MV Agusta Rivale 800, Trepistoni of adrenaline

A pointed and sharp headlight and just behind it an almost horizontal handlebar with beautiful LED indicators integrated into the hand guards, folding mirrors at the edges: it is the new MV Agusta Rivale 800, a true fun-bike with a naked body and a motard soul.As with other MVs, Rivale is also a creation for which style and driving with a "big" smile are fundamental elements. Air Force Grey, Metallic Black or the classic MV color Red/silver, a 12.990 €.

A sharp stylistic pencil defines the front area, headlight, mudguard, and then the rear, with that short, wide tail, at the edges of which the LED lights have been positioned and a little further down the courageous passenger's footrests. Mudguard, nothing. Just a cantilevered nail to support the license plate and the beautiful rear direction indicators. A solution already seen, but the effect is still notable. There driving position is really attacking, as a motard, weight forward to grip the wide and open handlebar. Despite its small size, all things considered, this MV is also comfortable for riders of tall and medium-tall stature. The downside is that the bike is so compact that the dashboard can only be seen by bending the head down, and the rear-view mirrors are also low and positioned beyond the handlebar counterweights.

Beyond the mere stylistic-ergonomic considerations, the characterizing element of this fun-bike is undoubtedly the splendid and compact 3 cylinder 800 cc with 125 HP at 12.000 rpm e 84 Nm at 8.600 rpm. The distribution is double overhead camshaft, with four valves per cylinder; L'intake and exhaust were designed specifically for Rivale, in light of the peculiar delivery characteristics of this model. The “closed-deck” type base is shell-cast, with integral barrels and counter-rotating balancing shaft; an engine that weighs just 52 kilograms. The report weight/power stops at 1,42 kg per horsepower. The throttle control is Full Ride By Wire, the gearbox has 6 ratios and uses theEAS (Electronically Assisted Shift), i.e. the "electronic gearbox".

The frame as for other MVs is ALS steel tubes and aluminum alloy plates. A very long single-sided swingarm in relation to the extremely compact wheelbase of the motorbike it helps to have the right traction. All dimensions, compared to other three-cylinder engines, have been revised, including the front wheel travel increased to 150 mm, capable of redefine the weight distribution between the front and rear. Great decelerations are guaranteed by the braking system Brembo, two 320 mm discs and four-piston calipers; the rear support unit is composed of a 220 steel disc and a double piston caliper; ABS is missing for now, it will arrive in 2014.

Such a reactive motorbike, with reference dynamics, cannot fail to have high-quality electronics. This is where it comes into play the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) platform which manages all the electronic control parameters of the vehicle. Four engine maps, three of which define as many delivery modes: the first specific for the performance, the second for the driving on the road, the third in terms of conditions slippery bottom; the fourth, however, is one customizable mapping where it is possible to define parameter by parameter the most suitable delivery based on your preferences.