MV Augusta Brutale 800 vs. Speed Triple R vs. what else?

[SPP]

A mate is looking to buy a motorcycle again and do a bit of roaming. Find some space I guess.

He hasn't ridden for about 6-7 years and was riding old Kawasaki's in Germany and around Europe (Zephyr 750, GTR1000, GPZ, some others but I can't remember).

He's looking for a naked middle weight and something with character. The MV is top of his list.

Are they any good? Backup service ok here? other options? (...Monster)

[Mort]

The MV looks awesome and got a good write up in AMCN a week back.... Thats the one to go for

[AllanB]

I'd get the MV800 (when do they arrive?) over the Triumph 675.

How long before Triumph bring out a 800........ They already have the base engine in those trail/road things that could be hot rodded.

[SPP]

I'd get the MV800 (when do they arrive?)

Red Baron Ak said they had one in a carton.

[BigAl]

Red Baron Ak said they had one in a carton.

Saw one at the Hampton Downs playday, apparently the one going around the mags for reviews.

Price was quite a bit steeper than the 675 at $22k but would be a nice ride as it has more torque and adjustable suspension.

[HenryDorsetCase]

New Street Triple R is $17990 + ORC. Very well specced with a lot of fruit. New for 13 is the factory under engine exhaust replacing the twin underseat one (which is where a lot of the claimed 6kg weight saving has come from). Plus it either has, or has as an option, ABS. ABS would be useful on a street bike I reckon. Little bit more power too I think.

I own a round eye street triple R which is a great bike - but on balance I will not be buying a new one this year.

Street and Sport in christchurch has a Brutale 675 on the floor. $18500 + ORC. It is absolutely gorgeous. Build quality and component quality looks very good.

I have sat on it in the showroom, and had a close look over it. Really really nice.

That is a VERY difficult decision, and it would come down to what you wanted to ride and how you thought you would get on with backup and parts.

both of them are quite compact, but with high-ish seat heights.... if he is a big lad he should buy a Speed Triple.

[Kermit250]

Definitely get the MV. If you have a choice of what to open the garage to look at what would you chose? A bike needs to inspire its rider to get on it as well as deliver a great ride, the 800 Brutale fits that bill nicely.

Except for one problem..... He won't be happy with any other bike but an MV if he clicks with it from then on.

MV's normally require a very committed rider to enjoy them but these new Brutale's are quite a bit easier to get on and go :headbang:

[Hitcher]

Mr Kawasaki has a newly released Z800 that could be well worth a look.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Mr Kawasaki has a newly released Z800 that could be well worth a look.

Yamaha FZ8 too: well reviewed.

Suzuki Vagina Gladius? About all you would get in a Honda (were you that way inclined) would be one of those NC700's

[MD]

Definitely get the MV. If you have a choice of what to open the garage to look at what would you chose? A bike needs to inspire its rider to get on it as well as deliver a great ride, the 800 Brutale fits that bill nicely.



Spot on. Why would you own a bike that gave you a soft on whenever you laid eyes on it. The new Street trip is a bit of an eye sore to me.

The MV 800 is a bargain at $22,000. They're already here but you better get in quick though. The first 2 in Wgtn were sold before the dust had time to settle.

If I'd known last year that there was an 800 triple coming from MV I would have waited.

[roogazza]

If I'd known last year that there was an 800 triple coming from MV I would have waited.

Go on MD, make it a red one and mum won't even know the difference from the F3 sitting in the garage ? haha.:sweatdrop

[SPP]

So no problems with dealer backup? will pass it on.

sound of a triple, looks hell cool with single sided swing arm and red trellis frame, extra grunt over a 675, nimble

Shit, if I had the money I’d get one.

[yod]

bike porn

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/255512464.jpg

fap fap fap....

[manxkiwi]

Comparison is with the Speed (1050) isn't it? Not the Street (675). Different kettle of fish. Both good though I reckon.

The post about a sports 800 from Triumph: They've basically said they won't do one as it would undermine both the 675 and 1050 models (of course they don't have a 1050 full sport bike). Would be awesome though eh? We can only hope they change their minds sometime.

