Three weeks ahead of the start of the Supersport World Championship, MV Agusta Reparto Corse has unveiled its 2020 livery. The new racing colours were presented in Schiranna, the historic headquarters of the Italian company.
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP livery – Timur Sardarov, Ratmir Sardarov, Federico Fuligni, Raffaele De Rosa
The colour scheme features MV Agusta’s signature red and grey and the F3 675 will also be proudly sporting world champion Randy Krummenacher’s number 1 on its fairing. The Swiss rider will be joined by De Rosa and Fulgini in Andrea Quadranti’s team for the 2020 quest for the world Supersport title.
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP livery
Andrea Quadranti
“The long preparation to the championship is now behind us, and we are ready to face the first round of the World Championship at the end of this month in Phillip Island. During the two-day tests at the beginning of the weekend we will be able to refine the set-up work done in the Jerez tests and our riders will take care of the rest. Krummenacher is determined to reconfirm his title, but De Rosa won’t certainly give up the opportunity to fight for it either. Fuligni expects to make a qualitative leap that will keep him in the top rankings. We are all eager to confront our opponents and are determined to play a leading role in the 2020 season.”
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP – Fuligni & De Rosa
The 2020 Supersport World Championship is about to begin, with the bikes now boxed-up and sent to Australia.
Here we have the first example of a race bike that was successfully developed over a ten year period from an also-ran, in to a six-time World Championship winner!
An early example of the MV Agusta 125 single racer
MV Agusta began their long and outstanding GP history in 1948 by racing a 125cc version of their 98cc two-stroke road bike (their first motorcycle design). However the bike was outclassed by the F.B. Mondial, a four-stroke.
In 1950 the 125 single was producing 12 hp
At the end of 1949 Arturo Magni and Ing. Piero Remor joined MV from Gilera and while best known for the famous 500cc four, a 125 was also penned by Remor.
By 1960 power would almost have doubled on the MV Agusta 125
When it debuted in 1950 the DOHC single made 12 hp at 10,000 rpm – while by 1960 power had doubled to 20 hp at 12,500 rpm! Top speed also rose from 140 to over 200 km/h over the same period.
10 years saw top speed rise from 140 to 200km/h
The first two years saw little in the way of results, Les Graham’s third at Assen in ’51 being the best result. Cecil Sandford joined the team for the ’52 season and the bike saw the introduction of telescopic forks and better brakes. Power was up to 14 hp at 10,800 rpm.
Cecil Sandford would herald the MV Agusta’s 125 turn of fortune in 1952, with telescopic forks adopted the same year
Sandford won MV’s first ever GP at the Isle of Man and went on to take the title with two more wins that year. Graham placing fourth.
The MV Agusta 125 Racer saw improvement year over year, as performance grew
1953 introduced major engine modifications including internal flywheel, a five-speed gearbox and magneto ignition.
The external flywheel seen here on the 1950 model
An Earle’s fork front end and 19 inch wheels were fitted. Output rose to 15 hp at 11,500 rpm. Sandford finished second to Werner Haas on the NSU with MVs also taking 3rd to 5th placings.
1953 saw the introduction of a 19 inch front wheel
1954 saw another NSU take the title (with Rupert Hollaus) with Carlo Ubbiali on the MV in second. Output was up to 16 hp and top speed was 175 km/h, running a dustbin fairing.
By 1954 power was 16 hp, with top speed reaching 175km/h
1955 had power raised to 17 hp and the return of telescopic forks. Ubbiali took the first of his five titles on the MV.
1950 MV Agusta 125 Racer
1956/57 saw twin-plug heads used and output up to 19 hp at 12,000 rpm. Top speed was 190 kph. Ubbiali won again in ’56 but Tarquinio Provini took the ’57 title on the Mondial with Luigi Taveri and Ubbiali 2nd and 3rd on the MVs.
Telescopic forks would later prove the best option, with 18 inch wheels also adopted
1958 saw new forks, 18-inch wheels and better brakes. Ubbiali won the championship again from Alberto Gandossi and Taveri, on Ducatis, in second and third.
