Last month MV Agusta revealed its new Rivale 800 design. And just a couple of weeks down the line, at the 70th edition of EICMA, arguably the most important motorcycle event in the world, the bike won the title of “Moto più bella del salone” which translates as the “Most beautiful bike of the show”.

The competition, organised by Italy’s largest monthly motorcycling publication “Motociclismo” saw the MV Agusta Rivale 800 maintain a lead position throughout the entire week of the fair: the three-cylinder made in Schiranna totalled 35.5% of the votes expressed by over 15,000 show attendees; its nearest competitors the Ducati Hypermotard SP and BMW R 1200 GS claimed 22.9% and 15.5% of the cast votes respectively.

Giovanni Castiglioni, President and CEO of MV Agusta, said of winning the title: “For us it is a further recognition and confirmation of how much energy and resources MV Agusta is dedicating to the constant development of new products. After winning in 2010 with the unique jewel created by my father, the F3 675, it is an incredible satisfaction to win yet again with a completely new machine. This victory is the greatest gift we could give to our President”.

The new bike further expands MV Agusta’s range with a new interpretation of their three-cylinder engine that debuted on the F3 675 and also equips the Brutale 675 and 800 alongside the renewed four-cylinder family F4 and Brutale. In terms of performance the motorcycle boasts performance figures that leave little to the imagination: 170 kg, 125 hp.

The visual identity meanwhile has been extended to every surface of the machine. The focus for the designers was on creating a product that would draw an “emotional” response from bike riders.

Three elements, the mudguard, the side panels and the fuel tank have been individually united to form a visual shield graphic that makes the machine more instantly recognisable. In the middle, the chassis and engine combine in a mix of sculptural, mechanical and functional interplay. The rear is characterised by twin trailing-edge floating blade lighting incorporating light guides to accentuate the rear profile, while the rear side lights and brake lights are housed in two separate elements.

At the front LED/light guide technology is used in a similar fashion to highlight the profile of the vehicle while reducing visual width. The three-dimensional amber turn signals are integrated into the carefully designed hand guards.

A new “monochrome” fully digital display dashboard has been designed specifically for Rivale 800. It is compact to optimise the front fairing proportions yet remains legible. The rear view mirrors are designed to be retractable, and when open are also telescopic to improve and increment rear visibility.

Structurally, the frame is imbibed with signature MV Agusta philosophy. The front section is comprised of a steel trellis combined with a rear of two aluminium alloy plates, that act as a fulcrum for the sculpted single sided rear swingarm and suspension. The dimensions of the chassis have been redefined to ensure improved handling: the angle of the steering head is half of a degree more open than the Brutale 800. The excursion of the fork and shock have also been increased to provide more comfort and conformity to the road surface.

Source: MV Agusta
Video: YouTube

Tags: BMW R 1200 GS, Brutale 675, Brutale 800, Ducati Hypermotard SP, EICMA, F3 675, Giovanni Castiglioni, Moto più bella del salone, Motociclismo, motorbike design, MV Agusta, Rivale 800, Schiranna