enormous turbine like pulling power from village pootling speeds. Like being attached to a giant smooth elastic band. Think ZX10R 2005 / GSXR1000K5 plus a bit more.
Can't say for sure yet. Not owned it long enough. But the quality of build and finish is outstanding. These bikes are hand-built at high cost, and it shows in the welding, the design touches and the sheer quality of components. Give me a couple of years of ownership and I'll report back on whether it should get a a 5 out of 5.
Can't say for sure yet, but factory list parts are clearly not all that cheap. Everything is built to a very high standard. However when you look hard at schematics of the engine/frame you can see that this is a fairly conventional bike that should not be too hard to work on at home.
The clocks are complicated and hard to learn. Needs a digital clock and a fuel gauge, although range is quite good with the 21 litre tank. Surprisingly comfortable for what is basically a fast sports bike with flat-ish bars. A very good bike for those wanting the speed, handling and exhilaration of a fast sports bike without the pain of clip-ons and rearsets.