The early 1950 MV Agusta 125 Racer may not have had the accolades but by 1960 it had true pedigree
1959/60 saw only minor detail changes to what was by now a fully evolved design. Output had reached its maximum of 20 hp at 12,500 rpm.
1950 MV Agusta 125 Racer
Ubbiali again took first in ’59 and Provini, now his team-mate, was runner up. A certain Mike Hailwood was third for Ducati.
1950 MV Agusta 125 Racer
1960 saw Ubbiali win the title for a fifth time from team mate Gary Hocking in second and Ernst Degner on the MZ in third.
The 1950 bike seen here is a part of the Elly collection.
MV Agustahas produced yet another in a long line of limited-edition models, but this time it will be sold through the exclusive TheAresenal online store.
The store calls itself “the most insane garage in the world” and includes cars, jets, boats, bicycles and some insane custom motorcycles such as a Honda monkey bike costing $US30,000 ($A44,500) and a $US50,000 ($A74,000) Yamaha XS650.
If you have to ask the price, you simply can’t afford it.
In fact, we expect you will also be up for the delivery cost from Italy.
However, the limited-edition Lewis Hamilton Dragster 800 RR already costs $A36,880, so price should be similar.
There is no word on how exclusive the limited-edition run is.
As far as we can see, the Dragster only has special black and orange paintwork plus the same level of equipment and exotic parts as the Hamilton RR.
It is powered by the same inline three-cylinder 798cc engine with 104kW of power, eight-level traction control and an electronic up/down gearbox with hydraulic slipper clutch.
Limited-edition models
MV Agusta has been promising a whole new batch of motorcycles for a couple of years now, but all we’ve seen is limited-edition models or restyled versions of their current models.
They are expected to include an adventure range and 350-500cc bikes built in collaboration with Chinese Loncin Motor.
Apart from limited-edition models, MV has also produced some amazing one-off models in recent years.
Last July they produced a one-off gold-painted Dragster 800 RC and in 2016, MV made a one-off F4Z for a Japanese businessman in a joint collaboration with car designer Zagato.
Gold MV Agusta Dragster 800 RC
MV Agusta F4Z by Zagato
MV Agusta will officially celebrate its 75th anniversary on 20-21 June 2020 at its factory on the shores of the beautiful Lake Varese in northern Italy.
We expect that may be the date they finally release the first all-new model in almost a decade.
TheArsenale and MV join forces for special Dragster 800 RR
MV Agusta have revealed yet another tarted up special based on the Dragster 800 RR platform.
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale
TheArsenale is not a new type of sex aid, but instead a Hong Kong based online marketplace concept that is designed to connect fine brands and designers with the public. From cars to skateboards, drones, yachts, planes and watches it aims to cater to a specialist niche market place.
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale
MV has got in on that act with a special edition that from what we can ascertain might only be available from TheArsenale.
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale
Ratmir Sardarov – Director of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
“We are excited about this new collaboration with TheArsenale. We were instantly seduced by their pioneering spirit and their extreme approach to luxury retail. Only the best, most exclusive models feature in their online virtual garage and our special TheArsenale edition Dragster 800 RR, a piece of pure motorcycle art, is now one of their brightest gems.”
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale
A black and orange paint scheme adorns the minimalist 140 horsepower Dragster 800 RR that we are so familiar with.
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale
Despite TheArsenale website currently headlining the bike as a Brutale 800 RR… Maybe this is where Russian oligarchs do their shopping, but didn’t they just buy MV…?
Not sure if this beskope new on-line retail concept know what they are selling if their website is much to go by…..
Patrice Meignan – CEO and founder of TheArsenale
“We were proud to be working on such a project with an incredible brand and our joint efforts got paid off when we saw the bike in flesh, a performance machine that carries the graphical look that we always envisioned our dream bike to be; this MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale is the embodiment of our transportation dreams.”
Hmmm, okay…. Pretty bike though, sort of….
MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR x TheArsenale Source: MCNews.com.au
“Cagiva production will resume next year, at the latest in early 2021, and will be dedicated to electric urban mobility,” he told Italian site Motociclismo.
The interview is unclear about what the electric vehicle will be: scooter, motorcycle, e-bike?
“There is a market for high-performing light bikes and that’s how the Cagiva electric bike project started,” he told me.
“From my pure personal experience, the torque, power and throttle response is great. You can have fun and you don’t scare the cows and the deers. It’s actually enjoyable.”
He said Cagiva electric bikes would start with 80km of range and reach 320km in the next five years with a range of bikes from commuters to off-road.
But he also said MV would not go into electric bikes because there is no market for high-performing electric street bikes.
John Kocinski’s Cagiva V594
“People think the electric bike is for losers and the reality is it is not.
“But at the moment, its potential is in cities for short-range commuting from home to the office or for short trips.
“We don’t yet live in a world where you can live with an electric car. I would like to buy a Tesla, but only for driving from home to the office. I travel a lot by car and I can’t start my journey by doing a flight plan like in a plane.
“The charging infrastructure needs to improve first.”
MV Agusta will officially celebrate its 75th anniversary on June 20-21 at its factory on the shores of the beautiful Lake Varese in northern Italy.
If you’re a fan, we recommend booking your flights now as the Italian lake region is not only beautiful, but is blessed with excellent roads for riding motorcycles.
The company sent out a potted history (attached below) which concludes with a vision of the future where they listen to customers and promise new models, faster spare parts delivery and an expended sales network.
Troubled times
MV Agusta has gone through some tough financial times over the past few years.
It had a rocky relationship with AMG Mercedes ownership, developed terribly slow spare parts delivery and did not produce any new models, only limited editions of their ageing fleet.
New boss Timur Sardarov took over from Giovanni Castiglioni in 2018.
Giovanni Castiglioni and Timur Sardarov
Timur is the founder of Russian investment company, Black Ocean Group, which rescued the company in 2017.
He set up the Nevada Burning Man festival and is the son of oil tycoon Rashid Sardarov who was mentioned in the Panama Papers and has links to Russian mafia lawyers.
Last year,the Sardarov family acquired 100% of the company’s capital and Timurannounced a five-year plan to build new bikes and improve its service.
However, we are yet to see a truly new motorcycle from MV and have not heard any reports of improved parts delivery in Australia.
In July 2019, Timur announced a partnership with Chinese Loncin Motor to make 350-500cc motorcycles.
Timur says being the boss at the historic 75th anniversary is “exciting and challenging”.
“I consider it a great privilege, and also a great responsibility, but looking back at MV Agusta’s legacy, I know we are standing on the shoulders of a giant, and this gives me great pride and confidence in breaking new ground every day, launching innovative technology, new incredible models, and expanding into markets we have never entered before.”
MV Agusta 75th anniversary history
Here is the unedited MV Agusta version of its history to mark its 75th anniversary:
It all started on January 19, 1945, with the establishment ofMeccanicaVerghera Srl in Cascina Costa, near today’s Malpensa international airport. The Agusta family, pioneers of the aviation industry, unable to continue manufacturing aeroplanes in the aftermath of WWII, turned to motorcycles to express their passion for speed, adrenaline and precision engineering. Legend has it that the first model, a 98 cc, was due to be called “Vespa”, but the name was already taken, so it went down in history simply as the MV98.
The Agustas also knew how to convert their racing motorcycles into successful production road models for a public of passionate enthusiasts, and started right from the beginning with a luxury version of the 98 that made a sensation at the 1947 Milan Trade Fair. Since then, every new MV Agusta model made its mark in the history of motorcycling, and still today the launch of a new model or range is a much awaited event.
Count Domenico Agusta had a knack for hiring the best riders, most of which became legends of the sport: Franco Bertoni, MV’s first rider, followed by ArcisioArtesiani, Carlo Ubbiali the “flying chinaman”, Leslie Graham,CecilSandford, Fortunato Libanori, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood,Gianfranco Bonera, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read. Throughout the 30 years of the Agusta era, the history of their victories intersects with the launches of equally legendary and successful MV Agusta production models.
