Almost a decade has passed since the appearance of the first Brutale, a prestigious, naked motorcycle with fascinating design, power, and speed. Its characteristics, unique and unmistakable, have made it famous the world over, enabling it to win coveted prizes as the most beautiful motorcycle of the year. Of all the world’s motorcycle manufacturers, only MV Agusta obsessively pursues aesthetic perfection in its component design, because its aim is to make beautiful bike what others make only functional. And, without being presumptuous, the Brutale is the best example there is on the market. MV Agusta calls the 2010 Brutale 990R and 1090RR a silent revolution. UK prices have yet to be announced, but in America the range starts at $15,000 (£9500) for the 990R, with the 1090R coming in at $18,000 (£11,400).
The cage of pipes in chromium molybdenum steel, which constitutes the frame, retains the TIG welded trellis structure, but with a taller, lighter, and more rigid design. Taking a cue from the aeronautical industry, MV opted to use the more precise and more costly TIG welding process to make the frame stronger and more attractive. The extension of the rear swingarm (which has been entirely redesigned and is 2.2 lb lighter) lengthens the wheelbase for greater precision in the ride, increasing the torsional rigidity and decreasing the weight. The new wheelbase also reinforces the Brutale’s signature stability. The weight reduction in the wheels and swingarm provides improved suspension operation.
The new lines of the instrument cluster have abandoned the soft shapes of the previous cluster to achieve a style that is in keeping with the modern, slender features of the bodywork. It is designed to fit a personalized, interchangeable cover, which the rider can select from those available in the accessory line. The instruments are also all new, working in conjunction with the engine control module via a high speed CAN line, retaining the split dial, with the rev counter, which is even more precise. The two LCD screens have been enlarged and have even more functions.
The 1090RR’s inline 4-cylinder 1078cc engine features 16 radial valves, and unlike the 990R model, is mated to a slipper clutch. The engine size has increased from 982.3 cc to 998 cc without any variation in layout. The cylinder bore and stroke have gone from 79 x 50.1 mm to 76 x 55 mm. The reconfiguration of the 4 cylinders, with 16 radial valves, seeks to make power delivery smoother, with a response that is more progressive, solid, and harmonious than before, especially when opening-closing and when accelerating.
[Source: Superbike UK]
