The last time anything like this came out of the MV Agusta->ke947 factory gates was the RVS#1. Although it ran on a three-pot 798cc Brutale->ke1946 platform, it showcased the Italian brand’s intentions to continue creating specials for those who dream out of the ordinary. Carrying the steroid pumped baton on, MV Agusta has produced another masterpiece that could’ve only been possible in the hands of their artisans – the 2020 MV Agusta Rush 1000.

Since 2019, MV Agusta has been breeding a new line of four-pot Brutales 1000s’. Based on the same platform of the 2020 Brutale 1000 RR, this “strip” Rush edition is an homage to the drag racing scene taken to the extreme. With a tuned-up 998cc churning 208 hp, this machine adorns visual cues and power figures unlike seen on any other production streetfighter before.

STYLING

Designed straight out of a stealth bomber drawing board, this Italian gothic masterpiece falls right in line with what one would expect from the MV bloke’s “Motorcycle Art.” Covered in carbon-fiber bodywork, the Rush maintains the bits from the Brutale 1000, including the aerodynamic wings that wrap around the radiator, winglets, clip-on handlebars, carbon-fiber leg shield and more.

Keeping in line with the muscular and mean stare is the well-built CNC-machined aluminum tank that has the curves and lines of a person who has spilled liters of sweat at the gym for years. This motorcycle gets dedicated CRC designed components like titanium fasteners, CNC-machined aluminum fuel filler cap, footpegs, and hand lever controls.

The LCD instrumentation makes way for the 5 inch TFT screen that allows the rider to connect a smartphone via the MV Ride App for riding modes, electronics, music, and navigation controls. The round LED headlight encased in a CNC-alloy housing is the revolution of the same we saw on the RVS#1. It uses an integrated inertial system illuminating the individual units based on lean angle and velocity. Fancy!

The “Strip” design complimenting the drag-racing inspiration is vividly seen at the rear. The rear sub-frame sees a new saddle design with a minimalist carbon-fiber passenger seat cover. The stitched Alcantara seat is expressively designed for comfort and ergonomics. Under which, the singular LED round lighting replaces the expansive one of the 1000 RR.

Hiding the CNC-machined aluminum rear wheel is a carbon-fiber lenticular cover that takes inspiration from drag racing, so is the 200/55 rear tire secured to the single-sided swingarm by a CNC-machined nut. The front wheel, however, has an oversized laced design looking rather slinky.

POWERTRAIN

The in-line four-cylinder architecture has been part of Brutale’s history, which was fully expressed in the Brutale 1090RR that was on sale from 2010-17. Returning after a couple of years, the current crop of Brutales’, however, runs on the similar architecture of that of the 998cc four-pot from the F4 RC superbike.

Employing similar strategies in combustion, lubrication, and friction reduction, the Rush 1000 churns out a massive 208 horsepower at 13,000 rpm and 86 ft/lbs at 11,000 rpm. New sintered valve guides house radial valves that open up to an entirely redesigned combustion chamber. The intake and exhaust lobes get new designs, and so does the low inertia crankshaft. The camshaft timing has also been reworked, and the four pistons get low friction compression rings and titanium connecting rods that improve performance and efficiency.

Add a race exhaust and ECU, and the naked superbike can produce 212 hp @ 13,600 rpm. All of this makes the Rush 1000 the highest performer of any production streetfighter ever, and at 410 lb, this has the best Power-to-Weight ratio of any naked bike out there. The MV folks worked with SC project to design a unique one-of-a-kind titanium exhaust, which routes into a dual-tipped end piece, one of the reasons for that bumped up power figure.

