MV Agusta Rivale 800 2018 — Specifications

The Rivale continues its career, still in Euro3 with the limited visibility that offers regarding its future. The manufacturer is focusing on its core values and doesn’t seem eager to update the entire range. MV-Agusta doesn’t play motorcycle like the other manufacturers do. While so many models strive to be beautiful, theirs all work towards the same goal: to appear exceptional! The F4 sportbike sublimated its generation, the Brutale roadster marked the clan of herds. To open a third path, the brand from Varese attempts to seduce with an engine characterized by fun, pleasure, and eccentricity; its own vision of a large supermotard: the Rivale.

Don’t be captivated immediately. Approach, turn, scrutinize, be critical before taking a step back. Don’t admire it for what it is, but for this remarkable play of angles and lines. Because strength isn’t exhaled only through muscle, but also in design. Drawn features, taut edges, curves playing until the end of tortured forms; the Rivale allows itself to be both beautiful and mischievous, while the essence that defines it seems to get lost in its convoluted effects. Do you think I’m directing your criticism towards the monobrach and the exposed rim, just embraced by the trio of exhaust pipes, as on the 675/800 Brutale? Not at all. I’m talking about its shoulders flirting with the front fender to unite in a single connecting line. Of this raptor’s head pierced by a rhombus of glass and light. Of these handlebar grips so rich in appendages, when the LED turn signals blend into the handguards, to culminate in telescopic and retractable mirrors (Ducati Hypermotard, have you been here!?). Of the rear road equipment that moves to the fender to purify the rear of the beast. It becomes more venomous, its stinger gushing the threat between the red light hips. The philosophy fades once emotion has conquered the gaze. Admirable, simply.

Not completely trail and not entirely roadster, the Rivale draws inspiration from both. Raised suspension facing a copied cycle part promises a lot. Pure MV juice, with its chrome-molybdenum tubular trellis frame fixed to aluminum plates, Brembo radial-mount calipers, a Marzocchi inverted fork, a Sachs shock absorber, and adjustments in all directions. The suspension adjusts in compression, rebound, and preload. Everything essential of a Brutale is there. With the exception of handling, which the factory announces has been improved with a better steering angle than on the roadster.

The chassis invites, the heart palpitates. The engine also comes from the 800 Brutale. It is a 3-cylinder developed for the 675 F3 and B3, then bored out to 798 cm3, and still equipped with its original counter-rotating crankshaft. Thus ample, it exercises itself in two settings: the Brutale roadster and this Rivale hypermotard. Ask it for sport, and it will distribute a beautiful plate of 125 horsepower, perched not far from 12,000 rpm. Especially since with only 178 kilograms to carry, the riding promises to be as fun as it is rhythmic with a good dose of satisfaction.

An MV-Agusta is a desirable silhouette, a muscular engine, and electronics in the service of moderation (a way of speaking). Thus, the Rivale abandons all needles on its dashboard to display only a single digital window, totally unprecedented. On the engine side, the MVICS suite regulates the adrenaline with 8-level traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, and 3 injection maps + 1 customizable. The EAS shifter is installed as standard. After generalizing on 4-cylinder models, ABS invaded the Tre Pistoni range in 2014. The Bosch control unit, 9MP version, is small and light, and is also disconnectable.

The 800 Rivale is controversial, carving out a new niche for the Varese manufacturer, but it is inevitable to make the comparison with some Ducati productions. Some will mock, many will praise the charm and aggressiveness of this model. Star of the EICMA 2012 show, this hybrid was simply elected most beautiful motorcycle of that edition of the Milan show.

M.B - Photos manufacturer