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Not-A-Review: 2015 MV Agusta Motorcycles

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As promised, here is the second part of our trip down to Fontana, California to meet with MV Agusta USA, go over the company’s new business plan for not only America, but also worldwide, and to ride the current crop of their 2015 machinery.

I should preface right out of the gate that this is not a review in regards as to what you’ve come to expect from Asphalt & Rubber. I am not-so-cleverly calling this a “not-a-review” assessment of MV Agusta’s 2015 models. I say this because we had a very limited amount of time on each bike, as there was roughly 10 machines to divide our attention amongst.

Our course was the infield section of AutoClub Speedway, which is very tight and short. And to add to the mix, we had intermittent light rain, which made half of the course fairly slippery.

Think of this article as not far from someone test riding a bunch of motorcycles at a dealership, with similar duration and limits put in place…except that this someone rides motorcycles for a living.

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Bikes

Technical Specifications of the MV Agusta Stradale 800

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Earlier today, we showed you the first photo of the MV Agusta Stradale 800. Essentially an MV Agusta Rivale with touring bags and a windscreen, the technical specifications of the MV Agusta Stradale tell a slightly different story though.

The biggest different between the Rivale and the Stradale comes from the 798cc three-cylinder engine, which is down 10hp, and thus makes 115hp at 11,000 rpm. The power disadvantage seems to come from a lower rev limit — a simple but effective way to differentiate the Stradale from the Rivale to consumers.

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Bikes

LEAKED: First Photo of the MV Agusta Stradale 800

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Our Bothan spies are hard at work, ahead of this year’s EICMA show, and thus we have another leaked photo for your viewing pleasure. Giving us our first glimpse at the rumored MV Agusta Stradale 800, we can see that Varese is borrowing heavily from Ducati’s playbook.

If the Rivale was MV Agusta’s response to the Ducati Hypermotard, then the Stradale is the company’s riff on the Ducati Hyperstrada, as our photo shows what appears to be a Rivale with bags and a windscreen attached.

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Recall

MV Agusta Recalls Certain 2014 Models for Faulty Hardware

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MV Agusta has announced that it will be recalling 223 motorcycles with production dates ranging from December 18, 2013 through March 10, 2014. The recall affects the 2014 MV Agusta Brutale 800, 2014 MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster, 2014 MV Agusta Brutale 675, 2014 MV Agusta Brutale RR, 2014 MV Agusta F3 800, 2014 MV Agusta F3 675, and 2014 MV Agusta Rivale 800.

According to MV Agusta, it was discovered that that some of its motorcycles were produced using a swingarm pin that is secured by a non-conforming fixing screw, which is subject to potential failure during normal use of the motorcycle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

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Bikes

48 Hi-Res Photos of the MV Agusta Rivale 800

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The only way to describe the machines that come out of Varese, Italy is to call them rolling pieces of art, as the name MV Agusta has become synonymous with iconic motorcycle design. The latest from the Italian marque may cause some controversy in that regard though, as you either love or hate the lines of the 2014 MV Agusta Rivale 800.

For us, there are many aspects of the machine that we find exquisite, though if we had to draw one criticism, it would be the triangular headlight shape. Still, looking at the lines that comprise the three-piped exhaust, the shape of the “stinger” tail, and the proportions of this maxi-motard, we find great comfort in the Rivale’s aesthetics.

Our friend Iwan van der Valk from Testmotor.nl recently tested the MV Agusta Rivale 800, and called it “an exclusive product which will never sell in great numbers…which will probably suit the Tifosi of this brand perfectly fine.”

We are inclined to agree. Whereas the F3 was built with mass-consumption in mind, the Rivale is aimed at the already small hypermotard market. A bike for  discerning few, we have 48 high-resolution photos of the 2014 MV Agusta Rivale 800 after the jump.

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Reviews

Ride Review: MV Agusta Rivale 800

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Attending MV Agusta’s launch of the 2014 MV Agusta Rivale 800 in France, our friend Iwan van der Valk from Testmotor.nl has been kind enough to share his thoughts and review regarding Varese’s newest machine.

Getting a chance to put the MV Agusta Rivale 800 through its paces on the roads near Nice, France, Iwan’s thoughts are timely, as MV Agusta is just a week away from debuting its next range of models at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. – Jensen

It has been more than a year since MV Agusta announced the Rivale 800, its Ducati Hypermotard inspired new model. And here it finally is, ready to be delivered for early 2014.