This helps the Rush 1000 cross the 190 mph mark is full style. The mechanical slipper clutch system takes power to the rear wheel through the cassette type, 6-speed gearbox. The higher compression ratio of 13.4:1 makes the rpm redline limit at 13,600 to maintain reliability. Mated to this is an Eldor ECU, Magnetti Marelli-Mikuni (upper-lower) injectors, and full Mikuni ride-by-wire tech festival. An electronically assisted gear shifter allows for a more relaxed clutch action to operate the beasts like a breeze.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

This 2020 Brutale 1000 RR platform sees a tubular TIG-welded hand-built CrMo steel trellis frame that holds all this madness together and is enhanced with new aviation grade aluminum lateral plates. The riding position is very aggressive, and one should not have even the slightest doubt on the capability of attacking apexes with this. The footpegs haven’t changed in position, but the handlebar now comes a little closer to the rider. Luckily, the new ‘semi-handlebars’ are adjustable for riders to set their own preference of length.

Suspension units see the same USD Öhlins EC units with electronic management with NIX EC fork that has been given a TiN superficial treatment, and at the rear is a progressive EC TTX rear shock. The Ohlins steering damper compliments the setup. Four-piston Brembo Stylema calipers clutch on dual 320mm discs handle the braking duties at the front while a two-piston Brembo caliper squeeze a 220mm disc at the rear.

Electronic rider aids include an eight-level traction control system, assisted by an inertial measurement unit (IMU), Bosch cornering ABS with rear wheel-lift mitigation, launch control, cruise control, and an up/down quickshifter. The traction control includes a disengage option allowing you to either spin the wheels to glory or contrast it with the tranquility of complete electronic intervention.

The Rush 1000 arrives with four engine maps: Sport, Race, Racing, and Custom 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.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

At the time of writing this article, MV Agusta said that the production of the Rush 1000 would begin “in a few months.” While the European price has been announced to be at €34,000, expect this to reflect a $38,000 price tag here in the states.

The Brutale 1000 RR has an MSRP of $32,000.

COMPETITION

Ducati Streetfighter V4 S

In what went down as the biggest shift for the company, Ducati’s 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale powered V4 is being considered all around for being the best motorcycle from the Italian brand. After the beautiful Panigale V4, Ducati launched the stripped-out Streetfighter V4 for 2020.

With Biplane-style winglets, a minimal front fender, wide, short-rise bar, Jockey-mount footpegs, the Streetfighter V4 are somewhat new territory for Ducati. The V4S gets electronically-adjustable Öhlins hardware front and rear and the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based control system for the effortless, automatic damping tweaks it provides, as well as an Öhlins steering damper. Braking is done by 330 mm discs and four-pot Brembo Stylema calipers to haul down the front wheel and a 245 mm disc and twin-pot caliper to slow the rear.

The crazy new ‘Desmosedici Stradale’ 1103cc plant screams at the top of its voice at 14000 rpm and pumps out a mighty 208 hp with 90.4 pound-feet of torque. The V4 gets counter-rotating crankshaft that improves handling and directional agility whenever the rider accelerates or brakes hard. Safety equipment includes Riding Modes, Power Modes, Traction-Control, Wheelie-Control, and Slide-Control features, as well as cornering ABS and Engine Brake Control to round out the package. The Ducati Launch Control, Quick Shift feature, and Ducati Multimedia System are also constant across the board to wrap up the fandanglery and deliver a fully-controllable ride.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There aren’t many quintessential motorcycle manufacturer like this Italian that has a tremendous history making some of the most beautiful looking and aerodynamic motorcycles on the planet.

They have had their share of trumps and falls throughout their history, but now it seems like MV is enjoying a rare period of sustained growth. Well, the reason is simple, and has to all do with why MV Agusta is concentrating on the Brutales’ rather than the fully faired F4s’. The nakeds have been settling the bills and are the best-selling brand for MV.

With carbon fiber, CNC-machined aluminum, titanium components, and top-shelf suspension and braking systems, the Rush 1000 is the embodiment of passion and emotion turned into a dynamic machine that is the epitome design, engineering, quality of component construction and performance. It is an exotic Italian motorcycle that has reached a new pinnacle taking up art walls across every bedroom.

The new Brutale family has gone a whole new level of Bonkers.