Mate of mine has the big Brutale, silly things let it down, like not being able to adjust the suspension anywhere approaching easily. That said, it's a fine looking bike and I guess it goes into the category of 'Italian supermodel', high cost, hard to live with, but man what a looker.

[SPman]

Spot on. Why would you own a bike that gave you a soft on whenever you laid eyes on it. The new Street trip is a bit of an eye sore to me.

The MV 800 is a bargain at $22,000. They're already here but you better get in quick though. The first 2 in Wgtn were sold before the dust had time to settle.

If I'd known last year that there was an 800 triple coming from MV I would have waited.

A bargain at $22K !!!!!

$16,490 over here (and don't go converting Aus to NZ, because that's not the way it works - we get paid in $au and earn more of them for the same job....)

[SPP]

Comparison is with the Speed (1050) isn't it? Not the Street (675)

Analogous with a 750 sports in that it shares everything about the 600 but with more donk? (or in this case the 675 Brutale)

I know nothing about either one so my only contribution was "looks cool, what happens if it breaks"

He's still looking so...dunno.

[pritch]

The new Kawasaki 800 seems better accepted by magazines than the 750 of previous years.

Then there is the BMW 800GT which must be due to arrive imminently?

If the Speed Triple and MV Brutale 800 are under consideration then parhaps the Aprilia Tuono could also be worth a look.

[deeknow]

He's looking for a naked middle weight and something with character. The MV is top of his list.
Are they any good? Backup service ok here? other options? (...Monster)
Hey all. Been away from KB for awhile, but a long time member - yeah hold the jokes about talk-back radio :)

This post pricked up my ears, and hopefully I can give your mate some feedback if it's not too late. I bought an MV 800 about 4 weeks ago, having ridden it against a Speed Triple (and oddly enough a new '12 Blade) on the same day. I was coming off a 675 Daytona (which I loved) having owned a Blade previously and was lusting after something with a tad more Torque than the 675, and a little more accessibility/flexibility to use as a weekend thrill seeker as well as a part time commuter.

Borrowed a '13 Speed Triple from Bayride in Tauranga and was really impressed. Had tested an '10 model a couple of years ago and it seemed very familiar, oodles of torque, surprisingly light handling, silky smooth gearbox and engine, lovely exhaust note and I do like the looks of the new model. The Speed Triple is one of those universal road bikes that covers all bases, you could own one of them and be happy in all circumstances I reckon, and the ride is so comfy you could sit on the thing all day.

Unfortunately for the Speed Triple, and for Chris at Bayride (great guy, knows his products), I had just gotten off an hour long test ride on the demo 800 Brutale from GP Red Baron in Mt Maunganui and to be honest, I just couldn't stop thinking about the bloody thing :)

The MV is a fabulous machine. It looked fast sitting on the shop floor, it sounds awesome at start-up and idle, it feels naughty as hell when you sit on it, the engine screams like a banshee and pulls very well for an 800, gearbox and clutch are lovely and smooth for a new machine, and the geometry and gearing are as hooligan as hell.

Now, I'm no stunt rider, and the shop guys did warn me that it was in the Sport mode ECU setting on the way out the driveway, but I was thinking it cant really be that angry can it? So I took it easy out to the Welcome Bay loop road, onto some open road, wound on the throttle, and the bloody thing power stood straight away in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, without any encouragement really.

It was all I could do to not head straight back to the shop to start talking trade deals.

I've got no illusions about it being infallible, it's Italian after all right? For starters the bloody thing is supplied with a trickle charge battery charger coz the stock battery is so piss weak it loses a charge if left without a run for more than a couple of weeks. Also, the fuel injection system does some pretty weird shit in the Rain and non-Sport modes, and I had heard reports of the 675 Brutale doing the same thing (the 675 is 95% the same bike really). The guys at GP Red Baron have been very helpful, the first service has been done now (no probs) and they sourced and applied an updated ECU mapping from MV which has helped in a couple of areas, esp the low throttle/engine rev performance.

To be honest this thing is so much damned fun to ride I decided I'd just have to put up with the odd "unplanned" cost along the way by saving the loose change from the pub on Friday nights.

