MV Agusta Dragster 800

The MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster borrows heavily from the established Brutale 800 platform, and differs primarily in aesthetic and purpose.

So down to brass tacks it is, the key technical specifications of the 2014 MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster are the following:

• In-line three-cylinder engine, 798 cc

• Bore 79.0 mm, stroke 54.3 mm

• Maximum power 125 HP-EC (92 kW) at 11,600 rpm

• Maximum torque 81 Nm at 8,600 rpm

• Limiter at 13,000 rpm

• Dry weight 167 kg

• Power-weight ratio 1.34 kg/HP

• Tyres Pirelli DIABLO Rosso II 120/70 – ZR 17 front, 200/50 – ZR 17 rear

Unsurprisingly, the MVICS 2.0 electronics system comes standard on the Dragster, as well as the Bosch 9+ anti-locking brakes system, which is mated to Brembo calipers (radial mounts at the front).

MVICS 2.0 includes not only MV Agusta’s eight-level traction control system, but also the company’s newest electronically assisted shifting (EAS), which does quick-shift operations for both upshifts and downshifts. Ride-by-wire is also a standard element to the package.

The chassis is suspended by Marzocchi forks up front and a Sachs shock in the rear, and both units are fully adjustable, which is a welcomed sight for aggressive street riders.

The fuel tank is 4.39 gal, which should get riders some good range; and with a seat height of 31.91 inches (a fraction taller than the Brutale 800), the Dragster isn’t nearly as short as we thought, but it also isn’t a bike relegated to the tall man alone.

Priced at €13,490 (the same as the Rivale), the Dragster holds nearly a €2,500 euro premium over the EAS equipped Brutale 800, though that model is without the Bosch 9+ ABS brakes.

Throttle wide open. Engine at the rev limit. The rear wheel spinning relentlessly trying to gain traction, surrounded by a cloud of white smoke, defenning tyre squeal, raw power, biting into the tarmac and devouring it metre after metre. The MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster is all this and much, much more. It is motorcycling reduced to the essence of pure riding pleasure. Emotional, freedom.

MV Agusta continues to expand its motorcycle range: after introducing the Rivale 800, the emblem of motard-style sports appeal and ultra-dynamic road performance, the new Brutale 800 Dragster takes the very concept of 'motorcycling passion' and makes it breathtakingly tangible. No mere means of transport, a motorcycle is a symbol of freedom, of our need to get out there and explore and to savour mile after spine-tingling mile. Experiencing every single second of that freedom. The new Brutale 800 Dragster embodies and embraces the ambitions and dreams of every biker, making them nothing less than on-the-road reality. Thrills.

Unforgettable moments. The 3-cylinder Brutale 675 and 800 have introduced countless riders to that awesome buzz that goes with riding a high-performance naked bike. Outstanding ridability, power under constant control, lightness, great design, and exceptional value for money. This unmatched combination has made the 3-cylinder Brutale a huge success. Now, the Brutale 800 Dragster takes a big step forward into the future, yet does so with an attentive eye to the past. The most extreme Brutale ever is no fan of compromise: irreverent and brash, it is essential, brusque, outspoken and irascible. Packing a powerful punch, the Brutale 800 Dragster takes exhilaration to a whole new level. At the same time it draws on the ideas that shaped the first 4-cylinder Brutale bikes, the very essence of the naked concept and monuments to incomparable styling. Linking yesterday and tomorrow, the Brutale 800 Dragster embodies both experience and intuition, symbolising motorcycling past, present and forever. Pure essence. Pure thrills.

100% Brutale. With consummate Italian craftsmanship, the Brutale 800 Dragster re-evokes the epic DNA of the “dragster” race bikes, specifically built to release their explosive power in the few seconds that separate clutch release from the chequered flag. Seconds as scorching hot as the rubber left smoking on the tarmac. Seconds that speed by in the blink of a tachometer. In pursuit of unforgettable sensations. The Brutale 800 Dragster flings open the doors to the idea that freedom is attainable. On two wheels. Or even on just one.

Key Features

In detail, the main features of MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster:

