MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR 2017 — Specifications

What drives a manufacturer to evolve an already successful motorcycle just months after its redesign? At MV Agusta, the answer comes down to two letters: RR. The 2017 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR takes the Italian naked bike recipe and injects a dose of radicalism that the standard version couldn't offer. On paper, the MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR spec sheet speaks for itself: 140 horsepower extracted from 798 cc, all housed in 168 kg dry. We're entering a category where Japanese rivals, led by the Yamaha MT-09, seem almost tame.

The inline three-cylinder remains the beating heart of this Italian machine. Where the standard Brutale had to cope with Euro4 constraints by losing a few horsepower, the RR gave up nothing. The 140 hp peaks at 13,100 rpm, while the 86 Nm of torque hits at 10,100 rpm. This engine loves revs — it demands them. New camshafts, revised valve guides, redesigned crankcases to contain noise levels, reworked transmission: the powerplant has been thoroughly rethought. The 13.3:1 compression ratio confirms the engine's sharp-edged temperament. For those seeking an uncompromising MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR review, it's this 2017 vintage that marks the turning point. A stock MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR exhaust with a raw, metallic snarl completes the picture, even if many will give in to the temptation of an aftermarket system to unleash the triple's voice.

On the chassis side, the mixed steel trellis frame with aluminium plates delivers first-rate torsional rigidity. The short 1,380 mm wheelbase and the seat perched at 810 mm shape a nervous machine built for the attack. The Marzocchi inverted fork and the Sachs monoshock, both fully adjustable, absorb hard inputs without flinching. Braking is handled by 320 mm floating discs clamped by four-piston calipers, inspiring confidence from the very first squeeze. The ABS, which can be switched off, integrates an anti-wheelie function that reassures without neutering the rider. The eight-level traction control, bidirectional quickshifter, and ride-by-wire throttle round out an electronics package worthy of higher-category sportbikes.

Then there's the question of price. The MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR was listed at €15,670 new, a premium positioning against a Street Triple RS or a Z900. That price tag is justified by the refined finish, forged wheels, belly pan, and the kind of presence few competitors can claim. On the used MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR market, the 2015 to 2019 vintages remain sought after, with values holding well thanks to the model's relative rarity. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 versions refined the formula without revolutionising it, making this 2017 vintage relevant for anyone looking to enter the MV universe without paying new-bike prices.

This Brutale is aimed at experienced riders hungry for thrills and willing to deal with an uncompromising character. It won't suit A2 licence holders, as no MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR A2 version exists in the catalogue. With a 245 km/h top speed, a fiery temperament, and lines sculpted in Schiranna, it plays in the league of premium sporty nakeds. Not the most versatile, not the most comfortable on the motorway with its 16.6-litre tank, but certainly one of the most desirable. The Brutale lives up to its name: it doesn't pretend.