MV Agusta Brutale 1090 review, test ride

When it comes to exotic bike makers from across the globe, no other name is as evocative as MV Agusta, its F4 having shaped a generation of motorcyclists’ aesthetic sensibilities. Although the fully faired F4 is yet to go on sale in India, MV Agusta’s tie-up with Pune-based Kinetic Group has brought the top-of-the-line street naked, the Brutale 1090, to Indian showrooms. So, what is it like to ride an Italian blueblood around our streets? And would the seven years since its international launch have worn down its ability to wow? A quick spin on the Brutale should put some facts in the folklore.

When looks don’t kill
A lot of bike makers these days are doing a great job designing nakeds, and we aren’t just talking about the Italians here. In a market flooded with handsome, sculpted and distinctive streetfighters, the Brutale now has a slightly seen-it-before quality. Clearly, some of the pizzazz when we first saw it has worn off in the passing years. However, I’m willing to chalk this down to this test bike’s matte-black paint job which really hides all the details. Had we got it in another brighter colour scheme, we would’ve begged to differ. Nonetheless, the Brutale is hard to ignore. The melted-oval shape for the headlamp is striking but lacks some crispness. The taut lines on the tank and the sports bike-like high tail is sharp, but it won’t rewire your expectations of Italian cool.

The matte-black paint job really hides this bike’s more attractive visual details, making the overall design look a bit dated.

That’s not to say it isn’t without its merits. There are some great details to be taken in for sure.
The ‘crown’-like cowl for the instrument cluster with daytime-running lights hidden there is a personal favourite. The exposed trellis frame and the single-sided swingarm are classically cool bits that will thrill every enthusiast. While the scoops on the sides of the fuel tank and the double-barrel exhaust on the side give it a bit more of a technical look. Even the overall stance, which feels quite a bit slimmer and more athletic than something like a Ducati Monster 1200, is very likeable.