Base Brutale 1000 still a brutal beast
MV Agusta’s Brutale 1000 RR is the real deal streetfighter, a superbike without a fairing, all 208 snarling horsepower of it, and weighing 186kg dry. Not that it comes cheap mind, with a price tag of $64,990 here in New Zealand – you must pay for your Italian thoroughbred. However, this has everything but the kitchen sink thrown at it.
Now MV Agusta has released an RS version that promises much the same performance potential – think 300km/h with a long enough back straight – but at a ‘more affordable’ price point, whatever that may be. The local distributor has no information on how big a dent it will leave in your wallet, nor its arrival date. But whatever the cost, it will represent a lot of performance for the outlay if you compare it with four-wheeled Italian stallions.
And to behold, it looks much the same as the top-shelf RR model. The engine is identical and includes the updates present in the RR, like titanium valves and conrods, and a 208hp output at 13,000rpm. Its torque peak of 117Nm arrives at 11,000rpm.
There’s the same bold up-and-at-’em style, the beautiful four into two pipes, a tapered pair each side being an MV Agusta styling statement. There are also aerodynamic wings to keep the front end grounded on track; the effect is evidently quite noticeable above 200km/h.
Where the RR is just an out-and-out badass, the 1000 RS is aimed at those who want the MV as a daily ride, so the seat has more padding and the clip ons are slightly easier to reach. Why the engine is even Euro5 compliant. Okay, so the Ohlins electronic suspension with NIX EC forks and TTX rear has been replaced by fully adjustable Marzocchi boingers and Sachs shock.
But there are high-end items like Brembo Stylema radial-mount brakes, an IMU-based cornering ABS and TC package along with wheelie control, and a 5.5inch TFT screen, amongst other things. There are also forged footpegs and different wheels and mirrors.
Dry weight is up about 10kg on that of the RR, at 196kg. If you’re dead set on a Streetfighter V4 S, Tuono V4 1100 Factory, an S 1000 RR M-Sport, Yamaha R1 M or an H2 of some description, you should probably check this out as well before making the final decision.
