The same Italian madhouse production that gave us the F3 800 RC, the hottest performing middleweight sportbike in production, upgraded their Reparto Corse line-up with this condescending streetfighter born out of the experience gained by MV Agusta->ke947 with their rich participation in World Superbike and Supersport arenas. The limited edition MV Agusta Dragster 800 RC.

Based on the original Dragster 800 and the RR, this stunning piece of entry by the house of Varese is for an audience who desire the best of both worlds. Beauty and performance. Wearing jazzier clothes, this RC can let you taste the spirit of racing and technology that thrives on pure emotions and a rich heritage. It was unveiled at EICMA in Milan, Italy.

STYLING

Turning motorcycles into a work of art has become a trait at MV Agusta, and truly have been a bedroom wallpaper design. People who owned one, usually have another motorcycle from some other brand as well to do their everyday riding. Having made some of the most exotic Italian masterpieces on two wheels, the MV Agusta has a tremendous history in terms of making some of the most beautiful looking and aerodynamic motorcycles on the planet.

An example of the true craftsmanship, the MV Agusta Dragster 800 RC gets many carbon fiber components that make this monster tip the scales just at 168 kg. An unsurpassed vision of technical excellence and attention to detail can be seen on the front mudguard, radiator heat deflectors, and the compact front fairing combined with the magnificent RC forged wheels having a lightweight and unquestionable racing design. The fully USD forks gets rich anodized finish too.

There are a zillion subtle touches that leaves a mark of this ‘special edition’ cadre such as the Reparto Corse graphics on the body panels, stitched vinyl on the saddle, the number 37 embellished on the bike as a nod to the same number of constructor’s racing world titles won by the famous Italian company and a badge that will define the term ‘limited edition’ by marking the bike’s manufactured sequence.

There is a perfect interface between the rider and the motorcycle via the digital LCD panel and dashboard indicators that are also the point of interaction for the MVICS system (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) all of which can be controlled by the rider's gut and will alone.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

Talking about the engine, it is a blend of compact dimensions, light weight and incredible class-leading performance. Based on MV's three-cylinder Brutale platform, it weighs just at 54 kg and this power mill can churn out 140 bhp at 13100 rpm and 86 Nm of peak torque that is more of a revelation when you want to rip on a 168 kg bike. Almost on the hyper sports territory.

The mechanical slipper clutch system takes power to the rear wheel through the cassette type, 6-speed gearbox. The Higher compression ratio of 13.3:1 makes the rpm redline limit at 13500 to maintain reliability.

It houses a counter-rotating shaft which was exclusive to only MotoGP monsters. This makes the engine reduce inertia during quick directional changes and enhances engine balance to give the bike a better handling ability. Beautiful three element exhaust spouts a raw note enough to reverberate your body. All this is mated to an Eldor ECU, six injectors and full Mikuni ride-by-wire tech festival.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

The riding position is definitely very aggressive, and one should not have even the slightest doubt on the capability of attacking apexes with this. The handlebars are adjustable, while a steering damper is positioned just behind the triple clamp which is also adjustable. The bike is equipped with a Quickshifter EAS 2.0 that changes gears in a millionth of a millionth of a second. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but it’s seriously quick.

You also get an eight-level traction control, that also includes a disengage option allowing you to either spin the wheels to glory or contrast it with the tranquillity of complete electronic intervention. This RC is equipped with not one or two but four riding modes for you to exploit every breath of the bike’s life offering complete freedom into adjusting the motor response, rev limiter, engine torque management, throttle sensitivity and engine braking.

A tubular steel trellis frame holds all this madness together which rides on fully adjustable Marzocchi upside-down fork at the front having rebound-compression damping and spring preload external with separate adjustment. At the rear is a fully adjustable Sachs suspension unit with spring preload adjustment mated to a single-sided aluminum swingarm.

To stop the RC, twin 320 mm front discs are clutched by Brembo four-piston radial calipers and with a two-piston Brembo caliper and 220mm disc out back aligned to hoon the savage force. Dual channel ABS is a standard issue equipment with Bosch 9 Plus system and RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation). Rubber on the forged aluminum 17" are 120/70 front and huge 200/50 rear Pirelli tires.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

This limited edition Dragster could be yours for $ 20,398 MSRP. But unfortunately, according to MV-Agusta, all of the 350 models have been sold out. Blame your luck. This Dragster RC will be available in only the RC livery paint job.

COMPETITION

When it comes to getting our viewers the right competition, we often mark our point. But for a limited edition, there is not much of a hue and cry situation; if you’ve not guessed it by now. Yet, we bring you another Italian company, Bimota that creates some of the finest looking motorcycles. And one such is the Impeto that uses Ducati’s prancing horses.

Bimota Impeto

This is a supercharger capable machine from the less known Italian production house, Bimota. It has a hybrid design frame with CNC oval steel tubing mated to CNC-machined billet aluminum side plates. Ohlins 43mm front fork and twin and a rear swingarm fitted mono shock unit handle the suspension. 320mm rotors and monobloc radial-mount four-piston calipers at the front and a single piston at the rear have enough grunt to stop this menace.

The hyper-naked Impeto uses the 162bhp Testastretta engine from Ducati’s Diavel, with an optional supercharger giving the 1198cc V-twin a boost in power and torque of 15-20%. The supercharger kit has been developed for Bimotas using Ducati liquid-cooled engines and turns the new Impeto into a ‘true tire burner’. The Impeto comes with ABS, ride-by-wire throttle and traction control, and can be offered with carbon fiber swingarm and frame tubes.

With the supercharger installed, horsepower jumps past 180, but more importantly, torque leaps to around 140 pound-feet of peak output. American buyers don’t need to worry about pricing, as Bimota hasn’t been distributed in the U.S. for a few years now.

VERDICT

In a pursuit of lightness and sophistication, the new MV Agusta Dragster 800 RC inevitably transforms a strip of asphalt into a racetrack, and with only 350 units made, you’ll be a lucky chap to award yourself with a piece of Italian beauty and technology if it's not already sold out.

It is all about absolute exclusivity and with its pedigree for mind-bending performance, the Dragster Reparto Corse makes it an experience in itself.