Cecil Sandford
Giacomo Agostini
John Surtees
Carlo Ubbiali
The partnership with Giacomo Agostini was the most celebrated in the history of motorcycling: in his career, “Ago” won 13 Wold Championships, 18 Italian titles and 10 Isle of Man’s TTs.
Count Domenico passed in 1971, and after Agostini’s last victory at the Nürburgring in 1976, the destiny of MV Agusta seemed to have come to an end, until the Castiglioni family decided to give it a new lease of life. In 1992, Claudio Castiglioni’s Cagiva acquired the MV Agusta brand and moved production to its facility on the shores of lake Varese, in Schiranna, where MV Agusta motorcycles are still produced today.
Claudio Castiglioni and F4 designer Massimo Tamburini
Under the visionary guidance of Claudio Castiglioni the brand never ceased to represent Italy’s best motorcycling tradition and even acquired further prestige and recognition. Castiglioni single-handedly revolutionised the motorcycle industry, heavily investing in R&D and in production.
The four-cylinder,750cc F4 was the first bike of the new era, and also the first superbike. It is still considered “the best looking bike ever”. Claudio also invented the concept of the “naked” bike, a new paradigm in the motorcycling world.
Giovanni Castiglioni in front of a photo of his father, Claudio
After his premature death in 2011, his son Giovanni succeeded him at the helm and continued in the family’s pioneering tradition. He actively sought and developed partnerships with world-class names such as Pirelli and Formula1 champion Lewis Hamilton to further broaden the reach and the appeal of the brand. Giovanni was behind the creation of the “Brutale”, the ultimate naked, and the F3, the best middle-weight sports bike with an inline-three cylinders engine and a counter-rotating crankshaft. Under his guidance, other remarkable models such as the Dragster and the Turismo Veloce, an opening into the tourers’ world, as well as successive evolutions of the F3 and F4, were acclaimed both by critics and motorcycling enthusiasts.
Timur Sardarov
In 2017, the company was ready for a new important step in its history of continuing growth, and new capital was brought in byComSar Invest, a Luxembourg company belonging to a family of entrepreneurs who share the same pioneering spirit and passion for speed as the Agustas and the Castiglionis. After an initial and successful partnership phase, in2019 the Sardarov family acquired 100% of the company’s capitaland Timur Sardarov, MV Agusta’s present CEO, was ready to take on a leading role.
This week MV Agusta Motor turned 75-years-old and celebrates its legendary history of racing successes and excellence in engineering and design.
It all started on January 19, 1945, with the establishment of Meccanica Verghera Srl in Cascina Costa, near today’s Malpensa international airport.
Meccanica Verghera Srl in Cascina Costa
The Agusta family, pioneers of the aviation industry, unable to continue manufacturing aeroplanes in the aftermath of WWII, turned to motorcycles to express their passion for speed, adrenaline and precision engineering.
MV98
Legend has it that the first model, a 98 cc, was due to be called “Vespa”, but the name was already taken, so it went down in history simply as the MV98.
The Agustas also knew how to convert their racing motorcycles into successful production road models for a public of passionate enthusiasts, and started right from the beginning with a luxury version of the 98 that made a sensation at the 1947 Milan Trade Fair.
Count Domenico Agusta with John Surtees
Count Domenico Agusta had a knack for hiring the best riders, most of which became legends of the sport: Franco Bertoni, MV’s first rider, followed by Arcisio Artesiani, Carlo Ubbiali the “flying chinaman”, Leslie Graham, Cecil Sandford, Fortunato Libanori, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Gianfranco Bonera, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read.
Carlo Ubbiali
Throughout the 30 years of the Agusta era, the history of their victories intersects with the launches of equally legendary and successful MV Agusta production models.
Giacomo Agostini
The partnership with Giacomo Agostini was the most celebrated in the history of motorcycling: in his career, “Ago” won 13 Wold Championships, 18 Italian titles and 10 Isle of Man’s TTs.
