MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S 2023 — Specifications

At what point does a motorcycle cease to be a simple vehicle to become a desirable object, a mechanical sculpture that demands as much as it seduces? Ask anyone who has ever met the gaze of an MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S. This Italian is not meant to go unnoticed, and its S version pushes the cult of appearance to almost inappropriate heights. We are talking about a work of art on wheels, dressed in a pearlescent white robe and gilding that evokes a high-end watchmaking salon more than a mechanical workshop. The gold spoked wheels, exclusive to this model, and the brown Alcantara saddle complete its distinction from the common herd. It's a statement, not a concession.

Beneath this diva’s attire lies a seriously updated level of technology. The 798 cm3 three-cylinder engine, faithful to the lineage, displays robust health with 147 horsepower at 13,000 rpm and 88 Nm of torque. It has been revised to meet Euro 5 standards, gaining efficiency thanks to a more efficient radiator and optimized internal parts. The trellis frame has gained rigidity, and the electronics have taken a leap forward with the arrival of an inertial platform. This translates to more intelligent traction control, an anti-wheelie that manages rather than prohibits, and a Continental ABS. The Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock remain adjustable, while the new Brembo Stylema calipers bite down on 320 mm discs with unwavering authority. All this in a dry weight of 173 kg, a base that promises agility.

The supplied “Racing Kit” speaks volumes about the spirit of this MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S. It includes an Arrow triple outlet exhaust, an ECU remap and a single-seat cover, additions that release a few horsepower and further lighten the beast. It’s a nod to purists, a way of acknowledging that this machine, however beautiful it may be, aspires to feel the hot asphalt. Compared to a Triumph Street Triple RS or a Ducati SuperSport, it sits on a completely different terrain: less versatile, less practical, but infinitely more theatrical. Its 830 mm seat height and 16.5-liter fuel tank remind you that it is made for selected journeys, not for everyday use.

So, for whom? Certainly not for a beginner, nor for those seeking the unwavering reliability of a Japanese motorcycle. At €27,500, it costs the price of an assumed folly. Its audience is that of aesthetes, collectors, and riders who accept that beauty has a price, including in terms of compromises. The riding position is committed, the passenger space anecdotal, and the character… resolutely Italian, with all that it entails in terms of charm and unpredictability.

The Superveloce 800 S does not claim to be the fastest motorcycle, the simplest or the most reasonable. It claims to be unforgettable. And on that point, with its blend of retro lines, cutting-edge technology and exclusivity, it fully delivers on its promise. One can discuss its flaws, demanding ergonomics and prohibitive price at the forefront, but one does not remain indifferent. As is often the case with MV Agusta, one buys an emotion, a mechanical piece that looks at you as much as you look at it.