If you can't tell already, I am delighted with it.

pic of my machine: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8644856798_819022a221_b.jpg

Getting back to your mate though, I'm wondering if the Speed Triple (esp the R version if he's got lots of moolah) might be the better machine for him if he's been off a bike for awhile. The MV is a blast, but it does require some concentration while you're riding it. I do have a commuter bike as well so the MV wont be my only machine. As I mentioned earlier I think a Speed Triple would be a great all rounder.

Feel free to IM me if you think he'd want to know more about the Brutale though. Or if anyone wants to post back here, go-for-gold :)

[BigAl]

Nice bike, will be nice to know what they tour like and for everday riding.

You'll need to come on a few rides with the laxed out riders so we can get a look at it.:niceone:

[SPP]

Cheers.
I've txt him a link to your post, maybe he'll get excited.

[carbonhed]

What kind of tank range are you getting on it? Been looking at the Tuono V4 and that's a major issue for me.

[deeknow]

You'll need to come on a few rides with the laxed out riders so we can get a look at it.:niceone:
Hey Al, yeah mate have just been catching up on the Waikato threads, will follow that LOR thread and try and make it along to a group ride soon


What kind of tank range are you getting on it? Been looking at the Tuono V4 and that's a major issue for me.
It's a 16.5L tank and really its been fine so far, a few good longish range rides already and no surprises so far fuel wise, just stopping to top up at the usual places you would on any ride.
Not meaning to be a prick or anything, but are you serious about not buying the Tuono just because of fuel range???? Do you live in the outback? :msn-wink:

[carbonhed]

It's a 16.5L tank and really its been fine so far, a few good longish range rides already and no surprises so far fuel wise, just stopping to top up at the usual places you would on any ride.
Not meaning to be a prick or anything, but are you serious about not buying the Tuono just because of fuel range???? Do you live in the outback? :msn-wink:

:laugh: No I don't live in the outback but I like riding there. If you start caning the Tuono it's staggeringly thirsty... less than 160k's per tank. Would that go around East cape? Who wants to be the prick that's constantly needing to refuel... maybe I need more tolerant mates.

[deeknow]

If you start caning the Tuono it's staggeringly thirsty... less than 160k's per tank
Wowza, that is a bit lean.


Who wants to be the prick that's constantly needing to refuel... maybe I need more tolerant mates
:laugh:

ps - I notice your last post was #666 for you :devil2:

[carbonhed]

:laugh:

ps - I notice your last post was #666 for you :devil2:

Cool. Maybe I'll leave it there... doh!

[Kermit250]

Hey all. Been away from KB for awhile, but a long time member - yeah hold the jokes about talk-back radio :)

This post pricked up my ears, and hopefully I can give your mate some feedback if it's not too late. I bought an MV 800 about 4 weeks ago, having ridden it against a Speed Triple (and oddly enough a new '12 Blade) on the same day. I was coming off a 675 Daytona (which I loved) having owned a Blade previously and was lusting after something with a tad more Torque than the 675, and a little more accessibility/flexibility to use as a weekend thrill seeker as well as a part time commuter.

Borrowed a '13 Speed Triple from Bayride in Tauranga and was really impressed. Had tested an '10 model a couple of years ago and it seemed very familiar, oodles of torque, surprisingly light handling, silky smooth gearbox and engine, lovely exhaust note and I do like the looks of the new model. The Speed Triple is one of those universal road bikes that covers all bases, you could own one of them and be happy in all circumstances I reckon, and the ride is so comfy you could sit on the thing all day.

Unfortunately for the Speed Triple, and for Chris at Bayride (great guy, knows his products), I had just gotten off an hour long test ride on the demo 800 Brutale from GP Red Baron in Mt Maunganui and to be honest, I just couldn't stop thinking about the bloody thing :)

The MV is a fabulous machine. It looked fast sitting on the shop floor, it sounds awesome at start-up and idle, it feels naughty as hell when you sit on it, the engine screams like a banshee and pulls very well for an 800, gearbox and clutch are lovely and smooth for a new machine, and the geometry and gearing are as hooligan as hell.

Now, I'm no stunt rider, and the shop guys did warn me that it was in the Sport mode ECU setting on the way out the driveway, but I was thinking it cant really be that angry can it? So I took it easy out to the Welcome Bay loop road, onto some open road, wound on the throttle, and the bloody thing power stood straight away in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, without any encouragement really.

