MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 920 (2011 - 2012) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £220
Power: 130 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm)
Weight: Medium (419 lbs / 190 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The 920 is the new entry-level MV Agusta Brutale which, despite lashings of Italian flair and 130bhp performance, costs the same as a Yamaha FZ1 at £9999. It has a number of changes aimed at keeping the cost down over the bigger capacity 990R and 1090R bigger brother.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The old Brutale was a bit harsh – it felt like you were being pummelled by every surface change you rode over. The latest combination of the Marzocchi upside-down forks and Sachs rear shock work well. The front end is fully ¬adjustable but the rear just for preload and rebound. Both have been softened slightly in terms of the internal valving compared to the 990R to give a more forgiving ride. The suspension still feels taut but has a lovely, plush feel, too.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

It’s the new 921cc inline four-cylinder motor that dominates the Brutale for all the right reasons. Not only will it rev through with a howling note all the way through to the top of the 11,600rpm rev limiter but it will trickle along in sixth gear at 2000rpm. There is no fluff, no surging and the throttle response is lovely. The combination of the crank from the more powerful 1090RR but with new smaller pistons and corresponding cylinder block works well.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Brutale anoraks will spot the changes aimed at keeping the price down; indicators in the backs of the mirrors are replaced with cheaper ones mounted by the side of the front light, matt paint finish and only two colours (black and white) to choose from; others won’t. Only the welding on the centre section of the exhaust lets the finish down.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
5 out of 5 (5/5)

No bike that costs £9999 on the road can be called cheap. But with Japanese bike prices now on a par with ‘exotic’ brands like MV Agusta, it makes choosing even harder. While the Yamaha FZ1 is the same price, it can’t compete in terms of fun, performance, looks or character with the Brutale. The class-leading Triumph Speed Triple at £8649 has a stronger hand in terms of price and handling, and the cheaper Honda CB1000R and Kawasaki Z1000 muddy the waters further.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The engine has two switchable maps (Normal and Sport) which change the ignition response. Eight-stage traction control is adjustable through the dashboard within both riding modes and is standard.

Specs

Engine size 921cc
Engine type Inline, four-cylinder 16v 6 gears
Frame type Steel trellis, cast alloy mix
Fuel capacity 23 litres
Seat height 830mm
Bike weight 190kg
Front suspension Fully adjustable
Rear suspension Adjustable for rebound and preload only
Front brake Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake Single 210mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17 in
Rear tyre size 190/55 x 17 in

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 36 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £220
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group 17 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 130 bhp
Max torque 70 ft-lb
Top speed 158 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 184 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2011: Model introduced

Other versions

Owners' reviews for the MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 920 (2011 - 2012)

2 owners have reviewed their MV-AGUSTA BRUTALE 920 (2011 - 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 920 (2011 - 2012)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Equipment: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £220
5 out of 5 Proper corker!
Yesterday 16:54 by Chainsaw

Version: Black

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £200

A proper hoot to ride. Stirring every sense you have. Hooligan comes easy... yet can be practical too... with 23L tank and headlight is bright for night time riding. Ample space under the seat to store a few goodies. The toolkit is quite comprehensive too with spark plug socket. The mirrors show more than just your elbows.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Rock hard seat! Other than that perfect ergonomics to give you that natural sit-up-and-beg posture with the wide handle bars...swooping left to right bends are only ever a slight bit of bar pressure away. Suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps and damn near perfect out the crate.For some strange reason the Italians over engineered really slippery foot pegs! Watch out for side stand that doesn't lean far enough it only weighs 190KG full tank so the wind can blow it over

Engine 5 out of 5

Such a peach. The harder you squeeze the more juice flows. Vibes only really intrusive around 5.5 - 6 thou rpms otherwise smooth and tractable. Throttle response is good from the Mikuni throttle bodies. I average 30mpg with usual caning (few cops or camera's in my area) otherwise 38mpg when missus rides.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Was having an exceptional day of riding in sunny South Africa with only 21 000 km on the clocks the radiator sprung a leak on the inside pissing coolant all over the headers. What a mess and a mood spoiler. Had it repaired though and no hint of trouble since. Seems to be a weakness of the 920.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Eats rear tyres almost as fast as my '06 Fireblade with 40HP less... but then again it's just so hard to stick to the speed limit with the lovely exhaust note & induction roar. Do all the servicing myself as its such a work of art to fiddle with and pretty easy for access to many items with it being naked. On par with Jap bikes - nothing overly fancy parts and all. Synthetic oil obviously.This actually has a counter rotating crank (helps the sweet handling) which means the timing chain tensioner is situated inside the valve cover like the XS 11 Yamaha

Equipment 4 out of 5

They were sold with Pirelli Angel tyres on originally which have no business being on a bike like this and ruin the handling potential. Watch out on roundabouts! I went for Bridgestones BT 016 and S21 both types compliment the handling and braking characteristics of those massive discs and Brembo calipers

Buying experience: Dealer was a stealer with rude nature - won't be back there anytime soon. Bought with 15000km on the clock was glad to receive spare key, toolkit and owner's manual which was like reading the bible in Latin

5 out of 5 MV Brutale 920, mid-size lost jewel.
14 June 2016 by Fabrizio Bordacchini

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £250

Except an issue with the radiator, the bike is very reliable. I'm sure the issue on the radiator is the mechanic(s) fault. After i've replaced the last one myself i've had no more problems. Went across Europe on a 2k trip, flawlessly. I drive almost every day to the office, now across London congestion, not a blip. After full 5 years it's still a beauty, with 34k miles on the dash. A joy to ride, a pleasure even when cleaning the rims! I love it, i'm going to keep her forever. Next stop: distribution chain replacement, done by me.. ok i need some time.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

The brakes are as powerful as the brembo m50 on the b1090, but the M50 are cooler. Maybe if you ride on the track you can appreciate the monoblock m50.

Engine 5 out of 5

Smooth, i'm not an expert but i think the only mistake they made on the engine was: paint it! After few years and driving almost every day the black paint is coming off on the clutch side..

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I'm doing all the services myself: oil/filter, brake pads, brake fluid, clutch oil. Tyres at ProTyre.

Equipment 5 out of 5

I guess as "smaller" model, before the 990 and 1090, the equipment is great. Anything more would make this model more expensive, i think this is a perfect brutale entry model (now gone). It's a shame because i think the 920 is a great bike. But now there is the 3 cylinder engine almost as powerful, cheaper maybe?

Buying experience: I bought new, and after 5 years, going back in time i would buy again. I would also buy the mv agusta leather jacket that the dealer had that day.. it was a special edition.

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