Editing MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = [[MV Agusta]] Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition
|image            = [[File:MV-Agusta-Brutale-990R-LE-150th-Anniversary-3.jpg|frameless|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition]]
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = MV Agusta
|parent_company   =
|production       = 2010
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine           = Four stroke, transverse four cylinder. DOHC, 4 radial valves per cylinder
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 13.0:1
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = Digital CDI
|spark_plug       =
|battery          =
|transmission     = 6 Speed
|frame            = CrMo Steel tubular trellis (TIG welded) Rear swing arm [[pivot]] plates: material Aluminium alloy
|suspension       =Front: UPSIDE - DOWN telescopic [[hydraulic]] fork with external and separated adjustment of rebound and [[compression damping]] and of spring preload Rod dia. 50 mm <br>
Rear: Progressive, single [[shock absorber]] with [[rebound damping]] and spring preload adjustment Single sided swing arm: materiale Aluminium alloy
|brakes           =Front: 2x 310mm discs 4 [[piston]] [[caliper]] <br>Rear: Single 210mm disc 4 piston caliper
|front_tire       = {{tire|120/70 ZR 17}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|190/55 ZR 17}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1438 mm / 56.6 in
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      = 830 mm / 32.6 in
|dry_weight       = 190 kg / 418.9 lbs
|wet_weight       =
|fuel_capacity    = 23 Litres / 6.0 US gal
|oil_capacity     =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}



==Engine==
The engine was a Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder. DOHC, 4 radial valves per cylinder. The engine featured a 13.0:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Drive==
Power was moderated via the Wet, multiplate.  

==Chassis==
It came with a 120/70 ZR 17 front [[tire]] and a 190/55 ZR 17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 310mm discs 4 piston caliper in the front and a Single 210mm disc 4 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a  UPSIDE - DOWN telescopic hydraulic fork with external and separated adjustment of rebound and compression damping and of spring preload Rod dia. 50 mm while the rear was equipped with a Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound damping and spring preload adjustment Single sided swing arm: materiale Aluminium alloy. The Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition was fitted with a 23 Litres / 6.0 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 190 kg / 418.9 lbs. The wheelbase was 1438 mm / 56.6 in long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:MV-Agusta-Brutale-990R-LE-150th-Anniversary-3.jpg|600px|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition]]
[[File:Mv-990r-Bruale-150-anver.jpg|600px|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition]]
[[File:Mv-990r-Bruale-150-anvery.jpg|600px|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition]]
[[File:MV-Agusta-Brutale-990R-LE-150th-Anniversary-2.jpg|600px|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition]]

== Overview ==
MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian
Unification Edition




















MV Agusta is commemorating 150 years since the
unification of Italy with a special series of bikes based on the Brutale
990R.The exclusive Brutale, which will only be available for 150 customers,"
renders even more elite an Italian designed object of cult distinguished by a
strong personality and perfect union of technology and style."
The livery is highlighted by the dashboard cover,
which is the same color as the bodywork, spoiler and special tail that features
only a single seat, the Italian flag and the number 150 make this model
immediately recognizable, also thanks to the motorcycle serial number which is
inscribed on a plate located on the upper steering brace. The motorcycles are
offered in three color schemes: white, red, and black.




Review
When Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta first announced
the 2010 Brutale, there were some who questioned whether it was rational for MV
to attempt an update that made the bike less, ahem... brutal. We decided it
would be best to wait and see the bike in person and live with it for a while
before making any such judgments  particularly since judging a vehicle solely
by its spec sheet almost never has any real merit. And we're certainly glad that
we did.

Upon our first few minutes with the new Brutale 990R, we had developed an
initial gut reaction: From the instantly recognizable styling to the raspy
exhaust note of its heavily revised inline four-cylinder engine, the 2010
Brutale is every bit the sense-tingling naked bike that its predecessor was.

This revelation, though, raises a couple of questions. Is the new Brutale too
much like the old Brutale? If so, is that really such a bad thing? And finally,
would the new influx of cash and the corresponding watchful eye of current
(though probably not much longer) owner Harley-Davidson equal a watered-down
Italian experience? To borrow a phrase from the marketing types from The Shack,
You've got questions... We've got answers. Read on for enlightenment.

Let's take our usual walk around the new-for-2010 Brutale 990R to take in all
the details. At first glance, the casual observer may see very little clues that
MV's new naked sportbike is in fact all-new. A closer inspection reveals that
nearly nothing is carried over from the last generation. MV claims that over 85%
of the 2010 Brutale is new and not interchangeable with the 2009 model, but it
still might take a ride or two to prove the new one is sufficiently different
from the old. Whether this seemingly carry-over design language is good or bad
is up to individual tastes.


