#MVAgusta

MV Agusta has taken us on quite a journey with its Lucky Explorer Project adventure bikes. First, we saw the Lucky Explorer 9.5 and 5.5 in prototype form at EICMA in 2021, and last year, Alan Cathcart had a chance to test the 9.5 prototype. We’re now well into the 2024 model launch season, and still waiting for the bikes to enter production, with word that the 5.5 model has been delayed indefinitely. And now, Motorcycle.com can confirm that the Lucky Explorer 9.5 is getting rebranded with the much more MV-esque name “Enduro Veloce”.

MV Agusta adds another chapter to its collection of limited-edition motorcycles with the unveiling of the Brutale 1000 RR Assen. This new motorcycle pays tribute to MV Agusta's remarkable history at the iconic Assen circuit, also known as the "cathedral of speed," where the brand has achieved thirty-five victories, making it the most successful Italian manufacturer and the third overall in terms of victories at this historic Dutch track.

Riding through the little village of Samarate in Varese, Italy, the roads are narrow, with flats adorning one side – usually two or three stories high – and fields and trees adorning the other. Cars parked along the road make the narrow street even tighter, and the foot traffic marching to the church can clog the streets on a Sunday. It’s a sleepy little town and is remarkably easy to miss. You can ride right on through, from one end to the other, and dismiss the town entirely. Except for the little house with a helicopter – four, actually – resting on the lawn under canvas tarps. They’re so out of place in this little town that it’s hard not to stop and wonder what they’re doing there. That’s when you realize you’ve reached the Museo Agusta, or the MV Agusta museum.

Rare motorcycles are always fun to talk about, and this 1975 MV Agusta 750S America is no exception. One of only 200 built over a two-year production run, the 750S America was lobbied into existence by racer Jim Cotherman and distributor Chris Garville who traveled to Italy, in 1974. There, they convinced MV's management to evolve the existing 750S into a limited-edition luxury sport bike tailored for the American market with more power and styling cues from MV's contemporary race bikes that dominated racing in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Hence the 37-star graphic on the fuel tank celebrating 37 world championships.

MV Agusta is on a full-court press to show the world that, thanks to Pierer Mobility, it finally has the support it needs to grow into its full potential. We’ve written about it on this site and are following all of the news concerning the company. One nice change from our perspective as journalists is the availability of a MV Agusta press fleet. Another is the U.S. introduction of a country-exclusive 2023 MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America, which is designed to appeal directly to buyers in MV’s most important market. It seems only fitting that the heart of Southern California’s motorcycle country was chosen as the place to give the moto press a sample of the latest offering from Varese.

With KTM AG behind it, MV Agusta has its best chance at financial stability. But we’ve heard this story before.

MV Agusta has undergone a lot of big changes the last few years, first with Russian Timur Sardarov gaining control of the brand from Giovanni Castiglioni, and more recently with KTM AG acquiring a 25.1% stake.

Eicher Motors has filed trademark applications for two potential models: “Royal Enfield Flying Flea” and “Royal Enfield Roadster”. The trademark applications were filed yesterday with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for use on “motorcycles; parts and fittings therefore,” as well as for various clothing items.

Today’s Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix had something for every taste and budget. Repsol Honda defending double world champion Marc Marquez, in his season of discontent, laid down an historic last lap to seize the victory from Yamaha mullah Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo, trailing teammate Valentino Rossi by 18 points coming in, was blessed today by a statement performance from factory Ducati #1 Andrea Iannone who slipped past Rossi one more time on the final lap and onto the podium, trimming Rossi’s lead over Lorenzo to 11 points heading to Sepang.