MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR 2023 — Specifications

Can anyone still claim that a 798 cc triple-cylinder lacks punch? With the 2023 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, Varese proves otherwise. This Italian naked bike wrings 140 horsepower at 12,300 rpm from its three-cylinder, a figure that would put more than a few larger-displacement sportbikes to shame. Torque peaks at 87 Nm at 10,250 rpm. That's high up in the rev range, no doubt. You have to chase the power through the rpms to unlock the machine's full potential. But what a reward once the tachometer hits the red zone. Against a Triumph Street Triple RS or a Yamaha MT-09 SP, the MV clearly plays the mechanical exclusivity card with its counter-rotating crankshaft and internal treatments worthy of a racing prototype.

The 2023 model year doesn't revolutionize anything, and that's a good thing. MV Agusta chose to sharpen what already existed. The Brutale 800 RR spec sheet gains a Continental ABS with Cornering function, a six-axis IMU inertial platform, a third-generation quickshifter, and a recalibrated ride-by-wire throttle. The 5.5-inch color TFT dashboard, shared with the rest of the range from the Dragster to the F3, manages all electronic aids and connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. You also get eight-level traction control, launch control, and multiple engine maps. For a roadster in this category, the level of electronic equipment rivals that of machines sold at much higher price points.

On the scales, 175 kg dry. That's restrained for a naked bike this well equipped. The short 1,400 mm wheelbase and the seat perched at 830 mm define a compact, agile motorcycle, built for the rider who likes to feel every weight transfer. The tubular steel trellis frame paired with stiffened aluminum plates handles the 140 horsepower without flinching. The 43 mm Marzocchi inverted fork, now DLC-coated, works in concert with a Sachs shock adjustable for preload, rebound, and compression. Braking moves to Brembo M4.32 radial-mount four-piston calipers on 320 mm front discs. It's hard to find fault with the chassis package.

Then there's the question of price. At €19,500, the 2023 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR sits well above a Street Triple RS or an MT-09 SP. The gap is significant. It's partly justified by the superior finish, forged wheels, the stock belly pan, and that triple-cylinder engine with its unique character. On the used market, 2019, 2020, or 2021 versions of the Brutale 800 RR offer a softer entry into the MV Agusta universe, with prices that have already depreciated considerably. For those looking for a test ride of the MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR before signing on the dotted line, it's recommended: the temperament of this triple-cylinder doesn't suit everyone. Note that the standard version doesn't qualify for the A2 license, as the power output far exceeds the regulatory thresholds. And on the exhaust side, the stock system already sounds good, but owners often cave for a full system that unleashes the raw voice of the triple.

This Brutale is aimed at experienced riders who want a racy, tech-laden roadster capable of holding its own against the best sportbikes through a string of corners. It doesn't forgive sloppy inputs. The 16.5-liter tank and a claimed fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km limit range to around 280 km, which confines the machine to spirited rides rather than highway hauls. No matter. Nobody buys an MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR to gobble up tarmac in a straight line. You choose it for its character, its sculpted lines, and that rare feeling of riding something truly out of the ordinary.