MV Agusta Brutale 675 naked bike in the test

Driving report: MV Agusta Brutale 675

Brutal three-cylinder from MV Agusta

With the small Brutale 675, MV Agusta wants to set standards in the class of motorcycles up to 800 cm³ and win new customers. The fiery beauty could well succeed.

MV Agusta Brutal 675

Tension lies over the factory yard of M.V Agusta on the shores of Lake Varese. In front of the bright red building of the development department, white canopies shield the Brutale 675, the latest creation of the house. 15 copies pose casually in the cooling shade, while the technicians and engineers of the house lean against the building wall in the background, as if they were only accessories for the beautiful main actress. Other MV employees always find an excuse to take a curious look at what is going on in the courtyard, because this is where the B3, as it is called internally, is presented to the international trade press today. After the super sports car F3 with the same three-cylinder engine, it is the second important novelty for the small Italian plant this year. The B3 is even more important: With its less sporty orientation, it should appeal to a wider group of customers and secure around 200 jobs.

Driving report: MV Agusta Brutale 675

Brutal three-cylinder from MV Agusta

Turci

Completely naked and extremely elegant: Nowhere else is there as much beauty as the two MV Agusta Brutale 675s for 9,000 euros.

That this applies not only to her appearance, but also to her character, she proves on a short test lap that MV Agusta limits to around 50 kilometers so that as many journalists as possible can get a chance. But as small, petite and low as the Brutale 675 stands there – do people who have been a little longer fit on it? No problem, at least at 1.80 meters it is comfortable. "We worked on this for a long time", reveals designer Fabio Orlandi. "Compared to the big Brutale, we made the seat lower and moved the tank forward so that both small and tall riders feel comfortable." The seat is quite narrow and also quite hard, but the seating position with straight handlebars immediately creates confidence.

On the road along Lake Varese, the little Brutale shows enormous agility, steers precisely and crisply into curves, is easy to correct and looks downright weightless even with the fastest changes of direction. A mere 167 kilograms dry weight is a word. Even more cleverly distributed, because a little more than half of it, 86.4 kilograms, lifts the front wheel.

Only the three-cylinder engine is initially puzzling, the throttle response seems to be delayed. But the engine characteristics can easily be influenced using the mappings that can be selected on the right-hand handlebar end. Brutal brings four of them. In the set normal mode, the reaction to the gas command is extremely gentle, but also not very direct. "That is absolutely wanted", explains electronics engineer Mauro Marelli later. "We also expect people to return to the B3, and they shouldn’t be frightened off."

MV Agusta

Something new at MV Agusta: The little brutal likes things casual. The knife between the teeth only challenges them at higher speeds.

After switching to sport fashion, the little one dresses completely differently. Not much happens up to 4000 rpm, but then the engine takes a deep breath and, so to speak, big ears. It moves forward harmoniously and powerfully, without unpleasant jerking and practically vibration-free. So you can take it easy in third or fourth gear and enjoy the winding back roads in the hilly hinterland of Varese. A completely new driving experience on an MV, because the little Brutale doesn’t always crave more, but rather obviously likes to glide easily and relaxed over the asphalt strip.

Is that already? Not even close. From 8000 rpm she can no longer deny her genes and then pulls out the knife. A true symphony of hoarse hissing and barking tones emanates from the three organ pipes of the exhaust system while the motorcycle rushes forward and develops its 110 hp with verve.

However, there is no stress, the chassis is hard to beat in terms of precision and a source of joy, the little Brutale can be directed so playfully and as light as a feather even when she reflects on her sporting heritage. Only the rear brake always reacts a little too violently. The eight-level traction control, like the mappings, can be easily adjusted at the end of the handlebar, this time on the left.

MV Agusta

The cockpit provides a wealth of information, but it is not always easy to read it on the go.

In general, the electronics. There has never been a motorcycle with such extensive electronic equipment in this price range. The normal and sport mode of the Brutale 675 are both designed for 110 hp, the rain mode limits the power to around 80 percent. The modes offer, among other things, different throttle response and power delivery, even the effect of the engine brake changes. The highlight: In the Custom mode, the properties can be individually combined.

But there is no time to try it out, the factory yard is already approaching, the next group is already waiting impatiently for their test drive. If this first positive impression of the B3 is confirmed in the top test by MOTORRAD, the competition can pull out their thick jackets and wrap up warm. Because so much beauty and class, combined with lots of driving fun, has never been seen in this price category.

Technical specifications

MV Agusta

Hot oven and much sought-after: MV Agusta is currently barely keeping up with production.

engine 
Water-cooled three-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, a balance shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 47 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 350 W alternator, 12 V / 9 Ah battery, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (Anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary ratio 43:16.
Bore x stroke: 79.0 x 45.9 mm
Displacement:  675 cc
Rated capacity: 80.9 kW (110 hp) at 12,600 rpm
Max. Torque: 64 Nm at 8600 rpm 

landing gear
Steel tubular frame, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four -piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear, Ø 220 mm, two-piston fixed caliper, Traction control.
Cast aluminum wheels: 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
Tires: 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17 

Dimensions + weights
Wheelbase 1380 mm, steering head angle 66.0 degrees, caster 95 mm, suspension travel f / r 125/119 mm, seat height 810 mm, dry weight 167 kg, tank capacity / reserve 16.6 / 5 liters.
Guarantee: two years
Colors: Red / silver, white / gold, gray / anthracite
Price: 8990 euros
Additional costs: 275 euros

Brutale 675 and F3 in comparison

Both motorcycles are based on the same technical platform and are powered by the new three-cylinder engine with 675 cm³. Here are the most important differences (F3 in brackets):

  • 110 hp at 12,600 rpm (128 hp at 14,400 rpm)
  • 64 Nm at 8600 rpm (71 Nm at 10600 rpm)
  • Rev limiter at 13000 / min (at 15000 / min)
  • Steel valves (titanium valves)
  • Only the spring base of the central spring strut adjustable (fully adjustable chassis)
  • Different cam profiles for more torque from below

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