The Rivale is the third motorcycle based on MV Agusta’s own 800cc three-cylinder engine, after the naked Brutale and the fully faired F3; and at this moment, it doesn’t look like there will be a 675 or 1090 version for buyers to chose from, as is the case with MV Agusta’s other models.

The Rivale 800 looks like a supermoto but the seating position goes more towards an elevated naked bike, with an unhindered view ahead. MV Agusta motorcycles are always very stylish and the Rivale of course is no exception.

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News

MV Agusta Rivale Production in the Second-Half of 2013

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Breaking cover in November 2012, the MV Agusta Rivale 800 is the Italian brand’s newest addition to its motorbike family, and features a new 800cc three-cylinder engine, which also powers the mid-range MV Agusta Brutale 800.

Whereas most brands debut a model at the INTERMOT or EICMA shows in the fall, and then release that models in the spring of the following year, MV Agusta has a slightly different timeline, which could make things interesting for when the Rivale actually makes it onto dealership floors.

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Bikes

More Photos of the MV Agusta Rivale

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Debuting the MV Agusta Rivale at the EICMA motorcycle show, the company from Varese didn’t give us too much in terms of press photos of its new 800cc hypermotard. Based off the MV Agusta Brutale 800, the Rivale has been highly anticipated ahead of the Milan show, and with our first glimpses of the machine, it is clear that the Rivale is has a look that is unique in the MV Agusta line (though you may find some hints from other Italian manufacturers within its lines).

We go back and forth on whether we like the new MV Agusta Rivale, and our feelings on the machine might depend on which angle we are looking at it from. Beautiful in profile, the Rivale has an intriguing tail section as well, which seems to be a design element that the Italian company triumphs with consistently.

That headlight though…it is like the Ducati Streetfighter, only worse. That being said, this author criticized the SF1098 when it first debuted at EICMA, and then promptly bought one when he got back to the USA, so…we’ll let you make your own minds up on that one.

Like the Ducati, we might have to reserve judgment until we see a Rivale in the flesh, as so often is the case with motorcycles and the internet. Priced €500 cheaper than the now water-cooled 2013 Ducati Hypermotard, and €1,500 cheaper than the Ducati Streetfighter 848, one thing is clear: MV Agusta means to take a piece of Ducati’s business with what we figure will be an $11,000 bike — interesting stuff for sure. There are a few photos of the MV Agusta Rivale live from EICMA after the jump — courtesy of our good friends at OmniMoto.

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Bikes

2013 MV Agusta Rivale 800 Breaks Cover

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MV Agusta continues to push out details and photos of its 2013 models ahead of next week’s EICMA show, giving us our first proper look of the 2013 MV Agusta Rivale 800. Sharing its 798cc three-cylinder motor with the MV Agusta Brutale 800, the MV Agusta Rivale 800 is the Varese brand’s take on the niche hypermotard market.

Giving us already a glimpse of the MV Agusta Rivale with the company’s concept sketch of the machine, it is clear from the finished product that MV Agusta has channeled a great deal of the Ducati Hypermotard in the Rivale, with the two bike’s sharing a very similar visage.

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Bikes

Official Sketch of the MV Agusta Rivale

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Ahead of its debut in a couple week at the EICMA show in Milan, the MV Agusta Rivale has broken some of its cover, with the Italian “motorcycle art” manufacturer releasing an official sketch of the upcoming hypermotard-styled motorcycle. Obviously looking to drum-up some buzz about MV Agusta’s third addition to the company’s three-cylinder range, we think the sketch will have the desired effect.

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Rumors

The MV Agusta Rivale Will Be 800cc?

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According to Moto Revue, MV Agusta is set to debut an 800cc-powered model later this year, which is an interesting tidbit for anyone who has been following MV Agusta lately. Set to debut the MV Agusta Rivale at EICMA this November, the newest model from the historic Italian is said to be a hypermotard-esque machine that is loosely based off the MV Agusta Brutale 675.

Following the logical genesis of the Brutale 675 using the MV Agusta F3’s 675cc three-cylinder motor, most assumed that the MV Agusta Rivale would feature only chassis changes, and retain the same supersport-inspired motor. However, the news from Moto Revue puts that idea into doubt, and likely tips the Rivale to being an 800cc rival to bikes like the spied Ducati Hypermotard 848 and Husqvarna Nuda 900.

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