It was all I could do to not head straight back to the shop to start talking trade deals.

I've got no illusions about it being infallible, it's Italian after all right? For starters the bloody thing is supplied with a trickle charge battery charger coz the stock battery is so piss weak it loses a charge if left without a run for more than a couple of weeks. Also, the fuel injection system does some pretty weird shit in the Rain and non-Sport modes, and I had heard reports of the 675 Brutale doing the same thing (the 675 is 95% the same bike really). The guys at GP Red Baron have been very helpful, the first service has been done now (no probs) and they sourced and applied an updated ECU mapping from MV which has helped in a couple of areas, esp the low throttle/engine rev performance.

To be honest this thing is so much damned fun to ride I decided I'd just have to put up with the odd "unplanned" cost along the way by saving the loose change from the pub on Friday nights.

If you can't tell already, I am delighted with it.

pic of my machine: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8644856798_819022a221_b.jpg

Getting back to your mate though, I'm wondering if the Speed Triple (esp the R version if he's got lots of moolah) might be the better machine for him if he's been off a bike for awhile. The MV is a blast, but it does require some concentration while you're riding it. I do have a commuter bike as well so the MV wont be my only machine. As I mentioned earlier I think a Speed Triple would be a great all rounder.

Feel free to IM me if you think he'd want to know more about the Brutale though. Or if anyone wants to post back here, go-for-gold :)

Welcome to the MV fold. They are usually bikes that not many people get until they own one.

Very rewarding, and the theme song is just beautiful.

Surprisingly for an exotic, they are very easy to work on and actually quite reliable (as long as they are ridden often and not left as garage queens), plus the valve adjustment is just standard shim over bucket with cam chains

[nodrog]

Welcome to the MV fold. They are usually bikes that not many people get until they own one.

Very rewarding, and the theme song is just beautiful.

Surprisingly for an exotic, they are very easy to work on and actually quite reliable (as long as they are ridden often and not left as garage queens), plus the valve adjustment is just standard shim over bucket with cam chains

If they are that easy to work on i hope you have tightened your numplate bracket? Must be a big job, its been hanging half off for 18 months.

[Kermit250]

If they are that easy to work on i hope you have tightened your numplate bracket? Must be a big job, its been hanging half off for 18 months.

Lol fixed that ages ago. Been a while since we've ridden together huh? That was more a case of laziness than anything

[nodrog]

Lol fixed that ages ago. Been a while since we've ridden together huh? That was more a case of laziness than anything

yeah, I got sick of trying to keep up.

[Kermit250]

yeah, I got sick of trying to keep up.

Lol maybe because you forgot to check your mirrors and realise everyone was behind you rather than in front :laugh:

Selling the sidecar?? Getting a new one or giving it up??

[deeknow]

Welcome to the MV fold. They are usually bikes that not many people get until they own one
Hey Kermit. Thanks for the welcome mate :niceone:

Was a little nervous laying down that much moolah for a bike but am very pleased I did, so far. Absolutely love it. You on a Brutale or an F3/F4 or something?

[Winston001]

Forgive my innocence but isn't there a Ducati model which fits in here? Nothing wrong with MV and Triumph of course, just that Ducati ticks the same boxes and er...its a Ducati. Nuff said (mine got broken sob)...

[Kermit250]

Ride an MV, no offense to Ducati fans, but in my experience (I like Ducati's) - The MV is worlds apart, a little more exotic and a very different animal

[deeknow]

Forgive my innocence but isn't there a Ducati model which fits in here? Nothing wrong with MV and Triumph of course, just that Ducati ticks the same boxes and er...its a Ducati. Nuff said (mine got broken sob)...
Hey Winston, yeah good call mate. I actually have ridden the Hypermotard (and a couple of Monsters), and think it's a fabulous machine also, but did feel like I was being blown off the thing at 'higher" open road speeds. The seat was a little flat and there just didnt seem to be enough to hold onto or grip with the knees etc. In the twisties it was awesome and would love to own one, but not as my primary sport bike.