In-line three-cylinder engine, 798 cc

Bore 79.0 mm, stroke 54.3 mm

Maximum power 125 HP-EC (92 kW) at 11,600 rpm

Maximum torque 81 Nm at 8,600 rpm

Limiter at 13,000 rpm

Dry weight 167 kg

Power-weight ratio 1.34 kg/HP

Tyres Pirelli DIABLO Rosso II 120/70 - ZR 17 front, 200/50 – ZR 17 rear

Features and Benefits

ENGINE

Engineering at the service of manufacturing efficiency: the 3-cylinder MV Agusta platform demonstrates how conscientiousness at the concept and design stages can result in the development of completely original models from the same, shared technological basis. The new Brutale 800 Dragster is no exception to that rule, once again highlighting the versatility of the cutting-edge MV Agusta platform centred on the 3-cylinder engine - the power unit that has made the greatest developmental progress in its market segment. The goals laid out in the project brief were highly ambitious: performance at the peak of their respective displacement categories (675 and 800), maximum elasticity, low fuel consumption and a torque curve spread evenly across the entire power range. And unprecedented compactness: the three-cylinder MV Agusta engine, built to achieve all these goals, weighs just 52 kg, giving improved output flexibility and better load distribution on the axles, on both the new Brutale 800 Dragster and the other models that already possess this feisty in-line 3-cylinder Italian engine. Key technical features include the shell-cast “closed-deck” crankcase with integral bore liners; the need for compactness has also imposed full integration of the water and oil circuits and the respective service pumps. Just as significant - and exclusive - is the choice of counter-rotating crankshaft, a solution with origins in the racing world where ride responsiveness has absolute priority, and the only judge of performance is the stopwatch. The counter-rotating crankshaft reduces inertia during changes of direction because it lowers that same inertia during deceleration; this enhances handling, the excellence of which is already a built-in top-priority feature of the MV Agusta chassis set-up. Compared to previous 3-cylinder configurations, the one specially developed for the Brutale 800 Dragster focuses on fast-response, linear power output, putting a mighty roar into this roadster. The 125 HP power peak is reached at 11,600 rpm, while the maximum torque of 81 Nm comes at 8,600 rpm. Completing this highly sophisticated package is the removable 6-speed gearbox, with ratios designed to ensure awesome acceleration and a sports-category top speed should the bike be unleashed on the track.

ELECTRONICS

The new MVICS (Motor&Vehicle Integrated Control) injection-ignition system features the very latest software and an engine control strategy first implemented, with great success, on the Rivale 800 and now extended to the entire 3-cylinder MY2014 range. MVICS also features the Eldor EM2.0 engine control unit and a Mikuni Full Ride-By-Wire throttle body. The fully integrated management allows, via the instruments and the handlebar switches, easy adjustment of numerous user-settable parameters. More specifically, the system lets the rider configure the torque setting with 4 different mappings. Three of these are set directly by the manufacturer and named according to the relative riding conditions (Sport, Normal and Rain) while the fourth leaves the rider free to define, within established limits, all the individual parameters: engine response, rev limiter, engine torque response, throttle sensitivity, engine braking. As one would expect, 8-level traction control (which can be disengaged) is also included: the relative algorithms have been tweaked to perfection for maximum precision, a must on a bike such as the new Brutale 800 Dragster as one of its defining characteristics is astounding acceleration.

CHASSIS SET-UP

The frame configuration, which has characterised the 3-cylinder platform since its inception, features an ALS tubular steel load-bearing structure, supplemented by lightweight aluminium alloy plates. This combination forms part of that production flexibility concept which inspired the 3-cylinder project and consequently allows the design of specially-developed frames for each model without disrupting the underlying look or essence. Note that this same set-up has characterised MV Agusta models since the launch of the astonishing F4: today's 3-cylinder Italian-built MV Agusta bikes offer up an even more highly evolved version of the concept. The front, tubular section employs a steel alloy with exceptional metallurgical qualities that, while extremely lightweight, provides outstanding torsional stiffness, especially in those areas most subject to stress, such as the steering head. The aluminium alloy plates close off the structure at the rear and act as the fulcrum for the single-sided swingarm. A compact wheelbase of just 1,380 mm, identical to that of the Brutale 800, strikes a perfect balance, ensuring both excellent handling and stability; the 95 mm trail boosts the already outstanding front end performance, making for enhanced ridability and bike control. Another eye-catching feature perfectly in keeping with the Brutale 800 Dragster design ethos is the attentiongrabbing Pirelli DIABLO Rosso II rear tyre, having a width of 200 and a shoulder of 50. The suspension system features fully adjustable units, allowing personalisation of compression and rebound settings, as well as providing a selection of spring pre-load options. The Ø 43 mm upside-down Marzocchi fork offers 125 mm of travel; the Sachs rear shock gives the single-sided swingarm - also in aluminium alloy - 125 mm of travel. The seat, with a height of 811 mm, has been redesigned to improve comfort and function: it also boasts a craftsman-like finish with stylishly stitched seams. The rider can also count on even more functional foot pegs and supports, and new heel guards which, just like the wheel rims, have been specially customised for the Dragster. Equipped with first class Brembo components, the braking system relies on a pair of Ø 320 mm floating front discs, equipped with 4-piston callipers (Ø 32 mm); the rear unit, instead, has a Ø 220 mm steel disc and mounts a 2-piston calliper (Ø 34 mm).

Dragster 800 is available in 2 colour:
White
Matt Metallic Grey