As far as we're concerned, the old Brutale was still one of the
most visually stimulating designs on the market, and so the fact that the
made-over 2010 model looks so much like the previous generation is anything but
a bad thing. Further, the more time we spent, the more the unique details and
updates jump out at you... so much so that we found ourselves just staring at
every angle while conducting our photo shoot as the sun went down behind the
mountains. It wasn't until we unloaded our memory card that we realized we had
taken over 300 pictures in just one sitting.

On the other hand, we imagine that there is a sizable portion of the population
that doesn't want their brand new motorcycle to look anything like its
predecessor, especially when said predecessor has been around for nearly a
decade. For that contingent, the new Brutale had better offer something to make
it stand out from the crowd  namely, an unforgettable riding experience. If
that's the case, we come bearing very good news. The 2010 Brutale 990R
accelerates, stops and flicks from side to side with an authority that proves
the 2010 edition has totally earned its name. On the other hand, it's also
significantly more comfortable and accommodating than the first-generation
Brutale. Yes, we know that sounds oxy-moronic, but bear with us.

Swing a leg over the 2010 Brutale 990R and you'll find your posterior gently
resting on a surprisingly comfortable perch. Yes, it's pretty high up there at
nearly 33 inches off the ground, but the reach to the handlebars is now much
more comfortable and natural than before, and the pegs have been relocated so
that your legs don't feel too cramped. Further refinements to the basic naked
package include slightly relaxed steering geometry (a 24.5-degree rake and four
inches of trail, for what it's worth) and a 56.6-inch wheelbase made possible by
a swingarm that's 20 millimeters longer and 2.2 pounds lighter than before. All
of these updates add up to a finished product that's just a wee bit easier to
handle than the last Brutale.

That's all well and good, but how does it perform? Twist the key to the On
position and you'll be greeted by a chorus of chirps and whirs as the bike's
on-board computers go through their initial start-up routine. The dashboard
combines a suitably large analog tachometer on the left with a digital display
at the lower right of its dial. A much larger rectangular LCD screen displays
all manner of important data, including speed, gear indication, water
temperature and a chronometer that keeps track of lap times. Once the electronic
gadgetry informs you that all is well and good in Brutale Land, it's time to
thumb the starter button.



The heavily updated engine fired up easily and reliably every time while in our
hands. Fueling seemed pretty good both at docile speeds and when hammering the
throttle with aggression, though it responds a bit more violently at part
throttle than you might initially expect. Crucially, the 2010 Brutale sounds as
if it has extreme antisocial tendencies, and that's even more true as the revs
rise. And rise they will, often and with authority. Just as with every one of
the 15,400 Brutales sold since its introduction, MV's proprietary inline-four
revs from idle to redline with almost as much vigor and verve of a racebike. We
didn't get the chance to sample the larger 1078cc model, but we can say with
absolute conviction that the 998cc powerplant in the 990R offers up plenty of
punch for a bike with the Brutale's lack of bodywork and sit-up-and-beg riding
position.

A handful of throttle in first gear from anything over 4,000 rpm will lift the
front wheel a few inches off the ground in an extremely controllable fashion,
and that rubber won't touch the ground again until you back off the throttle or
shift to second for an encore performance. A similar application from the right
wrist at anything near double digits on the tach in either of the first two
gears will give you a very clear look at the clouds above. Best to keep your
right foot hovering over the rear brake to keep those 139 horsepower and 78
pound-feet of torque in check.

The dual front discs with four-piston Brembo calipers combine with the single
rear disc and four-piston caliper to provide extremely strong deceleration
force, excellent modulation and zero fade despite repeated hard stops. Although
the uplevel 1090RR comes with Brembo Monobloc calipers clamping down on discs
that are 10 millimeters larger in diameter, we can't imagine any rider finding
fault with the binders on the lower-spec 990R we tested. Similarly, the
50-millimeter forks from Marzocchi, which are fully adjustable for compression,
rebound and preload, are beyond fault when set up properly for the rider's
weight. At the rear, a Sachs shock is adjustable for preload only and we'd say
it adequately props up the rear end, but doesn't seem quite as sophisticated or
supple as the fork.


