Brutale - ridden at Schiranna factory!!!

greenspun.com : LUSENET : MV Agusta F4 : One Thread

Hi,

For anyone who's interested, I was very fortunate to be offered a ride on the new Brutale during my visit to the Schiranna factory on 29th May. While only able to ride within the factory grounds, I can assure all that the Brutale is well worth the long wait!!

The retuned, shorter geared F4 engine in the Brutale has changed it's personality very noticeably - instant grunt off the bottom end, accompanied by fabulous and instant throttle response. The riding position is substantially changed, and very comfortable (I own a 2001 F4 1+1). Hard to comment on the handling as I had insufficient room to get beyond second gear, or risk serious cornering speeds(!!!), but suffice to say the Brutale retains the trademark F4 handling excellence. It feels alive and responsive yet supremely stable. Steering lock seemed slightly improved over the F4, and the wide bars also make tight low speed turning a pleasure compared to the F4.

You will be pleased to hear that I upheld the Aussie larrikin image by thrashing the bike all over the factory grounds, including a wheelie past the engine production line in front of a crowd of factory workers who had come out to see what all the noise was!

This disturbance of the wonderful peace right on the shores of Lake Varese also brought Mr Claudio Castiglioni out of his office to meet me. I was then invited to have coffee with his son Giovanni, where we discussed in detail the Piaggio disaster and subsequent lawsuit for Euro 120 million.

I was invited to view the original Brutale Oro show bike, which Mr Castiglioni has claimed for himself and has now been repainted in red, white and blue reminiscent of the classic MV 750S America model. Mr Castiglioni, nor the international export manager Mr Paolo Fabris (my tour guide) would not be drawn to comment on whether this paint scheme might be offered on future MV models.

We then went to the nearby production factory and witnessed Brutale's on the production line. I was permitted to take as many photos as I wished, at both factories, and have photos of the first 10 Brutale Serie Oro's partially completed - these are currently awaiting new carbon fibre parts as Mr Tamburini rejected the first batch from their supplier, as he felt the quality was not high enough.

As I am the impending owner of Brutale Serie Oro #004, it is pleasing to know that Mr Tamburini and MV Agusta are so serious about quality - I'm sure it would have been tempting to accept the inferior pieces in order to satisfy their 300 patient customers - and their own financial people.

Cheers :) Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 04, 2003

Answers

great write-up! please post photos when you can.

-- mod (mvf4s@excite.com), June 04, 2003.

Any idea when is the “S” version going to be available I have had deposit for one since February 2002 and I am getting impatient since I was told end of April 2003 than end of May now I have been told end of August, what’s happening…

-- Peter (aravotaravot@hotmail.com), June 04, 2003.

Peter, sorry I can't help you re when deliveries to specific countries will begin. All I can tell you is that the Brutale S models were in full production on the line when I was there - when I get all my film developed I'll scan and post pics.

If anyone is interested, I did get photos of Mr Castiglioni's red/white/blue Brutale serie oro.

Oh yes, the SPR - they have started production, I have photos of a rack of SPR engines in the engine assembly factory, and a photo of a technician doing the final mechanical run-in checks on the dyno with a completed SPR, sans bodywork. Out of interest, it had a rosso (red) tank fitted, when I asked about this Paolo informed me that they fit a generic fuel tank/airbox for testing, and confirmed that all SPR's will have the black paintwork.

I am told that I can expect my serie oro #004 around end June.

BTW, the Brutale looks truly sensational - photos simply do not do the bike justice. And the new stacked exhaust system gives a quite different note to the F4, and to my ear more pleasing. Even my girlfriend, who was accompanying me said the Brutale sounded fantastic as I was howling it around the factory - better than my F4 with open pipes!

Cheers, Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 04, 2003.


For Peter: I waited over a year and a half for my Senna, initial deposit in Oct. 2000, received one of the first Senna's in the U.S., April 2002. Patience is a virtue, and good things come to those who wait.

-- greg petersen (gntpete@nvbell.net), June 04, 2003.

This is great to read. Can you tell me about the colors you noted for the Brutale S. Were the models red and flat black as previously thought? And are the wheels dark grey or shiney polished like the SPR pics I've seen?

