2011 MV Agusta Brutale 920

After the news yesterday that the Canadian distributor for MV Agusta had posted pricing on its website for a new Brutale model, MV Agusta has quietly released photos and information on the 2011 MV Agusta Brutale 920, an entry-level version of its big street-naked motorcycle. With its four-cylinder radial valve 921cc motor, the MV Agusta Brutale 920 shares the same crankshaft as the Brutale 1090RR (55mm stroke), resulting in this over-square motor making 129hp with its 73mm bore. Available in matte black and white, we expect the new Bruatle to his US shores with a ~$14,595 price tag.

With 50mm USD Marzocchi forks, Sachs rear shock, Brembo radial brakes, and Marelli 5SM ECU, the new Brutale 920 has all the right parts to make it an Italian motorcycle. MV Agusta has also made its 8-level adjustable traction control system standard, and the new Brutale has two driving modes (normal and sport). Paint will come in either a matte black (shown), or a white color scheme that hasn’t been released yet.

New for MV Agusta, the Brutale 920 comes with a one-piece banana seat, which according to MV makes the bike comfier (it’s also lower and narrower than the other Brutale models), but to our eye just makes the whole package look a lot cheaper than its predecessors, which isn’t a great thing to achieve when building an “entry-level” model.

Based off the same chassis as the 990R and 1090RR, the frame is a trellis steel tube coupled to aluminum side plates. Not all is the same though, as the steering column has been modified so the stiffness is better suited for easy driving through city streets. The suspension also comes out of the box with softer settings, making for a more comfortable ride, but is fully-adjustable.

MV Agusta USA hasn’t posted pricing yet, but we expected the 2011 MV Agusta Brutale 920 to cost around $14,595 if MV’s international pricing schemes hold true. If you’re in the market for a slightly cheaper Brutale, this might be the bike for you, but personally we’d wait until the 675cc three-cylinder “Brutalina” comes out (hopefully next year). Bonus points to the A&R reader who can spot the photographer’s boom lamp in the shots below (twice!).