Mike Hailwood
Count Domenico passed in 1971, and after Agostini’s last victory at the Nürburgring in 1976, the destiny of MV Agusta seemed to have come to an end, until the Castiglioni family decided to give it a new lease of life.
In 1992, Claudio Castiglioni’s Cagiva acquired the MV Agusta brand
In 1992, Claudio Castiglioni’s Cagiva acquired the MV Agusta brand and moved production to its facility on the shores of Lake Varese, in Schiranna, where MV Agusta motorcycles are still produced today.
Under the visionary guidance of Claudio Castiglioni the brand even acquired further prestige and recognition. Castiglioni heavily invested in R&D and in production. The four-cylinder, 750 cc F4 was the first bike of the new era, and also the first MV superbike. Many still consider it to be “the best looking bike ever”. Claudio also invented the concept of the “naked” bike, a new paradigm in the motorcycling world.
MV Agusta Senna
After his premature death in 2011, his son Giovanni succeeded him at the helm and continued in the family’s pioneering tradition. He actively sought and developed partnerships with world-class names such as Pirelli and Formula1 champion Lewis Hamilton to further broaden the reach and the appeal of the brand.
Giovanni Castiglioni
Giovanni was behind the creation of the “Brutale”, the ultimate naked, and the F3, the best middle-weight sports bike with an inline-three cylinders engine and a counter-rotating crankshaft. Under his guidance, other remarkable models such as the Dragster and the Turismo Veloce, an opening into the tourers’ world, as well as successive evolutions of the F3 and F4, were acclaimed both by critics and motorcycling enthusiasts.
Claudio Castiglioni and Massimo Tamburini
In 2017, the company was ready for a new important step in its history of continuing growth, and new capital was brought in by ComSar Invest, a Luxembourg company belonging to a family of entrepreneurs who share the same pioneering spirit and passion for speed as the Agustas and the Castiglionis. After an initial and successful partnership phase, in 2019 the Sardarov family acquired 100% of the company’s capital and Timur Sardarov, MV Agusta’s present CEO, was ready to take on a leading role.
Under his leadership, MV Agusta’s new roadmap strongly focussed on stability, quality, customer relations, service and on the expansion of the product range and of the sales network. Concepts such as connectivity and digitalisation of the product were also introduced.
Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
New MV Agusta models such as the Serie Oro limited editions of the Superveloce 800 and Brutale 1000 RR, a tribute to the brand’s legacy of design, speed and leading-edge technology. In 2019 the Superveloce 800 Serie Oro made MV Agusta an “Excellence of Lombardy’s Design”, a sure sign of its pure MV Agusta DNA.
MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Serie Oro
Sardarov also immediately concentrated on the reorganisation of the company to stabilise it financially and continue in its successful growth path. He brought in a number of highly respected managers with a proven track record in the industry and constituted a new, highly skilled and experienced best-in-the-industry management team.
Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
This strategy for MV Agusta’s new course is contained in the five year business plan that was recently announced. It clearly sets out the idea of expanding the reach of the brand through both organic and structural growth, with the objective of increasing the annual sales volumes to 25,000 units, with over 20 new models in the next five years.
New segments will be tackled, with the launch of an entry-level range appealing to a younger audience and also with the return of smaller displacements such as the 350 cc to expand into new markets, in particular Asia. An important partnership was established in 2019 with China’s Loncin for the production and distribution of this new mid-size range.
Research and Development remains a fundamental pillar of MV Agusta’s strategy as leading-edge technology and design are the unmistakable hallmarks of the brand.
Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
“Being at the head of MV Agusta at this historic moment in time is exciting and challenging. I consider it a great privilege, and also a great responsibility, but looking back at MV Agusta’s legacy, I know we are standing on the shoulders of a giant, and this gives me great pride and confidence in breaking new ground every day, launching innovative technology, new incredible models, and expanding into markets we have never entered before.”
Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. Source: MCNews.com.au
We have gone over the reader statistics for our motorcycle stories, assessing multiple entries about particular bikes and also considered your comments.
