MV Agusta Turismo Veloce R 2023 — Specifications

We often talk about concessions to make a motorcycle more accessible, but at MV Agusta, even the entry-level models retain a spark of madness. The Turismo Veloce, in its R version, is striking proof of this. Forget the Rosso designation, make way for the simple "R," a badge that sounds less like a circuit promise and more like a €17,900 ticket into the Varese universe. A sum that, it must be said, places it directly in head-to-head competition with safe bets like the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT or the BMW F 900 XR. Is the game worth it?

You must first accept the MV pact: here, accessibility comes through rationalization. Only two colors are available, a deep black or a blood red, and revised manufacturing processes. But don't be fooled, the in-house decoration is omnipresent. The profile remains of magnificent tension, with a nose inherited from the F3 and a sublime tail design where the passenger seat seems to float. The details, from the integrated turn signals to the discreet engravings, constantly remind you that you are riding a desirable object. This MV Agusta Turismo Veloce R is not just a mileage machine; it's an aesthetic statement on two wheels.

The heart of the matter is this 798 cm3 triplex inherited from the F3 sportbike. With 110 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 80 Nm of torque, it’s nothing like a placid trail bike engine. It is fierce, incisive, and much prefers to tickle your back on a mountain road than to purr on the highway. Fortunately, the electronics are there to channel this fury. The MVICS platform offers a rare depth of parameterization, with power management, engine braking, traction control sensitive to lean angle, and even an anti-wheelie system. Cornering ABS and cruise control complement equipment that has nothing to envy from the competition.

On the road, the character of this Italian is confirmed. With its 191 kg dry weight and its steel trellis frame dressed in aluminum plates, it displays a contained footprint and lively reactions. The riding position is more engaged than on a classic trail bike, the engine demands to be revved to give its full measure, and the Marzocchi/Sachs suspensions are tuned for sport. Its 21.5-liter tank promises beautiful ranges, but it is in the curve that it delivers the best of itself. It is a machine for the demanding globetrotter, the one who prioritizes driving pleasure over simple carrying capacity.

So, who should turn to the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce R? Certainly not the beginner or those looking for a comfortable and impersonal Swiss Army knife. It is the motorcycle of the enthusiast who refuses compromise, who wants a GT with a sporty temperament, wrapped in a breathtaking aesthetic. It’s expensive, it’s demanding, and its slightly long gearbox can be frustrating in the city. But it offers a sensory experience and panache that its German or Japanese competitors, however efficient they may be, will never be able to match. It is a mechanical work that is lived as much as it is ridden.