Lean angle on both sides is plentiful and the Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires were
sufficiently sticky. We never noted any hard parts touching down despite plenty
of abrasion on our knee pucks. We're not quite sure what to say about the
Brutale's electronic traction control, other than to note that we never felt the
need to adjust the bike's computer out of Race Mode or to mess with the
eight-way traction control. In any case, we didn't ever sense any evidence of a
loss of traction. While a proper session at the track would surely tell the
entire tale, we'll just assume our consistently good rear grip means the
traction control system worked as designed since we know for sure the bike has
sufficient power to slide the rear at will. What we did notice, however, was the
unfortunate lack of a slipper clutch, which does come standard on the more
expensive 1090RR. When scrubbing speed and downshifting on the 990R, there's a
notable amount of tire chirping out back and even a small bit of chatter when
getting really aggressive.
In addition to the slipper clutch, which should really be standard fare for a
bike of this ilk, there are a few things we'd change about the new Brutale.
First, we wish there were less of a style compromise between the 990R and the
1090RR. To our eyes, the color palettes offered on the latter are much nicer
than those of the former. We'd also like to see the testa rossa (that'd be the
red engine head) standard on the 990R as it is on its pricier brother, as it
just screams Italian exotic. Less important, but slightly annoying, was the red
on the passenger seat didn't quite match the red of the bodywork. But we're
splitting hairs, here.
Beyond those admittedly minor demerits, we love ourselves some Brutale. Yes, it
is indeed less frenetic and easier-going than its forebear, but we're putting
those attributes firmly in the Positives column, not the Negative. The newly
refined machine is just as engaging as it ever was, the styling of the Brutale
still stands up to our critical eyes and the updates made to the bike's
ergonomics make it a much more inviting option in the face of stiff competition
from the likes of the Ducati Streetfighter and Triumph Speed Triple. Finally, we
think the $15,000 asking price is pretty damn attractive for what you're
getting.

So, the 2010 MV Agusta Brutale somehow manages to live up to the performance
heritage set by the original model while also offering useful improvements that
make it easier to live with. As they might say in Italy... Mamma mia, ma che
bella machina!



{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|MV Agusta Brutale 990R Italian Unification Edition
|- 
!Year
|2010
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, transverse four cylinder. DOHC, 4 radial valves per cylinder
|- 
!Displacement
|998 cc / 60.9 cu-in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|76 x 55 mm
|- 
!Cooling System
|Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators
|- 
!Compression
|13.0:1
|- 
!Induction
|Mulitpoint electronic injection
|- 
!Ignition
|Digital CDI
|- 
!Starting
|Electric
|- 
!Max Power
|102 kW 139 hp @ 10600 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|106 Nm / 10.6 kgf-m @ 8000 rpm
|- 
!Clutch
|Wet, multiplate
|- 
!Transmission
|6 Speed
|- 
!Final Drive
|Chain
|- 
!Gear Ratio
|1st Speed 13/38 109.7 km/h (68.1 mph) at 11600 rpm 2nd Speed 16/34 150.8 km/h (93.6 mph) at 11600 rpm 3rd Speed 18/32 180.3 km/h (111.9 mph) at 11600 rpm 4t Speed 20/30 213.7 km/h (132.7 mph) at 11600 rpm 5th Speed 22/29 243.2 km/h (151.0 mph) at 11600 rpm 6th Speed 19/23 265.0 km/h (164.5 mph) at 11600 rpm
|- 
!Frame
|CrMo Steel tubular trellis (TIG welded) Rear swing arm pivot plates: material Aluminium alloy
|- 
!Front Suspension
|UPSIDE - DOWN telescopic hydraulic fork with external and separated adjustment of rebound and compression damping and of spring preload Rod dia. 50 mm
|- 
!Front Wheel Travel
|130 mm / 5.1 in
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound damping and spring preload adjustment Single sided swing arm: materiale Aluminium alloy
|- 
!Rear Wheel Travel
|120 mm / 4.7 in
|- 
!Front Brakes
|2x 310mm discs 4 piston caliper
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|Single 210mm disc 4 piston caliper
|- 
!Front Tire
|120/70 ZR 17
|- 
!Rear Tire
|190/55 ZR 17
|- 
!Trail
|102 mm / 4.0 in
|- 
!Dimensions
|Length 2093 mm / 82.4 in Width 760 mm / 29.92 in
|- 
!Wheelbase
|1438 mm / 56.6 in
|- 
!Seat Height
|830 mm / 32.6 in
|- 
!Ground Clearance
|130 mm / 5.9 in
|- 
!Dry Weight
|190 kg / 418.9 lbs
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|23 Litres / 6.0 US gal

|}
== Videos ==
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoidBt2Td7s|600|center}}
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qkq34V2hzI|600|center}}
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC3USm0xqK4|600|center}}

[[Category:MV Agusta motorcycles]]