My preference would be glossy black with polished wheels, but I a little wierd about these things....

Mike

-- hawkeye mike (mmartens@kc.rr.com), June 05, 2003.



Mike, the Brutale's I saw on the line didn't have any bodywork fitted. However, the one I rode had flat black paint, and the silver wheels as per the F4 2003 models. I think it safe to presume that the available colours will be as per MV advertising - red or matt black, with silver wheels.

The matt black looks MEAN, Mike, dont worry about that!

Interestingly, the one I rode also had the Titanium Nitrided 50mm Marzocchi forks (same as the Brutale Serie Oro), the production line ones did not however. I'll organise photos asap.

Cheers, Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 06, 2003.


Hi Colin,

Where in OZ are you?

Cheers

Rob

-- Robert McCaskie (robert@sendmail.com.au), June 06, 2003.


Rob, I'm in Newcastle, NSW, home of the mighty Knights :)

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 06, 2003.

Thanks for the follow-up. My local dealer has been trying to get a deposit out of me for two years! I've always wanted gloss black, then red, but everyone seems to love the flat black. I'll need to see it in the flesh I guess.

Can't wait to see the pics! Please post the link ASAP as I can't stand it...

-- hawkeye mike (mmartens@kc.rr.com), June 06, 2003.


Any news here? Where are the pics?

-- hawkeye mike (mmartens@kc.rr.com), June 10, 2003.


Mike, I havent had the photos developed yet - I've returned from 5 weeks in Europe with 32 rolls of film (!!!!), but have a business to run in the absence of my business partner, so time has been against me. I'll probably be mailing the film off to an interstate bulk developing firm to save $$, so it may be a week or two before I can post photos.

SORRY ALL.

Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 11, 2003.


Hey folks, any news when we might see the Brutale in the USA..? I have e-mailed CagivaUSA and have not heard a thing..! Nice huh..? I am very interested and my dealer basically says maybe in the fall..? If they started production in March, it should be here by August at the latest..right? Anyway if anyone has some insite it would be welcomed. Thanks. Future MV owner, I hope.

J.

-- JB. (Wentcap@aol.com), June 11, 2003.


J, from what I understand of MV's financial situation, they have certain restrictions placed on them by Banca Intesa while they trade back into the red. In essence, they are only able to manufacture certain volumes this year, as a risk management exercise. Apparently the total number of Brutale's they are able to make this year is only about 1700 - less than half the demand from within Italy alone! But I understand they are going to prioritise meeting their international export orders.

My guess is, if you dont have an order in already, the odds may be low of getting a Brutale in '03. Just my impression.

Cheers. Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 12, 2003.


I should say, "trade back into the BLACK"! :)

Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 12, 2003.


Colin, Thanks for the imput. I spoke to CagivaUSA yesterday and they said that some will be on the water in late June, early July. If that is true, then maybe one can be had in August, or Sept. As for the mix, who knows..? I understand MV's financial situation, and the restrictions being placed on them. However I hope that after all this time I can finally buy the Brutale..! For myself, I believe it will be unique and a great all round motorcycle, fitting all my demands as a rider. Again thanks.

J.

-- J. (Wentcap@aol.com), June 13, 2003.



Hmm. I wonder if their financial situation will delay the release of the F4 Mille?

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 13, 2003.

Hi Colin,

Any news on the pictures? Did you get a chance to develop & post them yet? I am really interested in seeing them! Great story...you must have had an amazing time.

Thanks, John

-- John Sbarro (jsbarro@sbarro.com), June 21, 2003.


Hi John,

The film only just went into a pro lab in another state, I expect to have photos back be end of next week.

Yeah, it was a fantastic experience! :)

Cheers, Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), June 25, 2003.


What happened to the pictures

-- Peter (aravotaravot@hotmail.com), July 10, 2003.

Hi All ... expecting them back today or early next week. Will make new post with link to pics as soon as available.

Colin

-- Colin McKay (bonnyt120@hotmail.com), July 10, 2003.


Any word on the pictures?

Thanks.

-- David Moore (david@moorecssi.com), July 31, 2003.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