The statistical analysis arrives at what we think are the bikes you would most like to ride in 2020.
We apologise if this list does not reflect your particular interest. It certainly doesn’t reflect my choice!
After all, it’s just a statistical analysis and a bit of fun for your New Year reading.
2020 vision
So here are the top five bikes possibly coming in 2020 … according to you!
1 BMW R 18 cruiser
First R 18 concept
BMW said it would never build another cruiser after the R 1200 C. A few years ago they altered their tune, saying “never say never”.
Now they are building one!
BMW R 18 second concept model
We are still unsure what the R 18 will look like, although there have been some concepts and spy photos.
BMW R 18 spy photo
Even so, it hasn’t stopped BMW from launching a dedicated order site and even taking deposits from excited fans.
Harley-Davidson Revolution Max platform Bronx Streetfighter
Speaking of which, Harley-Davidson will release an abundance of unusual products in 2020, including the Bronx Streetfighter range, electric bicycles and motorcycles, and their first big-bore adventure bike, the Pan America.
While our articles on all these bikes scored highly with our readers, the macho Streetfighter won this title bout.
We wish founder Denis Savic the best of luck with his motorcycle and are looking forward to the promised test ride. Stay tuned!
5 Suzuki Hayabusa
Hayabusa engine patent filing
The Suzuki Hayabusa no longer meets stringent Euro5 conditions that kick in from 1 January 2020.
And we don’t exactly know what Suzuki will do to replace it or even if they will!
However, our articles about patent filings for an updated Hayabusa have sparked a lot of interest, especially the possibility it could be powered by a 1440cc engine.
Other 2020 contenders
Ducati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA
It’s difficult to set out the other contenders, but there has been a lot of interest shown in the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and the MV Agusta Superveloce 800.
There is little doubt that MV Agusta is the maker of some of the world’s most beautiful motorcycles and now their Superveloce 800 Serie Oro has won a distinguished design award.
Their 1997 F4, designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, has long been considered the most beautiful motorcycle of the 20th century along with his other creation, the Ducati 916.
Design award
Superveloce Serie Oro
Now theDesign Excellences award’s jury was won over by MV Agusta’s Superveloce for its “timeless elegance and breathtaking looks”.
The Association for Industrial Design and Lombardy’s Regional Government have recognised the work of MV Agusta’s Centro Ricerche Castiglioni styling team, headed by Adrian Morton, in “bringing significant innovation and originality to the normally conservative vintage-retro segment”.
Superveloce 800 is also a candidate for the prestigious Compasso d’Oro 2020 award from the ADI Foundation, whose objectives are the protection and the dissemination of design culture, and also of its legacy, promoting a design ethics of sustainability and quality.
MV boss Timur Sardarov says the award recognises the “hard work and the passion of all the women and men of MV Agusta who contribute, with their daily work, to the crafting of true pieces of motorcycle art”.
“They accomplish the daily miracle of shaping beauty and performance into a single object of desire,” he says.
MV Design director Adrian Morton says that to receive recognition outside the motorcycle sector is an “incredible honour and a testament to the energy and passion we dedicate to every project”.
The founder of the motorcycle exhaust company that brought music to the ears of many riders, Luigi Termignoni, has died, aged 75.
Luigi founded the Termignoni exhaust company in 1969 in Predosa, Italy.
Luigi Termignoni
His exhausts were made famous in the Paris-Dakar rallies of the ’70s and ‘80s and even the Le Mans 24 Hours Race for their performance, light weight and strength.
Termignoni exhausts have won 10 MotoGP championships, 16 World Superbikes and many other titles including cross country, enduro, trials, motocross and road racing.
Cagiva V-Raptor
Giovanni when he was still boss in 2018
John Kocinski’s Cagiva V594
Giovanni Castiglioni and Timur Sardarov
MV Agusta in joint agreement with Chinese
Claudio Castiglioni and F4 designer Massimo Tamburini
Giovanni Castiglioni in front of a photo of his father, Claudio
Timur Sardarov