The other machine I looked seriously at was the Husky Nuda 900. Went into my local dealer but he didn't have a demo, and didn't want to fire up his new one (which is perfectly understandable). There was (and I believe still is) only one demo available anywhere near Hamilton or Tauranga, and thats at the dealer in Morrinsville. I was about to head there next but after riding the MV to honest I had made my mind up. Would love to hear from anyone who does own a Nuda though, out of interes?

[MD]

Hey deeknow can you share your impressions of the B800 now that you have had it for a month.

I wouldn't be concerned by the battery trickle charger. The new MV triples do have some weird electrical set up that supposedly has the battery always discharging, unless you remove a certain fuse if you need to 'store it'.

Apart from owners in far northern countries like Sweden, that have a summer only riding season, most of us shouldn't leave such beautiful bikes unused for months at a time anyway. If you don't use it you deserve to have to push start it as punishment

[Big Dave]

I would choose the Triumph by a large margin.

The Triumph is a more compliant bike for street use and the security of ongoing service and support is no contest.

[dickie]

:laugh: No I don't live in the outback but I like riding there. If you start caning the Tuono it's staggeringly thirsty... less than 160k's per tank. Would that go around East cape? Who wants to be the prick that's constantly needing to refuel... maybe I need more tolerant mates.
im from wanaka and travelled to the north island in feb and done the east cape with no probs on my tuono v4 and all i can say is the wow factor on this bike outways any fuel consumption issues and if you wanna go caning a tuono around east cape you probably wont make it to the next fuel station anyway as you probably wrapped round a horse or something

[98tls]

[QUOTE=Winston001;111, just that Ducati ticks the same boxes and er...its a Ducati. Nuff said (mine got broken sob)...[/QUOTE]

:lol:Theres always one.A looonnggg time Durattly fan myself but jesus Winston "its a Ducati" hasnt cut it for awhile now.Personally i would take the Trumpet because...well because its a Trumpet,am jealous of the guys choices to be honest and am sure whatever he settles on will provide many happy miles.

[carbonhed]

im from wanaka and travelled to the north island in feb and done the east cape with no probs on my tuono v4 and all i can say is the wow factor on this bike outways any fuel consumption issues and if you wanna go caning a tuono around east cape you probably wont make it to the next fuel station anyway as you probably wrapped round a horse or something

:laugh: Yep it's the wild west alright. Thanks for the info and congrats on the bike.

[sinned]

Have been reviewing nakeds for awhile and had the duc 848 street fighter on the list. My first emotive choice is the MV 800 Brut, closely followed by 848 SF. I will be keeping the Busa for the longer and wet weather rides, so a naked is for fine weather and day rides. Have had a Speed Triple and would like to try something different; although if I was to have just 1 bike the Speed Triple is a sensible choice. Owning 2 bikes is not a sensible thing to do so it is between the MV and Streetfighter.

Thoughts on the Streetfighter?

[matt2241]

Have been reviewing nakeds for awhile and had the duc 848 street fighter on the list. My first emotive choice is the MV 800 Brut, closely followed by 848 SF. I will be keeping the Busa for the longer and wet weather rides, so a naked is for fine weather and day rides. Have had a Speed Triple and would like to try something different; although if I was to have just 1 bike the Speed Triple is a sensible choice. Owning 2 bikes is not a sensible thing to do so it is between the MV and Streetfighter.

Thoughts on the Streetfighter?



MV is the riskier choice, with the liklihood of a better return. Test rode one and will be ordering the Italia model in a week or so.

Ducati SF was in contention, but it is just so damn ugly. 848cc engine is not a patch on the B800 either, SF seems alot bulkier. Would be worth you test riding the SF if you can to get the feeling of just how good the MV is.

[matt2241]

A bargain at $22K !!!!!

$16,490 over here (and don't go converting Aus to NZ, because that's not the way it works - we get paid in $au and earn more of them for the same job....)

Id rather pay the extra $$ and have NZ roads, NZ climate, NZ police and NZ laws. Only so much fun you can have on straight flat roads, in 50 degree heat with a police speed camera every 5kms.

[SPP]

He ended up buying a BMW R 1200 R 90 year special edition. Nice.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/_common/img/bikes/urban/2012/r1200r/90years-special/vis_header_r1200r_90years-special.jpg