MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS 2018 — Specifications

Imagine a machine that claims to reconcile the wild soul of an Italian sportbike with the amenities of a high-end touring machine. That is the bold bet, and typically MV Agusta, of this Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS. At first glance, you are faced with a sophisticated GT, dressed in a sharp line and carrying its 207 kg fully fueled with a certain presence. But its secret, its true selling point, is nestled in its acronym: the Smart Clutch System.

This system, developed with Rekluse, is a small mechanical revolution. Forget heavy robotic transmissions or sluggish CVT systems. Here, an ingenious assembly of counterweights, under the control of an ECU, uses centrifugal force to manage the clutch according to engine speed. The result? A motorcycle that can be ridden without ever touching the left lever, except to start. The transparent cover showcases it like a piece of technology jewelry, and the handlebar remains present for purists who will want to take control. That is the genius of the concept: it imposes nothing, it proposes. Remarkable fluidity in the city, impeccable gear changes at full throttle, all without sacrificing the pleasure of manual intervention. For anyone considering a used MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS, this unique piece is what they will need to carefully inspect.

But this Italian is not just about its intelligent clutch. It is a true concentrate of electronics, sometimes overwhelming. Semi-active Skyhook suspension, TFT screen, cruise control, four riding modes, traction control… The list is long, almost too long. You sometimes feel like you are at the controls of a business jet rather than a motorcycle. Fortunately, the 798 cm3 trio is there to remind you of the essentials. With its 110 horsepower at 10,150 rpm and its torque of 80.4 Nm, it offers that explosive character and that raw sound that is the signature of MV. It cheerfully pulls this considerable weight to 230 km/h, with an ardor that forgives its nearly 210 kg dry weight. Faced with a more pragmatic BMW F 900 XR, or a more immediately seductive Ducati Multistrada V2, the MV plays the card of technological eccentricity.

For what rider? Certainly not for the novice, despite the help provided by the SCS. The 850 mm seat height, the demanding behavior of the trellis frame, and the profusion of options are aimed at a seasoned globetrotter, a demanding aesthete who seeks the rare object and the unique sensation. A motorcyclist who accepts paying the price of excellence, and complexity. Because the bill is salty: nearly 1700 euros extra for the SCS, bringing the ticket to over 21,300 euros. A significant investment for a machine with such a strong character.

The MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS 2024, if it retains this concept, will have difficulty doing better. This 2018 version is a radical, imperfect but fascinating proposition. Too loaded for some, too expensive for others, it fully assumes its status as a technological UFO in the service of pleasure. It will not convince the masses, but it enchants the enlightened enthusiast ready to tame its excesses to enjoy its unique talents. It is a mechanical work of art, not just a means of transportation.